We can’t all be wrapped in cotton wool which means that cuts, scrapes and grazes do occur – no matter how careful we are. It’s unavoidable.
Whether it’s a minor incident or the likes of surgery including a C-section that leads to these superficial wounds, no one wants scarring as a souvenir. What’s more, burns, sores or nappy rash can cause irritation for us and our little ones. We need a soothing solution stat.
So, to encourage the healing process, creating the optimal environment to nourish, hydrate and treat the area is of the utmost importance, which is where a healing ointment comes in. You also want a formula that is brimming with moisturising components but also includes antiseptic ingredients to prevent infection without causing stinging pain. And, according to the experts, they really do work.
Do creams enhance the healing process?
Dr Magnus Lynch, consultant dermatologist & dermatological surgeon says simply, “Yes, creams can enhance the wound healing process by creating a moist environment and preventing scab formation which allows skin regeneration to occur more effectively without scarring as healthy cells from neighbouring areas can migrate into the wound and promote healing”.
What creams help heal wounds?
“I perform a large amount of skin surgery and facial reconstruction, and we always advise patients to apply plain Vaseline after the procedure”, he reveals. “This ensures a moist environment, provides a seal to prevent bacteria from entering the wound and prevents scabbing. For larger or longer lasting wounds topical antibiotics and antiseptics help to prevent infection. After a scar has formed there is some evidence that silicone gels can help to improve the appearance”.
What ingredients should you look out for?
The derm breaks it down, “Aside from Vaseline, other moisturisers include glycerin and hyaluronic acid”. He concludes, “Also look for topical antibiotics and antiseptics such as Bactroban, medical honey, iodine or silver which fight infection”.
Shop the best wound healing creams below
Vaseline Original Petroleum Jelly
A classic for good reason, Vaseline’s Original Petroleum Jelly has stood the test of time with its doctor-approved skin healing benefits. Layer the rich texture to heal, protect and inject moisture into the face and limbs.
Synonymous with petroleum jelly, the brand uses a pure form of the ingredient that derives from a three-time purification process to ensure that it is hypoallergenic and will not irritate those with sensitivities. Cuts, scrapes, burns and chapped skin will benefit from its caring formula.
Buy now £19.00, Amazon
Sudocrem Antiseptic Healing Cream
Best for: Treating sore skin
With a formula that has remained unchanged since 1931, this baby barrier cream is frequently recommended by doctors and midwives for the treatment of nappy rash and skin irritations. Gentle enough to use from birth, the water-repellent base stayed put for hours and stopped irritants from coming into contact with our baby’ skin.
The cream is enriched with anti-inflammatory zinc oxide to speed up healing, anhydrous hypoallergenic lanolin to soothe and soften along with a gentle local anaesthetic to ease pain.
The formula is thicker than others we tested, it required more effort to rub in, and it also took longer to wipe off. You can use it to treat other skin conditions like sunburn, rashes and grazes, so it’s a versatile cream to have around.
Buy now £4.00, Amazon
Comvita Medihoney Antibacterial Wound Gel with Manuka Honey
Harnessing the healing properties of manuka honey, Comvita’s cream creates the optimal environment to encourage the healing process - and uses only natural ingredients to do so. Layered on burns, cuts, grazers and ulcers, it acts as an antibacterial, removes dead tissue and protects the skin.
Buy now £10.50, Amazon
Elastoplast Healing Ointment
One of the leading plaster brands on the market, Elastoplast is known, loved and relied on for its healing product range and one of the stars in its arsenal is the Healing Ointment. All skin types (dry, sensitive, damaged) and ages can maximise its antiseptic, protective and regenerative properties. These occur thanks to the medical-grade combination of white petrolatum, kerosene oil, ceresin, glycerine, panthenol, glyceryl stearate and panthenol.
Buy now £5.84, Amazon
Savlon Antiseptic & Pain Relief Gel
Savlon has long been a household name, trusted to provide antiseptic benefits since its inception over 70 years ago. This gel is designed specifically to clean wounds where the main ingredient anaesthetic has a pain-relieving function, while preventing infection.
Buy now £5.50, Amazon
Egyptian Magic All Purpose Skin Cream
Best for: post-surgery scars
A celebrity favourite, this all-natural balm is highly prized among plastic surgeons in LA for healing post-cosmetic surgery scars.
As the legend goes, it’s the same formula for a cream found in ancient Egyptian tombs – whether you believe that or not, it’s definitely has a reputation as a cult buy and comprises a nourishing concoction of olive oil, beeswax, royal jelly, pollen and propolis.
Buy now £20.00, lookfantastic
Cicatricure Face & Body Scar Gel
One of the bestselling and most highly rated healing gels on Amazon, there are over 17,000 reviews testifying to the prowess of Cicatricure. The ultra-hydrating formula cares for keloid and hypertrophic scars, stretch marks and dryness as well as improving the appearance of cuts, burns and even acne. Apply around four times a day as directed to see the speedy results.
Buy now £15.10, Amazon
Bio-Oil
Since hitting the market back in 1987, Bio-Oil continues to be the leading solution for stretch marks and scarring worldwide. The breakthrough formula was the first to suspend vitamins and plant proteins in oil, which worked to preserve the potency of the ingredients without the need for harmful additives. Bio-Oil contains a hearty blend of plant oils which contain oodles of vitamin A and E, which help to increase cell turnover and collagen synthesis. These oils include rosemary, lavender and chamomile oil for their soothing, calming benefits, as well as calendula oil for stimulating the growth of new skin cells.
The key to using Bio-Oil, as with any topical skincare treatment, is consistency. With regular application paired with self-massage, over time you should see a significant reduction in the size and appearance of your scar.
Buy now £15.52, Amazon
Brulidine Antiseptic and Antibacterial Cream
This bright yellow cream will stand out in your bathroom cabinet, ready and waiting to support the body’s healing process and prevent the likes of cuts, grazes and wounds from scarring. Designed to be used twice or thrice daily, it treats open wounds to prevent infection and even calms the likes of nappy rash and inflammation using a powerhouse combination of antiseptic and antibacterial ingredients.
Buy now £4.55, Amazon
CeraVe Advanced Repair Ointment
The people asked, and CeraVe delivered. The Advanced Repair Ointment has finally launched in the UK, after sending TikTokers wild. The hugely anticipated unveiling comes after receiving over 22 million views on the social media platform from anxious skincare enthusiasts keen to maximise the dry skin-soothing formula.
Much like the entirety of the New York-born brand’s collection, this ointment was developed in tandem with dermatologists and is a multitasking hydration hero created to support the skin’s barrier and encourage healing.
While you may think that a product of this type would be heavy, medicinal and greasy, this is far from the case, bringing a non-comedogenic composition packed with ceramides and hyaluronic acid to soothe conditions like eczema, psoriasis, general sensitives and dehydration or dryness.
Buy now £8.35, lookfantastic
La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Balm B5 Multi-Purpose Repairing Balm 40ml
Soothing sensitive skin is French pharmacy label La Roche-Posay’s bread and butter - and it does so in the most luxurious way possible. Whether you are prone to irritation due to rosacea or eczema, have overused active ingredients or due to menopausal skin dryness, employ the nurturing benefits of this multi-purpose balm.
As a treat to the skin’s barrier, it is formulated with cicaplast and vitamin B5 that care for and fortify it, while also locking in hydration to start repairing on first application. The cream forms a protective layer on the skin against external aggressors and encourages a more effective recovery - all while remaining lightweight enough. It can be used on all skin types, even acne-prone as it’s non-comedogenic.
Buy now £8.72, lookfantastic
111SKIN Y Theorem Repair Light Serum NAC Y2
This multi-tasking hero from 111SKIN is a reparative, high performance product that has you covered whether its sun damage, acne scarring, or inflammation. It has a light, water gel-like consistency that smoothes over the skin with a cooling effect and melts immediately on contact.
It spotlights the brand’s NAC Y2 complex, a signatue of the label that was created in conjuction with space scientists and contains collagen and elastic to shield against external aggressors. This is combined with brightening liquorice root, the anti-inflammatories calendula and niacinamide as well as hyaluronic acid for added moisture.
Buy now £240.00, lookfantastic
Pai Skincare Andean Rosehip Oil
Rosehip Oil is known for its healing properties and its ability to promote tissue healing and regrowth. Its source of fatty acids also improve cellular development and collagen synthesis which intensely nourishes the skin.
This vegan-friendly rosehip oil has been sourced via supercritical extraction (gentler than cold-pressing) and has been blended with seed oil and deep orange oil that deliver powerful antioxidants to defend against damaging environmental aggressors and tackle uneven skin tone, scarring and fine lines. Use twice daily after your serums and before your moisturiser/SPF.
Buy now £29.00, Cult Beauty
Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream 100ml
Parisian drugstore favourite Avène’s Cicalfate+ helps to protect eczema-prone skin from environmental triggers. Ingredients include thermal spring water, the brand’s own patented post-biotic known as C-Restore (an active ingredient derived from thermal spring water), and copper and zinc sulphates. It’s described as mimicking the effects of a wound dressing, wrapping the skin in a soothing, moisturising and protective film.
Buy now £16.00, Cult Beauty
