The 8 Best Scar Creams of 2023

What to Keep in Mind

Scar Type

Scars can be broken down into four categories: Keloid, contracture, hypertrophic, and acne. 

“Keloid scars are the result of an overly aggressive healing process — they extend beyond the original injury,” explains beauty industry expert Robert J. Bianchini, Ph.D., a seed investor for selfmade and former VP of Research, Innovation, and Engineering at Rodan + Fields. “Treatments include surgery to remove the scar, steroid injections, or silicone sheets to flatten the scar.” For keloid scars, we recommend using Cicatricure Face & Body Scar Gel, as it contains onion extract which has been proven to reduce these raised scars. 

Contracture scars are caused by many things including surgeries and burns, explains Dr. Bianchini. “These scars tighten skin, which can impair your ability to move. Contracture scars may also go deeper, affecting muscles and nerves.” Burn scars are often contracture, so BioCorneum Scar Treatment Plus SPF 30 is a good option to try for this type. 

“Hypertrophic scars are raised, red scars that are similar to keloids but do not go beyond the boundary of the injury,” Dr. Bianchini says. “Treatments include injections of steroids to reduce inflammation or silicone sheets, which flatten the scar.” For these, try Elaimei Silicone Scar Sheets. Made with silicone, they can be cut to fit your scar.

“If you've had severe acne, you probably have the scars to prove it,” Dr. Bianchini says. “There are many types of acne scars, ranging from deep pits to scars that are angular or wavelike in appearance. Treatment options depend on the type of acne scars you have, the extent of infection, and your ability to arrest the bacterial infection or stop it from getting worse.” Murad InvisiScar Post-Acne Resurfacing Treatment is specially designed to treat all types of acne scars. 

Key Ingredients

Beyond the type of scar you have, you should also think about how you want your end result to look. Do you want to lighten it? Make it appear flatter? Depending on the result you're after, there are a few ingredients you should look for. 

If you want to fade dark marks, Dr. Engelmen suggests looking for an option that features "active ingredients such as hydroquinone, kojic acid, phytic acid, l-ascorbic acid, or glycolic acid, as they brighten the skin and promote cellular turnover to reveal younger, healthier cells, fade dark spots, and improve overall skin tone." Topicals Faded Serum for Dark Spots & Discoloration features a slew of brightening actives to address darker scars. 

If you want to minimize the overall look of your scar, Dr. Jaliman suggests using products that feature allantoin and vitamin E to soften and hydrate the skin, vitamin A which encourages healthy skin cell production, and allicin (found in onion and garlic extract) which helps prevent scar tissue from forming. Our best overall pick Mederma Advanced Scar Gel (which contains allantoin) is one of the best options on the market. 

As for deeper scars, Dr. Jaliman recommends using silicone sheets because they "normalize collagen synthesis, and reduce irritation and redness that is usually associated with scars. The end result is a smoother, flatter scar. Plus, they keep bacteria away from the scar."

While all of the above ingredients help to heal established scars, selfmade dermatologist Manju Dawkins, M.D. says that treating wounds and healing scars as soon as possible can make a big difference in how faded the lesion can become. “In the first three weeks, moisture is of the utmost importance,” she explains. “Petroleum jelly is tried and true — it’s what I recommend to all my patients after skin biopsies to improve healing and prevent infection."

Results

The biggest thing to keep in mind with scar creams is that they take time to work. Generally, you have to apply the cream twice a day for at least 30 days to even begin to notice a difference, with more noticeable results appearing after three to six months of use.

Intended Use

As with most skincare products, it’s important to read the instructions to ensure that you’re applying your scar cream of choice properly. If you don’t want to be bothered with such logistics, Aguilar says that “Once applying scar cream or gel, make sure the area dries for at least 15 minutes before putting clothes over it.”

Additionally, when using scar creams, she says that sun avoidance is crucial, as UV exposure can halt healing and actually deepen the appearance of the scar. 

Your Questions, Answered

How does scar cream work?

"Scar creams are meant to target dark marks and minor textural changes. They help to promote cellular turnover and fade hyperpigmentation or discoloration," Dr. Engelman says.

Aguilar tacks onto this, noting that scar creams also serve as a protective barrier. “By keeping scars sealed in scar cream, you help soften the scar,” she says. “Additionally, scar creams that contain medical-grade silicone prevent dysregulated wound healing that can result in keloid disorders.”

Does scar cream work on old scars?

They can, but it’s important to be patient and rigorous about your application, and keep your expectations within reason. 

“Scar creams can help old scars, but you’ll get a much better result if you care for a wound early on,” Dr. Dawkins says. “Wounds heal in three phases: Inflammatory phase (days one to three), a proliferative phase (days four to 21), and a remodeling phase (day 21 to year one).” 

With this in mind, Dr. Dawkins says that the best way to manage a scar is to prevent it. “Keep the wound clean — gently wash with mild soap and water to keep away germs and remove debris,” she says. “To help with healing, keeping the wound moist is so important. You actually don’t want the wound to dry out and form a scab. Wounds with scabs take longer to heal. Keeping the wound moist with something simple like a petrolatum product can help prevent infection and prevent a scar from getting too large, deep, or itchy.” 

Additionally, Dr. Dawkins reiterates the importance of sun protection during the scar prevention and treatment stages. “Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher and reapply frequently,” she instructs. “In general, the earlier you start treating a scar, the better the outcome.”

Does scar cream work on stretch marks?

It can — but it will take time and the proper product, and even then, it’s not a 100 percent given. “Stretch marks are notoriously difficult to treat,” Dr. Dawkins says. “There are a ton of products out there, but there hasn’t been enough evidence to show that they actually work well.” That said, she points out that stretch marks tend to fade on their own over time, eventually shifting from red to white. 

“Factors that determine whether a scar cream, or any cream, will improve the appearance of stretch marks depends on how old the stretch marks are and how deep they are,” Aguilar adds. “Scar creams soften, protect, and hydrate skin, improving the look of stretch marks. While scar creams might not entirely fade stretch marks, they can definitely improve the texture and their appearance.”

When is the best time to use scar cream?

As soon as a wound occurs, if possible. “Remember: You’ll want to keep it clean, keep it moist, and keep it out of the sun,” Dr. Dawkins says. 

That said, not all wounds can immediately be tended to in this way — as is the case with surgery scars, for example. For that reason, Aguilar says the best time to use scar cream is as soon as a wound has healed and the skin has closed. “The wound should be healed prior to using scar cream because it can interfere with our skin's natural healing process,” she says. “It is best to use scar cream as soon as the scar forms and not delay treatment.”

Why Shop With Us

Rebecca Norris has been covering beauty for over eight years. For this piece, she spoke with three dermatologists (Manju Dawkins, M.D., Dendy Engelman, M.D., and Debra Jaliman, M.D.), a skincare research and development expert (Robert J. Bianchini, Ph.D.), and a dermatological nurse (Natalie Aguilar) to uncover everything there is to know about scar creams and the wound healing process. With their expertise in mind, she mulled over the top-rated scar creams the market has to offer, including gel, cream, and patch options. These were the top eight standouts.