How to Lighten Eczema Scars: Creams, Oils and What Actually Works

During one of my eczema flare-ups, I scratch until my skin bleeds, because feeling pain is better than feeling itchy. And the next morning, I’m left with torn skin, dried blood, and marks that stay long after the flare settles.

If you’re staring at those dark patches right now, I want you to know something: most of what we call “eczema scars” are not true scars. They’re post-inflammatory changes, and they can fade.

What’s actually happening? After your skin heals from intense itching and scratching, that area often looks darker. This is post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), which is excess melanin triggered by inflammation. It can look like scarring, but it’s not permanent.

But sometimes the opposite happens: the skin loses pigment, leaving lighter patches. This is post-inflammatory hypopigmentation.

A third possibility is lichenification, where repeated scratching causes the skin to become thickened, rough, and leathery.

So can eczema scar permanently? A true scar that is raised or depressed is actually rarely caused by eczema. It can happen with deep wounds or severe infections, but for most people, what they’re seeing is PIH or lichenification, and both of which improve with the right care.

Now imagine the scratching happening night after night. Every night, I am opening myself up to secondary infections, even more scratch marks, and continuous skin damage that doesn’t get a chance to heal.

After the flareup ends, I am left with scarred skin that looks darker (or lighter) than other areas, with wrinkles and dry skin. It’s frustrating and unpleasant to look at, despite my eczema having calmed down.

Best Creams and Oils for Eczema Scar Removal

The first thing that people might think of when removing scars is to go for laser treatment, but those are more for surgical scars. For eczema scars, there are more natural, less invasive ways to help make them less noticeable. One of these treatments is emu oil. The emu oil I use and recommend is Y-Not Natural Pure Emu Oil, which I’ve been using daily since my own topical steroid withdrawal.

Emu oil is a natural oil derived from the fat of the emu, a flightless bird native to Australia, and has long been used for various skincare and medicinal purposes, including eczema scars.

How does emu oil help reduce the appearance of scars? Some reasons could be:

Moisturisation: Emu oil is highly moisturising and easily absorbed by the skin. Keeping the scar tissue well-hydrated can help soften the scar and make it less noticeable over time. Moisturising also helps reduce itching and discomfort associated with scars.
Anti-Inflammatory Properties: Emu oil contains compounds with potential anti-inflammatory properties. Inflammation is a natural part of the wound healing process, but excessive inflammation can lead to more pronounced scarring. By reducing inflammation, emu oil may help minimise scar tissue formation.
Antioxidant Effects: Emu oil contains antioxidants, such as vitamins A and E, which can help minimise scarring and protect the skin from free radical damage. By protecting these structural components, emu oil may aid in scar healing and minimise their appearance.
Omega Fatty Acids: Emu oil is rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, which are important for skin health. These fatty acids help maintain the skin’s barrier function and may contribute to overall skin repair and regeneration.
Penetration Enhancement: Some studies suggest that emu oil may enhance the penetration of other topical treatments or medications when applied together. This can be beneficial if you are using other scar-reducing products in conjunction with emu oil.

Above: Before after photo of eczema scars

Tips on applying emu oil on scars

Your results may vary when using emu oil for eczema scars. To get the most benefits, take note of the following:

Before starting, test by applying emu oil on a small area of skin first, to ensure you don’t have any allergic reactions or adverse effects
Once you are confident that emu oil won’t give you a bad reaction, you should apply emu oil consistently to the scarred area, even after the wound has fully healed
Be patient, as scar improvement can take several weeks or even months to become noticeable

Above: Scars on back of hand, cleared up after a few weeks with regular emu oil application

Other options for fading eczema marks

Emu oil is my go-to, but it’s not the only option. Here are a few other approaches worth considering:

Silicone-based scar gels (like Dermatix or Strataderm) are often recommended by dermatologists for raised or textured scars. They create a protective barrier that keeps skin hydrated and helps flatten scar tissue over time.

Vitamin C serums can help brighten hyperpigmentation. Look for formulas with L-ascorbic acid at 10–20% concentration. Apply in the morning under sunscreen. Patch test first as some vitamin C serums can irritate eczema-prone skin.

Sunscreen matters more than most people realise. UV exposure darkens PIH and slows fading. If you’re trying to lighten eczema dark spots, wearing SPF 30+ daily, even on a cloudy day, makes a real difference.

Looking for natural home remedies? I wrote a separate guide covering aloe vera, honey, oatmeal, and other home treatments: How to Get Rid of Eczema Scars Naturally — and What Actually Works.

Fading Eczema Scars on Hands, Arms and Legs

Eczema marks tend to concentrate on the same body parts that get the worst flare-ups. A few area-specific tips:

Hands: The skin on your hands is thinner and constantly exposed to water, soap, and sanitiser. Scars here are often a mix of dark marks and rough patches. Apply emu oil after every hand wash if you can, and wear bamboo gloves overnight to lock in moisture and protect healing skin.

Arms and shoulders: These are the marks that make you think twice about wearing sleeveless tops, especially in Singapore’s heat. Consistent daily application of emu oil or a scar-fading cream is key. If you scratch in your sleep, wearing eczema sleeves at night protects the skin from further damage.

Legs: Eczema scars on legs, especially behind the knees, are extremely common. The skin here is thin and creases constantly, which makes marks more visible. The approach is the same: moisturise twice daily, protect from UV, and be patient. Legs tend to fade a bit slower than arms or face.

Frequently-Asked Questions

These are the most common concerns I get through chatting with my customers. I hope it helps to understand how emu oil can work for your scars.

How often do I apply emu oil on my scars?

You can apply it twice to three times a day for a few weeks to notice any improvement. Apply after cleansing your skin.

How much emu oil do I need to apply? I am worried that it will be too oily

You only need to apply a thin layer of emu oil at any time. Pump a pea size amount on your palm and use your finger tip to lightly massage a bit of oil on the area. Emu oil mimics most closely to the human skin, thus it is highly-penetrating. And because it absorbs better than other oils, it will quickly feel less oily as you massage.

Can the emu oil make my scar completely disappear?

Everybody’s natural skin healing process is different. It depends on age, lifestyle and environment. Emu oil can help to lighten dark scars and nourish it to allow natural healing process for the skin. It may help to lighten skin pigmentation and smoothen wrinkles. Some customers have reported lightening of the scar until it is hardly noticeable. Others have noticed the scars smoothening over time.

Does emu oil help with wrinkles? I have wrinkled, “elephant-skin” like texture on parts where I scratched a lot.

Emu oil can help slow down wrinkle formation and other aspects of the aging process. It contains Vitamin K – which has been known to prevent wrinkles. The emu oil also acted as an emollient to lock in moisture under the skin, thus preventing the skin to dry out further.

What about eye wrinkles due to aging and lack of sleep, can emu oil help?

Emu oil can help with wrinkles and dark circles around the eyes. Apply a pea-size amount on palm and use pinky or ring finger, and pat around the entire eye area, blending inward from the outer corner. Repeat daily at night as an eye serum.

Can eczema scars go away on their own?

Yes, in many cases. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation fades gradually as your skin renews itself. For some people this takes weeks; for others, several months. Using a good oil or cream speeds the process, and sun protection helps prevent marks from getting darker. If your marks haven’t changed after a year, it may be worth seeing a dermatologist about options like chemical peels or laser treatment.

How long do eczema scars take to fade?

It depends on the type of mark. PIH (dark spots) typically begins to lighten within 3–6 months with consistent care. Lichenification (thickened, leathery skin) can take 6–12 months of regular moisturising to soften. True scar tissue from deep wounds may not fully resolve on its own and could benefit from professional treatment.

What is the best cream for eczema scars?

It depends on the type of mark. For dark spots (PIH), I recommend emu oil for its deep moisturisation and skin-regenerating properties, combined with a vitamin C serum for brightening. For raised or textured scars, a silicone-based gel may work better. For rough, thickened skin from scratching (lichenification), deep moisturisation with emu oil is the priority. Whichever route you go, consistency matters more than the product. Apply daily and give it time.

Right thigh during topical steroid withdrawal (TSW) flare-up. After: scars hardly noticeable, and pigmentation evened out

Pure Australian Emu Oil by Y-Not Natural

One of the leading brands of emu oil, Y-Not Natural is processed at a pharmaceutical rendering plant registered with the Therapeutic Goods Association (TGA) and HACCP Australia Food Safety Accreditation.

It is the only Emu oil company in the world that has direct access to testing Emu oil for biological activity. In this facility, the emu oil is steam infused with 0.02% eucalyptus which is known for its antiseptic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-rheumatic properties.