[Urea in dermatology I]

In the main this first part of a review of the literature was already published 10 years ago. Here the importance of urea in the normal and diseased skin and its various dermopharmacologic properties is dealth with. For the time being the publications of the seventies are given special attention. In them particularly the utilization of the keratolytic and hydrating properties, i.e. water-binding capacity, of urea in the horny layer and also its significance in the treatment of hyperkeratosis and xerotic dermatosis without serious side effects is emphasized.