How to Fade Those Annoying Post-Acne Marks (at home!)
Acne and breakouts suck, but they're something we all deal with. Unfortunately some blemishes leave spots or marks on the skin after they're otherwise healed. These marks can have a variety of names, causes, and pigments. If you have a serious concern about your skin, it's always best to see a dermatologist if you can! But many people can (and do!) treat their post-acne marks at home with great success. Just take a look at my before and after photos below 🙂
As you can see above, my post-blemish spots are usually red. They can stick around for months, making it look like there's still a zit there. So annoying! I'm grateful to have done LOTS of research and finally found a routine that works well for my skin. Let's dive in to how you can start fading your post-acne marks, too!
Ingredients to Look For
Everyone's skin is different, so there's no one magical product that will fix your skin concerns. There are, however, skincare ingredients with tons of research and clinical studies to support their effectiveness! Here are some ingredients you should look for in a spot-fading product.
Vitamin C
This active ingredient is known to brighten and even the skin tone, reducing the appearance of dark spots. I loooove my vitamin C! It takes patience to see results, but they're well worth it when they come. And they will- Vitamin C is extremely well-studied and clinically backed. It's also available in a wide range of products, so you'll always be able to find something that fits into your routine.
What to Know:
- Vitamin C is notoriously unstable, which means it loses its effectiveness over time. Look for products with airtight and opaque packaging! Sometimes you can spot this degradation through a change in color- if your serum started off clear and is now dark brown, it's probably not doing anything anymore.
- Vitamin C can be irritating, especially to sensitive skin. One of my favorite cosmetic chemists suggests mixing your VitC with something like a hyaluronic acid serum to minimize irritation- just add a bit of both and mix them in your hand before applying.
- Sometimes it smells weird. I've tried my fair share of VitC products that smell like hotdog water or spoiled self-tanner, buuuuut there are plenty that smell okay, too.
- You CAN layer it with other products. Ignore anyone who says otherwise. People typically say to use VitC in the AM and other potentially irritating ingredients (like retinol) in the PM, but that's just so you don't overload your skin. Vitamin C also doesn't make your skin more photosensitive.
Products to Check Out:
Timeless 20% Vitamin C + E Ferulic Acid Serum: The first VitC I ever used! This one is a longstanding cult-favorite, and I'll probably go back to it when my current stash is used up. It's got a nice texture, good packaging, and no weird smell.
Skin & Lab Vitamin C Brightening Serum: This gentle serum is well-loved in the k-beauty community. It's also super affordable! I did try this one for a while, but I can't speak to long-term results. I ended up passing it along to a family member so I could finish my current serum.
Farmacy 10% Waterless Vitamin C Serum: This one is complicated. I love the formula- it feels lovely on the skin, stays pretty stable in its nice packaging, and layers nicely with other products. But it also smells like hotdogs. You win some, you lose some. I've got a discount code for Farmacy below!
Sunday Riley C.E.O. 15% Vitamin C Brightening Serum: My favorite!! This one smells great, works great, and doesn't degrade. It also hurts your wallet (ouch). Get it for 25% off with code OURWILDBEAUTY25, or save your $$ and grab something more affordable 🙂 I've been gifted several bottles of this, and while I do love it, I would not repurchase solely due to the price.
Azelaic Acid
Despite its name, azelaic acid isn't a harsh exfoliator. It's a soothing ingredient used to treat acne and hyperpigmentation. I've absolutely loved incorporating it into my routine! I find it reduces congestion without overdrying my skin, which can be a tough balance.
What to Know:
- Azeliac acid is incredibly gentle- enough to be used in treating rosacea, inflammation, and other skin irritations.
- It's safe to use every day, AM or PM (but always consult your derm for more specific advice!)
- Azelaic Acid inhibits the enzymes in your skin that can cause hyperpigmentation or dark spots. So not only does it treat current spots, but it can help stop new spots from forming!
Products to Check Out:
Naturium Azelaic Topical Acid 10%: Naturium has been getting more and more popular recently, and for good reason! It's got straightforward and effective formulas for affordable prices.
Peach Slices Redness Relief Azeliac Acid Serum: Use this all over or as a targeted spot treatment! It gently reduces redness AND fights breakouts in one go. I like to use it on congested areas to soothe and help prevent spots from forming.
Farmacy Brighten Up 3% TXA Toner: This toner comes in a nice big bottle, and a little goes a long way! It's got a fun texture that layers well with other products. It also smells nice 🙂
Niacinamide
This one is a bit controversial. Niacinamide is very well-researched, and it's in EVERYTHING now. Chances are you're already got some in your routine. In addition to fading dark spots or hyperpigmentation, niacinamide is said to help maintain a healthy skin barrier and prevent moisture loss. Though it's possible you're already (maybe unintentionally) getting niacinamide in your routine, a higher concentration may give you better results. I find that this ingredient affects my skin texture more than my pigmentation, but your skin may react differently!
What to Know:
- Niacinamide can be irritating, especially if you're using too much of it. Check to see if anything in your current routine contains niacinamide before deciding to add more. Multiple products with low concentrations will not provide the same results as one with a higher concentration!
- Start slow if you choose a higher dose! I use the Farmacy Niacinamide Night Mask (more on that below) as an occasional overnight treatment.
Products to Check Out:
Farmacy 10% Niacinamide Night Face Mask: I really like this one. It's incredibly thick and a little goes a long way- don't use too much!! It feels pretty heavy on the skin and leaves an occlusive layer (as all good night masks should). I find it really minimizes my pores overnight.
Good Molecules Niacinamide Serum: Good Molecules is an affordable and easily accessible brand- this serum is a great low-stakes way to try out a more concentrated dose of niacinamide.
Inkey List 10% Niacinamide Serum: Another affordable product with great reviews! This one comes highly recommended for beginners, especially since it plays so well with other skincare products.
Other Considerations
Sunscreen
No matter how incredible your skincare routine is, it's all for naught if you don't wear sunscreen. UV rays are the leading cause of hyperpigmentation- exposure will make current spots worse and contribute to the formation of more in the future.
I'm not a crazy SPF girlie- I don't wear it every day and I don't reapply if I'm not spending time outside. But if you're really wanting to buckle down and improve those dark spots, you need a good sunscreen. Future you will be grateful 🙂
Dermatologists
If you've tried at-home treatments to no avail, a dermatologist will be able to help you. There are all kinds of clinical treatments and prescriptions that you can discuss together! Your derm will also be able to help you understand and treat the root cause of your pigmentation. While it's great to do your own research and learn from the experience of others (like me, hi!), a doctor should always be your primary resource.
Get healing!
Sooo there we go! These are just a few options for working on fading those dark spots at home. I hope this helps you understand what needs to happen in your routine to start seeing improvement. Patience is key!
Also, please remember that there's nothing wrong with acne, blemishes, scars, or pigmentation. They're all normal parts of having skin.
If you end up trying out any of my recommendations above, let me know! I'd love to hear what you think. You can also save some money on a few of these products by using my affiliate codes at their respective sites:
- Farmacy Beauty: WILDBEAUTY20 for 20% off your total purchase
- Sunday Riley: OURWILDBEAUTY25 for 25% off your total purchase
Please let me know if you have any questions- I'm always happy to help however I can.
As always, thanks so much for reading. I'll see you soon!
xoxo,
Lindsay
