First, a primer on what causes acne scars. Many acne scars are the result of picking pimples (and not a punishment for bad behavior in a past life). Whitney Johnson, Global Education Developer at The International Dermal Institute, says that popping zits and picking at your skin are guaranteed ways to get acne scars.
Instead of messing with a zit, apply acne treatments that contains salicylic acid, benzoyl peroxide or sulfur. These ingredients will help to diminish the zit faster, giving you less time to even think about squeezing it.
We recommend: Kate Somerville DermalQuench Clear, $58, has micro-encapsulated salicylic acid that distributes throughout the day, along with hyaluronic acid to keep skin moisturized, so you don't wind up with flaky, irritated skin.
Good for: Skin prone to hyperpigmentation and redness
Most acne or pimple breakouts cause redness, and Johnson says that calming initial redness can help the pimple heal faster so you're less likely to end up with acne scars. She recommends looking for acne treatment products that feature ingredients that help with inflammation, like licorice, yeast, horse chestnut, green tea or oats.
Wondering how to get rid of acne scars? We feel you, girl. Though the lifespan of a pimple is usually about three days, acne scars can last for weeks, months -- or even years. The good news is that there are acne scar treatments and skin-care technologies that can obliterate hyperpigmentation and retexturize skin to make acne scars a thing of the past.
Whether you're interested in how to prevent a pimple from scarring in the first place or the best acne products, we're filling you in on how to get rid of the annoying remnants of past breakouts and pimples.
We chatted with skin care experts to find out the newest treatments for acne scars, so you can finally get the clear skin you've always wished for. They filled us in on the ingredients that will diminish acne scars and the treatments that will zap them away. Plus, M.A.C. makeup artist John Stapleton shared his tips about how to hide acne scars as you wait for these acne scar treatments to kick in.
