The Most Effective Treatments for Acne Scars, According to Skin Experts

• Great for newer breakouts

• Can be drying

Azelaic acid is another great ingredient to use in the fight against stubborn acne. Gentle yet effective, this treatment uses both azelaic acid and salicylic acid to clarify congested skin and fade post-inflammation marks.

Key ingredients: Licorice extract, salicylic acid

Size: 1 fl oz

Amazon rating: 4.3/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “Works extremely well and does not have much of a scent. May purge at first, but the product is extremely light on your skin.”

• Fast-absorbing

• Results take time

Medicube has a host of formulas (and viral tools) to keep your skin in tip-top shape, and its newest azelaic acid offerings are a fast track to brighter, clearer, acne-free skin. Using niacinamide to help fade marks, this serum calms and balances stressed skin—which is a main culprit of breakouts—and builds a resistance to prevent any further damage.

Key ingredients: Azelaic acid, niacinamide

Size: 1.01 fl oz

An ELLE editor says: “I’ve always heard great things about azelaic acid from others, but now I can personally attest to its greatness. I have acne scars that have been around for years, and some only a few weeks—this serum has helped clear a lot of my new marks while also keeping my skin soft and smooth.”—Nerisha Penrose

• Reduces the look of dark marks

• Skin needs time to get used to it

If you’re looking to take your hyperpigmentation routine up a notch, Dermalogica’s PowerBright Dark Spot Peel may be just what you need. The powerful blend of AHAs and PHAs works overtime to encourage skin renewal and lighten the appearance of scarring for a fraction of the cost of an in-office peel. Sure, the results aren’t as immediate, but it’s still effective.

Key ingredients: Glycolic, mandelic, niacinamide, tranexamic acid

Size: 1.7 fl oz

Ulta star rating: 4.7/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “Recently, I did a chemical peel to speed up the disappearance of my stubborn marks. While I was impressed by the visible results in just a matter of days, I didn’t want the party to stop then. Dermalogica’s PowerBright Dark Spot Peel was the perfect cherry on top of my new, post-peel routine. Of course, I use it sparingly—it has a potent blend of AHAs and PHAs—but I love how much more refined and smooth my skin is looking these days.”—Nerisha Penrose, ELLE.com beauty commerce editor

• Lightweight texture

• Some users dislike the scent

If you’re a skeptic of viral products, rest assured this serum from Topicals does exactly what it claims. The Faded Brightening & Clearing cream is formulated with niacinamide, tranexamic acid, and azelaic acid to brighten those stubborn dark marks while also refining and brightening the skin. You can use as a spot treatment or over your entire face for optimal results.

Key ingredients: Niacinamide, tranexamic acid, azelaic acid

Size: 1.7 fl oz

Sephora rating: 3.7/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “Patience is key with this product, but I can boldly say the results are well worth the wait. The lightweight texture absorbs into the skin seamlessly and doesn’t pill under subsequent products. Over time, I noticed how much brighter my skin looked, and how many of my newer dark spots had disappeared. As for those older ones, well, we’re still working on them.”—Nerisha Penrose

• Great for cell turnover

• Can be strong for sensitive skin

This serum contains a powerhouse blend of skin care’s finest ingredients, like salicylic acid and vitamin C, that work overtime to fade dark scars. Even better, the formula features a blurring technology that makes the scars even less noticeable.

Key ingredients: Salicylic acid, vitamin C

Size: 0.5 fl oz

Ulta star rating: 3.9/5 stars

Our expert says: “Murad InvisiScar Resurfacing Treatment contains beta hydroxy acid, salicylic acid, and exfoliates to help clear old marks as well as prevent future breakouts. Centella Asiatica (cica) decreases inflammation. Hydroxytyrosol and Vitamin C are antioxidants that lighten dark spots by directly and indirectly inhibiting tyrosinase activity, which reduces melanin production. This serum also contains light diffusers and a blurring powder to improve the appearance of skin immediately. Use twice daily to improve the appearance of acne scars.”—Dr. Blair Murphy, board-certified dermatologist at Laser & Skin Surgery Center of NY.

• Warms up when applied to skin

• Must charge often

Slather on your favorite serum and glide the tool across your face to kill bacteria under the skin using this red light therapy treatment. Plus, the device warms up and vibrates, acting as a little facial massage.

LED lights: 7

Battery: Rechargeable

Ulta star rating: 4.7/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “I swear by this little red light device for reducing the appearance of breakouts. Whenever I feel a breakout forming, I glide my Solawave along the inflamed area, as the red light emitting from this little device kills bacteria and reduces inflammation. I especially love how slim the wand is, which makes it easy to maneuver around my face and neck.”—Nerisha Penrose

• Gentle for daily use

• Tingling sensation

Just one treatment daily can bring you closer to the smoother, brighter, clearer skin of your dreams. All credit goes to the combination of glycolic, malic, and lactic acid.

Key ingredients: Glycolic acid, malic acid, lactic acid, green tea extract

Size: 1 fl oz

Sephora star rating: 4.4/5 stars

Our expert says: “These glycolic and salicylic acid-containing two-step peel pads are portable and help to exfoliate the skin. They can prevent future breakouts and help to lighten the dark spots that are often left over, even after you’ve kicked your acne. These are great for patients with active acne, dark spots, and dullness. Both of these can be irritating, so starting slow and building up to two to four times a week (for the pads) or every other day to every day for Differin.”—Dr. Papri Sarkar

• Prevents redness

• Takes a while to massage in

Azelaic acid is a star ingredient for treating hyperpigmentation. In this composition, 10 percent azelaic acid is used to combat scarring and dullness that may come after.

Key ingredients: Azelaic acid, hyaluronic acid

Size: 1 fl oz

Ulta star rating: 4.2/5 stars

Our expert says: “The Ordinary Azelaic Acid 10 percent targets the brown spots and redness left behind from healing acne spots while also helping to clear whiteheads and blackheads. It works best for those who already have an acne regimen as an add-on treatment. [The treatment] helps post-inflammatory redness and hyperpigmentation resolve more quickly.”—Dr. Cindy Wassef

• Easy to find

• Can be too strong for sensitive skin

If regular serums aren’t giving you the results you want, it’s time to bring out the big guns—retinoids. This OTC formula costs about the same as your morning latte but provides much more than just a boost. Not only does it fade dark spots, but it also smooths the texture, making the skin look brighter and feel softer.

Key ingredients: Adapalene

Size: 1.5 fl oz

Amazon star rating: 4.4/5 stars

Our expert says: “Differin Gel, an OTC retinoid containing adapalene, is a great option as not only does it work to prevent breakouts, but it also treats acne and helps to improve scarring. It can [diminish] discoloration and textural changes that go along with acne scars by evening out the skin tone and boosting collagen production. [The gel] can be used once daily and it is often best to start just a few times per week and increase the frequency as tolerated. It can be used by all skin types and can be used while getting active breakouts and should continue to be used after breakouts subside to help reduce scarring and prevent new breakouts from forming.”—Dr. Marisa Garshick

• Affordable

• May be drying

If you want prescription-grade results at an affordable drugstore price, CeraVe’s Acne Foaming Cleanser delivers. Formulated with benzoyl peroxide to attack active breakouts, this cleanser helps to control acne so you won’t risk breakouts turning into scars.

Key ingredients: Benzoyl peroxide

Size: 5 fl oz

Ulta star rating: 4.4/5 stars

An Ulta reviewer said: “I asked for a good face cleaner for sensitive skin to get rid of acne and one of the girls gave me this one. After 4 days, all my redness is gone and my acne is pretty much cleared up.”

• Clear application

• Has a silicone-like texture

An important step in reducing the appearance of acne scars is sun protection. Apply Supergoop’s Unseen Sunscreen liberally to ensure your dark marks won’t get any darker.

Key ingredients: Red algae, frankincense, meadowfoam oil

Size: 1.7 fl oz

Ulta star rating: 4.7/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer said: “Was worried about the texture at first, but it is smooth, not greasy, and feels great on the skin and under makeup.”

• Reduces inflammation

• Some users note results take time

The minute you see a breakout forming, reach for your Starface pimple patches. Formulated to stop stubborn breakouts in their tracks, all Starface patches are made of hydrocolloid, which helps minimize the appearance of pimples. Even better, this particular one has the acne-fighting power of salicylic acid, perfect for those deep-seated bumps waiting to rise to the surface.

Key ingredients: Hydrocolloid, salicylic acid

Size: 32 ct

Ulta rating: 4.6/5 stars

An Ulta reviewer says: “Love these stars. They are very sticky and last all day. I put these on overnight and wake up with the pimple gone.”

• Evens texture

• May cause dryness

Here’s an OTC retinoid that works just as hard as prescription-grade. Featuring adapalene, a commonly used retinoid for treating acne-prone skin, this treatment refines pores to prevent further breakouts while minimizing the appearance of post-blemish scarring.

Key ingredients: Adapalene

Size: 1.6 fl oz

Ulta star rating: 4.4/5 stars

Our expert says: “For a prescription-strength retinoid in an over-the-counter gel, La Roche-Posay Effaclar Adapalene Gel 0.1 percent takes it up a notch. Previously only available as a prescription, this gel helps clear blackheads, whiteheads, acne blemishes, and clogged pores. Topical retinoids also help to treat textural irregularities and acne lesions that contribute to discoloration.”—Dr. Corey L. Hartman

• Unclogs pores

• May cause dryness

When your skin could use a reboot, these AHA-soaked pads gently get the job done. In addition to cleansing the pores of any acne-causing debris, these pads also help even out the complexion.

Key ingredients: Salicylic acid, glycolic acid

Size: 30 pads

Nassif MD Skincare star rating: 4.8/5 stars

Our expert says: “The pads provide daily, gentle exfoliation. They also keep the pores clear, help reverse past damage, and prevent new scarring, too.”—Dr. Paul Nassif

• Provides a glow

• May not be suitable for sensitive skin

One of the best vitamin C serums on the market, SkinCeuticals’ C E Ferulic serum is powered by brightening and refining vitamin C. Together with vitamin E and ferulic acid, this treatment helps diminish signs of aging and dullness.

Key ingredients: Vitamins C and E

Size: 1 fl. oz

SkinCeuticals star rating: 4.6/5 stars

Our expert says: “I like skin-brightening agents like glycolic acid cleanser, vitamin C, retinoids, and retinol that help target cellular turnover. For a cleanser, I like Glytone, and for a serum, try SkinCeuticals C E Ferulic. This combination helps to lighten pigmented scars and smooth the skin texture. This combination is safe for all skin types.”—Dr. Elizabeth Bahar Houshmand

Topical treatments are great temporary fixes, but Dr. Elyse Love advises seeing a professional to begin your journey of permanently removing acne scars. “Treatment of rolling, ice pick, and atrophic scars require procedures that increase collagen production such as CO2 laser, Fraxel, and/or microneedling with radiofrequency,” she explains. Meanwhile, hypertrophic scars require more attention: “Hypertrophic scars are classically treated with injections to soften the scars but laser treatments such as PDL, excel v, laser genesis, and CO2 laser can also be helpful.”

The good news is that acne scars can lighten over time, as long as you maintain a consistent regimen. “The results of scar treatments are permanent (pending the acne is under control),” Love says. It will also take several treatments to bring you closer to the clear, even-toned skin of your dreams. Not to be confused with hyperpigmentation, acne scars are the “textural changes that develop as a result of severely inflamed acne nodules and cysts that occur deep in the dermis,” says Dr. Nassif.

When shopping for topical products to help treat your 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 be a close second, to help boost skin cell turnover and collagen to help fill in the scarring,” he explains. Just be sure to always follow up with sunscreen.

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