Rosehip seed oil has the strongest clinical evidence for improving scars, with studies showing measurable reductions in redness, discoloration, and skin depression over 12 weeks. Several other oils also show promise for different aspects of scar healing, though the evidence varies widely. The oil that works best for you depends on the type of scar, how old it is, and how consistently you use it.
Rosehip Seed Oil: The Strongest Evidence
Rosehip seed oil is the most studied natural oil for scar improvement. In a clinical trial on post-surgical scars published in the Journal of Cosmetics, Dermatological Sciences and Applications, patients who applied pure rosehip seed oil showed significantly better outcomes than those who didn’t. At 12 weeks, 73% of treated patients had no redness compared to 50% in the control group. The gap was even wider for discoloration: 63% of treated patients showed no discoloration versus just 21% of controls. For skin depression or atrophy around the scar, 85% of the rosehip group had none compared to 62% of controls.
The oil is rich in fatty acids and naturally occurring compounds that support skin repair. It absorbs relatively quickly and doesn’t leave a heavy residue, which makes it practical for twice-daily use. Cold-pressed, unrefined rosehip seed oil retains more of these active compounds than refined versions. It works best on newer scars that are still pink or red, though some people report improvement on older scars with consistent use over several months.
Lavender and Helichrysum Essential Oils
Two essential oils stand out for their effects on the biological processes behind scarring. Helichrysum essential oil, even at very low concentrations (0.01%), significantly inhibits the production of type I and type III collagen. This matters because raised, thick scars form when your body overproduces collagen during healing. By dialing back that overproduction, helichrysum may help keep scars flatter.
Lavender oil works through a different but complementary pathway. It contains a compound called linalyl acetate that is directly toxic to the cells responsible for building scar tissue (fibroblasts), which reduces excessive scarring. At the same time, lavender supports healthy wound closure by accelerating the growth of new skin cells during the early healing phase. Both oils also have anti-inflammatory properties, which helps because prolonged inflammation is one of the drivers of prominent scarring.
These are essential oils, not carrier oils. They need to be diluted before skin application, typically a few drops mixed into a carrier oil like rosehip, jojoba, or sweet almond oil. Applying undiluted essential oils to healing skin can cause irritation and make scarring worse.
Why Vitamin E Oil May Not Be Worth It
Vitamin E oil is one of the most popular home remedies for scars, but the evidence doesn’t support the reputation. Human studies on topical vitamin E have either found no effect on scar appearance or found that it actually made scars look worse. Compounding the problem, a notable number of participants in these studies developed skin reactions to the vitamin E preparations, possibly because the vitamin can form irritating compounds when exposed to air and light. The American Academy of Dermatology notes that research on over-the-counter scar products containing vitamin E remains limited and recommends talking with a dermatologist before relying on them.
Moisturizing Oils vs. Silicone Gel
Silicone gel sheets and creams are the standard recommendation from most dermatologists for scar management. They work primarily by trapping moisture in the skin and creating a barrier that mimics the protective function of healthy skin. But research comparing silicone gel to moisturizing products has produced some surprising results.
A study measuring how well different products kept moisture in scar tissue found that silicone gel peaked in effectiveness almost immediately after application and then declined. Oil-based moisturizers, by contrast, kept increasing in effectiveness for up to four hours. The study concluded that the occlusive and hydrating effects of fluid silicone gel were inferior to the moisturizers tested. This doesn’t mean silicone products are useless, but it does suggest that well-chosen oils and moisturizers can match or exceed silicone’s core mechanism of action: keeping the scar hydrated and protected.
How to Apply Oil to a Scar
Simply rubbing oil onto a scar helps, but combining it with massage makes a bigger difference. Massage breaks down the rigid collagen fibers that make scars feel hard and tight, and the oil reduces friction so you can work the tissue without irritating the surface. Clinical guidelines from The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne recommend massaging your scar two to three times a day for five to ten minutes each session.
Use firm but comfortable pressure. Move in circles over the scar, then along its length, then across it. You should feel the scar tissue shifting under your fingers. If the scar is still painful or freshly healed, start with lighter pressure and build up over a few weeks. Continue the routine until the scar matures, which you’ll recognize when it becomes paler, flatter, or softer. For surgical or injury scars, this process typically takes anywhere from several months to two years.
Wait until the wound is fully closed before applying any oil. Open or scabbed wounds should be left alone. Once the skin has sealed and any stitches are removed, you can begin oil application.
Oils to Avoid on Scars
Certain essential oils, particularly expressed citrus oils, contain compounds called furocoumarins that make skin extremely sensitive to sunlight. Applying these to a scar and then exposing it to UV light can cause burns, blisters, and permanent discoloration, the exact opposite of what you’re trying to achieve. The most common photosensitive oils include bergamot, lemon (expressed), lime (expressed), grapefruit, bitter orange, and cumin seed oil. If you want to use any citrus-based blend on a scar, choose steam-distilled versions or those specifically labeled furocoumarin-free, and avoid sun exposure on the treated area.
Scars are also more vulnerable to hyperpigmentation than surrounding skin, especially in darker skin tones. Any oil that causes irritation or inflammation can trigger post-inflammatory darkening that lasts months. Patch test new oils on a small area of undamaged skin for 24 to 48 hours before applying them to a scar.
Choosing the Right Oil for Your Scar Type
For flat, discolored scars that are mainly a cosmetic concern, rosehip seed oil is the best starting point given its clinical track record with redness and discoloration. For raised or thickened scars, adding a diluted helichrysum or lavender essential oil to your carrier oil targets the collagen overproduction responsible for the raised texture. For scars that feel tight or restrict movement, consistent massage with any good carrier oil (rosehip, jojoba, or sweet almond) will help soften the tissue over time.
No oil will erase a scar completely. What oils can do, with consistent daily use over weeks to months, is reduce redness, flatten raised areas, soften rigid tissue, and blend the scar more closely with surrounding skin. For deep, wide, or keloid scars, oils work best as a complement to professional treatments rather than a standalone solution.