Scars are a fact of life; we all have them. Some of us wear them proudly as a sign of strength,  but if you don’t want yours to be front and center on your skin, it’s equally brave to choose to move on from them. And for that random gash you got from running into a tree branch as a kid, we’d bet you’re probably less passionate about keeping that forever reminder of your clumsiness (no judgment — we have them, too).

Whatever your reason, we’re here to help. Minimizing a scar is not as straightforward as getting rid of a small pimple or evening out a rough complexion, so we decided to test more than 30 of the most popular over-the-counter scar creams available on our own scars for three months to see if our markings became lighter or fainter.  We found that some scar creams were better at healing recent markings, while others took on the tough challenge of making old scars disappear. We took loads of photos from the very first day to the very last day of the three month test to track our progress and accurately observe how our scars progressed each week. We also made sure to note if the application triggered any uncomfortable or tingly sensation, or required far too many applications a day. Once we collected the data and tallied the scores, we curated this list of the very best scar creams out there so you can make your own ancient history (if that’s what you want to do).

Best Overall

Biodermis Epi-Derm C-Strip Silicone Scar Sheets

Our Ratings

• Efficacy

  5/5

• Ease of Use

  5/5

• Feel

  5/5

• Scent

  5/5

• Value

  4/5

What We Love: Our stubborn scar dramatically reduced in size and color — and we had tried plenty of options over the years that were ineffective.

What We Don’t Love: There’s only one strip in the package that lasts about two weeks, give or take.

Knowing how to fade a stubborn scar is tricky. Fast, effective, and pain-free, this Biodermis Epi-Derm strip treated a three-year-old C-section scar previously left unchanged by other creams. And by treat, we don’t necessarily mean completely erase, but dramatically lighten and shrink. The package comes with a singular strip that we had to apply to the scar and leave on 24-7 except when bathing or swimming, until the strip loses its adhesive power—which for us happened at the two-week mark. At first, the idea of keeping a strip constantly on sounded strange, but it ended up feeling completely invisible, even hydrating, making the whole experience quite comfortable. It never stung or tickled, nor did it have any scent, allowing us to commit to our treatment fully. The clear strip fit over our scar perfectly, looking and feeling invisible while on. After one week, we were already able to see some serious changes in the thick C-section scar we had been prepared to live with for the rest of our lives.

What we didn’t love was that there was only one strip included, which lasted us about two weeks before getting too dirty to keep using. While we washed it every day, it was not enough to make it go beyond half a month. This treatment is an investment in time, and sure money, since you need to buy a new strip every two weeks, and it’s one of the pricier options. However, we saw such an impressive outcome that we feel the results justify the cost.

Size: 1.4 inch x 6 inch | Key Ingredients: Silicone | Scented: No | Time to Results: 1 week

Best Budget

ScarAway Silicone Scar Gel

Our Ratings

• Efficacy

  3.9/5

• Ease of Use

  5/5

• Feel

  5/5

• Scent

  4.8/5

• Value

  5/5

What We Love: This scar cream creates a hydrating and soothing effect.

What We Don’t Love: We wish the results were a little more noticeable.

Despite the impressive results scar creams can provide, they don’t have to come with an equally substantial price tag, like this gel from Scaraway. We tested this scar gel on a mark that was left behind from a melanoma removal, which settled into bright shades of purple, pink, and white.

At first, we loved how easy it was to apply the roll-on stick to the affected area on the chest, releasing just the right amount of product without wasting any. The gel dried down quickly, leaving a very hydrating and cooling sensation on our skin. We equate the texture to the consistency of an aloe vera gel, delivering equally soothing effects that didn’t transfer onto our clothes.

After two weeks of daily morning and night application, we noticed the first signs of improvement on our scar. The raised part of the scar became less bumpy and the coloration looked less angry, blending into the natural color of our skin more. At the end of testing,  it didn’t completely remove the scar itself, but it felt like a huge relief to see some changes already appear in such a short time.

Size: 0.35 oz | Key Ingredients: Polysiloxanes, silicon dioxide | Scented: No | Time to Results: 2 weeks

Best for Raised Scars

Cimeosil Scar and Laser Gel

Our Ratings

• Efficacy

  5/5

• Ease of Use

  5/5

• Feel

  4.2/5

• Scent

  5/5

• Value

  5/5

What We Love: It’s water-repellent.

What We Don’t Love: It’s not going to completely flatten a scar, but reduce it.

This cream had a tough job to do: Heal a keloid scar, which is a thick raised scar that forms when the body produces too much collagen during the healing process, and instead of sitting flush with skin, it elevates in a bumpy manner. We used it to treat a four-year-old 4.5-inch scar with a purple hue and noticeable red veins that appeared after surgery.

After three weeks of applying the gel twice daily, we began to notice a much more natural-looking flesh tone on the scar. There was also a decrease in the thin red vertical veining running through it. Most of all, the scar that was once a quarter of an inch above the surface of the skin had visibly flattened—not completely, but enough to make us feel ecstatic.

The gel comes out in a very thick, viscose consistency. It doesn’t exactly glide, as we could feel it pull against the skin when we tried. It seemed to somehow sit on top of the skin instead of being absorbed. Running any kind of liquid over it also revealed that it’s waterproof, sealing the affected area tightly. The sensation wasn’t uncomfortable, however. Instead of absorbing like a lotion, the gel worked its magic from on top of the skin where it sat and remained for several hours without transferring onto other clothing.

Size: 0.49 oz | Key Ingredients: Polysiloxanes | Scented: No | Time to Results: 3 weeks

Best for Acne Scars

Cicatricure Face & Body Scar Gel

Our Ratings

• Efficacy

  3/5

• Ease of Use

  5/5

• Feel

  5/5

• Scent

  4/5

• Value

  4/5

What We Love: It didn’t leave any white case, and felt rather hydrating on our face.

What We Don’t Love: It required four applications a day, which was a little tedious.

We’re very particular with what we put on our faces, especially because the skin on our face is much more delicate than that on our body, and only a cream intentionally formulated for it should be used there. Therefore, the acne gel we chose to treat our pretty visage was this Cicatricure scar gel.

After two to three years of dealing with adult acne and disrupting the healing process, we attempted to use this cream on our little acne scars that looked like speckled freckles across our cheeks, every day four times a day. Yes, it’s a lot, and we had to carry it around in our purses so as not to forget each day, but the results were worth it. We saw the darkness of the scars brighten and the indents become less prominent.

As for the gel itself, it comes out of the tube looking mostly clear, so it wasn’t at all noticeable once we dabbed it on. It’s smooth and silky and felt a little like applying a combination of aloe and mint on our skin. It even smelled a little minty, which is odd considering the package says it’s fragrance-free.

It took about 10 to 15 minutes to fully absorb, so we applied it as the last step on our skincare routines. Luckily, it didn’t leave a white cast or cause any irritation, just a minty fresh and moisturizing sensation. The results weren’t night and day clear, but noticeable enough to be worth it.

Size: 1 oz | Key Ingredients: Glycerin, carbomer, chamomilla recutita, bergamot fruit oil, onion bulb extract, aloe vera | Scented: Yes | Time to Results: 2 weeks

Most Comfortable

ScarAway Clear Silicone Scar Sheets

Our Ratings

• Efficacy

  5/5

• Ease of Use

  4/5

• Feel

  5/5

• Scent

  5/5

• Value

  4/5

What We Love: Despite keeping them on for a long time, we didn’t feel a thing.

What We Don’t Love: The stickers can be tricky to place properly in a way they would last the full 10 days.

Healing old scars is a long process, so you’re going to want a comfortable experience you don’t mind enduring for the next few months. Not only did the silicone scar sheets from Scaraway feel hydrating and invisible, but they required a single application every ten days, sparing you from adding yet another cream to your umpteen-step skincare routine.

It was a little tricky applying the sheet at first because it adheres quickly (and strong, as they’re intended to remain on for ten days), and one wrong movement causes it to either stick to itself or stick to the wrong part of the skin. After one failed sticker getting disposed of, we were extra careful not to waste any more of the six strips. Pro tip: peel just a corner of the backing off, place on the skin, then slowly roll the backing off as you stick it on.

Once on, we were impressed with how easy it was to forget it was there. The clear silicone is lightweight and hydrating and doesn’t cause any tingling sensations. It’s also see-through, so we couldn’t even see it unless we really looked. We were able to wear it through showers and swims, and the sticker remained perfectly placed.

Already after one treatment, the scars on our feet caused by surgery were flattened and barely noticeable. With a closer look, you can still see some discoloration and unevenness in the skin, but much less than before.

We have to say, depending on where we placed the sticker, it wouldn’t always last the promised ten days. We had a scar on our foot, where the sticker lasted about four days due to constant rubbing against shoes. We therefore recommend this more for areas with less friction, like the belly, chest, legs, or arms.

Size: 6 sheets, 1.5” x 3” | Key Ingredients: Silicone | Scented: No | Time to Results: 10 days

Best for Small Scars

HealFast Medical-Grade Silicone Scar Gel

Our Ratings

• Efficacy

  5/5

• Ease of Use

  3/5

• Feel

  3.9/5

• Scent

  5/5

• Value

  5/5

What We Love: This gel visibly flattened our scar and lightened its color.

What We Don’t Love: It requires three applications a day.

The older we get, the easier it is to scar, which means even that tiny papercut can have an everlasting effect on our skin. We accidentally nicked a bit of our finger in a bagel slicing incident and it healed into a bumpy scar. After using this gel, the scar visibly flattened and changed completely in color. The center of the scar is lighter and the edges are starting to vanish completely.

As happy as we are with the results, it took some serious time and commitment to get there. The gel asks to be applied three times a day, every day, which meant we had to have it on us at all times, otherwise we would forget. We began setting up timers on our phones to remind us to apply. The dedication was well worth it, though, considering how fast we saw results. Despite the package indicating it can take up to six months to see the full impact, we noticed a change as fast as one month.

The gel itself is very slick. We had to rub it in until it was completely absorbed, which took about 30 seconds on a small scar. Otherwise, it would transfer onto anything we touched. It also left a bit of a residue on the finger we used to apply it with, which needed to be washed off. Still, a tiny droplet goes a long way, so we’re confident the bottle would last us a long time, even with three applications a day.

Size: 1.06 oz | Key Ingredients: Medical grade silicone | Scented: No | Time to Results: 1 month

Best for Redness and Discoloration

Rejuvaskin RejûvaSil Silicone Scar Gel

Our Ratings

• Efficacy

  4.8/5

• Ease of Use

  5/5

• Feel

  5/5

• Scent

  5/5

• Value

  4.5/5

What We Love: A little product goes a long way, making the bottle last a while.

What We Don’t Love: It requires two to three applications a day, which was a lofty goal.

If you just have a little discoloration left over on your scar, but no real texture change, then this will clear that right up for you. We used half a pea-sized droplet on a long thin scar and saw a huge difference in color after our testing period — it practically faded to being barely visible.

The texture of the gel felt very much like a silicone face primer would; smooth and easy to apply. We did notice that applying too much would make the formula pill on our skin, so we stuck to the bare minimum. Considering how easy it was to spread and how little we needed each time, we’re confident that the bottle would last a long time, making the rather hefty price tag more worth it.

Much like the previous option, this gel asks to be applied two to three times a day, which we felt was quite a commitment. Although it takes up a good chunk of your conscious to remember to use each time, at least the results match the effort.

Size: 1 oz | Key Ingredients: Silicone, vitamin C, squalane, emu oil | Scented: No | Time to Results: 4 weeks

Best Scar Treatment for After Surgery

Rejûvaskin Scar Fx Silicone Sheeting

Our Ratings

• Efficacy

  4.8/5

• Ease of Use

  4/5

• Feel

  4/5

• Scent

  5/5

• Value

  5/5

What We Love: It helped speed up the recovery process.

What We Don’t Love: Depending on where it's placed, it’s at risk of rubbing against clothing.

We started using this silicone sheet on a still-recovering surgical cut on our abdomen, and saw how well it helped to speed up the process. We’re used to seeing strong discoloration on any cuts, but this lightened up the color pretty impressively on the healing journey.

As with any sheet, you have to really consider whether the location of your scar is fit for it. The sheet needed to be placed right where our pants hit, so we dealt with constant friction against the affected area, causing the stickiness to lose power more rapidly. Otherwise, one sheet should last 30-45 days, according to the box, and is meant to be worn at all times except to be washed every once in a while.

We loved that once on, we could barely notice its existence. It wasn’t hindering our daily activities. Plus, not needing to apply a gel every few hours made the whole process stress-free. Having the piece on at all times made us feel like it was constantly doing its job, and removing the strip to see a lightened scar felt very rewarding.

Size: Varying | Key Ingredients: Silicone | Scented: No | Time to Results: 5 weeks

Best Drugstore

Mederma Advanced Scar Gel

Our Ratings

• Efficacy

  4.5/5

• Ease of Use

  4.3/5

• Feel

  4/5

• Scent

  5/5

• Value

  5/5

What We Love: It helped lighten the color of the scar by a few shades.

What We Don’t Love: There’s a bit of a tingling sensation when on.

Mederma is pretty well known for its scar creams, so we put the drugstore favorite to the test as well. At first application, the watery gel slid over the area extremely smoothly, informing us that only a tiny droplet was required to cover a large area. Once on, it also tingled on the skin a little. It dries down before getting absorbed, and the whole process takes about 30 minutes (the tickling sensation lasted that entire time). After about five applications, the skin got used to the feeling and the tingling stopped, but it was still important to remember not to touch the section in order to avoid any transferring.

The scar cream required daily application once a day, which was easy to stick to. After about four weeks, the affected area peeled and we had to rub the dead skin off. Looking at our before picture then, it was evident that the dark, brownish color of the scar had lightened in shade. We continued to use the product and at the end of the testing period, were pleasantly surprised to see a scar much lighter in color, although the size of it did not shrink.

Size: 1.76 oz | Key Ingredients: Allantoin, cepalin, sodium hyaluronate, panthenol | Scented: No | Time to Results: 5 weeks

Best Hydrating

Mederma PM Intensive Overnight Scar Cream

Our Ratings

• Efficacy

  4.6/5

• Ease of Use

  5/5

• Feel

  5/5

• Scent

  3.9/5

• Value

  5/5

What We Love: It feels really good on the skin, revealing a softened surface.

What We Don’t Love: It takes a while to dry, and if you don’t let it fully absorb it will transfer onto bed sheets.

Scar creams can be intense, so having something that soothes and softens the skin in the process is a huge bonus. We were pleasantly surprised to find this overnight scar cream from Mederma to be incredibly hydrating. Every time we used it, our skin looked and felt amazing the morning after.

We used this overnight scar cream on our inner thighs. A tiny dollop goes a long way, and despite being an overnight cream the consistency was fairly lightweight, gliding over the scar in an easy swoop. As it took at least 15 minutes to fully absorb, we had to remind ourselves to give enough time before hopping into bed with the cream on, as it can transfer onto bed sheets easily if not dried. We did notice a bit of a strong scent, which we didn’t adore, but by the time we fell asleep it was impossible to notice. It didn’t tingle or irritate the skin either.

After nightly application, we noticed the scar was no longer red or angry-looking. Even the slightly raised section seemed to have dimmed down a little. We’re happy to rely on this to soothe any new and old scars.

Size: 1 oz | Key Ingredients: Cepalin botanical extract | Scented: Yes | Time to Results: 5 weeks

Best for Face

Aroamas Scar Professional Silicone Scar Sheets

Our Ratings

• Efficacy

  4.6/5

• Ease of Use

  4/5

• Feel

  4/5

• Scent

  5/5

• Value

  5/5

What We Love: The scar improved so much that beard hair began to grow out of it again.

What We Don’t Love: The stickers are not as adhesive as advertised.

The Aroamas silicone scar sheets come with eight reusable sheets. In order to treat a scar on our chin, we cut one sheet up into smaller strips and got more usage out of each. The adhesive sticker was pretty easy to apply, although it was not as sticky as advertised. The box reads that you can wear it for up to 24 hours, but we felt about half of that was more accurate, especially when we wore it overnight.

Still, even without the 24-7 wear, we saw significant improvement in the texture and color of the chin scar. It is far less raised than before, and as a cherry on top, even our beard hair began to grow back over the scar.

Overall, the sheet was very self-explanatory and worked wonders in healing a surgery scar. It’s somewhat sticky and slimy, but it doesn’t leave much residue after it’s removed so it never bothered us.

Size: 3” x 1.6” | Key Ingredients: Silicone | Scented: No | Time to Results: 4 weeks

Best for Old Scar Removal

Boysea Professional Silicone Scar Sheets

Our Ratings

• Efficacy

  5/5

• Ease of Use

  5/5

• Feel

  5/5

• Scent

  5/5

• Value

  5/5

What We Love: While other creams failed to work on an older scar, this one significantly reduced the coloring and height.

What We Don’t Love: They are very sticky, so placing them correctly on the first try is important.

Old scars are much harder to treat than new ones, as they are no longer in the process of healing. Still, don’t consider them a done deal, as these Boysea scar sheets did an impressive job at reversing the look of a near-five-year scar caused by a c-section.

The scar we were dealing with is a slightly raised, thin, dark-pink line on the lower belly. After leaving these sheets on day and night (the brand recommends wearing them for up to 24 hours), we saw a significant reduction in the pink color and height of the scar.

It was also very easy to use the strips. They are sectioned off so you can easily rip off a desired length without a scissor. One side is smooth and the other is extremely sticky, so placing it in the right spot on the first go was important. After a day’s wear, we were worried the sheet would leave a sticky residue on the skin, but were surprised to find no such thing. In fact, our skin felt really smooth, supple, and soft after.

We had tried other creams in the past, none of which did any good on this old scar. However, the Boysea option proved to work even on this half-decade-old marking we were ready to live with for the rest of our lives. Needless to say, we are very pleased with the results.

Size: 1.6’’ x 150” | Key Ingredients: Silicone | Scented: No | Time to Results: 4 weeks

Our Testing Process

First, we searched the internet for the best rated and most popular scar creams. By scanning reviews, we selected 31 to send out to our esteemed beauty editors and volunteer testers. We took a picture of our scars at the beginning of the test, then followed the creams various application processes and time commitments. For three months, the products were incorporated into the testers daily lives.

At the end of the testing period, we took another picture of our scars to compare the before and after results. We evaluated the treatments based on how well they healed the scars, how they felt, and how easy it was to incorporate them into our routines. Only the most promising ones were recommended in this article. In creating this list, we also considered how often the scar removal products needed to be applied, their cost, as well as any positive or negative traits (additional hydration or residue transfer, for example) to give you as much information as possible when making your decision on the best scar cream for your individual scars, too.

What to Keep in Mind

Application process

You may have noticed that there are several different forms of scar treatments on this list. Some, like the Biodermis Epi-Derm C-Strip Package and the Rejûvaskin Scar Fx Silicone Sheeting, come in the form of a sheet that you peel and stick to the affected area. Consider whether or not you are ready to leave an adhesive sticker on for (more or less) 24 hours a day, and whether the scar is located in an area where this may be difficult to do. If you are the forgetful type, these types of treatments offer you a stress-free experience as you are only required to switch out the sticker every few days, and they feel nearly invisible.

Others come in the form of a gel, but even gels vary in their application processes. The HealFast Physician Formulated Medical-grade Silicone Scar Gel asked to be used three times a day, which meant we needed to carry it around if we left the house during the day. As tedious as that may be, like the name suggests, the scar healed fast, making the time commitment rather worth it. Other gels, like the Mederma Advanced Scar Gel, only needed to be applied once a day, which may feel like a more universal solution.

Time to results

Patience is a virtue, especially where scar creams are concerned. Don’t write off a cream even if you don’t see results in two weeks. Many creams inform you that it can take anywhere between eight weeks and six months to see dramatic results. Board-certified dermatologist Divya Shokeen M.D. explains that the “results will vary depending on the severity of the scar and individual factors, but noticeable improvements may be observed within a few weeks to a few months of consistent use.”

Key Ingredients

Typically, scar treatments contain “ingredients like silicone, vitamin E, and hyaluronic acid, which help to hydrate the skin, promote collagen production, and reduce inflammation,” says Dr. Shokeen. However, if you are looking for specific treatments, like treating keloids, you want to look for ingredients that help reduce not just coloring, but texture as well. The Cimeosil Scar and Laser Gel, which contains polysiloxanes, or silicone, helps to flatten and soften even old scars.

If you want to fade dark marks, board-certified dermatologist Dendy Engelman M.D. 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. You may need to follow your scar removal regimen with a separate product to achieve both goals. Our best dark spot correctors, also tested for 12 weeks, is a great place to start your search for that.

Your Questions, Answered

How does scar cream work?

While different scar creams harness the power of a variety of ingredients, they typically work by “retaining moisture and hydrating the healing wound,” says NY-based board-certified dermatologic surgeon Jeremy Brauer M.D. “Scar creams create an environment that promotes and optimizes wound healing, especially collagen production. Those that contain silicone may act to create a protective effect seal over the scar,” he explains.

For old scars, ingredients like allantoin and cepalin, found in the Mederma Advanced Scar Gel help to soften the skin and promote new cell regrowth, which can reverse the appearance of old markings.

How do I avoid getting a scar?

The best way to treat a scar is to attack it at its source, meaning the minute you get a wound, start treating it correctly. This does not mean apply scar creams to an open wound, warns Dr. Shokeen. Instead, “cleanse the wound, provide a hydrating environment, and avoid sun exposure,” says Dr. Brauer. Simple moisturizers will do wonders for a wound. You want to avoid having it create a scab, as these tend to cause scarring more easily. Tend to your wound by keeping infections at bay and moisturizing it daily.

Are scar creams safe on all skin types?

Dr. Shokeen confirms that scar creams are generally safe for most skin types. However, if you have any specific concerns, “it is always advisable to consult a dermatologist or conduct a patch test before using any new product.” If you know yourself to have sensitive skin, Dr. Shokeen warns that “some scar creams may contain potentially irritating ingredients, so asking your doctor for a recommendation can always be beneficial.” Dr. Brauer chimes in that “fragrance-free and alcohol-free products will suit those with sensitive skin much better.” And of course, look for scar creams with moisturizing agents, like the Mederma PM Overnight Scar Cream, to avoid irritation.

Why Shop With Us

Bianca Kratky is a commerce writer with over two years of experience covering fashion and beauty products. In order to write this article, she dove deep into the insights of the testers and reached out to individuals for more information on each product. She then compiled their experiences into this article, to offer the best scar creams with the most promising results. She also tapped board-certified dermatologists Dr. Divya Shokeen, Dr. Jeremy Brauer, and Dr. Dendy Engelmen for tips to optimize your results.