Dealing with acne can be bad enough, but the only thing worse than breakouts is the aftermath that is of acne scars and marks that linger behind long after the spots have cleared up. These stubborn, damaged areas of skin can refuse to heal and leave an uneven surface on your face.
However, some scarring needs to be treated by a dermatologist, while others can be cleared using basic home remedies.
Some natural ingredients contain lightening properties that can gently and naturally fade your acne scars and marks.
So, keep reading as we help you to identify your scars and lighten them with simple ingredients that you can find in your home.
Getting rid of acne scars and marks can be really difficult, however, the right ingredients and treatments can really help to reduce its appearance. While regular facials and laser treatments can significantly and rapidly lighten these scars, they can be quite costly. Natural ingredients, however, can be less invasive and contains nutrients that are essential for skin health, allowing it to heal gently and effectively.
Loaded with vitamins and antioxidants, natural ingredients are much safer on the skin and can promote cell repair so you can get smooth skin without burning a hole in your pocket. You might already have the best scar removal treatments in your kitchen.
What Causes Acne Scars?
Acne scars are caused when a spot or blemish is popped or inflamed, leaving damaged skin behind.
It is the cause of your body’s natural attempt to heal itself, however, when the infection in acne spreads to the deeper layers of the skin, it can cause a scar or mark to appear.
While most of these types of scars reduce over time, natural remedies or treatments can help to speed up the process of getting clearer skin.
Types of Acne Scars
Acne scars can take many forms and come in many different shapes, sizes and colours.
However, some skin irregularities may not be acne scars at all, so it is important to identify what is in first.
It is important to know what type of acne scar you have so that you can achieve optimal results by choosing the treatment that suits your needs best.
The four main types of acne scars/marks are:
Icepick Scars
These scars are deep and narrow that causes a pitted appearance on the skin’s surface. It is the most common type of acne scarring.
Rolling Scars
This type of scarring is formed under the skin and gives it a wave-like appearance, making it uneven.
Boxcar Scars
Boxcar scars are similar to icepick scars. While it is pitted like icepick scars are, it is wider and has sharper edges.
Hyperpigmentation
These are dark marks or discolouration left on the skin after breakouts. While many people mistake these for scars, they are actually marks caused by inflammation.
Home Remedies to Treat Acne Scars
Regardless of what type of acne scar or mark you have, these natural home remedies can help you combat it gently, effectively and naturally.
So, experiment around to find the treatment that best works for your skin.
Lemon Juice
Lemon is known for its natural lightening properties. Rich in vitamin C, lemon juice promotes collagen synthesis that can promote skin renewal, while lightening dark spots. This makes it great for eliminating hyperpigmentation and dark spots. However, avoid using this method if you have sensitive or sunburnt skin as it can cause irritation.
Squeeze some fresh lemon juice and apply it to the affected areas on your face.
Leave it for 10 minutes and then wash off with lukewarm water.
Try to only repeat this method twice a week, as using it excessively can dry out your skin.
Baking Soda
Baking soda is not just for baking. It is also a natural exfoliant that can be used to remove dead skin cells, and also can restore the PH of your skin to help reduce the appearance of pigmentation.
Create a simple baking soda scrub or face mask by mixing a teaspoon of baking soda with water to create a thick paste.
To use as a face mask, leave it on your face for 5 minutes until it becomes dry.
Alternatively, you can also use it as a face scrub and massage the product on your face to promote blood flow, which will speed up the healing process.
Orange Peel
Bursting with natural oils, vitamins and bleaching properties, orange peel is great for healing acne scars and keeping blemishes at bay.
It is also packed with antibiotic and antioxidant properties, making it the perfect remedy for acne scars and marks.
To make an easy but effective orange peel face mask, carefully peel an orange and leave the skin to dry up.
Once it is fully dry, grind it into a powder and mix with water to make a paste.
Simply apply this to your face until it’s dry, wash off and repeat twice a week to reveal smooth and improved skin.
Turmeric
Known as the healing spice, turmeric has numerous health and beauty benefits. This powerful yellow spice can help to reduce scar tissue, help to reduce the appearance of dark spots and improve overall skin quality.
While it is great for the skin, turmeric can easily stain the face to leave a yellow tinge. To avoid this, mix half a tablespoon of turmeric with a tablespoon of natural yoghurt or honey.
Apply it evenly all over your face and wash it off once it has dried.
Avoid keeping it on your face for too long to avoid it staining the skin.
Suggested Article: Skin-Boosting Herbal Tea for your Skincare Routine.
Honey
Honey is antiseptic in nature; therefore, it minimizes the severity of breakouts and inflammation that can lead to acne scars. It helps to heal the damaged skin cells while keeping the skin extremely moisturized to prevent further spots from appearing.
Apply a thin layer of raw honey to your face and leave it to work its magic for 10 minutes.
Before washing the mask off, massage it into your skin in circular motions to really absorb its properties.
Then, simply wash the honey off with lukewarm water and apply it every other day.
Apple Cider Vinegar
The acidic PH in apple cider vinegar kills acne-causing bacteria while stimulating blood flow to the applied areas of the skin to speed up the healing process. It also tones the skins to repair and remove dead skin cells. However, due to its high acidity, it can cause irritation on the sensitive or sunburnt skin.
To create a face mask, combine two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar with one teaspoon of baking soda or ground oatmeal to make a thick paste.
Then apply it evenly to the face while avoiding the eye area.
Leave it on for 10 minutes and wash it off with warm water.
Remember to only use this mask once a week, as using it more often can dry out the skin and cause more breakouts.
Oatmeal
Oatmeal is the perfect natural remedy for people with sensitive skin as it is incredibly gentle and soothes irritated or dry skin. It also works as a natural exfoliate that removes dead skin cells to encourage new cell growth, while rejuvenating the skin.
Grind up 3 tablespoons of oatmeal and mix it with 1 and a half tablespoon of water or milk.
Then apply it to your skin and leave it to dry.
Once it has dried, the mask will act as a gentle exfoliate as you wash it off.
Repeat this process three times a week for best results.
Suggested Article: DIY Natural Facial Popsicles for Glowing Skin
Potato
Potatoes work wonders for pigmentation and acne scars. The high starch content helps fight against blemishes, while the enzymes in the potato lighten any discolouration. It also contains numerous vitamins that reduce premature ageing, while brightening and lightening your skin.
Wash and peel a potato and cut it into thick slices.
Next, take the raw potato slice and rub the juices into your skin.
Let the juice then sit on your face for 20 minutes.
Simply wash it off with lukewarm water and apply twice a week for clearer skin.
Preventing Acne Scars
When your skin is prone to scarring, don’t wait until the scars have formed to treat them.
It is important to take action to prevent new scars from forming. One they have formed they are more difficult to treat. Here are some of the essential steps to take in order to stop the acne scars in its tracks.
Suggested Article: How to Treat & Reduce Stretch Marks and Cellulite.
Treat Acne as Soon as It Appears
It may seem obvious, however, the first step to preventing acne scars is to prevent acne.
Get your acne under control as soon as it appears, if not before. However, if your acne is extremely severe, paying your doctor a visit is the best thing you can do for your skin to get the best advice from a health professional.
Suggested Article: Create an all-natural skincare routine with products from home.
Don’t Touch the Spot
It can be extremely difficult to resist the urge of popping a projecting spot, however, this can only do more harm to your skin than good. When you pop a spot, you leave behind an open wound which can infect the zit and cause it to leave a scar. Therefore, it is important to leave the spot alone and let it heal by itself.
While this is easier said than done, popping it will only interfere with the skins natural healing process.
Protect your Skin with Sunscreen
If you are regularly exposed to sunlight without protection, the UV rays could be causing your scars to darken through stimulating pigment production and slow down the healing process. In order to reduce the risk of scarring, make sure you wear SPF daily.
Not only will this make your scars much less noticeable, but it will also allow it to recover faster while keeping your skin protected from the sun’s harmful rays.
Suggested Article: Skin Icing – Why Freezing Your Face Could Be the Answer to Radiant Skin.
Drink Water, Lots of it
It’s a very well-known fact that drinking enough water every day can do wonders for the skin. Therefore, there aren’t any exceptions when it comes to acne scars. Staying hydrated is the natural way to detox your body and flush out toxins from your system.
Not only will this prevent breakouts, but if you already have acne scars, it can speed up the healing process as it promotes new skin growth to alleviate scarring.
To learn more about how to combat acne with natural remedies, click here to read our article on how to Make Your Own Natural DIY Face Masks for Every Skin Type.