Product Overview and Key Ingredients
Mederma Advanced Scar Gel, marketed for stretch marks, is produced by HRA Pharma, which became part of Perrigo Company plc following its acquisition completed in 2023. The product line is sold in over 20 countries and positions itself as a silicone-based topical treatment. The primary active ingredient is allantoin, supported by a silicone gel base that forms a protective film on the skin. The formulation also includes onion extract, which is listed in the European Pharmacopoeia as a component of some dermatological preparations. The gel is available in tubes and pumps, with a standard 3.4 oz tube priced at approximately $13 to $16 USD in U.S. retail channels as of the latest publicly reported data.
HRA Pharma, the manufacturer, operates under the Perrigo corporate umbrella, which reported consolidated net sales of approximately $3.6 billion for fiscal year 2023. Perrigo is a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker PRGO, and its financial reports are filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The SEC filing data provides verifiable details on the company’s revenue streams, including its consumer healthcare division that houses the Mederma brand. The gel is classified as a medical device in some markets and a cosmetic in others, depending on the specific regulatory framework of the country of sale.
Clinical Evidence and Efficacy Data
Clinical studies cited by the manufacturer include a 2022 multi-center, double-blind, randomized trial involving 110 participants with surgical scars, which measured scar elevation, redness, and texture over a 12-week period. The study, published in a peer-reviewed dermatology journal, reported a statistically significant improvement in scar pliability and color match compared to a silicone-free control. For stretch marks specifically, the available published data is more limited, with most evidence drawn from smaller studies on collagen remodeling and skin elasticity. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration classifies Mederma Advanced Scar Gel as a Class I medical device, which requires less rigorous pre-market approval than prescription drugs.
Consumer-reported outcomes from online surveys and retailer reviews indicate mixed results, with a subset of users noting visible improvement in scar texture within four to eight weeks of consistent twice-daily application. The American Academy of Dermatology Association notes that silicone gel sheets and topical silicone gels are among the few treatments with moderate evidence for improving the appearance of scars. The AAD’s guidance on scar management, available at aha.org, provides a clinical context for evaluating the product’s claims. Independent comparative reviews published by dermatology-focused outlets often rank silicone-based gels as a first-line over-the-counter option for new, raised scars.
Market Position and Competitive Landscape
In the over-the-counter scar and stretch mark treatment market, Mederma competes with brands such as Bio-Oil, Dermatix, and Kelo-cote. The global scar treatment market was valued at approximately $4.2 billion in 2023, with a projected compound annual growth rate of 6.5% through 2030, according to market research reports published by Grand View Research. Perrigo’s consumer healthcare segment, which includes Mederma, contributed a measurable portion to the company’s overall revenue, as detailed in its annual report and SEC filings. The product is distributed through major pharmacy chains, mass retailers, and e-commerce platforms, including Amazon, where it maintains a high sales rank in the scar treatment category.
Dermatologists interviewed by Forbes and other health publications have noted that while silicone gels can improve scar appearance, they are less effective on mature, atrophic stretch marks, which require collagen stimulation through procedures like microneedling or laser therapy. The Mayo Clinic’s guidance on stretch marks, accessible at mayoclinic.org, states that no topical treatment has been proven to completely remove stretch marks, but some can reduce their appearance.