Urea is used to treat chronic dry skin conditions such as eczema It is also used to treat skin conditions that cause dry thickened scaly flaky and cracked skin ichthyosis xeroderma and thickening of the outermost layer of the skin hyperkeratosis It is an emollient sometimes known as a moisturiser It is used to relieve the symptoms of dry skin conditions such as cracked scaly and itchy skin The urea penetrates the skins surface where it absorbs water This results in a soothing softening and moisturising effect In general this drug is used when you have a longterm dry skin condition.