Stop! Before you think about picking pimples, consider the consequences. You know the cycle: A new pimple pops, then you pop it, you leave a scar you often pick at, and boom—now you have a dark spot. The more you repeat this cycle, the more damage you will do to your skin. In that case, you may need some of these.
"Acne scars are the result of inflammation from acne blemishes," says the Alabama-based board-certified dermatologist, Dr. Corey L Hartman. "Acne scarring may be rolling (a longer, superficial depression in the skin), ice picking (very small but deep), atrophic (very shallow but very tender), or hypertrophic (thick raised scars above the skin), adds the New York-based certified derm. from the board, Dr. Elise Love.
Now, I am not a judgmental person. I picked my fair share of blemishes and suffered the consequences. In fact, I'm still dealing with the consequences. So if you're tired of pimples or just noticed dark spots after acne, I'm with you. Fortunately, ingredients like retinol, lactic acid, and kojic acid can help brighten the area, while evening out skin texture to reduce the overall appearance of pesky dark spots. Acne-fighting cleansers and fun LED devices can also help treat these areas. Scroll on for 24 of the best products for treating acne scars, according to dermatologists.
1
better overall
Intend
Invisiscar resurfacing treatment
2
The best LED devices
solive
Advanced skincare wand with red light therapy
3
Best for body scars
Threads
Dull brightening and purifying mist
4
Best peel at home
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare
Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel
5
The best affordable treatment
ordinary
azelaic acid suspension 10%
6
The best drugstore treatment
Differin
Acne treatment gel
7
The best peptide serum
bliss
Idea Bright Vitamin C + Tripeptide Serum
8
Best preventative cleanser
seraph
Acne foaming cream cleanser
9
The best invisible sun protection factor
Superjob!
Invisible sunscreen
10
Best pimple patches
starface
Hydro-Stars Starter Pack
11
The best retinol
ZO skin health
Skin Lightener With Retinol 1%
12
Best for all-over skin radiance
hyperdermatosis
Vitamin C serum to lighten dark spots
13
Best clean option
Accommodation
Niacinamide dark spot corrector
14
The best multitasker
La Roche-Posay
Effaclar Adapalene Gel 0.1% is a topical retinoid acne treatment
15th
Best overnight treatment
SkinBetter
Alpha Ret Night Cream
16
Best choice on the go
Nassif d
Detox pads
17
Best clean vitamin c serum
Beauty counter
Each Bright C Serum
18
The best exfoliator
Clear clean
Triple Acne Exfoliating Facial Scrub
19
Best for acne-prone skin
SkinCeuticals
Silymarin CF
20
Best collagen booster
Glow Skin Beauty
Bio-Renew EGF drops
21
The best spa treatment at home
environmental skin care
Gold Roll-Cit
22
Vitamin C holy grail
SkinCeuticals
CE Ferulic
23
The best tinted SPF
CeraVe Hydrating Sunscreen Sheer Tint SPF 30
24
Best for all skin types
higher
Advanced Corrective Serum
25
Best for deep cleaning
SkinCeuticals
Purifying cleanser
How do I remove acne scars?
Spot treatments are great temporary remedies, but Dr. Elyse Love recommends seeing a professional to begin your journey to permanently removing acne scars. "Treatment of rolling, keloid, and atrophic scars requires procedures that increase collagen production such as carbon dioxide lasers and/or radiofrequency microneedling," she explains. Hypertrophic scars, meanwhile, require more attention: "Hypertrophic scars are classically treated with injections to soften scars, but laser treatments such as PDL, excel v, laser format, and CO2 lasers can also be helpful."
Can acne scars be removed permanently?
"The results of a scar treatment are permanent (pending acne control)," says Love. It will also take several treatments to bring you closer to the clear, even complexion of your dreams. Not to be confused with hyperpigmentation, acne scars are "textural changes that develop as a result of severe acne nodules and cysts that occur deep in the dermis," says Dr. Nassif.
What are the best products for acne scars?
When shopping for topical products to help treat scars, Nassif says to check ingredient labels for exfoliating agents. "Look for a product with good concentrations of AHAs and BHAs like glycolic, salicylic, and lactic acid. A good retinol product would come a close second, to help promote skin cell turnover and collagen to help fill in scars," he explains. Just be sure to always follow up with sunscreen.
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Why trust ELLE Beauty?
Nerisha Penrose is the beauty trade editor at ELLE.com. Since joining ELLE.com in 2017, she's interviewed countless skincare professionals and personally tested the latest and greatest across makeup, skincare, and haircare.
Neresha Penrose
Beauty trade editor
Neresha is the Beauty Trades Editor at ELLE.com, covering all things beauty (and fashion and music).
Emily Burns
Assistant Beauty Editor
Emily Burns is the Assistant Beauty Editor at ELLE Magazine.
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