Which acid is best for acne scars and dark spots?
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We updated this article in September 2022 to add more information about each featured product, based on extensive research done by our team, and we consulted additional medical experts to help inform our story. Show
After what felt like a century getting rid of your acne, now you’ve received its parting gift: red, sometimes indented scars. Unfortunately, these spots like to overstay their welcome too. Thankfully, the best acne scar treatments can help fade the pesky remnants of pimples gone by. But, to get the best results, you’ll first need to figure out what kind of scar you’re dealing with. Types of acne scarsAccording to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), there are two types of acne scars. Depressed:
“There’s the pitted scarring that can occur when an inflamed blemish resolves with an ice-pick-like divot in the skin,” says Susan Massick, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. There are also two other kinds of depressed acne scars: Rolling (where the skin
has indents with sloping edges that make the skin look uneven) and boxcar (indents in the skin that have sharper edges and go pretty deep down). Raised: This type of acne scar happens when fibrous tissue and collagen (a substance that supports the skin) overgrow, which then causes the scar tissue to rise off the skin, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Those annoying pink spots you may notice after breakouts are “known as post-inflammatory erythema, which is when your acne goes away and
you still have a pink area for a few weeks to a few months, much like with a cut or scratch,” says Jennifer T. Haley, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist based in Arizona. So what causes acne scars, exactly?When acne breakouts penetrate the skin deeply, they can cause damage and affect the tissue beneath it. As the body attempts to repair the damage in the skin, sometimes it can “over-produce collagen, which may result in raised acne scars, also known as hypertrophic scars,” explains Rina Allawh, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist based in Pennsylvania. “Under-production of collagen may lead to depressed or pitted scars (a.k.a. atrophic),” Dr. Allawah adds. Those with deeper complexions can also get post-inflammatory pigmentation (PIH). “It occurs in those with medium-to-dark skin tones, where the inflammation invites pigment cells to the area, and when the acne resolves, a brown spot is left for weeks, months, even years,” adds Dr. Haley. How we chose the best products for getting rid of acne scarsTo find the best products for getting rid of and treating acne scars, we tapped a few dermatologists to weigh in on the serums, creams, toners, and pads that they swear by for various types of acne-related scarring. They looked at the science behind the ingredients and formulas to see how well each product performed. Ready to get bright, even-toned skin? Here, find the best products to help fade your acne scars. Our top picks
Best Overall THE ORDINARY Facial Treatment Set best Valaue Differin Acne Treatment Gel best for all skin types CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum best for raised scars bioCorneum Scar Treatment Plus SPF 30 Silicone Scar Gel best for oily skin types Peter Thomas Roth Brightening Facial Scrub With Vitamin C Best glycolic acid at-home treatment HydroPeptide 5x Power Peel Daily Resurfacing Pads best toner for acne scars Neutrogena Rapid Clear 2-In-1 Fight & Fade Acne Toner Dr Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel Murad Environmental Shield Rapid Dark Spot Correcting Serum L'Oréal Revitalift Derm Intensives Vitamin C Serum GLYTONE Enhance Brightening Complex Peter Thomas Roth Max Complexion Correction Pads SkinCeuticals C+AHA Treatment Drunk Elephant C-Firma Fresh Day Serum RoC RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Anti-Aging Night Cream Jori Daily Leave-On Acne Treatment Mask CeraVe CeraVe Vitamin C Serum With Hyaluronic Acid Bliss Bliss Vitamin C Serum for Face Kate Somerville Kate Somerville D-Scar Scar Diminishing Serum | Acne Scarring Treatment | Flattens & Fades Appearance Of Scars | 0.66 Fl Oz How to choose at-home home acne scar treatments There’s a wide range of possibilities with acne scars, points out board-certified dermatologist Ife J. Rodney, M.D., founding director of Eternal Dermatology Aesthetics and professor of dermatology at Howard University and George Washington University. “At-home scar treatment can only treat minor scars and blemishes,” she says. Still, she recommends looking for products with ingredients like retinol and alpha and beta hydroxy acids like salicylic acid, glycolic, and lactic acid, along with hyaluronic acid. What can at-home acne scar treatments do? It depends on what you’re looking for, says dermatologist Cindy Wassef, M.D., assistant professor at the Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. She suggests considering what you’re trying to improve. “Are you trying to fix texture changes and depressed acne scars? If so, you need ingredients that can build collagen like retinoids,” she says. “Do you have red and brown scars on your skin? If so, you need ingredients that target discoloration like azelaic acid, vitamin c, retinoids and glycolic acid.” Ultimately, “the best treatment depends on proper identification of the mark itself,” says Joshua Zeichner, M.D., director of cosmetic and clinical research at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. There are some limitations. These treatments won’t necessarily erase your acne scars. “At-home acne scar treatments are generally limited to surface-level acne scars,” Dr. Rodney says. “They will not adequately treat deeper scars caused by more difficult types of chronic acne bumpiness or deep distressed scars.” Those types of scars, she says, “need prescription products, in-office treatments, and both.” At what point should you see a doctor for acne scars? It depends. “Depressed scars or ice-pick scars are sometimes too deep for retinoids alone—you need other in-office procedures that are more aggressive to build collagen, like laser treatment or microneedling,” Dr. Wassef says. If you’ve tried treatments for dark and red spots for up to six months with an OTC cream or gel and haven’t seen improvement, Dr. Wassef says it’s time to seek professional help. “Over the counter products are generally not as strong as prescription for safety reasons and you may benefit from something stronger,” she explains. Krissy Brady Krissy is a regular contributor to Prevention, and she also writes for Cosmopolitan, Weight Watchers, Women's Health, FitnessMagazine.com, Self.com, and Shape.com. Shauna Beni Shauna Beni is the Associate Commerce Editor at Prevention. Which acid is best for acne scars and hyperpigmentation?Salicylic acid is also used in higher concentrations as a peeling agent for treating acne, acne scars, melasma, sun damage, and age spots in dermatology clinics.
What serum is good for acne scars and dark spots?CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum
This CeraVe retinol serum is great for all types of acne scars, especially if you're new to retinol. Retinol helps resurface skin texture, while licorice root extract brightens the skin and improves its overall appearance.
Which acid is best for dark spots?Glycolic acid
Pierre recommends for dark spots is glycolic acid, which is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) that helps dissolve and shed the "glue" between dead, discolored skin cells, leaving you with a clearer, brighter, all-around glowier face.
What is the best chemical for acne scars?Glycolic Acid - Is the most popular in treating acne scars. It can reduce the appearance of atrophic scarring, smooth out the skin surface, and reduce hyperpigmentation.
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