After 18 hours of research evaluating 42 products, we picked Mederma PM Intensive Overnight Scar Cream as our top choice.
Stuck with stretch marks? Wondering how to get rid of acne scars?
Believe it or not, scar removal cream treatments and silicone gels can actually do a great job at reducing the appearance of scars as well as softening and flattening them.
Now, these products won’t work overnight; there is no magic wand when it comes to scars new or old, big or small. You will need to give any scar removal cream time to work, but each one of these has seemingly worked miracles for real users at some point.
While it’s almost impossible to remove scars, especially without laser, steroid, radiography, or dermabrasion treatment of some sort, these products do the job of making scars appear much smaller – sometimes almost invisible.
That’s good news, right?
As you would expect, however, the older the scar, the longer it will take. So, what’s stopping you from picking up an awesome cream for your burn or surgery scars and stretch marks you can find?
The faster you get started, the better those scars will look in a few months or even weeks.
#1 Best Scar Removal Cream Overall
Mederma PM Intensive Overnight Scar Cream
- Highly effective
- Works faster than expected
- Great for new scars, especially surgical scars
Pros
This well-priced scar removal cream does an amazing job on surgery, as well as burn, scars. It’s for night use so your body can make the most of the healing ingredients.
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#2 Best Scar Removal Product to Splurge on
ScarAway 100% Silicon Self-Drying Scar Repair Gel
- Good for new surgery scars
- Flattens scars and softens skin
- Scars become almost invisible
Pros
This FDA-1 medical treatment is effective at flattening scars and is discreet to use anywhere – especially on facial scars.
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#3 Best Budget Scar Removal Oil
Bio-Oil Liquid Purcellin Oil
- Good for stretch marks
- Smells fantastic
- Definitely lightens scars
Pros
This vegan scar removal oil is cost-effective, smells delicious, and has won 224 skincare awards. It’s particularly good for stretch marks and reduces their appearance dramatically.
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#4 Best Scar Removal Cream with SPF
Mederma Scar Cream Plus SPF 30
- Lightens appearance of scars
- Excellent for surgery scars
- Really works (sometimes with time and sometimes quickly)
Pros
The small tube size allows you to easily pack this into your purse. The SPF is a bonus and the product has a pleasant smell.
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#5 Best Scar Removal Gel for Acne Scars
Kelo-Cote Advanced Formula Scar Gel
- Great for surgery scars
- Works wonders on facial and acne scars
- Reduces redness and lightens scars
Pros
This is one of the most professionally-recommended products. It does a stunning job on facial and acne scars, lightening and flattening both new and old wounds.
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#6 Best Scar Removal Cream for Stretch Marks
Stretch Marks and Scar Defense Cream
- Perfect for stretch marks
- Lightens and diminishes even old scars
- Amazing texture and soft skin
Pros
The 90-day guarantee is serious business; the company even checks in to ensure you’re enjoying the product. It’s also wonderfully hydrating and cost-effective.
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#7 Best Scar Removal Cream for Kids
Mederma Kids Skin Care for Scars
- Reduces old and new scars
- Genuinely softens and smoothes skin
- Produces noticeable results fast
Pros
This scar ointment by Mederma is the #1 Pediatrician Recommended treatment for scarring. It applies onto skin with a purple hue, and once rubbed in is clear. Apply once or a few times a day and watch as your child’s scar visibly reduces/disappears altogether!
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#8 Best Cream for Removal of Surgical Scars
Scarless MD Advanced Surgical Scar Removal Treatment
- Visibly reduces old and new scars
- Easy application
- Hydrates skin while enabling it to breathe
Pros
This Advanced Surgical Scar Removal Treatment by Scarless MD gently applies to the skin and visibly reduces scars, blemishes, and even stretch marks. It hydrates and moisturizes the skin leaving it not only scar-free but also soft to the touch.
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#9 Best Scar Removal Cream for Burns
MD Performance Ultimate Scar Formula
- Say goodbye to burn marks, acne scars, surgery scars, and so much more!
- Affordable cream that lasts a long time
- Gentle on all skin types
Pros
This affordable scarring cream by MD Performance Professional Skin Care is great for scars that have formed within the last year, but a lot of reviewers reported that it visibly improved the look of old scars as well! It’s safe for adults and children and works to visibly reduce scarring caused by burns, surgery, injury, or acne.
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Scar Removal Cream Tips & Advice
Your skin is a fragile organ, like silk, and can be damaged easily. Scars may appear on the surface of your skin, due to acne or surgery. However, not everyone can proudly pose with scars.
Celebrities like Kylie Jenner — Travis Scott’s gorgeous wife — lately posed on the cover of GQ magazine with her apparent scar on the left leg. The “Grown-ish” star Francia Raisa gave one of her kidneys to her friend Selena Gomez, and mentioned, showing her scar, she was “happy to be back” after her surgery.
The truth is, scars are part of you. They bear your identity and if you embrace them, there are fewer reasons to hide them. If you want to remove or hide your scars, there are only two ways to go: surgery or a scar removal cream.
So which creams can you choose to hide scars? What causes scars to appear and how can you treat them? Remember that first, deciding to treat your scar or leave it alone can only result from a diagnosis and medical advice. Second, if you decide to leave your scars alone and use creams, follow this guide.
What is scarring?
A scar is defined as an area of fibrous tissue that appears on the skin after an injury. When the dermis — the deeper level of the skin — is damaged (burned, injured, or after an operation), a scar forms.
Scarring is a biological process that results from the skin repairing itself. A research paper from 2003 states that each year in developed countries, over 100 million people get a scar. Three-quarter of patients get a scar following a surgery or an injury. The half is due to elective surgery i.e. surgery planned in advance and a quarter result from operations after trauma.
Any wound that is caused to the skin should get total rejuvenation — yet scarring is inevitable and often the final result as the skin does not 100% rejuvenate. Some scars may be aesthetically unpleasant and may require surgery. Yet most skin scars are pale and flat.
When the skin is injured, it creates collagen to repair the wound. Collagen is a protein that is produced by the skin naturally. If collagen production is increasing, scars may become larger and inflated.
How to prevent scarring
Scars are likely to stay permanent. The best treatment is actually to prevent scarring. For example, if you are wounded, don’t let the wounds dry. Consult a doctor and take care of your wound.
Apply antiseptic or any antibacterial ointment and skin-rejuvenation products. Never scratch your skin or touch the wound unless totally recovered. If the wound is large, visit a dermatologist or skin doctor within the next 24 hours to receive proper care. If your wound doesn’t heal well, consult with your doctor.
Different types of scars
Acne scars: The overproduction of acne can cause the appearance of atrophic scars. Such scars look flat and depressed surrounding the skin. Acne scarring is common in teens and may be treated according to dermatologist advice. To prevent acne scars, cleanse your skin accordingly, and ensure to use the right toners and antibacterial day creams. A chemical peel may be used too.
Contracture scars: Burn scars are the least widespread type of scarring. After a second or third-degree burn, contracture scars may appear, causing the skin to look damaged. Their appearance is hypertrophic with enlarged skin tissue. The skin is thicker and these scars can even go deeper, affecting muscles. Post-burn scars may require plastic surgery.
Keloid scars: These scars are raised beyond the surface of the skin and result from an aggressive healing process. Keloid scars can be treated with silicon-based treatment or surgery (excision). Oil treatment may also help reduce inflammation. Uncomfortable, keloid scars can cause pain, tenderness, or feel itchy from time to time. Growing slowly, they can take time to appear.
Stretch scars: Also known as widespread scars, these scars often appear three weeks following surgery. These scars are symptomless, pale, and soft; they are unlikely to thicken. Stretch marks may also result from pregnancy when the abdominal part of the skin enlarges. When the skin is weakened, a stretched scar can appear as a protection to the broadened areas of the skin.
The best treatments for scars
Always consult a dermatologist to identify the best treatments for your scars. Do not undergo surgery without having a medical diagnosis. If for any reason, scars happen on your skin, call a doctor and check what are the causes and treatments available for your types of scars.
Here are the most common scar treatments:
Best scar removal creams and top ingredients to treat scars
Scar removal creams that contain vitamin E, cocoa butter, and a variety of skin care products may help your scar heal and the skin rejuvenate quicker. Choose clinically proven creams that may reduce scars. Silicon-based products are said to be the most effective but other ingredients such as salicylic acid or retinol are great at speeding up skin recovery.
Bio-oil — a miracle product for small scars or skin problems — is one of the most effective oils that boost skin recovery. Yet bio-oil should not be applied to open wounds. A popular oil, this miracle treatment contains the breakthrough ingredient PurCellin Oil™ which is made of plant-based oils and vitamins. Branded as the world’s most famous product to treat scars, bio-oil also prevents skin aging. Also perfect for dehydrated skin, bio-oil provides nutrients and vitamins to rehydrate the skin quickly.
Rosehip seed oil is another promising skin scar treatment. Plus, the rosehip seed oil is also good to prevent and treat acne. Packed with skin-nourishing vitamins, the rosehip seed oil is pressed from the rose plant and is a natural antioxidant. Full of vitamin C, rosehip has a high amount of linoleic acid which are fatty-acids. This oil has a combination of plant extracts and vitamins that are highly sought-after for the skin.
Vitamin A in the form of retinol is also great at boosting the skin’s natural healing process. In the cosmetic industry, retinol is known as an anti-aging product with multiple benefits. Retinol prevents wrinkles to appear, brightens dull, pale skin, treats acne, and furthermore, helps remove dark spots on the skin. Although retinol has great benefits, the main drawback is it’s made from animal oil, which, for vegans like me, makes it a no-go scar treatment.
Dermabrasion, Laser, and Surgery
Dermabrasion is a skin-resurfacing procedure that may be useful when treating scars. This procedure is perfect to improve the overall look of scars. Using a machine that goes on the surface of the skin, dermabrasion softens the skin, removes dead cells, and enhances the skin’s appearance, and uneven skin tone. It can remove scars caused by acne, injuries, and surgeries.
Laser resurfacing can be necessary when there’s no other possibility to treat the skin “naturally” or in the case of contracture or post-injury scars. These types of lasers achieve subtle results working on the collagen in the dermis without removing the upper layers of the skin. The recovery is quicker for this type of procedure.
Plastic surgery can become an option for severe skin scars. Although it won’t remove the scar fully, it can make its appearance look nicer. This surgery is not recommended in the case of contracture or keloid scars which may boost the appearance of new scars. Always consult a dermatologist or plastic surgeon to get the right advice before undergoing this surgery.
What you need to know about acne and scarring
Acne is a condition that may damage the skin and, if untreated well, can cause severe damage. Created by the overproduction of sebum that makes pimples appearing on the skin, acne can be treated, leaving the skin healthy. Remember that, on top of it, getting the right nutrition can prevent skin problems. For example, avoid sugar or greasy foods in general for good health. Second, stress or sleep deprivation may create imbalance and skin problems like acne, as well as hormonal imbalance.
When acne and scarring work in pair, follow a daily routine to treat your skin accordingly. Choose a cleanser and toner that contains salicylic acid which is a good ingredient for congested follicles and skin blemishes.
Don’t dry the skin with an astringent as it may cause more damage in the long-run and don’t over hydrate the skin which may make it more greasy. Go for a lightweight moisturizer that will gently hydrate the surface of the skin without making it oily.
To remove the whiteheads, apply a cleanser that contains Benzoyl Peroxide, an antibacterial ingredient that is used to treat mild to moderate acne. For the persistent, deeper type of acne, consult a dermatologist who may prescribe medication.
A final recommendation for treating acne:
- Don’t pop blemishes or whiteheads as you may create a scar
- Always clean your hands before touching the face of your skin
- Drink enough water to stay hydrated and prevent the skin from drying
- Always consult a doctor to get the best acne treatment for your skin type
- Use a facial mask twice a week to deepen the daily treatment and get rid of blemishes, whiteheads, and cleanse your face overall.
Home remedies to remove — or flatten — scars
Some natural, miraculous products or ingredients may be used to treat scars and help the skin rejuvenate quicker.
Vitamin E: A favorite vitamin for the skin, vitamin E has great benefits and helps the skin heal better. Cut off a vitamin E capsule, extract the oil, and apply gently onto the skin.
Fish oil/fatty acids: Fish oil contains two types of omega 3 acids which can help regulate oil production to boost hydration as well as delay the skin aging process and diminish wrinkles. Omega 3 acids also prevent acne.
Honey: Thanks to its deep healing properties, honey truly soothes the skin. Honey is said to help decrease scar formation and leave the skin softer.
Aloe Vera: A fantastic healing plant, aloe vera gel helps the skin rejuvenate and remove scars gently. By providing deep, lasting hydration to the skin, aloe vera components heal the skin in the long run. If you can’t find pure aloe vera, simply purchase aloe vera gel available over-the-counter in most shops or pharmacies.
Coconut oil: Another miraculous, natural ingredient, coconut oil has numerous benefits. Highly rich, coconut oil creates a protective barrier onto the skin while providing intense hydration and promotes deep skin healing thanks to the vitamins it contains. Lastly, coconut oil boosts collagen production helping the skin recover from scars and marks.
Lavender oil: This oil is great for skin repair. A powerful antiseptic and antioxidant, lavender oil promotes tissue growth which may help the scar to heal. It’s a natural ingredient that is proven to heal deep wounds.
Potato: The raw potato is an excellent ingredient to treat acne and acne scars. Containing potassium, phosphorus, and sulfur, raw potato is one of the best home remedies to treat scars. Simply cut off the potato and apply it fresh onto the damaged area.