From manuka honey to lanolin and tea tree, we review remedies for minor wounds

They’re the first-aid staples we turn to for minor cuts and burns. But antiseptic and wound-healing creams now contain a wide array of ingredients, from medical agents to natural bug-fighters. But are they any better for it? 

Caroline Jones asked London-based consultant dermatologists Dr Ophelia Veraitch, from the Cranley Clinic, and Dr Kristina Semkova, from the Cadogan Clinic, for their verdicts. We then rated them. 

Germolene Antiseptic Cream

55g, £2.19, superdrug.com

Claim: This well-known cream ‘combines the antiseptic action of chlorhexidine’ with a ‘soothing local anaesthetic to numb the pain’. Apply after cleaning the affected area with warm water.

Expert verdict: Dr Semkova says: ‘A favourite for almost 100 years, Germolene’s main ingredient is chlorhexidine — recommended by the World Health Organisation to prevent surgical infections. But it can occasionally cause allergic reactions.

‘Minor burns, stings and cuts can be painful, so the numbing chemical — phenol — in this cream offers some comfort.

‘Germolene also contains zinc oxide which has a drying effect, making it useful for oozing burns as it absorbs the watery liquid produced as the skin heals.’ 

8/10 Rose & Co Zam-Buk ointment

20g, £3.99, amazon.co.uk

Claim: ‘A herbal antiseptic ointment containing eucalyptus, pine and thyme oils,’ which soothe stings and blisters as well as cuts and burns, says the maker.

Expert verdict: ‘There’s poor scientific evidence to support the use of essential oils such as these as broad-spectrum [killing a range of germs] antiseptics,’ says Dr Semkova.

‘Overall, they appear to have minor antiseptic qualities but only when used in larger quantities than in this product. These oils can also irritate skin.

‘This would be much less effective than a standard antiseptic — I wouldn’t recommend it.’ 

3/10 Neosporin antibiotic

28.3g. £9.31, iherb.com

Claim: ‘Powerful pain and itch relief for cuts, scrapes and burns.’ 

It offers ‘24-hour infection protection and minimises the appearance of scars’.

Expert verdict: ‘This product contains antibiotics rather than antiseptics,’ says Dr Semkova. 

‘These aim to kill bacteria, while antiseptics inhibit the growth of bacteria. So using antibiotics for minor wounds is like taking a sledgehammer to the problem.

‘And there’s the danger that overusing antibiotics can lead bacteria to become resistant.

‘It also contains the numbing agent pramoxine, which could be helpful for temporarily reducing itching and pain, for instance in minor burns.

‘The vitamin E in this can assist skin healing and reduce scarring by helping to reduce inflammation and strengthening the skin barrier. 

But both this and one of the antibiotics this product contains, neomycin, could irritate some skins.

‘Despite the claim of 24-hour infection protection, the way the body absorbs this product’s active ingredients means you’d actually need to apply it three times a day. So although this could be helpful for infected wounds, it wouldn’t be my first choice.’ 

6/10 Activon 100% Manuka Honey

25g, £5.49, manukahoneydirect.co.uk

Claim: This medical-grade manuka honey promises to provide a ‘moist wound-healing environment’, especially for ‘leg ulcers, surgical wounds, burns and infected wounds’. Don’t use it if you’re allergic to bee venom.

Expert verdict: ‘There is impressive scientific evidence to support the use of medical-grade manuka honey — which means it contains a high amount of naturally antibacterial methylglyoxal — to accelerate wound healing,’ says Dr Semkova.

‘Its acidic pH encourages the skin’s damage-repairing fibroblast cells to multiply faster and rebuild tissue. Manuka honey also absorbs moisture, which dehydrates bacteria and reduces infection rates.

‘Most importantly, studies have found that methylglyoxal can successfully prevent a “bacterial biofilm” [a thin but resilient layer of bacteria] forming on wounds.

‘But it’s vital to use purified, medical-grade manuka honey, as untreated supermarket versions could contain rogue bacteria and cause infection.

‘Medical-grade manuka honey is best for deep, infected wounds such as leg ulcers, which take a long time to heal, but works equally well on small cuts.’ 

9/10  Bepanthen Plus Healing Cream

30g, £8.49, amazon.co.uk

Claim: ‘An antiseptic cream that when applied to superficial wounds prevents infection and promotes healing without stinging.’ Apply daily to cleaned wounds, until completely healed.

Expert verdict: ‘This product is my go-to for home use,’ says Dr Semkova. ‘It contains chlorhexidine, the same effective antiseptic that’s in Germolene, but with the addition of dexpanthenol, a compound that

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