Every acne sufferer knows the feeling of relief when the latest breakout finally lets up. The pain eases and, without fail, hope creeps in. Is your skin finally going to properly heal this time?
Unfortunately, there is one last enemy to defeat: the scarring that acne inevitably leaves behind.
Disclosure: Some of the links below are so-called provision links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I can earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
Can acne scarring go away?
The first step in this journey to restoring your skin is asking yourself if acne scarring CAN even go away.
Does hyper pigmentation from acne fade eventually? What about those depressed scars, those little holes in your skin?
The good news: Yes, you can can rid of acne scars for good. And you can definitely help the process at home. There are skin care products out there that will make a world of a difference. (And yes, I’ve tried them and they work!)
The bad news: It might take a while. And atrophic scars are harder to deal with on your own. For those, you might have to consult a dermatologist eventually.
How long does it take for acne hyperpigmentation to fade?
Hyperpigmentation are those dark marks acne can leave behind after the inflammation heals. And, if you’re here, you probably know how those seem to stay with you FOREVER.
Honestly, it’s not really forever, but if you don’t do anything about them, it can take from 3 months up to 2 years to heal. TWO YEARS!
There’s not enough color correcting makeup in the world to have that amount of patience! So I’ll teach you how to speed it up.
Related: Which skin care tools for your face actually help?
How do you get rid of acne scars?
So of you’re looking into the mirror every morning, asking yourself: How do I get rid of acne scars on my face? – You’ve come to the right place.
1. Prevention
The first step to having fewer acne scars is prevention. I know, that’s not what you’re here for, but hear me out!
Chances are, you’ll be getting other occasional breakouts, and you want to be prepared then.
Obviously, you won’t be able to prevent all scars, but you can definitely lessen the impact of acne on your skin.
First of all, DON’T PICK! I know that this is easier said than done, but try whatever you must to stop yourself from picking. It almost guarantees scarring, and not all scars can be removed later!
Secondly, wear your sunscreen when going outside. When it comes to hyperpigmentation, the sun is not your friend! So wearing an acne-friendly sunscreen* will help you prevent some of those dark spots. I’m using this one* and it has very little white cast and doesn’t break me out.
Go on, get yourself some SPF right now!*
Related: Zinc sunscreen: The good, the bad, and the recommendation
Related: Does Niacinamide actually help with acne?
2. Skin care treatments for acne scars
So now we’re getting to the fun part: getting to know the skin care products that will help you in getting rid of these annoying scars.
I know, you’d love the magic bullet and find a product that heals everything in one session. But, with all of the products I’ll tell you about in a second, consistency is key! They work, but you must, too!
What serums help with acne scars?
So, finally, let’s get to it. Which serums and other skin care products will help with your acne scars?
Vitamin C
A vitamin C serum is a definitive must in your list of products to get rid of acne scars. It boosts your skin’s own ability to heal and create new tissue. AND it has a brightening effect while at the same time lowering your skin’s melanin production. (Melanin plays a major role in creating hyperpigmentation.)
If you’re diligent about using this serum every day, you’ll see improvements in the appearance of your scars in a matter of weeks!
And, if you’re not convinced yet, a Vitamin C serum can also reduce inflammation in your skin. Meaning, it can even help with active acne.
I’m using this one and have seen very good results.
Niacinamide
Another amazing fighter in your war against acne scars is niacinamide.
How exactly does niacinamide help with acne scars you ask? Well, it can miraculously help with hyperpigmentation.
To get a visible effect when using niacinamide for acne scars, use a Niacinamide serum twice a day for about 4 weeks. (Or, you know, just keep using it after that as well, as Niacinamide has great effects overall for your skin!)
To make it even more effective, combine it with a Hyaluronic acid serum!
I’ve been using this Niacinamide serum for well over a year now and have seen amazing results in the overall appearance of my skin!
RELATED: Niacinamide in skin care – Worth the hype?
RELATED: YOUR COMPLETE GUIDE TO USING HYALURONIC ACID IN YOUR SKIN CARE
AHA & BHA
Lastly, we need to talk about AHA & BHA peelings. Unlike the other two serums, you should only use these about once per week.
Why? Well, they have strong exfoliating effects. Which is why they help a lot with acne scars! They increase cell turnover and speed up the process of fading these pesky acne scars.
In the process, they can also prevent new acne from forming. Win win!
While you can get it from Amazon*, I recommend ordering it directly from the source. This way you can be sure to get the right product and not a knockoff!
Related: What’s the difference between a serum and a toner?
Stick with it!
The last ingredient I have to talk about is patience.
I know how hard it can be to have patience with this. But stick with the best skin care products for scars for a while and things will get better. As corny as it may sound, consistency is key. And, luckily, color correcting makeup can help us through the waiting time.
Related: The best facial serum for Gua Sha by skin type
Please share!
I hope you found this helpful. If you did, I’d love if you could share this. Thank you!
*These links are so-called provision links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I can earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.
