When you have itchy,scaly skin, finding the righteczemacream is important. Two substances known to provide relief from eczema symptoms are lactic acid and urea. Moisturizers containing lactic acid and/or urea act as both exfoliants and humectants,which is what makes them especially useful as eczema lotions.
What Is Scaly Skin?
Eczema, also called atopic dermatitis, is a common inflammatory skin condition impacting about 11% of children and more than 7% of adults in the United States.The primarysymptomis a scaly, itchy, inflamed rash.
People with eczema are believed to have a genetic mutation that weakens a protein called filaggrin in the epidermis (the outermost layer of skin).Filaggrin plays important roles in creating a protective barrier that protects skin cells and keeps them hydrated. The lack of filaggrin triggers numerous changes in your skin:
To treat eczema, it’s important to remove dead cells and restore moisture, which is where exfoliants and humectants come in.
Exfoliantsremove dead cells from the surface of your skin. You may be most familiar with physical exfoliants, which are abrasive or gritty and manually remove dead cells. Lactic acid is a chemical exfoliant, meaning that it isn’t abrasive. Instead, it helps loosen the bonds between cells and allows dry skin to be sloughed off.
How Exfoliation Helps Your Skin
Learn More About Humectants
Because they act as both exfoliants and humectants, lactic acid and urea have both been studied and found to be among the more effective moisturizers for eczema.
Lactic Acid
Lactic acid is analpha-hydroxy acidthat can be derived from milk but is generally synthesized for skincare products. It’s also a natural component of healthy skin.
Products containing lactic acid can also improve skin in ways not related to eczema, including:
Additionally, lactic acid is used in products that treatpsoriasis,rosacea, and combined with salicylic acid to treat several types ofwarts.
A 2018 study suggests that lactic acid reduces itching in eczema after the first use and restores skin barrier integrity.A review of moisturizers for eczema found some evidence that it shortened flares as well.
Over-the-counter products come in various formulations, including:
They contain varying amounts of lactic acid, from 5% to 30% or even more.
When you first start, it’s best to use a product that contains only 5% to 10% lactic acid. It can be irritating, especially at higher levels, if your skin isn’t used to it.If the product isn’t working as well as you’d like, you can gradually increase the strength until it has the desired effect, so long as your skin can tolerate it.
Throughout use of these products, watch how your skin reacts so you don’t irritate it, follow the directions, and don’t go for too high a strength too fast.
Also be aware of what otheringredients are in the productyou choose, as they can alter your results. Simpler products make it easier for you to determine what is working—or working against you.
If your skin has uneven pigmentation and fine wrinkles in addition to dryness, you may want to look into professional lactic-acid-containing peels. Several treatments generally need to be done to get desired results.
Talk to your dermatologist about whether peels or over-the-counter products are the right choice for you.
In-Depth: Lactic Acid
UreaUrea, also called carbamide, is a natural component of healthy skin that’s synthesized for use in lotions and other skincare products. You can buy a range of over-the-counter eczema creams and other formulations that contain this ingredient. Urea isn’t used in any prescription eczema treatments.Urea draws water to your skin cells and keeps it there while softening the dry cells on the surface of your skin so you can shed them more easily. With regular use, it improves the barrier layer and helps epidermal cells regenerate more efficiently.It also has painkilling effects, which lessens the itchiness eczema can cause.When used in corticosteroid creams, urea allows the drug to penetrate more deeply than it can alone.Along with treating eczema, urea can help relieve symptoms of:PsoriasisContact dermatitisOnychomycosis (afungal nail infection)Athlete’s footSeborrheic keratosis(a skin growth, also called basal cell papilloma or seborrheic warts)Dystrophic nailsA 2017 review of moisturizers for eczema found some evidence that urea-containing cream improved dryness and led to fewer flares, and that it was superior to a placebo in terms of overall skin improvements.A 2019 review of side effects from use of emollients, including urea, to treat eczema states that adverse events were generally mild and that these treatments are safe to use.A 14-day study comparing 40% urea cream to 12% ammonium lactate (lactic acid) found that the urea cream was superior in most of the areas measured, including:Skin roughnessFissure reductionThicknessDrynessUrea is available in multiple preparations, including:CreamsLotionsShampoosGelsBody washesProducts range in strength from about 3% up to 40%. Concentrations of between 10% and 40% are commonly recommended for eczema.Some products combine urea with other active ingredients; make sure you read ingredient labels to check for anything you know can irritate your condition.Your dermatologist can help guide you toward the right products and concentrations for you.
Urea
Urea, also called carbamide, is a natural component of healthy skin that’s synthesized for use in lotions and other skincare products. You can buy a range of over-the-counter eczema creams and other formulations that contain this ingredient. Urea isn’t used in any prescription eczema treatments.
Urea draws water to your skin cells and keeps it there while softening the dry cells on the surface of your skin so you can shed them more easily. With regular use, it improves the barrier layer and helps epidermal cells regenerate more efficiently.
It also has painkilling effects, which lessens the itchiness eczema can cause.
When used in corticosteroid creams, urea allows the drug to penetrate more deeply than it can alone.
Along with treating eczema, urea can help relieve symptoms of:
A 2017 review of moisturizers for eczema found some evidence that urea-containing cream improved dryness and led to fewer flares, and that it was superior to a placebo in terms of overall skin improvements.
A 2019 review of side effects from use of emollients, including urea, to treat eczema states that adverse events were generally mild and that these treatments are safe to use.
A 14-day study comparing 40% urea cream to 12% ammonium lactate (lactic acid) found that the urea cream was superior in most of the areas measured, including:Skin roughnessFissure reductionThicknessDryness
A 14-day study comparing 40% urea cream to 12% ammonium lactate (lactic acid) found that the urea cream was superior in most of the areas measured, including:
Urea is available in multiple preparations, including:
Products range in strength from about 3% up to 40%. Concentrations of between 10% and 40% are commonly recommended for eczema.
Some products combine urea with other active ingredients; make sure you read ingredient labels to check for anything you know can irritate your condition.
Your dermatologist can help guide you toward the right products and concentrations for you.
Choosing and UsingWhile one study did suggest that urea may be more effective than lactic acid, it was a small, short-term study and doesn’t indicate that urea is the best choice for everyone.Also, different products may be necessary during different stages of your condition.When choosing between products, the National Eczema Association says to take these steps:Check the label to see if it contains any of your known allergens or irritants.Check reputable sources to see how well it’s regarded as an eczema moisturizer. For example, reference theNational Eczema Association’s Seal of Acceptance list.Test a small amount of the product on the inside of your wrist or elbow. Leave it there without washing the area for a day or two and see if you have any negative reactions to it.Also look for fairly simple formulations that don’t contain fragrances or dyes.If mild irritation or redness occur when you first apply the product, see if the symptoms goes away in about an hour. If so, the product is probably safe for you to use. If the skin changes are moderate or severe, don’t go away, or cause a rash or swelling, wash the skin and don’t use the product again. Call your dermatologist to see if your reaction warrants any further treatment.Generally, eczema creams should be applied a couple of times a day. Apply a thick layer of moisturizer all over your skin within three minutes of bathing or showering to “lock in” moisture and protect the skin barrier.Be sure to follow directions from the manufacturer or your healthcare provider.The Best Lotions for Eczema, Tested and Reviewed
Choosing and Using
While one study did suggest that urea may be more effective than lactic acid, it was a small, short-term study and doesn’t indicate that urea is the best choice for everyone.Also, different products may be necessary during different stages of your condition.
When choosing between products, the National Eczema Association says to take these steps:
Also look for fairly simple formulations that don’t contain fragrances or dyes.
If mild irritation or redness occur when you first apply the product, see if the symptoms goes away in about an hour. If so, the product is probably safe for you to use. If the skin changes are moderate or severe, don’t go away, or cause a rash or swelling, wash the skin and don’t use the product again. Call your dermatologist to see if your reaction warrants any further treatment.
Generally, eczema creams should be applied a couple of times a day. Apply a thick layer of moisturizer all over your skin within three minutes of bathing or showering to “lock in” moisture and protect the skin barrier.
Be sure to follow directions from the manufacturer or your healthcare provider.
The Best Lotions for Eczema, Tested and Reviewed
Side Effects and Precautions
Never use a moisturizer or topical treatment if you know you’re allergic to any of its ingredients.
The most common side effect of moisturizers for eczema is a burning sensation when applied, especially to broken skin. Itching and skin rash from urea are also common.
In studies, any side effects typically have been mild.Starting with a low concentration of urea or lactic acid can help you sidestep such concerns.
Lactic acid can lead to several other more significant side effects, including:
It’s possible for eczema creams and lotions to interact negatively with prescription skin treatments you may be using. Be sure to check with your healthcare provider before starting any new product, including those that contain urea or lactic acid.
Pregnancy and Lactation
Experts don’t know whether topical urea or lactic acid make it into breast milk, so it’s best to avoid them or talk to your healthcare provider about the risks if you are nursing.
A Word From VerywellLactic acid and urea are generally considered safe and effective for eczema, so it’s worth giving products that contain them a try. However, if they don’t work well for you, you do have a lot of other choices for improving your skin and controlling symptoms.Talk to your dermatologist about how different products have or haven’t worked and any negative reactions you may have had. They can guide you as to what treatments may be better given the details of your case.How Eczema Is Treated
A Word From Verywell
Lactic acid and urea are generally considered safe and effective for eczema, so it’s worth giving products that contain them a try. However, if they don’t work well for you, you do have a lot of other choices for improving your skin and controlling symptoms.
Talk to your dermatologist about how different products have or haven’t worked and any negative reactions you may have had. They can guide you as to what treatments may be better given the details of your case.
How Eczema Is Treated
15 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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Jacobi A, Mayer A, Augustin M.Keratolytics and emollients and their role in the therapy of psoriasis: a systematic review.Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2015;5(1):1-18. doi:10.1007/s13555-015-0068-3
Bhanot A, Huntley A, Ridd MJ.Adverse events from emollient use in eczema: A restricted review of published data.Dermatol Ther (Heidelb). 2019;9(2):193-208. doi:10.1007/s13555-019-0284-3
Ademola J, Frazier C, Kim SJ, Theaux C, Saudez X.Clinical evaluation of 40% urea and 12% ammonium lactate in the treatment of xerosis.Am J Clin Dermatol. 2002;3(3):217-222. doi:10.2165/00128071-200203030-00007
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Alpha hydroxy acids.
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