Skin Care Ingredients to Aid Wound Healing

Wound healing is a complex process that involves skin regeneration and repair following an injury. Whether dealing with acne scars, cuts, burns, or healing after cosmetic procedures like laser treatments, choosing the right ingredients can make a significant difference in recovery time and overall skin health and appearance. While certain skin care ingredients can accelerate wound healing by reducing inflammation, promoting collagen production, and preventing infection, others can slow the healing process or cause irritation.

Learn more about the best skin care ingredients to help the skin heal, depending on the type of wound you have, as well as which ingredients to avoid.

The best care and ingredients to aid in wound healing will depend on the type of wound. Generally speaking, there are four main types of wounds that you may be trying to heal on your own:

• Acne scars. True  acne scars  occur when the skin either produces too much or too little collagen during the healing process after an acne breakout. These can leave a raised bump or indent on your skin. Healing indented scars often requires ingredients that promote collagen production and skin regeneration.
  
  Dark spots caused by  post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation  are often called acne scars but are not truly scars because they do not affect the skin’s texture, just the tone. 
• Cuts. A cut occurs when the skin is broken due to an injury. Proper wound care for minor cuts and scrapes involves keeping the area clean, hydrated, and protected with occlusive ingredients to prevent infection and scarring.
• Burns. Mild burns that do not require immediate medical attention can often be soothed at home with cooling anti-inflammatory ingredients like aloe vera and barrier-repair ingredients help speed recovery while minimizing pain and scarring.
• Post-procedure skin. After getting cosmetic treatments like lasers or peels, your skin will be extra sensitive and tender. Post-procedure skin care can help to hydrate and protect your skin to both minimize the risk of infection and keep you comfortable while your skin heals and repairs.

When treating a wound, the right wound-healing products can accelerate skin repair while minimizing scarring and irritation. Some of the most effective ingredients to look for include the following.

The best thing to put on a clean wound is an occlusive such as Aquaphor, which is one of the most popular occlusive wound healing ointments. It has been shown to improve surgical wound healing even more than topical vitamin E (3). However, Aquaphore contains petrolatum, which is derived from petroleum, so many people prefer to use a more environmentally friendly ointment.

Silver has long been used for its antimicrobial properties in wound care. Silver-based ointments and creams can help to prevent bacterial infections in cuts, burns, and post-procedure skin. Silver nanoparticles work by disrupting bacterial cell walls, making them highly effective at reducing infection risk (4).

Silver sulfadiazine is a combination of silver and a type of sulfonamide antibiotic called sulfadiazine. This formulation is often used in medical settings to treat burns and other wounds, thanks to its strong antimicrobial and antibacterial properties.

Derived from the Arnica Montana plant, arnica is known for its strong anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects and is very soothing to the skin. It contains compounds like helenalin, flavonoids, sesquiterpene lactones, and thymol, which reduce swelling and bruising by promoting circulation and inhibiting inflammation. Arnica is used topically before and after cosmetic procedures to minimize swelling, while homeopathic arnica is sometimes taken orally.

Aloe vera is widely recognized for its soothing and healing properties, especially for burns. It contains polysaccharides and antioxidants that promote skin regeneration, reduce inflammation, and provide hydration. Research has shown that aloe vera accelerates wound healing by stimulating fibroblast activity and increasing collagen synthesis (5). Its natural cooling effect also makes aloe an effective treatment option for sunburns and other minor skin injuries.

Dexpanthenol, a precursor to pantothenic acid or vitamin B5, has anti-inflammatory effects and helps to reduce the risk of infection by preventing biofilm formation. This ingredient also supports skin barrier function and hydration, which aids in skin healing.

Peptides are now being used to speed wound healing because they easily absorb into the disrupted skin barrier of wounded skin. Skin care brand Alastin uses several peptides in its proprietary Tri-Hex® technology that can aid in wound healing. The first is hexapeptide-12, which stimulates collagen production. It forms a protective film on the skin’s surface that helps to prevent dehydration and makes the skin feel smooth. When bound to palmitic acid to increase absorption, it is called palmitoyl hexapeptide-12.

The second is palmitoyl tripeptide-1, which mimics a collagen fragment to signal to fibroblasts to stimulate collagen production – particularly types I and II. By binding to fibroblast receptors, it enhances extracellular matrix components, supporting skin repair. This leads to improved skin strength and reduced wrinkles and fine lines.

Lactoferrin helps to speed the clearing of bruises by binding to iron and therefore speeding up the breakdown of blood byproducts like bruising. It also promotes tissue repair and supports hyaluronic acid production for better hydration and skin recovery. Lactoferrin is found in the Alastin Reform and Repair Complex and the Inhance Post Injection Serum.

Centella asiatica extract , from the Gotu Kola plant, stimulates collagen production and fibroblast activity, reducing wrinkles and improving skin firmness. Rich in antioxidants, it protects against free radical damage, while its anti-inflammatory properties soothe irritated skin. Compounds in centella, such as madecassoside, have been shown to improve the skin's water retention by enhancing its natural lipid barrier, aiding hydration (6). This ingredient is also found in Alastin Reform and Repair Complex

There are many skin care products that can aid in wound healing, and the best choice for you will depend on the type of wound you are healing. In general, however, below are some of the most effective topical products at supporting skin healing.

While some ingredients can promote skin healing, others can have the opposite effect and slow the recovery process:

• Topical exfoliants and retinoids , such as alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs), beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs), and retinol, should be avoided on healing wounds. These ingredients can thin the skin and cause irritation, delaying the healing process.

• Vitamin E from oral supplement capsules should also be avoided. Although vitamin E is often thought to help scars, studies have shown that applying vitamin E directly from a capsule to a wound does not improve healing and may actually lead to more irritation and a higher risk of contact dermatitis (3).

• Chemical sunscreens that contain oxybenzone or avobenzone can be irritating to healing skin and may cause contact dermatitis. Instead, use physical sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide to protect healing wounds from UV damage without irritation.

The best formulations to improve wound healing have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and hydrating properties, while also stimulating collagen production. Avoid ingredients like hydroxy acids, retinol, and chemical sunscreens that can slow the healing process.

If you are unsure about where to start when choosing post-procedure or other wound healing skin care, take the quiz to find out your Baumann Skin Type. From there, we can provide you with customized recommendations that are right for your skin.

1. Baumann L. Antiaging Ingredients in Ch. 37 of Baumann's Cosmetic Dermatology Ed 3. (McGraw Hill 2022)
2. Baumann, L. Cosmeceuticals and cosmetic Ingredients (McGraw Hill 2015)
3. Baumann, L. S., & Md, J. S. (1999). The effects of topical vitamin E on the cosmetic appearance of scars. Dermatologic Surgery, 25(4), 311-315.
4. Singh M, Thakur V, Kumar V, Raj M, Gupta S, Devi N, Upadhyay SK, Macho M, Banerjee A, Ewe D, Saurav K. Silver Nanoparticles and Its Mechanistic Insight for Chronic Wound Healing: Review on Recent Progress. Molecules. 2022 Aug 30;27(17):5587.
5. Liang, J., Cui, L., Li, J., Guan, S., Zhang, K., & Li, J. (2021). Aloe vera: a medicinal plant used in skin wound healing. Tissue Engineering Part B: Reviews, 27(5), 455-474.
6. Witkowska, K., Paczkowska-Walendowska, M., Garbiec, E., & Cielecka-Piontek, J. (2024). Topical Application of Centella asiatica in Wound Healing: Recent Insights into Mechanisms and Clinical Efficacy. Pharmaceutics, 16(10), 1252.