Acne Scars

[KatieBT]

Hello hello BIC! Hoping I can get tips from some acne fighters and scar conquerors. 

What are your go-to products, techniques and tips for diminishing acne scars? My acne has been historically hormonal and stayed around my chin but it recently decided to move up to my cheeks which is... frustrating to say the least. I am hoping to get on a regimend to prevent scarring ASAP. I have the DDG peel pads and TLC from Drunk Elephant and wondering if rotating these would be too much. 

If you have any HGs or magical advice please do share! Any advice would be greatly appreciated. 

[CC3616]

@KatieBT Oh no! I went through a rough spot with acne between 23-27 and I still get anxious thinking about it.. Mine was mostly cystic hormonal. First steps were to clean my phone more, wash my hands before touching my face, and look at my diet. I tried to cut back on alcohol, dairy, and processed foods. I also added in a GREAT cleansing routine and changed my pillowcase every 2-3 days and hand towels out daily.

If you are getting cystic the kate somerville eradikate (I used mario badescu drying lotion, but almost the same) will help in the moment. MB also makes a dry cream that is skin colored and acts as a daytime concealer. Keep hydrated with water and hydrating masks during acute treatment. I tried SO many things and the MB routine was the only thing that really helped. I also added a clarisonic to my routine shortly after that, 1-2 times a week. I can't tell you exactly what made it subside. It may have just been it's time, a dietary thing, a clean/touch face thing, or a combo of all? 

As far as post treatment- acid, spot reducers, and brighteners. What acid depends on your skin type. The AHA's are water soluble will promote surface turnover, glow, light scarring reduction etc. AHA's are water soluble, are good for dry skin, promote hydration etc. The BHA is oil soluble and will help clean deeper in the pore, better for oily acne prone white/blackheads. BHA is anti-inflammatory/antibacterial.  Even if you are on the more oily side, I would caution against too much BHA use as it can dry you out and cause over production of oil. Balance for all! 

For me it's mostly acids. Since I have dry skin that's not very acne prone, an AHA heavy routine works well for me with little bits of BHA to help clean/prevent worked in. AM I use SR GG (lactic AHA) and Pixi glow tonic (GLycolic AHA). PM I rotate use of DDG AB peel pads and tata harper resurfacing mask about once a week each, using hydrating masks on other days or the morning after acid use. Anything that promotes cell turnover- great. DDG is easy and has it all. The TLC is glycolic (AHA) which is also in the DDG. I personally don't think that rotating them would be too much but it really depends on what your skin will tolerate. I would start at once a week, then aim for 1-2 times a week and work your way up from there. I started with just PM use of AB pads 1x a week, then 2x a week, then started adding other acids in the morning slowly. I will say I noticed a HUGE difference in acne scarring when I added in SR GG, that was the HG game changer for me. I added it first 2x a week, then 3 and so on. My skin tolerates it. Do what feels right for your skin.

I also try to get in a vitamin c mask (I like Ole's power bright) once a week or every other week because realistically I forget a lot. The vitamin C really helps lighten/brighten dark spots and even tone. If you find vitamin C is too much with other products, lemon is great too and more gentle. Tony moly has a nice lemon brightening sheet mask. I had a bad time trying to use vitamin C serum and acid treatments but found that a mask worked much better for me to get the benefits without mingling whatever wasn't playing nice. 

[bakeamuffin]

That’s so funny, these two products are what I use @KatieBT! At first I started with the DDG Alpha Beta Peels, I was actually looking for something with BHA to help clear up my blackheads, and found that it really helped my acne along with the blackheads. A couple of weeks ago I grabbed a sample of the TLC Framboos in store, and ever since incorporating it my skincare routine, my complexion has been even better! The appearance of my post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation caused by acne has also faded 😄 I just purchased the Night Brite set so I can play with it longer before committing to full size. 

I like to use the peel as a refresher in the middle of the week, Babyfacial on Sunday, and TLC framboos on the days I’m not using either of those. I rarely get pimples now and when I do they don’t last nearly as long (a few days compared to 2-3 weeks). 

My best advice would be to start with one of thoes products to see how your skin reacts and if it it goes well, incorporate the other after some time on an alternating schedule that works for you. You probably know this, but make sure to use SPF when using AHA and BHA products 😄 Good luck!

-if you try the DDG peel and find it too strong for you, use the second step immediately to neutralize the effects from the first peel. 

[RachFace2921]

DDG peel pads are good for resurfacing.

My HG for acne marks is Caudalie Vinoperfect Serum.  It won't prevent pimples, but is very soothing and hydrating, and quite effective at fading old scars and preventing new ones! 

I highly recommend, @KatieBT

[KatieBT]

@RachFace2921 oh I actually own the CAUDALIE - Vinoperfect Radiance Serum!

Okay maybe that will be my new daytime serum and I'll stick to the actives at night. Thanks for your help! 

[RachFace2921]

I 'upgraded' to the premier cru for a month, and noticed that I had a few acne marks that wouldn't fade.  I switched back to the Vinoperfect and they were gone within a week!  They weren't severe scars, but the Vinoperfect did the trick @KatieBT

[SchylarR]

I agree with everyone else's recommendations so far but I would also possibly look in to the N+F Glycolic Fix Serum! I use it every night and it seems to be the only thing that will clear up major issues by the morning. (I have attached a picture so that you can see what the bottle looks like)

Additionally, in order to maintain better oil levels in my skin (and prevent acne from having the chance to flare up to begin with) I have noticed that face washes with retinoids really help! Traditional acne ingredients (like salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide) always make my face WORSE than before. Thus, I have had to take many untraditional paths in order to see any improvement in my skin whatsoever. I have had dermatologists (I used to go to a few regularly) tell me before that products advertised as "anti-aging" are commonly beneficial for acne as well. That's why I decided to give retinoid face wash a try and it has been WONDERFUL!!! Paired with the glycolic fix serum at night (and a good moisturizer) I really see a difference! 

I'm sorry that you are having acne flare-ups. Those are never fun!!! 😞 Hopefully the recommendations on this board will help you out and clear up any issues easily! Much love, as always! @KatieBT

[KatieBT]

@SchylarR this is great advice thank you so much! Always good to hear success stories... There's hope!

Now I'm running to look into all of your recommendations. Thank you again!

[SchylarR]

No problem at all! 🙂 You know we always have your back here! @KatieBT

[greeneyedgirl107]

@KatieBT I rec a good BHA product to be used daily, and a benzoyl peroxide product to be used as a spot treatment.  Of course, a gentle liquid cleanser goes without saying.  

Antioxidants (esp. Vitamin C) and retinol are also helpful.

Best of luck!  🙂  I see a lot of posting about acne scars, so I know you are not alone.  I'm sure if you are proactive that you will be just fine!

[KatieBT]

Thank you so much @greeneyedgirl107! Any favorite BHAs? 

[greeneyedgirl107]

For BHA, I rec Paula's Choice.  I know Sephora doesn't carry the line, but fingers crossed that someday it will 🙂

[ryyy]

Just keep up on rotating products that contain AHAs (glycolic & lactic) as well as use something that has vitamin c. The acids will help with exfoliating and the vitamin c will reduce the scarring. The drunk elephant TLC and babyfacial are amazing, I also love the PTR pumpkin mask. I also recently fell in love with the Farmacy vitamin c mask. The process doesn’t work overnight, but you’ll start to see improvement after a few weeks.

[KatieBT]

@ryyy Thanks so much for this advice! I’m going to test out this product tagging business... 

I have had my eye on the Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Mask Enzymatic Dermal Resurfacer 5 oz for a long while! The FARMACY - Bright On Massage-Activated Vitamin C Mask with Echinacea GreenEnvy™ also looks incredible. To Sephora I go (again!). 

I will I’ll try to be patient - I think that’s the number one tip I need to internalize ASAP!

[RachFace2921]

This PTR mask is a holy grail for many, including me!

@KatieBT

[njattana]

My acne was similar in that it was primarily hormonal and in that lower jaw area.

What was instrumental for me was my Clarisonic - I truly notice a difference when I dont use.

Additionally I rotate SR Good Genes in there but lately I've been lazier about that. I also use MDSolarSciences sunscreen which has a high zinc content to prevent darkening of any old spots.

[KatieBT]

@njattana so funny story I have been testing the Clarisonic Mia 2 for weekly wow and do feel like it made a small difference in my breakouts! I have the Pro but lost the cradle charger... Need to find a new one asap!

Thanks for sharing what works for you - I definitely am trying to use a lot of physical sunscreen but should probably reapply mid-day to prevent as much damage as possible.