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Everything you need to know about acne scars (and how to get rid of them), according to derms
Getting rid of acne scars isn’t easy or quick, but these expert-recommended tips can help.
Differin Gel has 0.1% adapalene, which is the strongest OTC retinoid without a prescription. It helps prevent breakouts, treat acne and improve acne scarring and hyperpigmentation, says Gmyrek. This gel comes recommended by my experts because it helps increase cell turnover and stimulating collagen to help mild scarring and pigment go away over time. Consider using it only a few times a week to start and increase the frequency to once daily as needed, experts say.
This exfoliating toner is a favorite of NBC Select associate SEO reporter Ashley Morris because it keeps her oily skin from getting greasy during the day, and helps to prevent future breakouts, she says. It has salicylic acid, which helps fade dark spots, unclog pores and even out your skin tone, plus humectants and antioxidants to hydrate and protect your skin, according to the brand.
This retinoid gel comes recommended by Dr. Michele Farber, board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group, as another over-the-counter retinoid to consider. It has 0.1% adapalene to help unclog pores, fight acne and reduce the appearance of scars and discoloration.
This Topicals spot treatment fades scars and hyperpigmentation using ingredients like tranexamic acid, niacinamide and azelaic acid. Several NBC Select editors tried this serum over the course of two months on scars and acne-related hyperpigmentation, and they all noticed their dark spots became lighter and their scars had begun to fade almost entirely. Topicals recommends using this serum at night after washing your face and before your moisturizer. Avoid using it in conjunction with other products like AHAs, BHAs and retinols since it can irritate your skin, according to the brand.
This serum is recommended by experts in our azelaic acid guide because it can help improve both blemishes and dark spots. The serum has 10% azelaic acid and is gentle enough to use up to twice a day, according to the brand.
This lightweight spot-treating moisturizer is great at improving acne scars and hyperpigmentation caused by breakouts, according to my experts. It has salicylic acid, which reduces the appearance of blemishes and redness and evens out texture and tone.
Gmyrek recommends SkinBetter’s AlphaRet Overnight Cream because it combines lactic acid (a type of AHA) and retinol to stimulate collagen. It also has hydrating ingredients like squalane, niacinamide and ceramides to avoid dryness from the retinol, according to the brand. I use this cream every other week because it’s a great retinoid alternative for sensitive skin (I have rosacea, so my dermatologist advises I don’t use prescription retinoids). It has managed to reduce several older acne scars and made my skin look brighter and smoother overall.
This Farmacy serum is a strong retinol that can reduce the appearance of acne scars over time, says Gmyrek. It can not only improve skin texture, but also target fine lines and wrinkles, according to the brand.
This is one of our favorite retinol serums because it has 1.5% retinol, which is on the higher side for retinol products in general. The retinol is “time-released,” meaning your skin receives continuous bursts of retinol across 8 hours, according to the brand. The nighttime serum is also formulated with vitamin C, vitamin E and squalane to moisturize your skin, according to Peter Thomas Roth.
“Vitamin C can help to brighten the skin and, because it’s an antioxidant, it helps protect against some environmental damage,” says Farber. That’s why she recommends this SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic Serum, which has a combination of l-ascorbic acid (the most powerful form of vitamin C), vitamin E2 and ferulic acid.
If you’re looking for an affordable serum to reduce dark spots, this CeraVe option is one of our favorite expert-recommended vitamin C serums. It has 10% vitamin C, plus ceramides to help support your skin barrier and hyaluronic acid to attract and retain moisture. The serum also comes in a squeezable bottle, which helps prevent the vitamin C from oxidizing (which happens when the formula is exposed to light over time), experts say.
Vichy’s LiftActiv Vitamin C Serum, recommended by Farber, has 16% pure vitamin C to even out skin tone and avoid acne scar-related discoloration. It’s fragrance-free and safe for all skin types, according to the brand.
Exfoliating acids, including salicylic acid, lactic acid and mandelic acid, can get rid of dead skin cells, improve the appearance of dullness and reduce hyperpigmentation, says Dr. Marisa Garshick, a board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in New York City. She recommends using exfoliating acids with retinoids that stimulate collagen production to help reduce the appearance of scarring over time.
This SkinMedica exfoliating cleanser is one of my favorite exfoliants to use weekly because it’s gentle on my sensitive skin. It has four AHAs (lactic, glycolic, citric and malic acids) and salicylic acid. It also has tocopheryl acetate (a stabilized form of vitamin E) and pro-vitamin B5, both of which to combat dryness and irritation, according to the brand.
Another option containing AHAs and BHAs, this daily peel from Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare is separated into two steps: The first peel has AHAs like glycolic acid, lactic acid and malic acid to exfoliate the skin and improve texture and tone, while the second peel has retinol and antioxidants for anti-aging benefits. You can use the peel pads twice daily and they come in a pack of five, 30 or 60 treatments.
“Your sunscreen is very important because consistent sun exposure is going to contribute to a worsening appearance of dark marks or scarring,” says Farber. EltaMD’s UV Clear Sunscreen is a favorite among my experts for those with acne-prone skin and rosacea since it’s free of heavy moisturizers that can clog pores. The mineral-based sunscreen has niacinamide, which experts say acts as a natural anti-inflammatory.
Farber recommends tinted sunscreens if you’re looking to cover any spots (like a foundation) while protecting your skin from the sun. This Colorscience option has a light tint and SPF 50 protection, she says. The mineral sunscreen is also hypoallergenic, fragrance-free and water- and sweat-resistant for up to 40 minutes, according to the brand.
Treating acne is the first and very crucial step to preventing and treating acne scars. You can use OTC acne-fighting ingredients like benzoyl peroxide, which inhibits the growth of the bacteria on the skin, and salicylic acid, a chemical exfoliator that helps unclog pores and reduce inflammation. But those ingredients don’t do anything to scars once they’ve formed, says Dr. Gilly Munavalli, medical director and founder of Dermatology, Laser & Vein Specialists of the Carolinas.
Ultimately, you’ll find the best treatments for acne scarring in a dermatologist’s office (see below for more info). However, there are some active ingredients available over-the-counter that can be helpful for treating dark spots and color changes left behind by acne, including retinoids, azelaic acid and vitamin C.
Retinoids are the most effective topical treatments for improving both acne scarring and residual discoloration, experts say. “There’s evidence that long-term use of prescription retinoids can help acne scarring because they help with collagen remodeling,” says Dr. Michael Cameron, founder of Cameron Dermatology and assistant professor at Mount Sinai in New York City. However, retinoids can take a long time to work, so it’s a matter of how quickly you want to see results. “If you’re committed to using a retinoid over the course of years, some of these scars will improve in appearance over time,” says Garshick.
There are two main types of OTC retinoid treatments:
By prescription, tretinoin (known as Retin-A) and tazarotene have been shown to be effective at reducing the appearance of acne scars, says Gmyrek. Also EpiDuo, a prescription that combines 0.3% adapalene and benzoyl peroxide, has also been shown to be effective in the improvement of acne scarring, she says.
Azelaic acid is a gentle acne-fighting ingredient that can also even out your skin tone and help reduce the appearance of superficial marks and hyperpigmentation, says Dr. Lindsey Bordone, a board-certified dermatologist and assistant professor of dermatology at Columbia University Medical Center. The ingredient inhibits tyrosinase, an enzyme that creates pigment in the skin and decreases the production of acne-causing bacteria, she says. It can be a great option for people who are pregnant or for those who have sensitive skin and can’t tolerate a retinoid, says Garshick.
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that can reduce and prevent the appearance of redness and other color changes from acne scars. “They can lighten and brighten the skin and reduce some mild hyperpigmentation,” says Munavalli.
Chemical exfoliants like alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs), which includes lactic acid and mandelic acid, and beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs), including salicylic acid, can unclog pores, exfoliate skin and even out skin tone. AHA/BHA peels can help reduce acne and fix uneven skin texture, which helps improve mild discoloration on the skin, experts say.
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
I’m an updates editor at NBC Select who has covered beauty, skin care, hair care and wellness for over five years. I’ve also tested hundreds of beauty products to find the best ones worth buying. To narrow down the best treatments for acne scarring in this article, I spoke to six dermatologists and highlighted their recommendations for the best ingredients and products to consider.
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