Skip to content

Top Navigation

InStyle InStyle InStyle InStyle
  • News
  • Fashion
    • Clothing
    • Accessories
    • Street Style
    • Look of the Day
    • Fashion Week
  • Celebrity
    • Awards and Events
    • Celebrity Transformations
    • TV Shows
    • Movies
    • Music
  • Beauty
    • Makeup
    • Best Beauty Buys
    • Health & Fitness
    • Skincare
  • Hair
    • Celeb Hairstyles
    • Color Ideas
    • Long Hairstyles
    • Medium Hairstyles
    • Short Hairstyles
  • Lifestyle
    • Travel
    • Weddings
    • Books
    • Food and Drink
    • Home and Decorating
  • Politics & Social Issues
    • Women in Politics
    • Women's Movements
    • Equal Pay
    • Motherhood & Parenting
    • Charity
    • Career
    • Choose 2020
  • Pop Culture
    • TV Shows
    • Movies
    • Books
    • Music
    • Social Media
    • Ladies First Podcast With Laura Brown
  • How To
  • Shopping
    • Celebrity Looks
    • Clothing
    • Accessories
    • Beauty
    • Home and Decor
    • Holiday Gift Guides
  • Video
  • In The Mag

Profile Menu

Your Account

Account

  • Join Now / Your Account
  • Newsletter
  • Email Preferences this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
Login
Subscribe
Pin FB

Explore InStyle

InStyle InStyle InStyle InStyle
  • Explore

    Explore

    • The 8 Breakout Hair Color Trends of Winter 2021

      Expect to see these shades all over Instagram. Read More Next
    • What Is a Capsule Wardrobe? 10 Tips to Help You De-Clutter Your Closet

      Fashion designer Misha Nonoo weighs in on the essential items that'll make your 'nothing to wear' days a thing of the past. Read More Next
    • "Maskne" Is a Thing — Here's How to Fight Face Mask Breakouts

      As if stress breakouts weren't bad enough. Read More Next
  • News
  • Fashion

    Fashion

    See All Fashion

    How to Find the Best Color to Wear For Your Skin Tone

    It's not as tricky as you think.
    • Clothing
    • Accessories
    • Street Style
    • Look of the Day
    • Fashion Week
  • Celebrity

    Celebrity

    See All Celebrity

    The 35 Most Naked Dresses of All Time

    Naked dresses are perhaps the most impressive of all red carpet feats. While they may not always make the best-dressed list, they do require a certain breed of celebrity to pull off. Not only do you have to have the balls to risk a wardrobe malfunction, but you have to do it with enough confidence that you look fierce — not terrified — in the photographs. Take Naomi Campbell's appearance in Valentino's couture show during the spring/summer 2019 presentation. The legendary model gracefully strutted down the runway in a see-through gown with a ruffle skirt. (Click through the gallery for the NSFW photo).  Get the inside scoop on all your favorite celebrities with our FREE daily newsletter, InStyle Celebrity. Breaking news, relationship updates, hairstyle inspo, fashion trends, and more direct to your inbox! Let's not forget Rihanna’s infamous CFDA dress either. The girl rocked a completely sheer dress without a bra — and later remarked that her only regret was not wearing a bedazzled thong to match. That, my friends, is dedication. Then, there was the year 2015, when the Met Gala saw not one nor two but three naked dresses on the red carpet, all worn by Hollywood’s hottest A-listers. Jennifer Lopez, above, bared her famous curves in a custom Atelier Versace illusion gown. Beyoncé was nearly naked in Givenchy. And Kim Kardashian West almost looked modest in comparison in her sheer Roberto Cavalli dress, because no one’s getting naked without KKW joining in. Click through to see the best naked dresses of all time.
    • Awards and Events
    • Celebrity Transformations
    • TV Shows
    • Movies
    • Music
  • Beauty

    Beauty

    See All Beauty

    13 Steps You Can Take to Stop Stubborn Cystic Acne, According to Experts

    If you're struggling with breakouts on your chin and jaw area, read this. 
    • Makeup
    • Best Beauty Buys
    • Health & Fitness
    • Skincare
  • Hair

    Hair

    See All Hair

    The 5 Haircut Trends That Will Dominate 2020

    The beginning of the new year comes with the irresistible urge to start over fresh, which means it's a great time to get a haircut.  This decade's first big hair trends include looks at every length that can be tailored to your hair texture and personal style. For anyone with a blunt bob — the most popular haircut of the past few years — you probably already guessed that the cut will still be going strong into the next decade. But there will be a few tweaks. As seen on Kerry Washington, 2020's bob has textured, softer edges, and looks amazing whether you part it down the middle or off to the side.  RELATED: The 10 Hairstyles You'll See Everywhere This Winter But if you swear that 2020 is going to be the year you finally grow out your hair, let Jennifer Lopez and Kim Kardashian's extra-long lengths be your inspiration. Or, you can get the look instantly with the help of some clip in extensions.  To help you figure out how to wear your hair in the new year, we've rounded up the five biggest haircut trends of 2020, so you'll be sure of what you want before you head to the salon in January.  VIDEO: The Five Biggest Haircut Trends of 2020
    • Celeb Hairstyles
    • Color Ideas
    • Long Hairstyles
    • Medium Hairstyles
    • Short Hairstyles
  • Lifestyle

    Lifestyle

    See All Lifestyle

    Your Essential Keto Grocery List

    If you're embarking on the keto diet, here are the must-have items to add to your cart.
    • Travel
    • Weddings
    • Books
    • Food and Drink
    • Home and Decorating
  • Politics & Social Issues

    Politics & Social Issues

    See All Politics & Social Issues

    Of Course Kamala Harris Is Ready to Be President

    The senator has been criticized for seeming too ambitious — but that's kind of the point.
    • Women in Politics
    • Women's Movements
    • Equal Pay
    • Motherhood & Parenting
    • Charity
    • Career
    • Choose 2020
  • Pop Culture

    Pop Culture

    See All Pop Culture

    Introducing InStyle's First Podcast: Ladies First with Laura Brown

    Join editor in chief Laura Brown as she talks to trailblazers like Emily Ratajkowski, Michelle Pfeiffer and Storm Reid about their historic "firsts" in the industry.
    • TV Shows
    • Movies
    • Books
    • Music
    • Social Media
    • Ladies First Podcast With Laura Brown
  • How To
  • Shopping

    Shopping

    See All Shopping

    The 13 Best Shapewear Pieces to Shop, According to Thousands of Customer Reviews

    Upgrade your lingerie drawer with these top-rated body shapers.
    • Celebrity Looks
    • Clothing
    • Accessories
    • Beauty
    • Home and Decor
    • Holiday Gift Guides
  • Video
  • In The Mag

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Your Account

Account

  • Join Now / Your Account
  • Newsletter
  • Email Preferences this link opens in a new tab
  • Manage Your Subscription this link opens in a new tab
  • Help
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription this link opens in a new tab
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. Home Chevron Right
  2. Beauty Chevron Right
  3. Skin Chevron Right
  4. The Best Products for Fading Acne Scars, According to Dermatologists

The Best Products for Fading Acne Scars, According to Dermatologists

By Erin Lukas
Updated Aug 09, 2017 @ 4:15 pm
Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
Skip gallery slides
Save Pin
Credit: Getty

Dealing with breakouts summed up in one word: struggle. Once your blemishes finally shrink and go away, the party isn’t over. If you picked at your pimples because you didn't have any self-control, or you suffer from cystic acne, you might be left with dark spots as a reminder of what you just went through. While these spots often disappear on their own, it can take months before they’re completely gone.

The only way to treat intended or pitted scars is with in-office laser treatments, there are products that you can pick up over-the-counter or at your dermatologist’s office that will help fade spots faster. While all of these products promise to make stubborn spots disappear, they’re not all created equal.

To save you from the trial-and-error, we turned to a set of top dermatologists to find out what products will actually get the job done. Keep scrolling for their picks, along with why they swear by them.

Start Slideshow

1 of 10

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Neutrogena Rapid Clear Stubborn Acne Daily Leave On Mask 

Credit: Courtesy
$9
SHOP IT

"When pimples go away they frequently leave behind red marks, which many people call scars. These spots are not actually scars, but rather persistent inflammation in the skin leading to redness. While the fire is out once the pimple clears, there still are some burning embers under the skin, which is why the spots look red. To help clear them quicker, continue using an acne treatment. Killed acne causing bacteria under the skin drive this inflammation, so when you keep treating your skin with acne-fighting treatments with benzoyl peroxide like this mask, you are also helping speed up recovery of the red spots." –Dr. Joshua Zeichner, director of cosmetic and clinical research, Department of Dermatology at The Mount Sinai Hospital

1 of 10

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 10

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Mybody Sledgehammer Intensive Skin Lightener 

Credit: Courtesy

"My favorite product to treat dark marks is Sledgehammer. It is a 4 % hydroquinone that gently fades dark marks. This cosmeceutical is available in dermatologist offices and is considered  a prescription." –Dr. Elizabeth Hale, co-founder of CompleteSkinMD and Clinical Associate Professor of Dermatology at NYU Langone Medical Center

2 of 10

3 of 10

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Skinmedica HA5 Rejuvinating Hydrator 

Credit: Courtesy
$178
SHOP IT

"I like hyaluronic acid, which plumps the skin and helps even out texture and tone. SkinMedica HA5 is a great choice. Often, people get their acne scars injected with hyaluronic acid this is a topical option." —Dr. Mona Gohara, Connecticut-based board-certified dermatologist, Advanced Dermcare

3 of 10

Advertisement

4 of 10

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Roc Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream 

Credit: Courtesy
$24
SHOP IT

"True acne scars are caused by irregular collagen created by inflammation in the skin. Topical retinol stimulates cell turnover and stimulates collagen to improve the appearance of the skin. It may help smooth out minor scars, and will even out irregular pigmentation leftover after acne goes away." –Dr. Joshua Zeichner, director of cosmetic and clinical research, Department of Dermatology at The Mount Sinai Hospital

4 of 10

5 of 10

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Colorescience Sunforgettable Loose Mineral Sunscreen Brush Broad Spectrum SPF 50

Credit: Courtesy
$64
SHOP IT

"A lot of post acne marking comes from unprotected uv exposure. This protects and conceals in a cosmetically elegant way." —Dr. Mona Gohara, Connecticut-based board-certified dermatologist, Advanced Dermcare

5 of 10

6 of 10

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Differin Gel 

Credit: Courtesy
$14
SHOP IT

"Topical retinoids are typically the prescription-strength, stronger cousins to retinols, which are available at the local drugstore or beauty counter," explains Dr. Melanie Palm, director, Art of Skin MD. "Retinoids are more powerful, treating active acne, encouraging skin turnover, improving skin texture, and most importantly for this story, improving pigmentation. Using a retinoid in combination with something like a beta-hydroxy acid only enhances results – retinoids tend to enhance the effectiveness of other topicals by improving absorption, exposure, and uptake of other topicals." 

Since retinoids have been shown to regulate more normal collagen growth, important for healing scars and even scar-like conditions like stretch marks, Dr. Hale says a treatment packed with the ingredient like Differin Gel can help improve the appearance of dark spots. This gel along with other retinoid-based treatments were just made available over-the-counter earlier this year. 

6 of 10

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

7 of 10

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Skinceuticals Blemish And Age Defense 

Credit: Courtesy
$90
SHOP IT

"This is a biphasic salicylic acid solution so it does the job of a stronger salicylic acid peel without the drying effect because of the biphasic solution that it is in. It is my go to night-time solution. Four drops on the whole face and you wake up with silk smooth skin and a great complexion." –Dr. Kavita Mariwalla, founder Mariwalla Dermatology 

7 of 10

8 of 10

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

PCA Skin Acne Gel 

Credit: Courtesy

"Salicylic acid is a beta-hydroxy acid is 'folliculotropic' – meaning it has the ability to be attracted to and penetrate the hair follicle-oil gland unit where acne starts," says Dr. Melanie Palm, director, Art of Skin MD. "Not only does it treat active acne, but it is one of the dermatologist’s most powerful topical remedies for gaining control of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation – brown discoloration left behind as the “ashes” after the fire of acne is put out." 

Dr. Palm like this gel that's packed with 2% salicylic acid and azelaic acid because these powerful ingredients help more rapidly fade dark spots left behind by acne. "Additional ingredients such as cinnamon bark, ginger root, green burnet root and licorice root extracts help to brighten tone and improve the overall appearance of skin affected by acne," she adds. 

8 of 10

9 of 10

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Glytone Dark Spot Corrector 

Credit: Courtesy
$52
SHOP IT

"Glytone's Dark Spot Corrector contains 2% Hydroquinone and 1% Kojic Acid which are combined to treat hyperpigmentation effectively. These ingredients prevent melanin production by inhibiting the enzyme tyrosinase."   –Dr. Jeannette Graf, Great Neck, N.Y.-based dermatologist

9 of 10

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

10 of 10

Save Pin
Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message

Skinfix 12 Hour Miracle Ointment  

Credit: Courtesy
$15
SHOP IT

"I put this ointment on as a dab right on a spot that I know is going to leave a mark (a big cyst or particularly inflammatory lesion for example). It has allantoin as the main active ingredient, but also contains nourishing sunflower, bisabolol and jojoba oils. All of these have anti-inflammatory and good skin relief properties." –Dr. Kavita Mariwalla, founder Mariwalla Dermatology 

10 of 10

Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Erin Lukas

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook
Trending Videos
Advertisement
Skip slide summaries

Everything in This Slideshow

Advertisement

View All

1 of 10 Neutrogena Rapid Clear Stubborn Acne Daily Leave On Mask 
2 of 10 Mybody Sledgehammer Intensive Skin Lightener 
3 of 10 Skinmedica HA5 Rejuvinating Hydrator 
4 of 10 Roc Retinol Correxion Deep Wrinkle Night Cream 
5 of 10 Colorescience Sunforgettable Loose Mineral Sunscreen Brush Broad Spectrum SPF 50
6 of 10 Differin Gel 
7 of 10 Skinceuticals Blemish And Age Defense 
8 of 10 PCA Skin Acne Gel 
9 of 10 Glytone Dark Spot Corrector 
10 of 10 Skinfix 12 Hour Miracle Ointment  

Share options

Facebook Tweet Mail Email iphone Send Text Message
InStyle InStyle

Magazines & More

Learn More

  • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Accolades Licensing
  • Content Licensing
  • Sitemap

Connect

Follow Us
Subscribe to Our Newsletter
Other Meredith Sites

Other Meredith Sites

  • 4 Your Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Allrecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • All People Quilt this link opens in a new tab
  • Better Homes & Gardens this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Insights this link opens in a new tab
  • Bizrate Surveys this link opens in a new tab
  • Cooking Light this link opens in a new tab
  • Daily Paws this link opens in a new tab
  • EatingWell this link opens in a new tab
  • Eat This, Not That this link opens in a new tab
  • Entertainment Weekly this link opens in a new tab
  • Food & Wine this link opens in a new tab
  • Health this link opens in a new tab
  • Hello Giggles this link opens in a new tab
  • Martha Stewart this link opens in a new tab
  • Midwest Living this link opens in a new tab
  • More this link opens in a new tab
  • MyRecipes this link opens in a new tab
  • MyWedding this link opens in a new tab
  • My Food and Family this link opens in a new tab
  • MyLife this link opens in a new tab
  • Parenting this link opens in a new tab
  • Parents this link opens in a new tab
  • People this link opens in a new tab
  • People en Español this link opens in a new tab
  • Rachael Ray Magazine this link opens in a new tab
  • Real Simple this link opens in a new tab
  • Ser Padres this link opens in a new tab
  • Shape this link opens in a new tab
  • Siempre Mujer this link opens in a new tab
  • Southern Living this link opens in a new tab
  • SwearBy this link opens in a new tab
  • Travel & Leisure this link opens in a new tab
InStyle is part of the Meredith Beauty Group. © Copyright 2021 Meredith Corporation. All Rights Reserved. InStyle may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab
© Copyright . All rights reserved. Printed from https://www.instyle.com

View image

The Best Products for Fading Acne Scars, According to Dermatologists
this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.