Teen acne scarred my face, *these* at-home treatments smoothed my skin
At this point in my life, I’ve know exactly what type of products to use to treat my breakouts, whether it be blackheads, whiteheads, or the occasional hormonal flare-ups. The scars and marks that linger post-breakout though? That’s a whole different story. Acne scars can be notoriously tricky to treat—especially at home—which is why I did a ton of research (aka tested and reviewed different products and treatments) and consulted four expert derms to figure it out once and for all.
Keep reading for all the need-to-know info on how to treat different types of acne scars plus a full rundown on the 16 best acne scar products to try right now.
InvisiScar Resurfacing Treatment
I’m obsessed with this easy-to-use resurfacing skin treatment that’s filled with a slew of acne-fighting MVPs.
Not only does this treat old marks, but it also works to prevent new breakouts from happening in the first place. The ingredients in question? The gold standard in acne treatment, salicylic acid, which is an anti-inflammatory and exfoliates your skin to keep your pores clear.
This BHA combo’d with dark-spot-lightening antioxidants, hydroxytyrosol, and vitamin C results in cellular turnover—i.e., the key to smooth, even, glowing skin. I apply this in the morning and evening post-cleansing to decrease my acne scar size, depth, and colouring.
Key ingredients: Salicylic acid, hydroxytyrosol, vitamin C
Usage: Morning and/or evening
Glowing customer review: “I’m shocked by the way I hadn’t ever used this sooner! The results in my acne scars have been minimised so much that it’s almost scary. My skin looks so much better than before and my acne scars are very faded now.”
Crystal Retinal®
Rx retinol treatments are typically my go-to, but this over-the-retinol holds its own. The secret is the serum's retinaldehyde—a potent, fast-acting form of retinol that only requires one conversion to retinoic acid, the active form of vitamin A—to help improve overall skin tone and texture and reduce the look of acne scars, says dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick.
"The double-encapsulation system and incorporation of glycerin and hyaluronic acid makes it gentle on the skin and helps to minimize irritation too."
Key ingredients: Retinol, hyaluronic acid, glycerin
Usage: Evening
Glowing Customer Review: "Did a lot of research before pulling the trigger on this product. I have super sensitive skin so have been cautious about starting a retinol but I'm very pleased with the product— absolutely no drying or negative side effects."
Skin LED Light Therapy Mask Series 2
This at-home LED mask incorporates red and blue light and near-infrared light which penetrates deep into the dermis (deeper than topical skincare can get) to stimulate fibroblasts and smooth the look of acne scars, says dermatologist Dr Dan Belkin. For best results, use the mask on clean skin five times a week for 10 minutes, and in four weeks you'll see a visible difference in your skin texture and acne scars.
Usage: 10 minutes daily
Glowing customer review: "I wanted this mask for its anti-aging properties but I was pleasantly surprised to find that it almost immediately reduced the severity of adult hormonal chin acne that I’ve been dealing with for AGES. It seems to strengthen my skin the more I use it—if I do get a blemish it stays small and extracts almost on its own - no more giant, sore red hormonal cysts that time of the month. It has also significantly improved my complexion overall. Wish I’d got it sooner!!"
SKINCARE Acne Dots x 20 patches
As someone who has tested almost every popular pimple patch on the beauty market, the Peace Out Acne Dots have improved my acne and acne scars the most.
Our editors agree: "They really do what they say: bring an angry pimple to the surface so it doesn't fester under the skin for weeks," says editor Olivia Truffaut-Wong.
And yes, pimple patches are most commonly known to treat your active breakouts, but your acne scars can see a ton of benefits from them as well. These genius patches are designed with teeny tiny micro darts that infuse spots and marks with a concentrated blend of niacinamide and salicylic acid to help fade dark spots and exfoliate for smoother, more even skin.
Key ingredients: Niacinamide, salicylic acid
Usage: Evening
Glowing customer review: "I've tried every acne patch under the sun, and the Peace Out Early Stage Acne Dots work faster and better than any of the others. They have all the right ingredients like Salicylic Acid, Niacinamide & Peptides but the microneedles are the true powerhouses behind these patches. They deliver these powerful ingredients deep into my blemishes and quickly attack the acne, allowing it to heal faster and minimise scarring."
Aloe 2% + NAG 2% SolutionAloe 2% + NAG 2% Solution
Designed with all skin tones and skin types (even those with reactive, sensitive skin) in mind, this gentle, yet effective, serum from The Ordinary helps to minimise the look of uneven texture and acne scars while helping to soothe and calm skin. During the testing process, I was impressed by the lightweight, fast-absorbing texture and how my skin looked calmer and clearer after just a few weeks of use.
Key ingredients: Aloe leaf powder, pentapeptide-4, N-acetyl glucosamine
Usage: Morning and evening
Glowing customer review: “This is a really great solution for acne scarring. It’s affordable and it feels lightweight on the face. I used it to target post-acne scarring and felt like I noticed a difference in my skin.”
Rescue Balm Post-Blemish Recovery Cream
This nourishing balm is another great option for treating that post-inflammation hyperpigmentation and redness that lingers after your breakout has healed, says Dr. Ranella Hirsch. It reduces redness, inflammation, and scaly texture with a blend of moisturising panthenol, softening and strengthening peptides, and vitamin E to improve tone and texture. It’s also great for layering under makeup if you decide to cover up your acne scars with concealer or foundation.
Key ingredients: Peptides, panthenol, beta glucan
Usage: Daily as needed
Glowing customer review: “I had a very big scar after picking a pimple that looked like a hole on my forehead. Normally these scars take up to two weeks to heal for me, but I used this product three three days, and wow! The scar is basically gone!”
Charlotte Tilbury Super Radiance Resurfacing Facial 50ML
Dr. Garshick recommends this weekly face mask for anyone dealing with acne scars and marks. “Using a blend of AHAs, BHAs, and PHAs, this resurfacing treatment helps to exfoliate to get rid of dead skin cells, improving the appearance of acne scars and blemishes,” says Dr. Garshick. “It also contains hyaluronic acid to hydrate and nourish the skin so it won’t be left feeling dry or irritated.”
Key ingredients: Glycolic acid, salicylic acid, polyglutamic acid
Usage: Once a week
Glowing customer review: “This product did everything it said it would do and more. After the first use my skin was so soft and glowing so now I am using twice a week,” writes a tester. “Yes, it is pricey, but it’s definitely worth it,” says another reviewer.
Resurfacing Compound 15ml
Smooth and brighten your skin with this top-rated serum from U Beauty. “The formula’s main ingredient is glycolic acid,” says Dr. Belkin. The fruit-derived acid has been shown not only to exfoliate but also to stimulate dermal collagen production—two key things for reducing the appearance of acne scars and uneven texture.
Key ingredients: Glycolic acid, mandelic acid, hyaluronic acid, retinol
Usage: Morning and evening
Glowing customer review: “I was dealing with some spots and they just wouldn’t go away. This morning when I woke up I looked in the mirror and felt truly happy with my skin. This product is amazing—and took the place of three different products in my routine. Seems pricey, but it’s worth it if you ask me.”
Major Fade Active Seal Moisturizer
This face moisturiser from board-certified dermatologist Shereene Idriss's skincare line is a regular in my skincare rotation—especially post-breakout when I’m trying to fade a dark mark or spot. The lightweight gel texture feels amazing on my skin, and the combo of brightening vitamin C and 4-butyl resorcinol helps visibly fade hyperpigmentation and give my skin a nice glow.
Key ingredients: Vitamin C, 4-butyl resorcinol, glycerin
Usage: Morning and evening
Glowing Customer Review: “After just a week of using this product, I noticed an improvement in my skin's brightness and texture. I’ve used all types of vitamin C products before but have never been happier than after trying this. I will be repurchasing the whole set!”
Sealed Active Scar Primer 28ml
This makeup primer is a must-try for anyone dealing with atrophic (or indented) acne scarring. It helps to instantly fill in any divots or pockmarks so your foundation lays smoothly on top, and with continued use, it can help reduce the size and depth of atrophic acne scars too. While testing, I also found this primer to be *excellent* at minimising the look of large pores and giving my skin a matte (but not overly drying) finish throughout the day.
Key ingredients: Silicone, peptides, retinol
Usage: Daily as needed
Glowing Customer Review: “This is absolutely a game changer if you want to even out your texture before applying your foundation. I have indented scars and this makes my makeup look so much better—it’s so good at blurring and smoothing.”
Can you permanently get rid of acne scars?
Generally, yes, you can permanently get rid of acne scars. Unlike other forms of hyperpigmentation (like melasma), once you’ve faded your acne scars and marks, they won’t come back. The same goes for atrophic or indented acne scars, although they are much more difficult to get rid of with at-home treatments permanently.
The biggest thing to remember here is that your active acne needs to be under control before you can think about permanently fading your acne scars. My best advice is to see a derm to get your breakouts in check, then focus on fading any resulting scars and marks.
Does vitamin C remove acne scars?
Yes! Vitamin C can remove acne scars—but only the kind that looks like brown, purple, or red marks. Vitamin C helps regulate pigment production to help fade discolouration—plus, it has antioxidant properties that can help protect your skin from UV and environmental damage (two things that can make acne scars look darker).
How to choose an acne scar treatment:
First, identify the type of acne scars you have.
Most acne scars appear as are either categorized as atrophic scars or as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) or post-inflammatory erythema (PIE). Atrophic acne scars (or pockmarks) appear as hollow indents or divot in the skin from a sudden loss of collagen, which is a result of inflammation that occurred at the time the acne lesion was active.
In general, atrophic scars are a result of angry, cystic acne. Post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation looks like flat purple or brown marks (and usually present on deeper marks), while post-inflammatory erythema looks like flat red marks (and usually present on lighter skin).
These types of acne scars are also caused by inflammation from your breakout, but instead of your skin losing collagen (which would result in pockmarks), it produces excess pigment and discolouration where your breakout was instead.
Look for ingredients best suited to your specific type of acne scarring.
If you’re dealing with atrophic acne scars, you’ll need to choose an acne scar treatment that has ingredients that stimulate collagen (like retinol or peptides) and/or have resurfacing properties, like glycolic and lactic acids.
If you’re mostly dealing with flat dark marks or red spots, an acne scar treatment with brightening ingredients like vitamin C, niacinamide, or tranexamic acid will be your best option.
Meet the experts:
Karan Lal, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology in Hackensack, NJ, and Hillsborough, NJ. Dr. Lal specializes in pediatric and adult dermatology, laser surgery, and treating skin for People of Color.
Dan Belkin, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at New York Dermatology Group and NYDG Wellness in New York, NY. Dr. Belkin is an expert in aesthetics and skin health and has experience in a wide range of lasers, energy-based devices, surgical techniques, and injectables.
Marisa Garshick, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in New York, NY and a clinical assistant professor at Cornell. Dr. Garshick specializes in general medical dermatology as well as cosmetic dermatology.
Ranella Hirsch, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in Massachusetts. Dr. Hirsch is an expert in all fields of dermatology and dedicates her time to debunking skin and beauty myths on her social media platforms.
Why trust Cosmopolitan?
Lauren Balsamo is deputy beauty director at Cosmopolitan with a decade of experience researching, writing, and editing skincare stories that range from the best retinol eye creams to the best pore minimising treatments. She’s an authority in all skincare categories but an expert when it comes to acne scars and the best acne scar treatments for all skin types. She regularly tests and analyses acne scars treatments for efficacy, while working with the industry’s top dermatologists and aestheticians to assess new formulas, brands, and technologies.
Siena Gagliano is an associate editor at Cosmopolitan with more than four years of experience writing in the makeup, skin, and hair spaces. She is constantly speaking with cosmetic chemists and dermatologists on the newest and greatest in the beauty world, with a particular interest and expertise in the acne space. Her stories include the best salicylic acid cleansers and blue light therapy for acne treatment.
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