9 Best Scar Creams and Gels, Recommended by Doctors (2024)

This powerful gel contains silicone, which is considered the most effective topical treatment for scars. "Silicone gel improves the barrier function of the skin's outer layer,” says Alpana Mohta, M.D., a dermatologist in Bikaner, India. “It creates a semi-occlusive environment over the scar, preventing excessive water loss and maintaining hydration.”

Hydrating the skin is found to be important for healing wounds because it prevents scabs (which can make scarring worse), so keeping newer scars hydrated can help. Thousands of reviewers confirm that this gel absorbs to their skin easily, helps flatten their scars flatter and make them less prominent. It doesn't happen overnight, though: To achieve results, you should use this treatment for three months, as recommended.

Fans of this popular product — which lists silicone as its main ingredient — love how easy it is to use the rollerball function instead of having to apply it with their fingertips. The silicone works to hydrate the skin, reduce redness in the scar and flatten the texture of scars. Users love that it's not messy, does not irritate sensitive skin and is effective.

Its shiny appearance makes it less ideal for using in prominent areas such as the face. A great option for less prominent parts of the body, or if you simply like the convenience of rolling on your scar treatment as easily as a lip gloss.

If you think getting a tan will help your scars blend in better, think again. “Prolonged sun exposure without proper sun protection can hinder the healing process and make scars more noticeable,” says Dr. Mitchell. “It's crucial to protect scars from harmful UV rays using sunscreen or physical barriers like clothing.”

This Mederma Scar Cream contains an SPF 30 for protection against the sun (although it's not water-resistant — if you’re swimming or sweating, you’ll need to use a sunscreen that’s designed for getting wet). Be sure to always use sunscreen all over to protect the rest of your body, too!

There’s a reason Mederma has become a go-to brand for scar creams and gels. “This over-the-counter gel contains key ingredients like allium cepa [onion] extract and hyaluronic acid, which have been shown to improve the appearance of scars over time,” says dermatologist Mitchel Goldman, M.D., founder of Cosmetic Laser Dermatology in San Diego.

The gel’s ingredient list covers a lot of bases, including allantoin — which soothes irritated skin, a plus if your scar gets itchy or tender — as well as moisturizer and a provitamin to lock in that much-needed hydration. Use for at least two weeks, as recommended.

There are a few products that, while not officially marketed as scar creams, have proven to be effective treatments. Bio-Oil Skincare Oil has become a dermatologist favorite and is “known for its effectiveness in reducing the appearance of scars,” says Dr. Mitchell, adding, “It contains a blend of natural oils and vitamins that can enhance skin hydration and promote scar healing.”

Dr. Mohta warns, however, that its efficacy “is still debated among researchers [and] some studies suggest that vitamin E may not be effective and can even cause contact dermatitis in some individuals.”

If you’ve ever had a keloid scar — a raised or bumpy scar that keeps growing — you know that they can be resistant to healing. "Keloids are more challenging to treat,” says Dr. Mohta. But customers rave about this gel, which focuses on flattening keloid scars and reducing redness.

Although it can take time to work, its self-drying formula means that makeup can be applied over the scar to minimize its appearance while the gel (hopefully) works its magic. Plus, it's fragrance-free and the silicone provides hydration so that you can safely apply it to facial scars.

Reviewers love this organic, climate pledge-friendly balm, which includes ingredients such a tamanu oil, sea buckthorn seed oil and calendula and note that it’s particularly great for helping prevent stretch marks by adding extra moisture.

The balm formula makes this option easier to rub into large scars on the body, compared to gels and creams in small tubes. It’s also more effective than using ointments like Vaseline or Aquaphor, says Dr. Rogers.

This gel comes with a high price tag but also packs a silicone-heavy punch; that prized ingredient makes up 95% of the formula with some other goodies — like fatty acids and allantoin for soothing irritated skin or itchy scars — added in for hydration as well as ensuring the gel’s smooth application.

Users like the skin-strengthening effects of this product to use before in-office procedures, such as microneedling or Botox to help treat acne scars.

When researching and evaluating skincare products, our skincare experts consider factors like ingredients, effectiveness, texture and cost. When choosing the best scar creams, we sought the advice of multiple dermatologists to gain more insight on effective ingredients and gather their recommendations.

We also read through hundreds of online reviews to gain a better understanding of the user experience. Overall, we made sure to highlight topical treatments that have the best potential to fade, smooth and lighten scars.

With a variety of options available, choosing the best scar cream for yourself can come down to personal preferences, the type of your scar and the location of your scar.

✔️ Consider certain ingredients: The most effective ingredient in topical treatments for scars is considered to be silicone. Studies and dermatologists also suggest green tea extract, onion extract, vitamins E and C, allantoin and hyaluronic acid for scar creams and gels.

✔️ Choose a trusted brand: Products that are backed by dermatologists and have significant scientific evidence behind their ingredients are more likely to produce results and less likely to react badly with your skin.

✔️ Type: Whether you pick a cream, sheet, gel or oil is entirely up to personal preference, but the location of a scar on the body may make one type better than the other. For example, an oil or cream with a noticeable residue may not be ideal for a scar on your face.

✔️ Look for SPF: Scar creams with SPF included can prevent a scar from becoming more noticeable because sun damage can make the scar tissue darker than the surrounding skin.

Understanding the type of scar you have can help you chose the correct treatment. Different types of injuries, wounds and blemishes result in different types of scars. These include:

✔️ Fine-line scars: The result of a cut or minor incision, these scars can be pink or red lines that take up to two years to fade. The scars may fade into a white or light pink line on lighter skin tones or a brown or white mark on darker skin tones.

✔️ Keloids: A keloid scar happens when too much collagen is produced at the site of the wound, growing even after the wound has healed. This results in a raised scar that can be pink, red or purple. These scars have extra connective tissue that grows past the original injury or wound site, looking irregular with a hard texture. Our bodies produce cells (melaconytes) after an injury that increase the pigment in the area, and keloids are more common in Black and Latin Americans in the U.S., since keloids are more likely to occur in areas with more melanocytes. “A keloid may require additional corticosteroid injections or laser therapy,” says Dr. Mohta.

✔️ Hypertrophic scars: Like keloids, these are the result of excess collagen at the site of the scar. They do not grow bigger than the scar, but can grow thicker for up to 6 months before improving over time, and may also require further treatment if scar creams don't do the job. Hypertrophic scars stay within the wound area and can be the result of a surgical incision.

✔️ Atrophic scars: These small, sunken, pitted scars are typically the result of cystic acne, which causes damage to the collagen, tissues or fat underneath the skin — hence the name atrophic. There are various types within this category, such as icepick, boxcar and rolling scars, with studies showing that various in-office procedures can effectively treat and improve the skin texture.

There are many different types of scar treatment available, but the most important criteria is personal preference. Dr. Rogers advises people to choose whatever they will use for "at least 90 days after the scarring event.” If it’s easier for you to apply gel with a roll-on applicator — and you know you’re more likely to stick with it — go with that option. “Skipping applications or discontinuing use prematurely may diminish their efficacy,” notes Dr. Goldman.

Other factors to consider include the site of your scar: A sheet may not be convenient for a part of your body that’s constantly in motion, such as the knee, and if the scar is on your face, you may want to go with a treatment that doesn’t leave a visible residue. One study found that there was no difference in results between silicone gels and sheets, but the best results occurred when they were used together (team work makes the dream work!).

Allowing your wound to heal properly before attempting to address the scar tissue is important, as is protecting the scar itself, which can get itchy, red or swollen. This means no scratching mosquito bites, no picking at acne and leaving scabs alone. “If a scar becomes infected, it can delay the healing process and may require medical intervention,” warns Dr. Goldman. “It's essential to keep the scar clean and follow any post-wound care instructions provided by your healthcare professional.”

Protecting your skin from the sun is important with or without scars, but sun damage can worsen a scar — especially new ones. Applying sunscreen can also reduce red or brown discoloration and help a scar fade faster, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD). Be sure to use a treatment with a built-in SPF and apply sunscreen if your scar is in an exposed area, especially if you will be outside and under the sun.

If the best scar creams, gels, oils and sheets are not working, you can talk to a dermatologist about in-office treatments. Acne scars can be treated quicker and more effectively with procedures like chemical peels, skin needling, lasers and Botox injections.

“Fresher scars tend to respond better to treatment compared to older scars, as they are still in the active phase of healing,” says Dr. Goldman. However, even with old scars, it’s still a good idea to practice sun safety and try regular application of a scar treatment.

Dr. Mohta recommends silicone gel sheets for older scars: “It’s my most prescribed topical agent for any scar, whether fresh or old,” she says. If topical treatments are not cutting it, board-certified dermatologists can provide laser treatments to remove an old scar, according to the AAD.

The original version of this guide was written and reported by Luisa Colón, who interviewed numerous dermatologists about which scar creams they trust and recommend to their patients. She also read countless online reviews to see how consumers rate these products.

This story was most recently updated by Isabella Cavallo, who researched the latest scientific studies testing the legitimacy of certain ingredients and topical treatments for fading and treating scars.

Editing was handled by Marisa Cohen, the deputy editor of the Hearst Health Newsroom; she has more than 20 years' experience covering health topics. Finally, it was reviewed by Birnur K. Aral, Ph.D., the former executive director of the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab, who holds a degree in chemical engineering.