9 Best Scar Creams, Recommended by Doctors

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.