The Best Cream for Acne Scars

Acne may be a common skin condition, affecting most people at some point in their lives, but if you suffer from acne you'll want a solution that works.

Medical treatment might be needed for the most severe acne cases, but usually acne can be managed at home using topical medications.

There are lots of different acne creams, so how do you know which one to choose?

Before you find the best cream for acne scars, it's important to understand what causes acne and what problem you're trying to solve.

What are acne scars? What causes them?

Most people think of acne as a teenage problem. That's because acne usually starts during puberty.

Most people find that their acne clears up without leaving any lasting damage. Usually, people with teenage acne have clear skin by their mid-20s.

Sometimes, acne sticks around for longer. Some people have acne beyond their mid-20s. Some people are left with scars.

Before you can effectively manage your acne, you'll need to know what's causing it. Acne's caused by a hormonal imbalance, leading the skin to produce too much oil which feeds your skin's natural bacteria. As your skin produces excess oil, your pores end up being blocked. Any blocked pore can become inflamed, turning red or getting infected.

Anyone can be affected by acne, but it's more common during hormone changes that happen through the menstrual cycle. Acne's not always constant. Some people suffer flare-ups, but find that there are times when their acne settles down and fades away. Others have constant acne for years, facing anything from mild spots to lumps on the skin and pus-filled cysts.

Many people reach for creams to help manage their acne, but you need to find the right products. Many creams aren't designed for acne spots, so they could simply clog your pores more. If you want to help your skin to recover, use specialist acne creams and tried-and-tested solutions.

Sunscreens

Acne scarring is a serious risk if you suffer from larger acne spots. Protecting your skin is essential. The sun can damage your skin and your acne spots might not react well with itchy sunburn, so if you live somewhere that's warm and sunny it's vital that you keep wearing sunscreen.

Many sunscreens are designed to be quite thick, so they'll clog your acne-prone pores. Specialist sunscreens have been designed to continue to let your skin breathe.

Why do they work for acne scars?

Sunscreens work for acne scars because they offer UV protection. They're shielding your skin from further damage, with the sun's UV rays being a cause of burns, discoloration and, in severe cases, cancer.

Even when you suffer from acne, protection from the sun is important. Sadly, many sunscreens aren't designed with existing acne problems in mind. You shouldn't feel like you need to skip the sunscreen if you want to avoid an acne flare-up.

Sunscreens designed with acne sufferers in mind are lighter and more gentle on skin. They don't contain as many chemicals, or heavy pore-blocking ingredients.

What are some good sunscreens?

EltaMD Clear Facial Sunscreen

Specifically designed for your face, EltaMD Clear Facial Sunscreen will protect from UVA and UVB. It uses ingredients that won't cause acne flare-ups, so it feels lightweight and easy to wear without making your skin feel greasy.

EltaMD isn't water resistant, so it's not good if you're swimming. Instead, it works best as a daily sunscreen to be applied every two hours. It's free from any fragrance and comes without ingredients that might hurt and irritate your skin, using zinc oxide – a natural mineral – instead of more abrasive chemicals.

Cicatricure Scar Cream and Sunscreen

Cicatricure doesn't just protect your skin from new damage – it also contains three active ingredients designed to reduce existing scarring. This sunscreen provides UV protection along with effective moisturization to make your skin look smoother and more even.

Cicatricure Scar Cream and Sunscreen should be applied three times a day. After 8 weeks of use, you should see a difference in the condition of your skin. Scars may be less obvious.

Though this cream should be applied three times a day to reduce the appearance of scarring, it should also be applied every two hours when you want the best protection from the sun. Be prepared to apply more frequently if sunburn prevention is your goal.

Cicablock Scar Sun Protection

Cicablock contains Vitamin E that's used to reduce existing scarring. It also offers protection from UVA and UVB rays. It's water resistant, so you can use it safely if you're relaxing near the pool.

Ideally you shouldn't apply any makeup whilst you're suffering from acne, but if you choose to ignore this recommendation then it might help to know that Cicablock Sun Protection can be applied underneath your makeup. This is a vegan product, and though the tube is very small you need only a thin layer for protection.

Cicablock's only SPF 15, so it offers less protection from the sun than some other acne-friendly sunscreens, but it can be used to actively improve the condition of new and old scars.

Specialist Acne Scar Treatment Creams

Specialist treatment creams have just one job. They're designed specifically to help with acne scarring, soothing the skin and giving it a chance to heal properly. Specialist acne creams aren't a magic cure, so they're very unlikely to completely remove scar tissue that's already developed. They can reduce old scar tissue, however, and be used to stop new scars from developing.

Why do they work for acne scars?

It's important not to expect too much from any acne scar treatment creams. Once your skin has been scarred, there's likely to always be some lasting sign of the damage. Fortunately, specialist acne scar creams can make your scarring less obvious.

Specialist creams soak into the skin, hydrating the skin cells so they look fuller and fresher. Against properly hydrated and healthy skin cells, scarring becomes a lot less obvious.

Acne scar treatment creams are often intense moisturizers. They get to work making skin less dry, so it's in better condition and more able to heal if your acne continues to affect you.

What are some good acne scar treatment creams?

Aichun Beauty Gel Cream

Designed to help with all types of scars, but with gentle ingredients that won't cause further acne flare-ups, Aichun Beauty Gel Cream feels surprisingly light against skin. Like many acne scar creams, it works by helping to hydrate and refresh your skin cells.

This effective moisturizing cream sinks into lower layers of your skin. Applied regularly, it can reduce the appearance of existing acne scars. Using a good scar cream, like this product, can also leave your skin more flexible so it can recover from any newer damage.

Evologie Blemish Serum

Evologie Blemish Serum works in two different ways. First, it hydrates and moisturizes skin so that existing scars look less obvious. Next, it cleanses skin to reduce bacteria and lower the risk of infection.

Though acne isn't caused by dirty skin, the excess oil that your body's producing can help bacteria to thrive. Sadly, cleaning your skin with soap and water might make things even worse! Soap products often contain irritating fragrance, but Evologie's serum is a mild product that cleans without those excess ingredients.

You can use Evologie Blemish Serum directly on existing individual acne spots, or all over your skin for wider coverage and the prevention of new acne.

Keeva Organics Tea Tree Oil Acne Treatment Cream

Made using tea tree oil, Keeva Organics Acne Treatment Cream is designed to hydrate and refresh. It uses several natural oils to add moisture to your skin, along with Vitamin E to help reduce signs of acne scarring.

Tea tree oil has antifungal properties, and helps to destroy the bacteria that thrive when your body's hormones aren't balanced. As a cream, this should be applied widely across problem areas.

Acne Scar Prevention

Acne scar prevention products aren't designed for your existing scars. Instead, they've been made to equip your skin with the tools it needs to stop further scarring. These products often are intensely hydrating, making sure that your skin is fresh and in the best possible condition. That way, it's better able to heal if your acne leaves any wounds.

Why is prevention better than a cure?

Scars develop when your skin hasn't healed as it should. Your skin contains collagen that, in the right quantity, helps it to flex and move properly. Sometimes, during the healing process, too much collagen is used. Think of it like your body rushing to fix things, occasionally making mistakes.

Once your new skin cells have been made with too much collagen, there's nothing that can take it away. Over time, any scars you have will naturally fade and look less visible. Of course, it's better to reduce the risk of developing those scars in the first place.

Your skin's more likely to do a good job of healing if it's healthy and properly hydrated. You can help your body with the healing process by drinking plenty of fresh water, as well as making sure that you get the right nutrients through the food that you're eating. You can also support healthy and flexible skin with acne scar prevention products.

Once a scar exists, you can use certain products to soothe your skin and make your scar less visible. If you want to reduce your risk of scarring, preventative measures are sensible.

Why do acne scar prevention products work?

Acne scar prevention creams will hydrate and moisturize your skin. They're keeping it in better condition, so it's ready to react to any damage that's caused by the acne on the surface.

Acne scarring might be caused when a cyst or spot is knocked, scratched or damaged when fresh. It can leave a small pit on the surface of your skin, and it's this pit that your body tries to fill. If your body's rushing and your skin's not at its best, you're likely to be left with excess collagen leading to a visible scar. Acne scars typically start very red. The skin is less flexible than it should be, and your scars can feel quite sore and itchy. Over time, these scars might fade to white and they'll be a lot harder to see.

Acne scar prevention products give your skin a fighting chance. They can't guarantee that you'll be free from acne scars, but can help to keep your skin fresh.

Many acne scar prevention products also work as mild cleansers, being fragrance-free and free from any harsh chemicals. They'll destroy bacteria that thrives on oily skin, so it's less likely to find its way into wounds and your skin's pores. That way, there's a lower chance of infection and a reduced risk of inflammation.

What are some good acne prevention products?

Clean & Clear Foaming Facial Cleanser

Easy to use and gentle on skin, Clean & Clear Foaming Cleanser will help to wash away the oil that bacteria will thrive on. Many soaps and cleansing products use harsher chemicals that can start to dry out your skin, but Clean & Clear will moisturize as it cleanses so your skin's left vibrant and refreshed.

Acne is caused by an over-production of oil, from a hormone imbalance. Removing excess oil is vital if you want to stop the growth of acne-causing bacteria.

As a daily face wash, Clean & Clear should be used in the morning and evening. Simply apply the product to your skin, gently massaging and being careful not to knock any acne spots. Afterwards, you can rinse with cold water so the product isn't left on your skin.

Neutrogena Acne-Fighting Facial Cleanser

A lightweight face wash that moisturizes and refreshes, Neutrogena Acne-Fighting Facial Cleanser makes use of salicylic acid. This product works by removing dead skin cells, meaning that pores are less likely to get blocked and can more easily heal.

As with other preventative products, it's best to use this product daily. Morning and night, wash your face by applying Neutrogena Facial Cleanser and then rinsing it away. When applying the cleanser, make sure your skin is wet and be careful to avoid the risk of knocking or damaging your acne spots.

Proactiv Acne Cleanser

An intensive cleanser for acne-prone skin, Proactiv Acne Cleanser has great moisturizing properties to help keep your skin fresh and supple. This product contains hyaluronic acid, which has been shown to speed up healing and reduce skin lines and wrinkles. When your skin is being damaged by acne spots, it's this active ingredient that may help it recover without any long-lasting scars.

Cleansing ingredients in this Proactiv product will get right into your pores. They'll help to wash away any problem bacteria, complete with little exfoliating beads that make sure your skin's completely clean and is free from dead skin cells.