[How Does Scar Care Work?](/article/how-do-mederma-scar-treatments-work) 
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  Submitted by Nick Opris on Fri, 08/28/2026 - 09:49 

Scar care products work in a variety of ways to help your scars heal and reduce the visual impact of scarring. We look at how these products work with your skin and what ingredients are used.

- Scar care products use a variety of ingredients and technologies to reduce the visual impact of scarring
- Some help skin remodeling
- They can increase moisture in the skin, improve elasticity, and protect against the sun
- Mederma’s® unique triple action formula works to visibly fades scars appearance in 8 weeks by locking in moisture\[1\], in order to renew cells and aid formation of collagen.

**In this article:**

- How do scar creams generally work?
- Ingredients providing skin moisture and elasticity
- Ingredients which soften the skin
- Ingredients to protect against sun damage and to improve skin tone
- Ingredients to help skin remodeling and improve the appearance of scars
- Things to remember

How do scar creams generally work?
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Scar creams typically have properties that reduce tension on the scar by:

- **providing moisture** to soften the upper layer of the skin
- **providing a protective barrier** to retain moisture
- **helping cells to**  remodel the collagen below the scar

Some scar care products additionally protect against photo damage to the sensitive skin on the scar.

To find out what’s in your scar care product of choice, have a look at the typical ingredients that provide these functions.

Ingredients providing skin moisture and elasticity
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One of the important ways to [help your scar heal](/article/scar-care-101-how-to-treat-your-scars) is to use the right product that provides the proper balance of moisture. [](/article/scar-care-101-how-to-treat-your-scars)

For instance, while certain ingredients such as glycerin, **lecithin,** and **propylene glycol** draw in water molecules, others lock in the moisture by forming an oily layer on the skin.

Typically, **silicones, petrolatum, lanolin,** and **mineral oil** are used to lock in the moisture. Silicone also reduces collagen overgrowth, which makes it one of the most effective ingredients for reducing scarring and the appearance of scars.

**Dimethicone** is a type of silicone with occlusive and moisturizing properties that is used to promote faster healing and protect the skin during the night and is frequently used in moisturizers \[2\].

**Panthenol**, a vitamin B-5 derivative, locks moisture into the skin, providing elasticity while stimulating fibroblast growth, which helps new tissue formation\[3\]. It has been shown to improve scar appearance\[4\].

Ingredients that soften the skin
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Typical skin softening ingredients are urea, **alpha hydroxy acids** such as lactic, citric, or glycolic acid, and allantoin\[5\]. These ingredients exfoliate the skin to soften the keratin protein in our skin – which gives our skin its rigidity and holds the outer layer of our skin together. These ingredients slough off dead skin cells, break down inflamed scar tissue and encourage healthy cell growth.

This helps the skin retain more water and leaves the skin feeling smoother and softer, which reduces the tension and appearance of scars.

Ingredients to protect against sun damage and to improve skin tone
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**Antioxidants**, such as vitamins A, C and E (sometimes listed as tocopherol), protect the skin against photo damage,\[6,7\] Vitamin C is also a skin brightening agent, and directly improves the skin tone\[8\]. Rosehip oil combines both properties as it is rich in vitamins A and C and, therefore, helps protect the sensitive skin of fresh scars and improves their appearance.

In addition to these, a **sunscreen** is advisable as the skin on scars is particularly sensitive to the sun\[9\]. Indeed, it is highly recommended to [protect young scars](/article/when-to-start-caring-for-your-scar) from the sun for around 18 months\[10,11\]

Ingredients to help skin remodeling and improve the appearance of scars
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**Hyaluronic acid** has a unique ability to retain water, has anti-oxidative properties, and is a stimulant for collagen production\[12,13\]. As a result, it acts as a filler and helps to even out the skin. It naturally occurs in the body where it is involved in many processes, including wound healing and tissue repair\[12,14\].

**Tripeptides**, such as copper peptide, possess anti-inflammatory properties and are known to promote skin remodeling\[15,16\].

**Onion extract** contains the flavonoids quercetin and kaempferol, which help to promote collagen production, regulate fibroblast activity, and have soothing, anti-inflammatory properties\[17,18\].

[Scar Care 101: How to Treat Your Scars](/article/scar-care-101-how-to-treat-your-scars)

[Mederma® Advanced Scar Gel](/product/mederma-advanced-scar-gel)[Buy today](/product/mederma-advanced-scar-gel)

Things to remember
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Scar care products can help reduce the appearance of your scars, and reduce soreness and tension too.

Ingredients to look out for in your products include:

- Silicones, petrolatum, lanolin, and mineral oil lock to **lock in moisture**.
- Panthenol to help **stimulate fibroblast growth (for collagen formation)** .
- Urea, allantoin and alpha hydroxy acids to **soften the scar.**
- Vitamins A, C and E and rosehip oil to **help improve skin tone**.
- Hyaluronic acid, tripeptides and onion extract to **smooth skin and reduce the appearance of scars**.

References
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1. Draelos ZD, Baumann L, Fleischer AB Jr, Plaum S, Avakian EV, Hardas B. A new proprietary onion extract gel improves the appearance of new scars: a randomized, controlled, blinded-investigator study. J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2012 Jun;5(6):18–24.
2. Chularojanamontri L, Tuchinda P, Kulthanan K, Pongparit K. Moisturizers for Acne: What are their Constituents? J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2014 May;7(5):36–44.
3. Biro K, ThaCi D, Ochsendorf FR, Kaufmann R, Boehncke W-H. Efficacy of dexpanthenol in skin protection against irritation: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Contact Dermatitis \[Internet\]. 2003 Aug \[cited 2020 Nov 1\];49(2):80–4. Available from: http://doi.wiley.com/10.1111/j.0105-1873.2003.00184.x
4. Campanati A, Savelli A, Sandroni L, Marconi B, Giuliano A, Giuliodori K, et al. Effect of Allium Cepa-Allantoin-Pentaglycan Gel on Skin Hypertrophic Scars: Clinical and Video-Capillaroscopic Results of an Open-Label, Controlled, Nonrandomized Clinical Trial. Dermatologic Surgery \[Internet\]. 2010;36(9). Available from: https://journals.lww.com/dermatologicsurgery/Fulltext/2010/09000/Effect\_of\_Allium\_Cepa\_Allantoin\_Pentaglycan\_Gel\_on.14.aspx
5. Allantoin \[Internet\]. WebMD. \[cited 2020 Oct 30\]. Available from: https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-20247/allantoin-topical/details
6. Addor FAS. Antioxidants in dermatology. An Bras Dermatol \[Internet\]. 2017 Jun \[cited 2020 Nov 1\];92(3):356–62. Available from: http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci\_arttext&pid=S0365-05962017000300356&lng=en&tlng=en 9
7. Murray JC, Burch JA, Streilein RD, Iannacchione MA, Hall RP, Pinnell SR. A topical antioxidant solution containing vitamins C and E stabilized by ferulic acid provides protection for human skin against damage caused by ultraviolet irradiation. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology \[Internet\]. 2008 Sep \[cited 2020 Nov 1\];59(3):418–25. Available from: https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S0190962208005410
8. Burke KE. Prevention and Treatment of Aging Skin with Topical Antioxidants. In: Skin Aging Handbook \[Internet\]. Elsevier; 2009 \[cited 2020 Nov 1\]. p. 149–76. Available from: [https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/B9780815515845500120](https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/B9780815515845500120)
9. Treatment – Scars \[Internet\]. NHS. 2017 \[cited 2020 Jan 30\]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/scars/treatment/
10. Seattle Children. Scar Care \[Internet\]. Available from: [https://www.seattlechildrens.org/pdf/PE2043.pdf](https://www.seattlechildrens.org/pdf/PE2043.pdf), 2015
11. NHS Hull University Teaching Hospitals. Scar Information – Caring For Your Scar \[Internet\]. Available from: [https://www.hey.nhs.uk/patient-leaflet/scar-information/](https://www.hey.nhs.uk/patient-leaflet/scar-information/), 2016
12. Pan NC. 9 – Perspectives of microbial hyaluronic acid utilization in wound healing. 2021 :24.
13. Przylipiak A, Donejko M, Rysiak E, Gluszuk K, Surażyński A. Influence of caffeine and hyaluronic acid on collagen biosynthesis in human skin fibroblasts. DDDT \[Internet\]. 2014 Oct \[cited 2020 Oct 29\];1923. Available from: http://www.dovepress.com/influence-of-caffeine-and-hyaluronicnbspacid-on-collagen-biosynthesis–peer-reviewed-article-DDDT
14. Papakonstantinou E, Roth M, Karakiulakis G. Hyaluronic acid: A key molecule in skin aging. Dermato-Endocrinology \[Internet\]. 2012 Jul \[cited 2020 Oct 30\];4(3):253–8. Available from: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.4161/derm.21923
15. Pickart L. The human tri-peptide GHK and tissue remodeling. J Biomater Sci Polym Ed. 2008;19(8):969–88.
16. Schagen S. Topical Peptide Treatments with Effective Anti-Aging Results. Cosmetics \[Internet\]. 2017 May 22 \[cited 2020 Nov 1\];4(2):16. Available from: http://www.mdpi.com/2079-9284/4/2/16
17. Foo CW, Tristani-Firouzi P. Topical Modalities for Treatment and Prevention of Postsurgical Hypertrophic Scars. Facial Plastic Surgery Clinics of North America \[Internet\]. 2011 Aug \[cited 2020 Nov 1\];19(3):551–7. Available from: https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/S1064740611000289
18. Liu A, Moy RL, Ozog DM. Current Methods Employed in the Prevention and Minimization of Surgical Scars: Dermatologic Surgery \[Internet\]. 2011 Dec \[cited 2020 Nov 1\];37(12):1740–6. Available from: http://journals.lww.com/00042728-201112000-00004