Mederma Advanced Scar Gel for acne-prone skin
Allantoin
Onion Extract
Sodium Hyaluronate
Panthenol
Peg-200Average
- HighCombination Skin Fit
- AverageEffectiveness
- HighSafety
Works for acne-prone skin; other serums fit it better.
This fit is calculated for the concerns frequently associated with acne-prone skin: breakouts, blackheads, and post-acne marks. For scores and recommendations based on your full skin profile, including your 12D face scan results and any goals or preferences you have, please use the Lovi app.
Page built Nov 8, 2026How the Fit score works
Lovi Assistant explains
- Offers moderate benefits for your acne, blemishes, and breakouts, as onion bulb extract and allantoin work to improve scar appearance and provide supportive hydration. Panthenol and sodium hyaluronate further enhance humectant action and barrier repair, making it suitable for your combination skin.
- The formulation is safe for your combination skin, with no harsh ingredients that would cause irritation.
- While effective for scarring and general hydration, the product's primary focus is not on actively treating active acne or blemishes.
How to apply
- Use your serum as part of your PM routine and start 3x/week before working up to daily use.
- Apply this treatment after cleansing and toner, and before your moisturizer.
- Gently press 2-3 drops of the serum into your skin and let it absorb for a minute.
- Apply the product on clean, dry skin to help manage your breakouts safely.
- Avoid the eye area and do a patch test before your first use.
People Say
★4.3Overall rating based on 2.7k+ reviewsBased on a very large amount of data, users consistently report that this gel effectively softens, flattens, and fades the discoloration of various scar types, including acne pockmarks, surgical incisions, and burns. While results are widely praised, they are heavily dependent on long-term consistency, with visible improvements typically requiring 4 to 8 weeks for new scars and several months for older ones.
Highlights
Effective scar fading Often Mentioned
- “significantly lightens dark spots”
- “reduces redness”
- “fades acne marks”
Improves skin texture Often Mentioned
- “flattens raised scars”
- “softens keloids”
- “smooths rough skin”
Slow results Often Mentioned
- “requires patience”
- “takes months”
- “no instant fix”
- “slow progress”
Easy application Sometimes Noted
- “absorbs quickly”
- “non-greasy”
- “lightweight gel”
- “once-daily use”
Versatile treatment Sometimes Noted
- “works on surgical scars”
- “burn marks”
- “old injuries”
- “stretch marks”
Flaking or peeling Sometimes Noted
- “leaves residue”
- “peels off”
- “clumps under makeup”
- “white film”
Minor irritation Rarely Noted
- “causes itching”
- “stinging sensation”
- “mild redness”
- “tingling”
Unpleasant scent Rarely Noted
- “onion-like smell”
- “strong odor”
- “medicinal scent”
Sources: lovi.care, walmart.com, walgreens.com, target.com, iherb.com, influenster.com, and more
Questions and answers
How well does Mederma Advanced Scar Gel work for acne-prone skin?
Mederma Advanced Scar Gel works moderately well for acne-prone skin by improving the look of scars and providing supportive hydration, though it is not designed to actively treat ongoing breakouts. A product of this type needs potent active ingredients specifically targeting acne and blemishes to fully treat oily areas while keeping dry areas balanced and calm without irritation.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017
Which ingredients make this gel a good fit for acne-prone skin?
Onion extract and allantoin make this gel a fit by improving the look of scars, while panthenol and sodium hyaluronate bring soothing moisture that helps keep the skin soft. To work even better for acne-prone skin, a treatment of this type needs ingredients that actively target active breakouts and balance oil without causing dryness.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017
What does Allantoin do for acne-prone skin?
Allantoin helps calm redness and supports the skin barrier, making it a soothing addition to routines for acne-prone skin. It is often paired with ingredients that clear pores and reduce oil to keep acne-prone skin balanced and comfortable.
What does Onion Extract do for acne-prone skin?
Onion extract helps calm redness and fights blemish-causing bacteria with its natural antimicrobial properties. It is unlikely to irritate oily skin when used as directed in spot treatments or targeted serums.
Where does it go in a skincare routine for acne-prone skin?
This treatment goes in the evening routine after cleansing and before moisturizing, though it focuses on improving scars rather than actively treating breakouts. To better care for acne-prone skin, this type of product needs ingredients that actively target blemishes alongside soothing and hydrating components.
Can I use this gel with retinol, and in what order?
You can use this gel in the evening after your retinol product once it has fully absorbed. This helps lock in moisture while you sleep, and the formula is unlikely to cause irritation on acne-prone skin. To better fit acne-prone skin, a treatment product should actively target breakouts and blemishes with ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017
How often should I use it?
You can use this treatment in your evening routine, applying it once a day after cleansing. This product type for your acne-prone skin needs soothing ingredients like allantoin and panthenol, alongside active breakout-fighting ingredients to actively target pimples and blemishes.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017
Can it clog pores, cause breakouts or purging for acne-prone skin?
Mederma Advanced Scar Gel is unlikely to clog pores or cause breakouts for acne-prone skin, as it contains no harsh ingredients that typically cause irritation. However, because its main focus is improving the look of scars rather than actively treating blemishes, acne-prone skin often needs targeted ingredients like salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide to truly keep pores clear.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017
Is this gel fragrance-free and alcohol-free?
It has no fragrance and contains drying alcohol (alcohol).
What the research says
Topical dexpanthenol acts as a moisturizer, improves stratum corneum hydration, accelerates wound healing and epidermal regeneration, reduces erythema, and improves symptoms of skin irritation compared to vehicle or no pretreatment.
American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 2002A new topical panthenol-containing emollient significantly improved transepidermal water loss reduction, stratum corneum hydration, and intercellular lipid lamellae length compared with control in healthy subjects without negatively impacting bacterial viability.
The Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 2017A panthenol-enriched mask significantly decreased erythema and hyperpigmentation, increased sebum and stratum corneum moisture, and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to a saline dressing in 60 subjects undergoing facial laser treatment.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2025Hyaluronic acid extracts are safe and efficacious products for skin repair when used in tissue regeneration alone or in combination with herbal or Western medicine.
Journal of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2015Topical gel containing chitosan, 0.2% chlorhexidine, allantoin and dexpanthenol did not improve postoperative comfort regarding swelling and pain, but improved the wound's aesthetic appearance following impacted lower third molar extraction compared to no gel.
Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2016A topical gel containing chitosan, chlorhexidine, allantoin, and dexpanthenol significantly reduced postoperative pain, trismus, swelling, and analgesic consumption, while improving wound healing after third molar surgery compared to a placebo.
Medicina Oral, Patologia Oral Y Cirugia Bucal, 2020An overnight patch containing Allium cepa extract and allantoin safely promotes scar healing after dermatologic surgery, resulting in significantly greater reductions in observer- and patient-assessed POSAS scores compared to no treatment.
Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 2018Prophylactic application of a topical scar gel containing Allium cepae extract, allantoin, and heparin significantly improves patient-assessed scar color, stiffness, and irregularity compared to no treatment in women following a cesarean section.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2014Topical onion extract improved scar colour compared to silicon gel, while silicon gel was superior in decreasing scar height in 60 patients with hypertrophic and keloid scars, with the most effective results obtained from combining onion extract and silicon gel.
Journal of Wound Care, 2007Silicone derivative plus onion extract gel reduced pain, itching, and pigmentation compared to placebo in patients after median sternotomy.
International Wound Journal, 2012Topical 12% onion extract gel applied early on Pfannenstiel's cesarean section scars in Asians improved scar height and scar symptoms compared to placebo, with no significant difference in scar redness, pliability, or overall appearance.
Dermatology Research and Practice, 2012Topical application of 0.1% hyaluronic acid formulations of different molecular weights led to significant improvements in skin hydration and elasticity, with low-molecular-weight formulations also significantly reducing wrinkle depth in seventy-six female subjects compared to a vehicle control.
Journal of Drugs in Dermatology, 2011Topical application of hyaluronic acid in conjunction with free gingival graft significantly reduced donor site postoperative pain until day 7 compared to normal saline, with no significant differences in graft dimensions or patient satisfaction.
Clinical Oral Investigations, 2022Treatment with a hyaluronic acid-containing mouth rinse or topical gel led to significant lesion reduction, pain relief, and normalization of lesion color in adult patients with minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis, with the gel formulation showing an earlier healing onset at 3 days.
BMC Oral Health, 2019Moisturizer containing 5% panthenol, madecassoside, and copper-zinc-manganese decreased adverse reactions and downtime after ablative fractional carbon dioxide laser resurfacing with comparable efficacy to 0.02% triamcinolone acetonide cream in 20 subjects.
Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2019Topical dexpanthenol formulated in lipophilic vehicles improved stratum corneum hydration and reduced transepidermal water loss compared to vehicle control in humans.
Arzneimittel-Forschung, 2000Hyaluronic acid, hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol, and isotonic saline nasal sprays all significantly improved dry nose symptoms over four weeks in 240 patients, with hyaluronic acid plus dexpanthenol providing superior nasal moisturisation compared to the other two.
Auris, Nasus, Larynx, 2020Topical excipients like propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol 200, and octisalate alter the stratum corneum recovery, lateral diffusion, and in vitro flux of ibuprofen in humans.
Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2014
Why other serums fit acne-prone skin better
Topical benzoyl peroxide 5% gel treatment improved acne severity, sebum, stratum corneum hydration, and transepidermal water loss, while significantly reducing microbial diversity and the prevalence of Cutibacterium in 33 patients with acne vulgaris.
Dermatologic Therapy, 2022Topical benzoyl peroxide may improve acne more effectively than placebo or no treatment, while showing little to no difference compared with adapalene or clindamycin, but with an increased risk of treatment discontinuation due to adverse effects compared to placebo.
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2020Co-delivery of paeonol and madecassoside via nanoemulsions improved transdermal delivery, promoted barrier repair proteins, inhibited inflammatory cytokine secretion in cellular and 3D models, and reduced transepidermal water loss and acne in human facial skin compared to free components.
Molecules, 2023
Ingredients
Water, Peg-200, Alcohol, Xanthan Gum, Onion Bulb Extract, Lecithin, Methylparaben, Sorbic Acid, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin
Behind this fit score
Lovi calculates every fit score from the full ingredient list with brand-independent rules our dermatologists and cosmetic chemists build and review, and personalizes every pick with AI trained on the real results of millions of users. Lovi trains its fit score models on a proprietary dataset built from more than 10,000 expert-labeled products and more than 100,000 simulated examples, following an internally consistent methodology presented at Cosmoprof, AMWC, and Skin of Color Update.
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Co-founder, Medical Director
Cosmetic chemist, cosmetologist, aesthetic products developer
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PhD in computer science, 3x US patent holder, ex-Google, ex-Yandex
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Dr. Sofía Perea Pérez, MD, MSc
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Aesthetic medicine practitioner, MSc in Longevity and Anti-Aging Medicine
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Specialist dermatologist, MBBS, MD, IFAAD
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Dermatology MD
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Elina Nazarenko, MD
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Victoria Derkova, MS
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