The most effective over-the-counter products for fading scars

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Scarring , whether caused by acne , surgery or another wound-inducing experience, is almost as inevitable as it is permanent. If your scars create textural changes to your skin, medical intervention via a dermatologist is your best bet.

However, that's not always the case — at-home treatments can help fade some types of scars into the skin, making them less noticeable, according to dermatologists. Below, I rounded up some over-the-counter options to consider, based on expert guidance.

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The best scar creams and treatments

Listed below are at-home, dermatologist-recommended products that can prevent wounds from turning into noticeable scars or minimize the appearance of existing scars. And remember: to help treat scars, experts recommend consulting with your dermatologist first.

Best serum for acne scars

Topicals Faded Brightening and Clearing Serum

What to know: An editor-tested serum that can lighten scars and dark spots in around two months.

This Topicals serum is a favorite among NBC Selected editors, who tried it on their acne scars and dark spots over the course of two months. Our editors say it noticeably lightened scars with consistent use. The serum has a combinations of tranexamic acid, kojic acid and azelaic acid , which experts say help fade dark spots and brighten the skin. It also has niacinamide to soothe skin and limit excess oil, according to the brand. Keep in mind this serum has a strong sulfur-like smell, in our experience.

Best overall scar gel

Mederma Advanced Scar Gel

What to know: A botanical extract-powered scar gel that can help flatten raised scars caused by a range of causes.

This topical scar gel from Mederma is a favorite among our experts because it can help flatten raised scars and minimize pain. The gel has Cepalin botanical extract, which helps lock in moisture, produce collagen and renew cells to reduce the appearance of scars from acne, burns, injury and surgery, according to the brand. Mederma recommends applying this treatment as soon as your wound closes and continue using it daily for at least eight weeks on new scars and three to six months on existing scars.

Best overall scar sheets

ScarAway Clear Silicone Scar Sheets

What to know: A flexible, transparent silicone sheet that protects fresh wounds while also hydrating the skin.

ScarAway's silicone sheets mimic the natural skin barrier and provide a moist environment, which allows the scar to heal better, according to Dr. Marisa Garshick , a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in New York City. “It helps to hydrate the skin, and the adhesive is comfortable and flexible, enabling you to keep the scar covered and protected while you heal,” she says.

In addition to protecting newly healed wounds, these patches also work to flatten and soften older, existing scars, which helps reduce their appearance, according to the brand. You can wear one for up to 10 days, and they’re water-resistant so they can withstand exposure to short-term moisture like showering, sweating and light rain, according to Scaraway.

Best overall gel for surgical scars

Kelo-Cote Advanced Formula Scar Gel

What to know: An effective water-resistant scar gel that can feel sticky at first but dries quickly.

You can apply Kelo-Cote's silicone scar gel twice daily to reduce redness and soften raised scars, according to the brand. Dr. Joshua Zeichner , director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital, recommends this gel to his patients after surgical procedures because it dries fully without leaving the skin feeling sticky, he says. The formula is also clear, non-greasy and water-resistant, according to Kelo-Cote.

Best SPF scar gel

BioCorneum Plus SPF 30 Silicone Scar Gel

What to know: A splurge-worthy, SPF-infused scar gel that's also gentle on sensitive skin.

The BioCorneum silicone gel uses patented technology to help soften raised scars and minimize itching, redness and discoloration, says Garshick. It also has SPF 30, so it protects your scars from the sun, which experts say is important to prevent them from looking worse.

Best overall scar oil

Bio-Oil Body Oil

What to know: A drugstore body oil that can help reduce redness and keep skin hydrated as it heals.

This body oil , another recommendation from Garshick, combines plant extracts like calming chamomile (helps reduce redness) and calendula (has antibacterial effects). It also has vitamin A to help stimulate collagen and vitamin E for hydration, says Garshick. Bio-Oil is also noncomedogenic and great for stretch marks and uneven skin tone, according to the brand.

Best liquid scar sheet (2-pack)

Scarguard Repair Liquid (2-pack)

What to know: A brush-on sheet that protects new wounds while keeping the area hydrated.

The Scarguard Repair Liquid is a brush-on silicone sheet that dries quickly to create a protective patch around a newly healed wound, says Garshick. It can be applied twice daily to not only help prevent scars from forming but also shrink old scars, according to the brand. It’s water- and heat-resistant, and it has vitamin E to keep the area hydrated, experts say.

Best budget-friendly ointment for scar healing

Vaseline Healing Jelly Original

What to know: A drugstore staple ointment for softening scar tissue.

After the initial wound heals, you can massage ointments like Vaseline onto the injury to help soften any scar tissue, says Garshick. The ointment creates a protective barrier and helps keep the area moist to facilitate the healing process and minimize scab formation, she says. The Vaseline Healing Jelly is fragrance-free, noncomedogenic (it won’t clog pores) and has the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance , meaning it’s suitable for sensitive skin , according to the brand.

How I picked the best scar creams and treatments

Remember that over-the-counter treatments won’t do much to flatten raised scars, and most scars are best treated with in-office treatments like microneedling, chemical peels and lasers, experts say. If you want to reduce the appearance of a scar or hyperpigmentation, you may be able to treat it over time with gels, sheets, and oils, depending on how severe and deep the scarring is.

Here are some of the best expert-recommended ingredients that can help reduce the appearance of scars and color changes:

What are the different types of scars?

Atrophic, hypertrophic and keloid scars are the three main types and they vary significantly in appearance and shape, according to experts. The type of scar and its physical appearance is a direct result of how your body chooses to heal after an injury, and there is no way to predetermine what type of scar will come from a specific injury, says Dr. Michele Farber , a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group.

Atrophic scars

Atrophic scars, also known as depressed scars, are indented on the surface of the skin. Usually associated with acne, this type of scar is caused by loss of collagen during the healing process and results in the thinning of the skin, says Dr. Robyn Gmyrek , a board-certified dermatologist at UnionDerm in New York City. These scars can also sometimes appear lighter than the color of your skin if there is not enough collagen production during the wound healing and skin remodeling process, says Garshick.

There are three different types of atrophic scars based on their shape, experts say: