![The 11 Best Acne Scar Treatments in 2022](https://www.byrdie.com/thmb/D6wbkTRWREfcI1GX-MW1YMS2CdM=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/BYRDIE-primary-best-acne-scar-treatments-4585026-a12c9c9feeae4c9e99ca9418aed6e8cb.jpg)
Byrdie / Sabrina Jiang
Let's start with one thing: If you have acne or acne scars, that's completely fine. It's a myth that skin has to be smooth and clear to be glowy and beautiful. You don't have to change anything about your skin (and we're not going to tell you to, either!). That said, you're allowed to want to avoid scarring, lift discoloration, and fade acne scars. No shame either way. If you're interested in the latter, we can help.
It’s important to keep in mind that not all types of acne scars are the same, and treating them also requires different approaches. “Acne can leave multiple types of scars. These are generally categorized into acne blemishes, atrophic acne scars, and hypertrophic acne scars,” explains Dr. Y. Claire Chang, a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist.
Meet the Expert
- Dr. Y. Claire Chang is a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist at Union Square Laser Dermatology in New York City. She has extensive experience in skin brightening treatments, including laser skin rejuvenation with an emphasis on treating pigmentation and acne scarring.
- Dr. Jeremy Fenton is a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York City. He has participated in basic science and clinical research studies over the years, publishing papers and giving presentations on the subjects of sunscreen efficacy and the treatment of acne and disorders of pigmentation.
Acne blemishes are distinguished by a change in skin color; these can be either red marks or dark spots, the latter of which are referred to as post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Atrophic scars, commonly referred to as ice pick scars, are caused due to a loss of collagen and elastin and show up as actual changes in the texture of the skin (think: crevices and pits). And finally, hypertrophic scars or keloids are caused by haphazard collagen production that occurs during the wound healing process and shows up as growths of excess skin.
No matter what type of scars you have, it’s worth seeing your dermatologist. Most people have multiple types of scarring, and, particularly for atrophic and hypertrophic scars, in-office treatments such as lasers and fillers are your best bet, Dr. Chang notes. That being said, there are effective at-home treatments you can seek out that are especially effective for those discolored acne scars and marks.
Below, the top acne scar treatments to try at home.
Best Overall
Murad InvisiScar Resurfacing Treatment
![Murad InvisiScar Resurfacing Treatment](https://www.byrdie.com/thmb/risVwxYaw3aSW2BTUOiPhXIdKmc=/fit-in/1500x714/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/ScreenShot2020-03-16at5.16.10PM-6fc2130fbba44422be56f43e63dc2d1e.png)
Sephora
Effective on many types of scars
Should be used twice daily
Who else recommends it? Allure, ELLE, and Well+Good all picked the Murad InvisiScar Resurfacing Treatment.
What do buyers say? 600+ Sephora reviewers rated this product 4.1 stars or above.
While different types of acne scars typically require different types of treatment, this option by Murad touts ingredients that work to address all kinds. The formula, which includes a blend of silicones, antioxidants, and salicylic acid, is designed to fill in areas of uneven skin texture as well as help even out tone and brighten any dark marks or discoloration. Use it twice daily, dabbing on a thin layer wherever you have the most stubborn scarring.
Price at time of publish: $36
Active Ingredients: Salicylic acid, silicones | Size: .5 oz | Dosage: Twice daily | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Budget
RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream
![RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream](https://www.byrdie.com/thmb/KmrvY1bKcWtULvVQ_poNCLAokhI=/fit-in/1500x2453/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/rocretinol-c2504c8ea25249399303237328d65cf6.jpeg)
Amazon
Affordable
Offers anti-aging benefits
Can irritate sensitive skin
According to Dr. Chang, in-office treatments are the gold standard for addressing deep, atrophic scars. That being said, using topical retinol can help stimulate collagen, a boon when it comes to treating this type of scarring. Enter this drugstore pick— which, according to the brand, has been clinically proven to reduce the look of fine lines and wrinkles in just 12 weeks. If you’re combatting the effects of adult acne and want an anti-aging boost as well, grab this one.
Price at time of publish: $30
Active Ingredients: Retinol | Size: 1 oz | Dosage: Once daily | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No
![RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream](https://www.byrdie.com/thmb/GKGmJivqq0sai1ECXTZjF3b7vuo=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/COMBO-cfaac580f4ac4e319a6688060296161b.jpg)
Byrdie / Leigh Weingus
What Our Testers Say
"Overall, I was very happy with RoC’s Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream. On top of being affordable, it didn’t irritate my skin, and I noticed a reduction in fine lines within a week." — Leigh Weingus, Product Tester
Best Preventative
Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel
![Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel](https://www.byrdie.com/thmb/W_-y1rUyQIxT8QHjWKqoeOFAttI=/fit-in/1500x1000/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/dr-dennis-gross-skincare-alpha-beta-universal-daily-peel-586ec65f4eb948ff9766f7a95c173f1c.jpg)
Sephora
Has exfoliating and brightening benefits
Can be intense for sensitive skin
Pricey
No matter whether your complexion is usually clear or you’re trying to combat active acne, using these pads (a long-time fan-favorite among beauty editors) can go a long way towards minimizing the likelihood of future scarring. The two-step system contains a potent blend of five different acids that helps keep pores clear and gently exfoliate away discoloration. Follow that with step two, a formula loaded with collagen-boosting retinol and antioxidant-rich resveratrol, which further evens out and smooths your complexion.
Price at time of publish: $17
Active Ingredients: Alpha-hydroxy acids, beta-hydroxy acids | Size: 30 treatments | Dosage: Once daily | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Retinoid
Skin Better AlphaRet Overnight Cream
![AlphaRet Overnight Cream](https://www.byrdie.com/thmb/Zz08YJRJiHopFhYpP5ynOhYrzDc=/fit-in/1500x800/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/SkinBetter-Science-Regenerating-AlphaRet-Overnight-Cream-FACE-a95cad7f03604828ab39f8dc10f55376.jpg)
SkinBetter
Offers multiple benefits
Use once daily
Pricey
Like we said, using a retinoid can be a great way to help promote collagen production and subsequently smoother, more even-textured skin. This one gets our vote for the addition of lactic acid; the formula is an effective-yet-gentle exfoliating solution that addresses discoloration. It also has plenty of moisturizing ingredients, which is ideal for counteracting the potential for dryness that can often come when using a retinoid. It’s also a top pick for Dr. Jeremy Fenton, a board-certified dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology Group in New York City: “It’s been formulated to be very tolerable even for more sensitive skin types,” he says, adding that retinoids are one of his favorite classes of ingredients for helping with acne scarring.
Price at time of publish: $130
Active Ingredients: Retinoid, glycolic acid, lactic acid | Size: 1 oz | Dosage: Once daily | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Runner-Up, Best Retinoid
Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment
![differin-adapalene-gel-01-at-amazon](https://www.byrdie.com/thmb/3k4Oe3-XTK7eyonn4zRT32WEy-Q=/fit-in/1500x1000/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/differin-adapalene-gel-01-at-amazon-22ba6b2cbab742bc9db1f0234a43e539.jpg)
Amazon
Offers multiple benefits
Use once daily
Affordable
Can irritate sensitive skin
Sure, it may be called an acne treatment, but Fenton says it’s another great option for combating acne scars and dark marks. “Retinoids are one of the best exfoliators to help remove that pigment on the top layer, and they also help build collagen over time so you’re getting multiple benefits,” he says. “This is an over-the-counter retinoid that is as strong as many of the prescription-strength options," he adds.
Price at time of publish: $15
Active Ingredients: Adapalene | Size: .5 oz | Dosage: Once daily | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No
![Differin Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment](https://www.byrdie.com/thmb/iSlJIj_v7N4vEDEovjp4Txj7weo=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Differin-Acne-Treatment-Gel-2-a2efcb69ed07484d925f1a605b738d4c.jpg)
Byrdie / Bianca Lambert
Best for Dark Skin
Ambi Fade Cream for Normal Skin
![Ambi Skincare Fade Cream](https://www.byrdie.com/thmb/HgxbOUr_24FlzTeETtETlGab9ZY=/fit-in/1500x640/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Ambi-Even-and-Clear-Fade-Cream-Normal-Skincopy-3ff9359545e54a59b2fb36e3eefae290.jpg)
Courtesy of Ambi
Nice texture
Affordable
Hydroquinone is a controversial ingredient
“Those with darker complexions may be more prone to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation or brown blemishing after acne lesions heal,” says Dr. Chang. Enter this solution, which touts hydroquinone, a top spot fading ingredient (albeit a bit controversial). And it has a 2% concentration of hydroquinone at that—the maximum you can get over-the-counter. It’s a great choice for applying on wider areas of discolored scars, not to mention that it rings in at just a few dollars and contains vitamin E, too. FYI, skip it if you’re pregnant since hydroquinone isn’t recommended for use during pregnancy.
Price at time of publish: $10
Active Ingredients: Hydroquinone | Size: 2 oz | Dosage: Once daily | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No
Best for Dark Spots
Naturium Tranexamic Topical Acid 5%
![Naturium Tranexamic Topical Acid 5%](https://www.byrdie.com/thmb/IIg_EkhpKuqiuegHLIGbcWUy6Uk=/fit-in/1500x1500/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/NaturiumTranexamicTopicalAcid5-b50ec2cba8c84c76a4fb4d083d8cafb3.jpg)
Great for all skin types, even sensitive
Clean and cruelty-free
Affordable
Won’t help with raised scarring
“This product contains several ingredients that have been shown to suppress the production of pigment in the melanocyte, the cells that produce the pigment,” says Fenton of another one of his picks. (More specifically, it touts tranexamic acid, kojic acid, niacinamide, and licorice root.) “This is an example of a product that the sooner you put on acne the better, as it can help stop the dark spots from forming at all,” he says.
Price at time of publish: $20
Active Ingredients: Tranexamic acid, kojic acid, niacinamide, licorice root | Size: 1 oz | Dosage: Once daily | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Runner-Up, Best for Dark Spots
Dermologica Age Bright Spot Fader
![Dermologica Age Bright Spot Fader](https://www.byrdie.com/thmb/f6tElAeoV7_x4Nazmq_tHQVV-I0=/fit-in/1500x2000/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/DermologicaAgeBrightSpotFader-f3278610c0274dadbcabb615275cdf74.jpg)
Multi-tasking formula
Clean and cruelty-free
Affordable
Not good for other types of scarring
Pricey
Talk about multi-tasking. This pick gives you plenty of bang for your buck, acting as a two-for-one that both helps clear existing breakouts while simultaneously warding off the appearance of new ones. Credit a trio of salicylic acid, niacinamide, and hexylresorcinol, all of which work synergistically to treat pimples and prevent the tell-tale post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation that can occur after the fact.
Price at time of publish: $45
Active Ingredients: Salicylic acid, niacinamide, hexylresorcinol | Size: .5 oz | Dosage: Twice daily | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best Sunscreen
EltaMD UV Physical Broad-Spectrum SPF 41
![EltaMD UV Physical Broad-Spectrum SPF 41](https://www.byrdie.com/thmb/E-z-L9TUq4VPFuxHBzKglYtFXJk=/fit-in/1500x650/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/9260_Elta_D2CThumbnails_UVPhysicalTint_2400x-0598a559cfcb4ef7aef9d8d9440dcd4e.jpeg)
Lightweight, tinted formula
Oil-free
Doesn't help treat existing scars
Sunscreen may not be the first thing you think of when you think of an acne scar treatment, but trust us, it’s essential. Sun damage will not only make any discolored spots darker, but it also breaks down collagen, which is the last thing you want if you’re dealing with scars that have caused uneven texture and roughness. The bottom line: When you’re trying to eliminate scars, your daily dose of SPF is more important than ever. Dr. Chang recommends this tinted option: “It has a smooth, sheer application and can cover up existing blemishes,” she says.
Price at time of publish: $37
Active Ingredients: Zinc oxide, titanium dioxide | Size: 3 oz | Dosage: Once daily | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Raised Scars
Biodermis Pro-Sil Silicone Scar Stick
![Biodermis Pro-Sil Silicone Scar Stick](https://www.byrdie.com/thmb/j4mqd-ICr3rTx9dGwWjmmfxXhx0=/fit-in/1500x1246/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/BiodermisPro-SilSiliconeScarStick-70d82d164f7449d48e3955b79c518415.jpg)
Great for new and existing scars
Easy to use
Pricey
Won’t help with pigment changes
If you’re already dealing with hypertrophic or keloid scars, you’ll most likely need to see a dermatologist for the most effective treatment. Still, Dr. Chang says that using silicone topically can help prevent these types of scars from forming in the first place. Enter this easy-to-use, mess-free stick which you can quickly swipe on as needed. It also works on all skin types and tones,
Price at time of publish: $37
Active Ingredients: Silicones | Size: 4.25 grams | Dosage: Several times daily | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Unknown
Best Splurge
iS Clinical Pro-Heal Serum Advance +
![Shari Darden](https://www.byrdie.com/thmb/pBkSiL3fMc8-3aTF7JnMAl8t65I=/fit-in/1500x640/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/ProHeal_30mL_BeautyShot_LargeWeb_NoReflection_1400x1400-adca2251a7a649d88e0bfa8e4c4b0838.jpg)
Good multi-tasking formula
Pricey
Just a few drops of this pricey pick (which just happens to contain the highest levels of antioxidants of any of the brand’s products) pack a major punch. The formula, made with zinc sulfate and vitamin C, tones down redness and helps brighten the skin. But the benefits don’t stop there; along with working well on both current breakouts and scars, it can also help with everything from rosacea to bug bites. Talk about getting good bang for your buck.
Price at time of publish: $158
Active Ingredients: Kojic acid, arbutin, zinc sulfate | Size: 1 oz | Dosage: Once daily | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Best for Breakouts
Topicals Faded Brightening & Clearing Serum
![Topicals Faded Brightening & Clearing Serum](https://www.byrdie.com/thmb/q0gzy--je9yb27aDy8Yz9iw_K0Y=/fit-in/1500x640/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/TopicalsFadedBrighteningClearingSerum-8963a8aab23c44099f2b8642e016e233.jpg)
Sephora
Fades existing scars, dark spots, and patches
Helps clear current breakouts
Clean, vegan, and cruelty-free
Has a strong sulfur-like smell
As the name suggests, this potent gel-like serum helps fade the look of acne scars, dark spots and patches, and other pigmentation issues—but what we love most is that it can help fight existing breakouts, too. Tranexamic acid and niacinamide work together to fight discoloration and promote an overall more even tone, while azelaic acid helps to brighten and improve skin texture while taking care of any pesky blemishes. Plus, it has the clinical results to back it up: In a four-week study, 96% of participants found that their skin looked more even, while 84% said their dark spots were less visible.
Price at time of publish: $38
Active Ingredients: Tranexamic acid, niacinamide, azelaic acid | Size: 1.7 oz | Dosage: Once weekly, then 2-3 times per week | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Final Verdict
Treating scars is a complex task and one that largely depends on the type of scar you’re trying to treat. The Murad InvisiScar Resurfacing Treatment is our overall favorite pick, a rare formula that contains ingredients that can both treat textural and tone changes in the skin. Retinoids are another ingredient dermatologists suggest looking for (not to mention ones that offer several other benefits). Try the RoC Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream, Differin Adapalene 0.1% Acne Treatment, or SkinBetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream, all great retinoid-based options.
Whether or not you end up with acne scars is a result of several factors. Genetics plays a role, and excess trauma also ups your likelihood of ending up with a scar. Consider this yet another reason to adopt a hands-off approach and not pick or pop pimples.
What to Look For in an Acne Scar Treatment
Brightening ingredients
Since discoloration is one of the tell-tale signs of the post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation associated with acne scarring, look for proven brightening ingredients such as retinoids, tranexamic acid, azelaic acid, and vitamin C. (Though with the caveat that the more intense ingredients should be used with caution if you have sensitive skin, more on that point to come.)
Why Trust Byrdie
Byrdie contributor Melanie Rud has over a decade of experience in the beauty industry, writing for some of the biggest magazines and websites out there. She frequently covers acne and acne treatments.