The worst part of acne is probably the scars it leaves behind. Especially, when you don’t pick at the blemishes and they still leave red bumps behind! Acne scars can look different for different people, but no matter what they look like, they are so frustrating. Right?! When quarantine started last year I was on a mission to find my best skincare routine. My main focus? Fade acne scars. So I tried some different things and am happy to report I found 2 products that finally did that!
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Research
The first thing I did was research ingredients to see what I thought would work best for me. I also wanted to avoid mixing products that would have bad reactions together or irritate my skin. I found several accounts on Instagram that seemed trustworthy, but of course take those with a grain of salt, haha. My best resource for specific products was Beautypedia. This site was created by the owner of Paula’s Choice, but it does review many other brands, including drugstore. What I like about the expert reviews is that they point out what ingredients may cause irritation and if they found the products’ claims to be true. This is so helpful for me because I’ve had issues with sensitivity in the past. And of course, I don’t want to spend money on something that doesn’t work. Who does? I also take these reviews with a grain of salt, but most of the products I’ve tried from Beautypedia I will continue to buy.
Products that Fade Acne Scars
So, my research led me to 2 specific ingredients – azelaic acid and niacinamide. I hadn’t heard of these before but learned that they both help with acne-prone skin.
Azelaic Acid helps the skin renew more quickly which causes less acne formation. It also brightens skin and improves skin texture. I’ve been using The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%, which is a cream texture, and have been pleased with it. I honestly do feel like it brightens my skin! I like to use this in the morning.
Niacinamide is a form of Vitamin B3 and reduces the appearance of blemishes and skin congestion by helping balance oil. I’ve been using The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%, which is a serum. I like to use this at night. One note, don’t use niacinamide at the same time as Vitamin C.
For any product, follow the product directions, and don’t forget your sunscreen!
I really like that both of these products are nut-free, alcohol-free, cruelty-free, and vegan. Overall, The Ordinary has good reviews and a nice price point. Both of these products are under $10!
I can’t say if one product has helped more than the other. But, I do feel they have both helped! So, I would definitely recommend trying either one to fade acne scars! It’s such a good feeling to finally have a solution to my main skin concern. I hope these work for you, too!
See my post on Correct Order for Skincare Routine to help you work these into your current lineup!
