No published study has compared Scarless and Contractubex directly, so neither can be said to give better results. The documented differences are in the type of product, how and how often each is applied, and the pack sizes available, as set out above.
Comparison
Scarless vs Contractubex: silicone gel or onion-extract gel?
Scarless is a topical silicone scar gel from Goodness Care. Contractubex is described in its German product information as a gel whose active substances are onion extract, heparin sodium and allantoin. They are two different types of product, and both are used on scars once the wound has closed. What follows are the documented characteristics of each product; results are not compared.
Reviewed by Raed Salah, Pharmacist and Technical DirectorLast reviewed September 2026
Quick comparison
| Scarless | Contractubex | |
|---|---|---|
| Type of product | Silicone gel | Onion-extract gel |
| Ingredients listed | Dimethicone, Dimethiconol, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cetyl Dimethicone, Silica, Squalane, Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate, Isopropyl Myristate | Active substances: onion extract, heparin sodium, allantoin |
| How it is used | A thin layer, rubbed in gently until it dries | Massaged in lightly until absorbed by the skin |
| How often | Two to three times a day | Several times daily |
| How long | Two to three months; established scars take longer | Several weeks to months, depending on extent and severity |
| Pack sizes | 15 g tube | 30 g, 50 g and 100 g (Germany) |
| Open wounds | Not on open wounds. Closed, fully healed skin only | Used after wound closure |
What they have in common
Based on each product's own published information:
- A gel. Both are gels applied to the skin.
- Applied to the scar. Both are applied directly to the scar.
- After the wound has closed. Both are used once the wound has closed.
Key differences
Based on each product's own published information:
- The type of product. Scarless is a silicone gel. Contractubex's German product information lists onion extract, heparin sodium and allantoin as its active substances.
- How each is applied. Scarless: a thin layer, rubbed in gently until it dries. Contractubex, according to its German product information: massaged in lightly until the gel has been absorbed by the skin.
Application compared
Each manufacturer's own information, side by side:
- How often. Scarless: two to three times a day. Contractubex, according to its German product information: several times daily.
- How long. Scarless: two to three months, and longer for established scars. Contractubex: several weeks to months, depending on extent and severity.
- Application guide. See how to apply Scarless.
Which may suit whom
Each has documented features that may matter to different people:
- Contractubex may suit someone who wants a larger pack: in Germany it is sold in 30 g, 50 g and 100 g packs. It may also suit someone looking for a gel with onion extract, heparin sodium and allantoin as its active substances, or who prefers a gel that is massaged in until it is absorbed.
- Scarless may suit someone who wants a silicone gel with a full published ingredient list, or one that is left to dry after a thin layer is rubbed in. Sunscreen may be applied after Scarless has dried.
- If you are not sure which suits your scar, a pharmacist or doctor can advise.
What the evidence can and cannot tell us
Silicone as a class. Silicone gels and sheets are widely recommended in scar-management guidance, particularly for hypertrophic scars and keloids. However, systematic reviews have found that the certainty of evidence for some outcomes is low or very low.
Onion extract. A 2025 systematic review of 21 studies concluded that onion extract has potential use in preventing and treating scars. It was a narrative review, its authors call for larger trials with longer follow-up, and it looks at onion extract as a group, not at Contractubex specifically.
The ingredients beyond silicone. The research on squalane and on vitamin C derivatives looks at the ingredients themselves, not at Scarless as a finished product.
A direct comparison. No published study comparing Scarless and Contractubex directly has been identified.
Scarless may help improve the appearance of scars. More on the research, and its limits, is on the published research page.
Frequently asked questions
No. According to its German product information, Contractubex is a gel whose active substances are onion extract, heparin sodium and allantoin. Scarless is a silicone gel.
Scarless must not be applied to open wounds or unhealed incisions, or before sutures are removed. Contractubex's German product information says it is used after wound closure.
Contractubex is a trademark of its owner, used here only to identify the product. Goodness Care is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, Contractubex or its owner.
Sources
- Merz Pharmaceuticals GmbH (via fachinfo.de): Fachinformation Contractubex® Gel (Stand 05/2025, 000447-68491-101) (accessed September 27, 2026)
- Meaume S, Le Pillouer-Prost A, Richert B et al. Management of scars: updated practical guidelines and use of silicones. Eur J Dermatol 2014;24(4):435-43. PMID 25141160
- Monstrey S, Middelkoop E, Vranckx JJ et al. Updated scar management practical guidelines: non-invasive and invasive measures. J Plast Reconstr Aesthet Surg 2014;67(8):1017-25. PMID 24888226
- Jiang Q, Chen J, Tian F et al. Silicone gel sheeting for treating hypertrophic scars. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2021;9(9):CD013357. PMID 34564840
- Won P, Choe D, Abu-Ghazaleh J et al. The Efficacy of Onion Extract on the Prevention or Treatment of Scars: A Systematic Review. J Burn Care Res 2025;46(1):145-153. PMID 38894613
- Scarless: Goodness Care's product information on this site.
This is a topical gel for external use on intact, fully healed skin. Do not apply it to open wounds, unhealed incisions, or infected or irritated skin. It does not replace medical advice: ask a doctor or pharmacist about a scar that is painful, growing, restricting movement, or not improving.
Where to next
A few ways forward
See how to apply Scarless, where to find it, or ask us a question.
Order online
Order online, or find a pharmacy near you.
Order onlineHow to use it
How to apply Scarless to a fully healed scar, and for how long.
Application guideAsk us directly
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