It can be troublesome when the acne scars on your skin won’t leave regardless of how many WikiHow “natural home remedies” or products you’ve tried. The most common and considerably “less severe” acne scar that typically occurs to the masses is a brown pigmented scar or red, flat scar. Usually, the more severe variant would be pitted scars which develop from deeply seated acnes.
Luckily, many of these scar types are often easily treated with the use of any Retinols or brightening agents such as L-Ascorbic Acid aka Vitamin C. On the flip side, it is highly suggested that you visit a dermatologist if you have deeper blemishes as they’ll help to treat them professionally.
Nonetheless, here’s a list of the best serums to help fade acne scars, brighten your complexion and improve your skin’s overall health.
Read also: Which Skincare Items Are Actually Worth Spending On?
Table of Contents
The highly raved about Drunk Elephant is allegedly the world’s most-wanted skincare and the C-Firma Day Serum is one of the most outstanding products they’ve created.
Features:
This serum’s main ingredient is L-Ascorbic Acid aka Vitamin C, which is a popular brightening agent. It is also made up of 0.5% Ferulic Acid and 1% Vitamin E that helps to neutralise pollution and reduce the damaging effects of free radicals.
But what’s even more unique about this serum is that Pumpkin Ferment Extract and Pomegranate Enzyme was incorporated into its formulation. These work hand-in-hand to dissolve dead surface skin cells, replenish lipids (which also encourages the skin’s natural healing), and visibly reduce the appearance of dark spots and wrinkles.
Testimonies:
You won't be disappointed when you pick up a bottle of it! Reviewers generally favour it for its effective brightening and that its texture is pretty comfortable to have on with no greasiness whatsoever. Perhaps, one of the best things about this serum is how it has increased the skin's texture and hydration overall.
Most Vitamin C serums will inevitably turn into a coppery brown colour when it’s exposed to sunlight, heat, and air due to oxidization. However, this change of colour is also a way to prove the pureness of your Vitamin C serum.
Features:
By Wishtrend’s Pure Vitamin C21.5 Advanced Serum contains 21.5% of Vitamin C, which is highly concentrated, thus it’s suggested to keep the serum refrigerated once opened. Aside from Vitamin C, this serum is also formulated with 10 essential ingredients such as Allantoin to moisture and soothe irritated skin as well as Hippophae Rhamnoids Water to calm the skin.
All of the 3 aforementioned main ingredients are what makes this serum such a popular Vitamin C product as it works to improve and fortify the skin rather than just fading scars. And even when your scars are gone, it's perfect to combat hyperpigmentation, discolouration and dull skin too.
Testimonies:
Compared to previous generations, By Wishtrend has improvised this formula to be non-sticky and more effective with its newly down-sized list of ingredients. This fact has probably contributed to it being calm on ageing and sensitive skin types across reviewers. The serum is also highly recommended by users of all skin types, time and time, to effectively fade acne scars
Those who are recommended to use Niacinamide to treat their acne may have come across this particular serum often for its simple yet effective formula.
Features:
Niacinamide is a form of Vitamin B3 and it’s a popular acne-treatment ingredient that helps to reduce the appearance of skin blemishes and congestion including acne scars, stubborn dark spots and uneven skin tone. Also, Niacinamide helps to reduce inflammation (redness caused by acne, eczema and other inflammatory skin conditions) and the appearance of enlarged pores.
To enhance the formulation, 1% Zinc content has been added into this serum for skin healing purposes as well as prevent acne by regulating your sebum activity.
On another note, if Vitamin C is part of your daily skincare routine, it’s important to not use these 2 potent vitamins at once because Niacinamide can affect the integrity of Vitamin C. Thus, segment it as such that, ideally, apply Niacinamide during the day and Vitamin C in the evening.
Testimonies:
There are many reviews that attest to this serum, with users claiming that their cystic acne situation has improved since using it.
While we can never claim a quick treatment over serious acne issues especially when it has been a few years, you can give it a few weeks or even just a month to alleviate or even clear acne with Some By Mi's Miracle Serum.
Features:
The magical ingredient contained in this 'miracle' serum to help tone down all shades of redness is the skin-soothing ingredient, Centella Asiatic Extract. The Some By Mi Miracle Serum also contains Tea Tree Oil, BHA, AHA, and PHA that will prevent acne, unclog pores and gently exfoliate the skin for a brighter and blemish-free complexion!
Furthermore, the serum doesn't just clear acne but also offers anti-ageing, hydrating and healing properties for stronger skin. All in all, you can expect to see improved skin and finally ditch makeup to cover up that beautiful face of yours.
Testimonies:
That last statement of ours is made via the countless reviews we've seen users pointing out, how the serum managed to counter stubborn acne that resisted years of beauty treatments. And with the introduction of this serum, users finally gained more confidence as well as clearer, smooth skin!
Derma-rolling and micro-needling are fundamentally the same kinds of skincare practice. Depending on the size of the spikes, they are used to treat different skin conditions.
However, most at-home derma-rollers come with needles in sizes (an average of 0.5mm) that’ll cause micro-injuries to boost your collagen production, which in turn helps to banish acne scars, dark circles and under-eye bags, sagging skin and many more! So, pairing your derma-roller with serum is crucial because it acts as a “buffer” between your skin and the tiny spikes, and even increases the absorption of the serum.
Features:
The Dr Wu Intensive Renewal Serum with Mandelic Acid 18% hits the sweet spot as it doesn’t contain abrasive and ‘reactive’ ingredients, unlike typical serum for acne scars, which could potentially damage the skin when used with needles. It has Mandelic Acid that is a milder version of an average AHA. Meanwhile, the Beta-Glucan content in this serum provides long-lasting soothing and hydrating effects.
Testimonies:
While its users claim to achieve softer and brighter skin especially against red acne, some do think its effects are just average. This is when using the serum with a derma roller might enhance its abilities on the skin. Otherwise, take note that one may not be able to fully reap this serum's benefits compared to others.
Being both a nutrient and an important antioxidant for the skin, Vitamin E is infamous for its healing and anti-ageing properties. Regarding its anti-ageing properties, how it works is that Vitamin E protects the skin against UV ray damage and other similar free radicals. This nifty little ingredient is particularly important to prevent oxidative damage to the cells from free radicals by actually removing the latter.
Another reason as to why acne-prone skin users may want to use Vitamin E is that because they're an anti-inflammatory ingredient, and has been able to calm rosacea. As such, red acne scars would benefit from including some Vitamin E into their skincare routine.
Features:
Cosmoderm’s Vitamin E serum is infused with Rosehip Oil to speed up the healing of scars, stretch marks, burns and even chickenpox while delaying any signs of ageing. A bonus to using this serum is how simple its formulation is, and is terribly suitable for sensitive skin as well. And for all of this goodness, this pick is easily affordable, which is why this serum deserves a spot on our list.
Features:
Achieve poreless and even skin tone with Cosmoderm’s Niacinamide 10% Salicylic Acid 1% within just a month! With this serum, you’ll be able to fade your acne scars and unclog your pores through the power combination of niacinamide and salicylic acid.
Dermatologically tested, niacinamide can help soothe and lighten the skin, improve uneven skin tone, and tackle hyperpigmentation. Whereas, salicylic acid on the other hand, will gently exfoliate the skin by unclogging your pores from blackheads or whiteheads.
Testimonies:
Users of this product are in love with it as it really does as it says by unclogging the pores. Some said that their nose is cleared of the nasties of blackheads and whiteheads. Others have stated that after a few days of usage, they were able to see their acne scars start to fade.
If you’re considering adding this product to your skincare routine, wait no more!
Features:
There’s a reason why there’s been a lot of hype around AXIS-Y’s products including their Spot The Difference Blemish Treatment. This serum is formulated for those with acne-prone, oily, and sensitive skin. Some would say it’s even their holy grail as it provides effective relief from breakouts and blemishes.
With a lightweight gel-like texture, this serum contains 4-terpineol which has antibacterial and antioxidant properties needed to help dry out breakouts and blemishes. Aside from that, it also contains 1% of phyto-pligo which is a plant-derived ingredient that is the ultimate solution for sensitive skin.
Testimonies:
Many users have claimed this product as their holy grail, and we understand why! Its ability to help with blemishes and breakouts as well as help users achieve clear skin is what users love the most. To add, this product can also be used as a spot treatment.
Features:
So your acne is all cleared up, but you still have the scars lingering and want to get rid of them. Consider incorporating CeraVe’s Resurfacing Retinol Serum into your skincare routine! This retinol serum can help in refining the skin without compromising your skin’s protective barrier.
Designed with the help of dermatologists, this serum will help smooth your skin’s texture by reducing the appearance of post-acne marks, minimising the look of pores, and eventually improving your skin’s surface.
Testimonies:
CeraVe has been the number one brand in the hearts of many people due to its effectiveness in improving users of their skin conditions—and it’s no different with this product! Most users have been repurchasing this product as it has helped terribly in smoothing their skin and minimising the appearance of pores.
However, do note as this product has retinol, you could experience some purging.