Methods for preventing, inhibiting, or reducing metal (e.g. mild steel) corrosion in aqueous media utilizing a water-soluble formulation having a polyurea pre-dissolved in a polar aprotic solvent are described. The polyurea contains reacted units of a diisocyanate and a diaminoalkane. The effectiveness of the methods is demonstrated by corrosion inhibition efficiency and corrosion rate of metallic substrates in aqueous acidic environments using the water-soluble formulation.