About Hiruscar
Overview
Hiruscar® is a Swiss-origin skincare brand with a strong focus on dermatology. It is primarily known for its over-the-counter (OTC) products designed to improve the appearance of scars, post-acne marks, surgical scars, hypertrophic scars, and keloids. The brand was launched in 2007 by Medinova AG, a pharmaceutical company based in Zurich and part of the DKSH Group. Since its inception, Hiruscar has expanded its portfolio to include specialized scar-care solutions and acne-care products, marketing them across multiple Asian and international markets.1
Medinova describes Hiruscar as a science-based brand that emphasizes efficacy, safety, and reliability, positioning its offerings as accessible OTC solutions for post-wound skin care.2
Brand Positioning
Hiruscar occupies a niche between pharmaceutical skincare and consumer beauty products. Rather than positioning itself solely as a cosmetic brand, it highlights a progression from medical heritage to dermatological science, then to OTC treatment, and finally to everyday skincare. This approach is reinforced by its association with Medinova and DKSH, which have expertise in prescription medicines and healthcare products, particularly in dermatology.
The brand markets itself around skin recovery and correction rather than simple moisturization.
Medinova AG
The history of Hiruscar is closely tied to Medinova AG, a Swiss pharmaceutical company established in Zurich in 1945 by Dr. Fritz Müller. Initially focused on pharmaceutical products and biochemical materials, the company eventually expanded internationally. In 2004, Medinova became part of the DKSH Group. DKSH identifies Medinova as a product-licensing and manufacturing business serving Switzerland and Asia Pacific, with a focus on pharmaceuticals, OTC products, dermatology, and women’s health.3
Launch of Hiruscar
Hiruscar was introduced in 2007. The brand initially concentrated on scar-care products, leveraging Medinova’s pharmaceutical and dermatological expertise. Official regional histories note that Hiruscar evolved from the company’s broader experience with products such as the Hirudoid line. Over time, the brand expanded from conventional scar gels into specialized products for:
- Acne scars and dark marks
- Surgical scars
- Hypertrophic scars
- Keloids
- Children’s scars
- Active acne
- Specialized silicone-based scar management
Key Product Families
The specific product portfolio varies by country, meaning there is no single worldwide catalogue. Regional websites display different formulations and product names.
Hiruscar Gel
This is the classic, general-purpose scar-care product. It is intended for everyday scars and marks associated with relatively minor injuries, including cuts, scratches, minor burns, and insect bites.
In some markets, such as Thailand, the product is described as a clear, fast-absorbing gel. Formulations can differ by market and product generation; therefore, the ingredient list on the package sold in a specific country should be treated as authoritative for that product.
Hiruscar Silicone Pro
Hiruscar Silicone Pro represents the brand’s more specialized scar-care segment. It utilizes medical-grade silicone technology and is aimed at more significant scars, including:
- Hypertrophic scars
- Keloids
- Surgical scars
- C-section scars
- Scars associated with burns and accidents
Silicone creates a protective layer over the scar and helps maintain hydration of the scar tissue. This mechanism distinguishes it from standard moisturizing products. DKSH introduced this product in Thailand in 2017, describing it as developed specifically for surgical scar care.4
Hiruscar Post Acne
Hiruscar Post Acne extends the brand’s focus from traditional injury or surgical scars to acne-related marks and scars. It is marketed for:
- Post-acne marks
- Dark spots
- Acne scars
- Uneven skin appearance
DKSH describes the product as formulated by Medinova specifically for acne scars and dark marks. Some regional formulations are positioned to help prevent the recurrence of acne while improving the appearance of existing marks.5
Hiruscar Anti-Acne
Hiruscar later expanded beyond post-acne treatment into active acne care. The Anti-Acne portfolio includes cleansers, serums/moisturizers, spot treatments, and advanced spot gels. DKSH launched the Hiruscar Anti-Acne range in Malaysia in 2017, targeting mild-to-moderate acne. A later formulation, Hiruscar Anti-Acne Advance Spot Gel, was launched in Malaysia in 2022.7
Hiruscar Kids
The brand also offers a children’s scar-care product. Hiruscar Kids is formulated for children with marks resulting from minor cuts, scratches, injuries, and insect bites.6
Newer Formulations
Hiruscar continues to reformulate and expand its scar-care products. For example, in 2025, DKSH announced a new and improved Hiruscar Ultra Scar Care Gel formulation in Singapore. The announcement described ingredients including Allium cepa, niacinamide, Centella asiatica, panthenol, and a proprietary ingredient called Delisens. This illustrates that formulations and product names evolve over time and may differ between markets.8
Ingredients and Technologies
Hiruscar does not rely on a single universal ingredient; different products utilize different technologies.
- MPS (Mucopolysaccharide Polysulfate): Historically associated with the classic Hiruscar formulation in certain markets, MPS is identified as a key ingredient linked to Swiss/German research and development.
- Allium Cepa: Also known as onion extract, this is a recurring component in several formulations. It is traditionally used in topical scar products and aligns with the brand’s scar-care positioning.
- Silicone: The central technology in Hiruscar Silicone Pro, silicone helps maintain scar tissue hydration and provides a protective barrier.
- Niacinamide / Vitamin B3: Found in several formulations, particularly those aimed at discoloration and skin-barrier support. The 2025 Ultra Scar Care formulation includes niacinamide.
- Centella Asiatica and Panthenol: Newer formulations incorporate these ingredients, which are commonly used in skin-repair and soothing products.
Corporate Structure
The corporate relationship behind the brand can be simplified as follows:
DKSH Group → Medinova AG → Hiruscar®
Medinova AG is the Swiss pharmaceutical company responsible for developing Hiruscar. Established in Zurich in 1945, it operates in areas including dermatology and consumer healthcare.
DKSH is the larger Swiss-based group to which Medinova belongs. DKSH’s healthcare business operates across pharmaceutical, OTC, consumer-health, and medical-device categories. It is important to note that DKSH is not merely a retailer; depending on the market, it is involved in product development, licensing, regulatory work, marketing, sales, distribution, and logistics.
International Presence
Hiruscar is particularly prominent in Asia, with official regional websites for markets including Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Medinova states that its products are available in more than 69 markets across Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas, and the Middle East, although this figure refers to Medinova’s overall portfolio rather than necessarily Hiruscar alone.
The product portfolio varies considerably by country. For instance, markets like Thailand emphasize Hiruscar, Hiruscar Post Acne, Silicone Pro, and Anti-Acne, while other regions may feature different names or formulations.
Brand Evolution
Hiruscar’s development can be divided into four phases:
- Scar-Care Specialist (2007 onward): The original identity centered on treating the appearance of scars.
- Acne-Scar Expansion (around 2011 onward): The introduction of Hiruscar Post Acne connected the brand with the large acne-prone consumer market.
- Complete Acne Ecosystem (2017 onward): The brand entered active acne treatment with cleansers, serums, and spot treatments.
- Advanced Scar Technology (2017–present): Silicone technology and increasingly sophisticated formulations expanded the brand’s medical/dermatological positioning.
Scientific and Clinical Positioning
Hiruscar frequently describes individual products as clinically proven. However, this claim should be interpreted at the individual-product/formulation level, not as evidence that every Hiruscar product has identical clinical evidence. Because Hiruscar is a brand comprising multiple distinct formulations, evidence for one product (e.g., Silicone Pro) cannot automatically be applied to another (e.g., Post Acne).
For significant, painful, rapidly growing, or recurrent keloids, professional dermatological evaluation is generally recommended over reliance solely on an OTC gel. Terms such as “post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation,” “atrophic acne scars,” “hypertrophic scars,” and “keloids” refer to distinct conditions requiring different approaches.
Summary
Hiruscar is fundamentally a pharmaceutical/dermatological scar-care brand that has expanded into acne and broader skin-repair products. Its identity is defined by its Swiss pharmaceutical heritage, scientific positioning, specialization in scar management, OTC accessibility, and gradual expansion into the acne-care ecosystem.
