Before we start talking about the best drugstore acne scar treatments you have to keep in mind that you are already treating your acne.
If you are already treating your acne it will help so they don’t turn into acne scars, and using these drugstore acne scar treatments or products will work better.
Acne is easy to treat before turning into acne scars because acne scars take longer to treat.
You are always advised to see your dermatologist but these drugstore acne scar products can be used as an at-home acne scar treatment
TYPES OF ACNE SCARS
There are two main types of acne scars:
- Pigment Change Scars
- True Scars
You need to know which type of acne scar you have to know what drugstore acne scar treatments will work effectively.
PIGMENT CHANGE SCARS
Post Inflammatory Erythema: This is the most common type of acne scar that occurs immediately after your acne.
They are red bumps on your skin and they tend to get better on their own as long as you are treating your acne.
Drugstore acne scar treatments that have retinoids work well for this kind of acne scar.
Post Inflammatory Hyperpigmentation: These are the dark spots you get after acne, it is very common with deeper skin.
It lasts longer than the red spots for six months to one year for them to go away.
Although they still fade with time you may want to speed up the recovery process of your skin. You can do that by exfoliating your skin.
One of the drugstore acne scar treatments that can help for this type of acne scar is sunscreen. Find a sunscreen with iron oxides. You should also find products that have Retinoids and Azelaic acids.
Post Inflammatory Hypopigmentation: These are light spots that occur after acne bumps. They can be permanent not a lot of drugstore acne scar treatments can bring them back.
TRUE ACNE SCARS
Atrophic Acne Scars: Atrophic acne scars are scars that heal below the normal skin tissue layer, thereby causing an indentation.
Types of atrophic acne scars are ice pick, boxcar, and rolling scars.
These atrophic scars are challenging to treat because typical products like retinoids do not go deep into the skin to get these acne scars.
With atrophic acne scars, it is more than a surface problem, the inflammation is at a deeper level on your skin, they form indentation on your skin.
Seeing a dermatologist will give you the best results.
Some recommendations for the treatment of atrophic acne scars are:
- Microneedling: This is poking holes into your skin using a micro-needling device. This stimulates the acne scars up and helps form collagen so they are on the same level as your skin. It is safe for most skin types.
- Chemical Peels: This peeling process involves destroying the damaged layer of skin by applying chemicals to its surface. Chemical peels help treat acne and hyperpigmentation.
- Laser Treatment: Laser treatment is effective in treating acne scars, with laser treatment they are so targeted and specific to the areas you have the acne scars to prevent further damage.
Hypertrophic Acne Scars: Hypertrophic acne scars occur when your skin produces more collagen, you have to calm down.
These are less common and for this, you have to go to the dermatologist there are no over-the-counter products for this.
Although one of the over-the-counter ingredients you can look for is silicon gels, it is not perfect and you have to use it for at least two months to see results.
There are just one or two drugstore acne scar treatments for this acne scar.
There are some things you will want to avoid or do if you have acne-prone skin.
- You should avoid things that contain petrolatum, mineral oils, etc. This is because over time they tend to clog your pores and cause more acne.
- Use cleansers that are foam or gel compared to cream cleansers.
- Have a sunscreen because the sun rays slow down the healing process and generate redness on your skin.
- You need moisturizers with acne scars treatment ingredients.
Table of Contents
Ingredients your drugstore acne scar treatments should have
There are a lot of ingredients your drugstore acne scar treatments should have but these are the most important ingredients.
Salicylic Acid: This is a Beta Hydroxyl Acid(BHA) that helps with skin cell turnover. It is a gentle exfoliant and also anti-inflammatory.
It helps to stop some of the processes that lead to hyperpigmentation. Another good thing about salicylic acid is that it gets into the skin very well.
It goes into your pores and exfoliates and improves your skin clarity. It deals with your acne scars and acne and also has anti-aging purposes.
If you have acne-prone skin starting your morning skincare routine with a salicylic acid cleanser is a good option for your drugstore acne scar treatments.
Retinoids: I will recommend that you add retinoids to your nighttime skincare as one of your drugstore acne scar treatments. They are typical forms of vitamin A that benefit the skin.
They help in your skin cell turnover, keeping your pores clean to prevent acne and breakouts.
They also help to clear dark spots faster and help to improve the overall clarity of your skin. While working with retinoids you need to use a pea-size amount.
Benzoyl Peroxide: This is a fabulous ingredient to clear out your acne scars. It is anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory which means it gets rid of redness on your skin.
It also erases the whiteheads and blackheads on your skin.
The best thing about benzoyl peroxide is that it does not cause bacterial resistance and it also acts fast you don’t have to wait long to start seeing the results, you can see results in 5 days.
Niacinamide: This helps reduce free radicals as they have antioxidant properties. It also helps with inflammation, redness, and hyperpigmentation.
You need a moisturizer that has this ingredient.
best drugstore acne scar treatments
ZAPZYT Acne Wash Cleanser
This is one of the best drugstore acne scar treatments you will love, it is a gentle cleanser for acne that is oil-free, fragrance-free, and alcohol-free.
It will penetrate deeply into pores to help eliminate most acne blemishes and keep pores clog-free. It is good for back and chest acne.
It contains Aloe and Chamomile to soothe acne-prone skin and reduce redness.
The active ingredient is 2% Salicylic Acid that degreases your skin and unclogs pores, while encouraging exfoliation of dead skin cells, helping to reduce clogged pores and breakouts.
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion
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CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion is a hydrating morning lotion with sunscreen, it has SPF 30 with a broad spectrum.
It absorbs easily into the skin and has a non-greasy finish as it is oil-free. It is non-comedogenic and won’t clog pores.
It has 3 essential ceramides that work together to lock in skin moisture and help restore your skin’s protective barrier.
Contains Hyaluronic Acid to retain skin moisture and Niacinamide to help calm skin.
It is suitable for dry skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, and acne-prone skin.
The Ordinary Peeling Solution 30ml AHA 30% + BHA 2%
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The Ordinary Peeling Solution 30ml AHA 30% + BHA 2% offers deeper exfoliation to help fight visible blemishes and for improved skin radiance.
The formula also improves the appearance of skin texture and reduces the look of fine lines with continued use.
If you want at-home drugstore acne scar treatments chemical peel then this product is a good one to use.
With this peeling solution, you have to clean your face and wait for the skin to dry, do not use it on wet skin. Please do not forget to try a patch test first.
Also, the AHA and BHA may increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun and particularly the possibility of sunburn.
Use sunscreen, wear protective clothing, and limit sun exposure while using this product and for a week afterward.
Differin Gel Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment
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Differin Gel Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment will go deep into your pores to clear breakouts where they start and prevents new acne from forming, which ultimately restores skin’s texture and tone.
It normalizes skin cell turnover and effectively targets two primary causes of acne which are clogged pores and inflammation.
It helps reduce the risk of scarring and hyperpigmentation by treating acne.
If you have acne-prone skin this is one of the drugstore acne scar treatments you should always have and use.
The active ingredient is adapalene 0.1% (retinoid) which is great for treating acne and acne scars.
CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser
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CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser is formulated for acne-prone, oily skin and even those with psoriasis.
It has salicylic acid which is an effective exfoliator that removes dead skin cells and promotes radiance.
Salicylic acid acts as a chemical exfoliant that feels less harsh than physical ones like face scrubs, it provides gentle exfoliation and skin relief to dry skin, rough and bumpy skin, and all other skin types.
It has ceramides that help restore and maintain the skin’s natural barrier, hyaluronic acid that helps retain the skin’s natural moisture, and niacinamide which helps calm your skin.
Neutrogena Rapid Clear 2-In-1 Fight & Fade Acne Toner
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Neutrogena Rapid Clear 2-In-1 Fight & Fade Acne Toner reduces breakouts in just hours, revealing clearer, more even-toned skin.
It helps fade the look of post-acne marks, it contains Glycolic Acid to accelerate surface skin cell exfoliation and fade the look of post-acne marks.
It also contains 2% salicylic acid which helps to eliminate dead skin cells and can help to improve hyperpigmentation and promote new skin cells, improving both tone and texture associated with scars.
The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
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The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% will help brightens the skin tone while visibly improving the evenness of skin texture and reducing the look of blemishes.
Azelaic Acid helps acne as it is anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial.
It also helps with hyperpigmentation and works as an effective antioxidant.
ceraVe resurfacing retinol serum
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Cerave Resurfacing Retinol Serum helps your skin look brighter, smoother, and more even-toned.
It is a pore-minimizing serum for the face that helps refine skin’s texture over time and helps visibly reduce the appearance of post-acne marks.
It is lightweight with a gel texture and has a non-greasy feel to it, you need a pea size amount for your face.
Suitable for dry skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, acne-prone, and more.
Contains encapsulated retinol to help resurface your skin, plus licorice root extract to help brighten your skin’s appearance.
It also has 3 essential ceramides that work together to lock in skin moisture and help restore your skin’s protective barrier, along with niacinamide which helps calm the skin.
Hero Mighty Patch Original
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Hero Mighty Patch Original is a hydrocolloid sticker that improves the look of pimples overnight without popping.
You stick it on, get some sleep, and wake up with clear skin.
It absorbs pimple gunk and it is strong enough to stay on through a whole night. The sticker is thin with a translucent matte finish.
This is one of the drugstore acne scar treatment products you should always have to use for your pimples.
Neutrogena Pore Refining Exfoliating Facial Cleanser
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Neutrogena Pore Refining Exfoliating Facial Cleanser contains both alpha and beta hydroxy acids and has been shown to visibly reduce the look of pores by half their size with daily use.
This pore refining cleanser penetrates deep to remove dirt, oil, and makeup that can clog and enlarge pores.
It has gentle exfoliators that sweep away dead surface skin and smooth over rough, uneven patches.
ScarAway Silicone Scar Gel
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ScarAway Silicone Scar Gel is used for scar prevention and treatment of hypertrophic scars and keloids resulting from surgeries, cosmetic procedures, mole removal, injuries, burns, and much more.
ScarAway Silicone Scar Gel can also be used as an acne scar treatment.
Even scars that are years old and appear raised and discolored can become flatter, smoother, and less visible closer to your skin’s natural texture and color.
CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion
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CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion is a lightweight night cream with niacinamide and is oil-free.
This moisturizer helps to lock in your skin’s moisture and help restore your skin’s natural barrier, all while you sleep.
It helps hydrate, calm, and soothe your skin, while also helping to maintain your protective skin barrier.
Contains three essential ceramides, that lock in moisture and help maintain the skin’s natural barrier.
Hyaluronic acid helps retain the skin’s natural moisture and niacinamide for calming your skin.
TruSkin Vitamin C Serum
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Vitamin C is known for its ability to diminish fine lines, swelling, and sun-induced blights like uneven tone and deep-seated hyperpigmentation.
Adding a vitamin c serum to your skincare routine is essential and it works better with sunscreen.
This serum reduces signs of aging by supporting collagen and elastin, this potent antioxidant blend promotes healthy elasticity to boost firmness and soften the look of fine lines.
The vitamin c in this serum is a derivative that makes it less irritating to sensitive and acne-prone skin.
Vitamin C (Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate) Stable and water-soluble, this gentle form of vitamin C is known for neutralizing free radicals, lightening dark spots, and supporting elasticity by triggering collagen synthesis.
MSM (Methylsulfonylmethane) whose ability to support collagen and keratin makes it a vital building block for youthful, healthy skin.
Botanical Hyaluronic Acid is a naturally occurring humectant whose antioxidant properties and ability to draw in 1,000 times its weight in water support lasting tissue hydration and health.
Vitamin E (d-alpha Tocopheryl Acetate) With its abundant antioxidant properties, this fat-soluble form of vitamin E is known for combating signs of aging by neutralizing free radicals and limiting inflammation.
Pairing it with vitamin C is shown to compound the photoprotective benefits of both nutrients.
PanOxyl Acne Creamy Wash Benzoyl Peroxide 10% Daily Control
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PanOxyl Acne Creamy Wash Benzoyl Peroxide 10% Daily Control is an antimicrobial wash that kills acne-causing bacteria on contact and lifts dirt from pores for fresher, clearer skin.
It cleans and unclogs pores to clear existing breakouts. It can also help to prevent new blemishes from forming when used as part of a daily acne treatment routine.
The creamy formula is balanced with emollients for a more gentle & hydrating daily cleanse.
It is Ph balanced with 4 humectants and 3 emollients to increase hydration.
EltaMD UV Clear Facial Sunscreen
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Like I said early using sunscreen is very important if you want to see results in your drugstore acne scar treatments because the sun rays can slow down your healing process.
EltaMD UV Clear Facial Sunscreen protects your complexion to shield your skin from harmful UVA and UVB rays.
It has sodium hyaluronate to moisturize while lactic acid refines the skin to clear pores and reduce shine.
So there you go with the best drugstore acne scar treatments you can start using to see and improve.
Also, keep in mind that before using any of these drugstore acne scar treatments you should check the ingredients just in case there are things your skin will find irritating.
FAQs
What are the best Drugstore Acne Scar Treatments?
The best Drugstore Acne Scar Treatments are:
- Differin Gel Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment
- PanOxyl Acne Creamy Wash Benzoyl Peroxide 10% Daily Control
- CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser
- ZAPZYT Acne Wash Cleanser
- Cerave Resurfacing Retinol Serum
Can I permanently remove acne scars?
Removal of acne scars typically depends on the type of scar and the extent of the scarring. For best treatment visit a dermatologist.
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