Best Cream Cold Sore Treatments of 2026

Bonnie Salem Avatar
Bonnie Salem
Last Updated: Jan 23, 2026

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Cream cold sore treatments are a popular and effective way to treat cold sores. They are available over-the-counter and contain antiviral ingredients such as acyclovir or docosanol. These creams can help to reduce the duration and severity of cold sores, as well as relieve the pain and itching associated with them. Some creams also contain moisturizing agents to help prevent the skin from drying out and cracking. It is important to begin treatment as soon as possible after the onset of symptoms for the best results. Overall, cream cold sore treatments are a convenient and affordable option for managing cold sores.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

TARO Cold Sore/Fever Blister Treatment - Docosanol 10% Cream Cover #TOP 1
TARO Cold Sore/Fever Blister Treatment - Docosanol 10% Cream
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Abreva Cold Sore Treatment Cream Cover #TOP 2
Abreva Cold Sore Treatment Cream
ftb score rating icon 9.7
Mederma Cold Sore Healing Patch - Conceals and Protects - 15 ct Cover #TOP 3
Mederma Cold Sore Healing Patch - Conceals and Protects - 15 ct
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Cream Cold Sore Treatments

TARO Cold Sore/Fever Blister Treatment - Docosanol 10% Cream

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TARO Cold Sore/Fever Blister Treatment - Docosanol 10% Cream Cover
TARO Cold Sore & Fever Blister Treatment - Fast-Acting Docosanol 10% Cream - Cold Sore & Fever Blister Treatment for Lips, Anti-Itch Formula for Effective Relief and Healing - 0.07 oz (2 Pack)

TARO Cold Sore Cream is a powerful remedy that helps treat cold sores and fever blisters on your face or lips. With its Docosanol Cream 10%, it works to shorten healing time and reduce the duration of symptoms. This treatment offers you relief from the discomfort of cold sores, making your healing process quicker and more manageable. By choosing TARO Cold Sore Cream, you can address these pesky sores effectively, ensuring you get back to feeling your best in no time.

What We Like
Comparable to name brands
Faster healing time
Affordable price
Relief from pain and itching
Easy application
#TOP 2

Abreva Cold Sore Treatment Cream

Abreva Cold Sore Treatment Cream Cover
Abreva Cold Sore Treatment Rapid Pain Relief Cream - 1 Tube, 3 Grams

Abreva Cold Sore Relief Cream is a 3-gram tube that helps shorten the duration of tingling, pain, burning, and itching caused by cold sores. The easy-to-use tube format allows for convenient on-the-go application. By using Abreva Cold Sore Relief Cream, you can alleviate discomfort quickly and efficiently, making it easier to manage cold sore symptoms wherever you are. This product is designed to provide rapid pain relief and reduce the overall impact of cold sores on your daily life.

What We Like
Pain and discomfort relief
Reduces dryness and stiffness
Easy to apply
No stickiness or strong smell
Quick soothing effect

Mederma Cold Sore Healing Patch - Conceals and Protects - 15 ct

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Mederma Cold Sore Healing Patch - Conceals and Protects - 15 ct Cover
Mederma Cold Sore Discreet Patch - Hydrocolloid Gel, Relieves Redness & Swelling, Conceals Cold Sores

Mederma Cold Sore Healing Patch is an ultra-thin hydrocolloid gel that helps relieve pain, reduce blistering, and prevent scabbing of cold sores. The discreet patch creates a moist environment that promotes fast healing.

What We Like
Speeds up healing
Reduces pain and discomfort
Discreet and easy to use
Stays on well
Prevents spreading
#TOP 4

Abreva 10% Docosanol Cold Sore Treatment - 0.07 oz Tube x 2

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Abreva 10% Docosanol Cold Sore Treatment - 0.07 oz Tube x 2 Cover
Abreva 10 Percent Docosanol Cold Sore Treatment, Treats Your Fever Blister in 2.5 Days - 0.07 oz Tube x 2

Abreva 10% Docosanol Cold Sore Treatment is a portable solution that can heal fever blisters in 2.5 days. The cream penetrates deep into the skin to tackle cold sores at their source, and it is clinically proven to shorten the duration of symptoms such as tingling, pain, burning, and itching. The product is packaged in a convenient tube for on-the-go cold sore treatment.

What We Like
Effective cold sore treatment
Shortens healing time
Soothes pain and itchiness
Convenient small tube
Good value two-pack
#TOP 5

Abreva Cold Sore Treatment Cream

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Abreva Cold Sore Treatment Cream Cover
Abreva Docosanol 10% Cream Cold Sore Treatment, Fever Blister and Cold Sore Cream - 0.07 Oz Pump Bottle x 3

Abreva Cold Sore Cream offers effective relief from cold sores with its 10% docosanol formula. This treatment works deep within the skin to help reduce the duration of uncomfortable symptoms like tingling, pain, burning, and itching. By addressing cold sores at their source, it provides quick and targeted relief, allowing you to feel more comfortable sooner. The convenient pump bottles make it easy to carry and apply the cream wherever you go, ensuring you can manage flare-ups without hassle.

What We Like
Fast relief from symptoms
Convenient pump packaging
Nonprescription treatment
Targets cold sores directly
#TOP 6

Wellness Basics Cold Sore/Fever Blister Treatment Docosanol 10% Cream

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Wellness Basics Cold Sore/Fever Blister Treatment Docosanol 10% Cream Cover
Wellness Basics Docosanol Cream 10% | Cold Sore Treatment | Shortens Healing Time | 0.07 oz - Pump

Wellness Basics Cold Sore Cream is a non-prescription medicine with 10% docosanol, designed to treat cold sores and fever blisters on your face or lips. By applying it at the first signs of symptoms, you can tackle cold sores effectively, leading to a faster recovery. This cream helps shorten the healing time and reduces the duration of cold sore symptoms. Its convenient packaging allows you to use it on the go, making it easy to manage cold sores anytime, anywhere.

What We Like
Non-prescription
Shortens healing time
Convenient packaging
#TOP 7

Acculip Cold Sore Patch

Acculip
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Acculip Cold Sore Patch Cover
Acculip Cold Sore Patch Lysine Cold Sore Treatment for Lips, Lysine Lip Balm Alternative for Cold Sore Relief, Medicated Fever Blister Cold Sore Patch, L-lysine Cold Sore Treatment, FSA Eligible

The Acculip Lip Patch offers an effective solution for cold sores with its unique hydrocolloid design enriched with lysine, zinc, and calendula. This patch creates a moist environment that speeds up healing while protecting the sore from external irritants. You can apply it discreetly, allowing you to go about your day without the mess of creams. Additionally, it helps reduce the appearance of cold sores, making it easier for you to feel confident, even under makeup. With these benefits, you can heal your cold sores while maintaining your natural look.

What We Like
Fast cold sore relief
Reduces swelling and pain
Better than prescription meds
Keeps sores covered
Easy application and removal
#TOP 8

Wellness Basics - Docosanol 10% Cream (0.07 oz - 1 Tube)

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Wellness Basics - Docosanol 10% Cream (0.07 oz - 1 Tube) Cover
Wellness Basics Docosanol Cream 10% | Cold Sore Treatment | Shortens Healing Time | 0.07oz - 1 Tube

Combat cold sores with Wellness Basics Cold Sore Cream. This non-prescription medicine contains 10% Docosanol Cream, which can shorten the healing time and duration of cold sore symptoms. Use it at the first signs of symptoms for faster recovery. The convenient sized packaging allows you to treat cold sores on the go. You can apply it up to five times a day until the cold sore is healed. Plus, it compares to the Active Ingredient in the leading national brand. Get rid of cold sores quickly with Wellness Basics Cold Sore Cream.

What We Like
Treats cold sores
Shortens healing time
Convenient on-the-go packaging
#TOP 9

Abreva 10% Docosanol Cold Sore Treatment - 0.07 oz Pump

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Abreva 10% Docosanol Cold Sore Treatment - 0.07 oz Pump Cover
Abreva 10 Percent Docosanol Cold Sore Treatment, Treats Your Fever Blister in 2.5 Days - 0.07 oz Pump

Abreva 10% Docosanol Cold Sore Treatment is a portable cream that can heal your fever blister in 2.5 days. Its 10% docosanol penetrates deep into your skin to tackle cold sores at their source and shorten the duration of tingling, pain, burning, and itching. It comes in a convenient pump bottle for on-the-go cold sore treatment.

What We Like
Speeds up healing
Effective at first sign
Reduces pain and discomfort
Convenient pump packaging
Doctor recommended
#TOP 10

Orajel Moisturelock Cold Sore Treatment Cream

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Orajel Moisturelock Cold Sore Treatment Cream Cover
Orajel Moisturelock Cold Sore Symptom Treatment, Cream 0.105 oz (Packaging May Vary)

Orajel Moisturelock Cold Sore Treatment Cream is a maximum strength benzocaine cream that provides instant pain relief, protects skin, and helps mask redness. Its moisturelock cream formula helps prevent cracking and drying, providing a soothing and comfortable experience.

What We Like
Instant pain relief
Skin protectant
Moisturelock cream formula prevents cracking and drying
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What cream can I put on a cold sore?

Acyclovir ointment or cream works best if it is used at the first sign of cold sore symptoms. Side effects of the ointment may include mild pain or stinging at the site where it is applied. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved acyclovir cream to treat recurrent cold sores in people older than age 12.

2. What helps Coldsores heal faster?

There are antiviral drugs that can help cold sores heal faster, including acyclovir, valacyclovir, famciclovir and penciclovir. If you're having frequent outbreaks or experiencing some of the serious side effects of having a cold sore, your doctor may consider prescribing antiviral medication.

3. Should I put cream on a cold sore?

Antiviral creams can only help to heal a current outbreak of cold sores. They don't get rid of the herpes simplex virus or prevent future outbreaks of cold sores occurring. Antiviral tablets are generally more effective than creams at treating cold sores, but are usually only prescribed for more severe cases.

4. What gets rid of cold sores overnight?

You cannot get rid of cold sores overnight. There is no cure for cold sores. However, to speed up the healing time of a cold sore, you can consult with your doctor and take prescription medications such as antiviral tablets and creams.

Editor's Notes

During our cream cold sore treatment research, we found 24 cream cold sore treatment products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 210,605 customer reviews through our big data system to write the cream cold sore treatments list. We found that most customers choose cream cold sore treatments with an average price of $13.82.

The cream cold sore treatments are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of cream cold sore treatments, including TARO, Abreva, Mederma, Wellness Basics, Acculip. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 2,853 consumers with an average rating of 4.9.

Written by
Bonnie Salem Avatar

Bonnie Salem is a stay-at-home mother with two-year-old twins and has spent almost half of her life surrounded by baby products. As a mother and a professional copywriter, she has an insightful and unique eye for researching products suitable for infants. Bonnie Salem is an expert in health and nutrition who lives with her family in New Jersey. She has over 15 years of working experience in an institute of medicine after graduating from the University of Toronto. She is highly interested in personal health and wellness.