Brand-Name Topical Keratolytics for Keratosis Pilaris
For keratosis pilaris, the most commonly recommended brand-name keratolytic products are Eucerin Intensive Lotion (10% urea), AmLactin (12% lactic acid), and Balneum Plus (5% urea), with urea-based products being the most widely supported in clinical practice. 1
Primary Keratolytic Options
Urea-Based Products (First-Line)
- Eucerin Intensive Lotion (10% urea) is the most frequently recommended brand-name product for keratosis pilaris, applied twice daily to affected areas 1
- Higher concentration urea products (20% urea) are available for more severe cases, with one 4-week study demonstrating significant improvement in skin texture and patient satisfaction 2
- Urea concentrations of at least 10% are required for effective keratolysis, with 20-40% concentrations reserved for severe localized hyperkeratosis 3, 1
- Balneum Plus (5% urea) represents a lower-concentration option suitable for maintenance therapy 1
Alpha-Hydroxy Acid Products
- AmLactin (12% lactic acid) is the most commonly used first-line therapy by dermatologists (43.63% of surveyed practitioners), followed by salicylic acid products (20.72%) 4
- Lactic acid products at 10% concentration demonstrated 66% mean reduction in lesions over 12 weeks in comparative studies 5
- Glycolic acid products are also preferred topicals for keratosis pilaris management, though specific brand names are less consistently cited 6
Salicylic Acid Products
- 5% salicylic acid creams showed 52% mean reduction in lesions over 12 weeks, though slightly less effective than lactic acid 5
- Salicylic acid is the second most utilized first-line therapy among dermatologists 4
Application Guidelines
Standard Regimen
- Apply keratolytic products twice daily to affected areas, ideally after bathing when skin is slightly damp to optimize absorption 1
- For severe cases, 10% urea cream can be applied three times daily 1
- Treatment typically requires 4-12 weeks to achieve significant improvement 5, 2
Critical Safety Considerations
- Avoid using urea ≥10% in children under 1 year of age, except once daily on limited areas like palms and soles, due to immature epidermal barrier and risk of systemic absorption 3, 1
- Do not apply to the face, flexures, inflamed skin, or open fissures, as keratolytics may cause irritation, burning, or stinging 1
- Common side effects include mild irritation, itching, and burning sensation at application sites 1
Clinical Pearls
Treatment Expectations
- Over 60% of patients experience recurrence within 3 months of stopping salicylic acid or moisturizer treatment, indicating the need for long-term maintenance therapy 4
- Urea products demonstrate superior efficacy compared to plain emollients, with vehicle-controlled trials showing only 44% clearance with simple emollients versus significantly higher rates with keratolytic formulations 1