What is the best cream for scars?
Silicone, for raised scars. Its evidence is the best, though weak. No cream removes a scar. And the NHS’s main tip uses a cheap cream you may already own.
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What is the best cream for scars?
Silicone gel or silicone sheets. A pharmacist can recommend silicone dressings or gels to help how your scar looks.
The proof is real but thin. A Cochrane review (a careful check of all the trials) of 20 trials found sheets gave raised scars thinner, paler results. But the trials were poor quality and open to bias.
No cream gets rid of a scar. The NHS says most fade over time, and this can take up to 2 years or more.
| Product | What the evidence says | Worth it? |
|---|---|---|
| Silicone gel or sheets | Thinner, paler raised scars, in small trials open to bias. | Best first try |
| Plain water-based cream | The NHS tip for massage, once the wound has fully healed. | Cheap and simple |
| Onion extract gel | Better than nothing, but no better than other common creams. More side effects. | No edge |
| Vitamin E | No help or worse in 90% of cases. A third got a rash. | Skip it |
| Scar oils | We found no trial showing they help. | Unproven |
Sources: NHS; Cochrane; Onion gel review; Vitamin E trial
That cheap cream is a plain water-based one, such as aqueous cream. The NHS says to massage your scar with it a few times a day, for up to 10 minutes each time.
Only start once the wound is fully healed. Ask a pharmacist which silicone gel or sheet suits your scar.
Do scar oils work?
Not that we could find. We found no trial showing a scar oil helps, so treat bottle claims with care.
Vitamin E has been tested, mixed into an ointment, and it did badly. In one small trial after skin surgery, each scar got plain ointment on one half and vitamin E on the other.
In 90% of cases, vitamin E made no difference or made the scar look worse. A third of people got an itchy rash from it.
Onion extract gel is a little better. A review of 13 trials found it beat doing nothing. But it was no better than other common creams, and caused more side effects.
Choosing something to massage with? The NHS names a plain water-based cream, not an oil.
Which scar do you have?
The type matters more than the brand. The silicone trials were on raised scars, not sunken ones.
| Scar | What it looks like | Does it fade? |
|---|---|---|
| Fine line | Thin, can be slightly raised at first. | Usually flattens and fades |
| Raised (hypertrophic) | Firm and raised, but stays inside the wound. | Usually fades and flattens |
| Keloid | Hard and smooth, grows bigger than the wound. | Not usually, without treatment |
| Sunken (atrophic) | Small holes or dips, often after acne or chickenpox. | See a GP for options |
| Tight (contracture) | Tight and hard to move, often after a burn. | See a GP |
Source: NHS
Keloids are more common in people of African, Asian or Hispanic descent. Used for several months, silicone can make a keloid thinner and paler.
Had a keloid before? Skin experts advise avoiding tattoos and piercings where you can.
Not sure which type yours is? A pharmacist or GP can tell you.
How do I treat a scar on my face?
Your face is out in the sun most days, so protect the scar first. Then use the same steps as anywhere else.
Five NHS steps for scars
- Massage it with a plain water-based cream a few times a day, for up to 10 minutes.
- Keep it covered in the sun for at least 1 year, with clothing or a dressing.
- Put sunscreen of SPF 30 or more on it.
- Ask a pharmacist about silicone dressings or gels.
- Do not pick or squeeze spots, because this can cause scars.
Sources: NHS: scars; NHS: acne
Want it to show less now? Skin camouflage creams and powders are matched to your skin tone. A GP can refer you, or you can refer yourself online.
For sun protection that also slows skin ageing, see sunscreen and skin ageing. For creams that target lines rather than scars, see retinol and tretinoin.
What scar treatments can a GP offer?
If a scar is severe or bothers you, a GP may suggest treatment or refer you to a specialist. The aim is to improve how it looks, not remove it.
What the NHS lists
- 1
Silicone
Dressings or gels, also sold by pharmacists.
- 2
Steroids
Steroid cream, or injections into the scar.
- 3
Freezing
Cryotherapy freezes the scar.
- 4
Laser
Laser therapy.
Keloids are stubborn. Steroid injections are the most common treatment, yet up to 50% grow back. Cutting one out alone rarely works.
Strong steroid creams need a prescription, and steroids can make skin thin and pale. Never stop or change a prescribed medicine without your prescriber.
Is a scar getting you down? A GP can refer you for talking therapy. Ask about it at the same visit.
When to speak to a GP
Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if a scar:
- is swollen or painful
- feels warm to the touch
- has pus coming out of it
Book a routine appointment if:
- a scar is painful or bothering you
- your spots are deep, painful or causing scars
Thinking of collagen to help your skin heal? See do collagen supplements work first.