If you’re on a quest to find the best organic scar creams that can tackle everything from post-surgery scar prevention to persistent old scars that refuse to fade, we’ve got you covered. However, we do need to get one thing out of the way first before we jump right into the non-toxic scar creams list…
Best Non-Toxic & Organic Scar Creams in 2023
There’s no reason to feel like you have to conceal or remove your scars as if they’re a point of shame. Scars have a unique way of detailing your life story. Long tales of carefree bike rides; stretch marks from the time of your life when you were growing and maturing; C-section scars acting as heartwarming memories of the birth of your baby.
But if you’ve ever sought to clear away yours, you probably found that organic scar fade balm options are not exactly readily available. Most conventional scar removal creams are laden with potentially toxic chemicals such as endocrine disruptors and skin irritants. While many of these formulas do a pretty good job at fading scars, they can have an impact on your health.
If you have skin conditions such as eczema, it can make things even worse, exacerbating things like itching, redness, burning, irritation, and thinning of the skin. Of course, it’s all up to you, but personally, we wouldn’t want you to have to deal with any allergic reactions and skin irritations while trying to battle hypertrophic, keloid, acne, burn scars, or surgical scars.
So in this guide, we’re walking you through a few of the toxic ingredients to look out for and then giving you suggestions for the best organic scar creams for all types of scaring to use instead.
Table of Contents
- Best Non-Toxic & Organic Scar Creams in 2023
- Ingredients To Avoid In Scar Removal Creams
- The Best Non-Toxic & Organic Scar Creams In 2023
- Earth Mama Organic Skin & Scar Balm (Best Overall)
- Pai Rosehip BioRegenerate Universal Face Oil
- Hero Cosmetics (Best for Acne Scars)
- Ere Perez Papaya SOS Marmalade
- Active Skin Repair Hydrogel
- Celsus Bio-Intelligence Scar Cream
- Brickell Clearing Scar Cream For Men
- Other Ways To Help Prevent Skin Scarring
This article contains affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase. As always, all recommendations are honest.
Ingredients To Avoid In Scar Removal Creams
Hydroquinone
This skin-lightening agent is commonly used in conventional scar removal creams. However, there are some concerns that hydroquinone may increase the risk of skin cancer, as it increases the degradation of melanin in the skin and increases the skin’s exposure to UVA and UVB rays.
In some cases, hydroquinone can cause the opposite effect of what it is intended to do and actually cause skin discoloration, making the skin look bluish-black or gray.
Last but not least, hydroquinone can cause skin irritation, redness, and dryness, especially when used in high concentrations or for prolonged periods. Yikes!
Hydroquinone is banned in cosmetics in the E.U. and restricted in Canada. Technically, the U.S. Cosmetics Ingredient Review Panel has said that hydroquinone is unsafe for products that are left on the skin, but this is not enforced. So, to have peace of mind, it would be best to choose only the most natural and organic scar creams on the market.
Parabens
Parabens lurk in a lot of skincare formulas which sadly include conventional scar creams. While parabens are effective at preventing the growth of bacteria and other microorganisms in cosmetics and personal care products, they have been found to mimic estrogen in the body. This can disrupt hormonal balance and potentially contribute to the development of breast cancer and other hormonal disorders.
Additionally, parabens are not easily biodegradable and can accumulate in the environment, potentially harming wildlife and aquatic ecosystems.
Fragrance
Synthetic fragrances can contain things like phthalates, which are chemicals that can disrupt hormonal balance and potentially contribute to the development of reproductive and developmental disorders. You’d never see phthalates listed on an ingredient label, however, because of what’s known as the “fragrance loophole.” This legal loophole allows companies to include ~4,000 different chemicals in their formulations without actually listing them on the label.
Fragrances may also lead to skin irritation, redness, itching, and other forms of allergic contact dermatitis, especially for people with sensitive skin or pre-existing skin conditions, such as eczema or psoriasis.
That’s why it’s important to choose the best organic scar creams that are labeled as fragrance-free or that use natural fragrances from essential oils or other plant-based sources.
Formaldehyde and Formaldehyde-Releasing Preservatives
Formaldehyde is a colorless gas with a strong, pungent odor that is commonly used as a preservative in many products, including, you guessed it, some scar removal creams.
Formaldehyde has been classified as a known carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and various other agencies. So, when choosing a non-toxic scar cream, make sure to look for ingredients like quaternium-15, DMDM hydantoin, and polyoxymethylene urea on ingredient labels. These are formaldehyde releasers, which let out small amounts of formaldehyde over time.
The Best Non-Toxic & Organic Scar Creams In 2023
Alright, now here are our top picks for non-toxic scar creams with natural, skin-friendly ingredients.
Earth Mama Organic Skin & Scar Balm (Best Overall)
Price: $24.99
For over two decades, Earth Mama is at the forefront of the natural skincare movement with evidence-based research to safely support pregnant and breastfeeding people and their families.
(Even though it’s technically marketed toward moms and their little ones, this can of course be used by anyone!)
Their 100% organic scar fade balm cream is chock full of herbal ingredients traditionally used to help reduce the appearance of scars and stretch marks. Formulated with a safe blend of petroleum- and cruelty-free natural herbs and oils, the balm promises to help moisturize and cheer your skin on as it does its heroic duty.
What’s more, all Earth Mama’s products are either certified to the NOP or the NSF/ANSI 305 organic standards by Oregon Tilth. The company is also NON-GMO Project Verified, Leaping Bunny Certified, and EWG Verified.
All you have to do is apply it three(ish) times a day to surgical wounds, stretch marks, burns, an/or existing scars.
Abbie’s Take: I’ve been using this scar cream on a couple of incisions (an old one and a new one), and I really like it. I think it helps keep that area of the skin healthy and nourished, and it definitely reduces the scar’s itchiness!
The balm has an “earthy/herbally” smell to it that I personally like (it smells like healing!). The texture is a little bit like petroleum jelly, except that it soaks into my skin instead of just sitting on top of it and being all greasy like Vaseline does. Sometimes, I even put it on my knuckles and hands because it’s so nourishing (even though I try not to do that too much though because it’s a pretty small container).
Pai Rosehip BioRegenerate Universal Face Oil
Price: $44
When you think of the best organic scar creams, oils might not instantly come to mind. However, oil-based facial treatments can deeply condition skin, boosting firmness and elasticity while promoting a clear, even skin tone.
The Rosehip Bioregenerate Universal Face Oil by Pai is safe to use on all skin types including dry, mature, blemish-prone, and combination, and especially sensitive. The formula is loaded with a powerful blend of rosehip seed oil and fruit oil, as well as Omegas 3, 6, 7, and 9. Actually, Rosehip oil is touted for its ability to help trap moisture in your skin and protect your skin against damage which makes it the perfect ingredient for non-irritating skin treatment.
Lastly, all Pai, products are certified organic by COSMOS, the Soil Association, the Vegan Society, Cruelty-Free International, and London Living Wage accredited.
Hero Cosmetics (Best for Acne Scars)
Price: $12.99
Hero Cosmetics is a clean skincare brand that caters to those with sensitive and acne-prone skin. Whether you’re looking to prevent, treat, or repair, this company has something for everyone. However, today we’ll focus on the Rescue Balm and the post-blemish patches.
Hero Cosmetics’ Rescue Balm is a post-blemish solution that’s designed to push your comeback into hyper speed. In fact, it can handle 4 post-blemish issues: red spots, bumps, scaly patches, and dark marks. The formula is designed to help even and smooth texture all while delivering intense moisture directly onto the effective areas.
The Micropoint for Dark Spots promises to brighten up the look of dark spots thanks to the 395 dissolving Micropoints. The result? Visibly reduced dark spots and skin brightening. You can thank Tranexamic Acid, Niacinamide, and Vitamin C + Licorice Root for that.
Cruelty-free, vegan-friendly and super gentle on the skin, Hero Cosmetics’ lineup definitely deserves a spot in our skincare arsenal.
Ere Perez Papaya SOS Marmalade
Price: $32
Ere Perez’s Papaya SOS Marmalade is one of the best non-toxic scar creams on the eco-market. This blend is actually a soothing rescue balm that can serve a variety of purposes. You can consider it as a skin rehab in a jar packed with a nourishing cocktail of coconut, hemp, chia, grapefruit oil and fermented papaya. All the aforementioned ingredients thrive on helping hasten the delivery of essential antioxidants and vitamins to the skin.
The balm is ideal for treating little abrasions, skin freakouts, dryness, insect bites, or scars. Additionally, this Australian-owned company is not only carbon neutral but also certified cruelty free by PETA and Choose Cruelty Free Australia. Although it’s not certified organic, almost all of the ingredients are natural and non-GMO.
Active Skin Repair Hydrogel
Price: $32.99
BLDG Active’s Repair Hydrogel is designed to help minimize the chance of developing scars for cuts, scrapes, burns, and other wounds, before they even form. (It’s best for new cuts as opposed to older scars.)
The formula is completely safe to use around the head, “sensitive areas”, eyes, mouth, and ears. So unlike most products that cannot be used on open wounds, this natural scar gel be applied directly to cuts, scratches, and more during the healing process. It’s “no-sting” formulation make sit a great option for kids, too.
The active ingredient in Active Skin Repair is a molecule called HOCI. It’s a powerful and clinically-proven anti-bacterial and naturally occurring molecule that is produced by our bodies’ white blood cells as a way to promote healing.
What’s more, BLDG Active is climate-neutral and proud to be a 1% for the Planet Company and donates 1% of all sales to grassroots environmental initiatives. We love seeing cutting-edge technology and sustainability combine!
Celsus Bio-Intelligence Scar Cream
Price: $22.99
From acne scarring to scars from surgery or injury, Celsus’ organic scar cream aims to help soothe, smooth, and soften your scar while gently nourishing your skin. Loaded with 22 active ingredients—including bioactive peptides, powerful antioxidants, minerals, and wholesome natural nutrients—this non-toxic scar cream can treat both new and old scars. Additionally, this skin repair cream doesn’t clog pores. In fact, you can even wear it under makeup!
Besides minimizing the appearance of scars, it also works on stretch marks, acne scars, age spots, and wrinkles. Massage it onto the affected area 3-5 times a day for 6-8 weeks and wait for it to work its magic.
Brickell Clearing Scar Cream For Men
Price: $34
Brickell’s best non-toxic scar cream aims to effectively reduce the appearance of scars due to acne, skin abrasions, and sun damage. Brickell’s formulas cater to men’s tougher, more porous skin—whether it’s oily, sensitive, combo, or acne-prone.
This premium men’s scar removal formula soothes inflammation, balances skin tone, and promotes healing in blemished skin by leveraging scientifically backed ingredients like vitamin C and antioxidants.
On top of that, all ingredients are sustainably harvested and turned into clean skincare locally in the USA following the small-batch production model.
P.S. Just a quick note that Brickell’s scar cream does use phenoxyethanol for its preservative, so it should not be used on babies.
Other Ways To Help Prevent Skin Scarring
You know that they say: prevention is always better than cure! So as much as we love making roundups of the best organic scar creams, we’d like to suggest you try “meeting” the issue in time rather than seek a remedy after the damage is already done.
So, here are some simple things you can do to prevent skin scarring:
1. Keep the wound clean
Make sure to cleanse the wound regularly with mild soap and water and don’t forget to keep cuts and scrapes clean and covered. This helps to prevent infection and promote healing.
2. Avoid picking or scratching
Picking or scratching at a wound (or a blemish) can often cause more inflammation, and lead to the formation of a scar. If you feel itchy, use a clean, soft cloth to gently pat the area.
3. Moisturize!
Use a topical ointment or one of the best non-toxic scar creams above to keep the wound moisturize. This helps to prevent scabs from forming, which can, again, lead to scarring. Luckily, there are some organic scar creams that can even minimize the chance of developing scars for cuts, scrapes, burns, and other wounds before they form.
4. Use sunscreen
Exposure to the sun can cause hyperpigmentation, which can make scars more noticeable. Apply a non-toxic, broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher to the area.
5. Talk to your doctor and always follow directions
Obviously, there are a lot of different kinds of wounds and scars. If your scarring is due to a medical procedure or serious injury, make sure you talk to your doctor before using any extra products. You may need to wait until the wound heals before you start using scar cream. (Not doing so can potentially cause the outside of the wound to heal too fast, which could potentially trap bacteria inside.)
We hope this article helped you find some non-toxic and organic scar creams to help treat that fit your skin’s needs the best. Remember: whether you want to cover them up, or embrace and show them, never be ashamed of your scars.
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