Skin Care

How to Get Rid of Acne Scars for Good

With the right acne scar treatments and expert tips, you can finally forget your breakout-ridden past

by Anna Jimenez, Emily Woodruff

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Your Get Rid of Acne Scars To-Do List If that's all a bit much to take in, just use this quick and dirty cheat sheet on how to get rid of acne scars:

1. First, don't pick existing pimples. If you do, treat immediately with a mild exfoliant containing salicylic acid, like Clean & Clear Advantage Mark Treatment, $7.99.

2. For new and old acne scars, use brightening ingredients like vitamin C, hydroquinone or kojic acid to fade marks fast. Try Murad Post-Acne Spot Lightening Gel, $60, or Mario Badescu Vitamin C Serum, $45.

3. Treat acne scars with retinol, which speeds up skin cell turnover to even out skin tone and improve its texture. Because the two ingredients can cancel each other out, use vitamin C in the a.m. and retinol at night (We recommend Proactiv+ Clarifying Night Cream, $60). Always wear sunscreen when using retinol.

4. Consider Fraxel laser therapy, microneedling and fillers for stubborn acne scars that won't go away. (See our story on at-home microneedling here.)

SEE NEXT PAGE: Hide Acne Scars While They Fade

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Kate Somerville DermalQuench Clear Anti-Acne Treatment

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Dermalogica mediBac Clearing Overnight Clearing Gel

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Dermalogica Sebum Clearing Masque

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St. Ives Nourished and Smooth Oatmeal Scrub + Mask

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Bioelements Amino Mask

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Tatcha The Rice Polish Foaming Enzyme Powder

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CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser

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RoC MULTI CORREXION Skin Renewing Serum

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No7 Protect & Perfect Intense Body Serum

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Burt's Bees Sensitive Facial Cleanser

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Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant

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First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads

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Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Daily Face Peel

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Clean & Clear Advantage Mark Treatment

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Murad Post-Acne Spot Lightening Gel

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Mario Badescu Vitamin C Serum

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Proactiv+ Clarifying Night Cream

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Physicians Formula Gentle Cover Concealer Stick

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Tarte Clean Slate Flawless 12-Hour Brightening Primer

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Older comments

Didn't see anything about chemical peels. Anyone have any knowledge about whether or not those can help acne scars? Thanks!

by jenna_christine Tuesday, April 30, 2013 at 01:40PM Report as inappropriate

Nice.

by Mollysunshine Thursday, March 28, 2013 at 02:25AM Report as inappropriate

Consuming a great daily vitamin, along with strong C and B Vitamin supplements can have a great effect on your skin. So can drinking water--lots and lots of it. It plumps tissue and helps scarring to be minimized.

by GigiSD Sunday, March 24, 2013 at 11:06PM Report as inappropriate