6 Must-Know Rules When Choosing a Scar Serum for Acne

Why Choosing the Right Scar Serum Matters

Anyone who has struggled with acne knows that there's nothing more frustrating than acne breakouts that get damaged and result in scars. These scars are caused when the skin is damaged after an acne breakout, usually when severe acne breaks the walls of the pores, damaging the surrounding tissue. The result?

Skin that has depressed or raised scars.

Acne scars are directly related to collagen loss when acne breakouts are in the healing phase; collagen imbalances make it difficult for the skin to properly repair itself, leading to a higher risk of visible scars. More than that, the scars themselves can cause damage to the surrounding tissues, reducing collagen production and leading to things like discoloration or hyperpigmentation. This can make the scars even more visible, leaving the appearance of red spots and uneven skin texture.

If you are struggling with acne scars, it's important that you select a serum specifically formulated to treat those scars.

Several studies indicate that the sooner you try to treat your acne scars with an acne scar serum, the better your results will be. Improper products might lead to irritation or worsening scars, but the right type of product can help exfoliate the skin to encourage cell turnover for raised scars, stimulate collagen to improve firmness around depressed scars, and increase things like vitamin C to reduce the hyperpigmentation that so often accompanies acne scarring.

6 Must-Know Rules When Choosing a Scar Serum for Acne

When choosing a serum for acne scars​, there are six must-know rules that you should follow.

#1. Look for Ingredients That Promote Skin Renewal

It is important that you focus on the ingredient list before you try or purchase any serum to reduce acne scars. While some serums might claim that they help with things like acne, this is not the same as helping to reduce the visibility of acne scars.

What matters most in the ingredient list are things that stimulate cell turnover. Cell turnover is what allows your current skin cells, those that might be damaged by scarring from acne, to shed and be replaced by healthier, newer skin cells that are not damaged.

So, the best serum for acne scars will contain ingredients that expedite this process, leading to healthier, clearer skin. PCA Skin Clarity Treatment 0.5% Retinol, for example, is effective for renewing skin and reducing the appearance of acne scars.

This product is a clinical strength formula that works as a night cream designed to clear acne and improve the health and glow in your skin by reducing acne scars.

Why It Matters:
Ingredients like retinol stimulate cell turnover, encouraging the skin to shed damaged cells and replace them with new, healthy ones.

#2. Choose Products with Soothing and Repairing Ingredients

In addition to ingredients that increase cell turnover, you should look for ingredients that are soothing, things that don't exacerbate acne or inflammation. What serum is good for acne scars and skin soothing?

Things like the Osmosis Rescue Epidermal Repair Serum can go a long way toward preventing further inflammation or redness while it's working. It provides soothing properties that help repair damaged skin and reduce redness. This means you won't have to contend with skin that looks worse over the first several weeks before it gets better.

The ingredient list is designed to rescue damaged skin and help repair your epidermal health and the health of your DNA to protect against additional damage and boost your skin's integrity. The active ingredients neutralize toxins, reduce external and internal inflammation, and activate skin wound repairs, a key component to reducing the visibility of acne scars.

Why It Matters:
Scar serums should calm irritated skin and support healing to prevent further inflammation or discoloration.

#3. Avoid Harsh Ingredients That Can Cause Irritation

When choosing a serum to use for acne scars, you want to avoid any ingredients that cause irritation. These are often tricky to find at first glance because they may not be clear-cut ingredients like chemical exfoliators that you know would cause redness or irritation. They might instead be strong acids that would irritate scarred skin.

Avoiding ingredients like these can help reduce pigmentation. Choose gentle formulations that balance effectiveness with skin tolerance.

Why It Matters:
Harsh chemicals and strong acids can aggravate sensitive, scarred skin and delay healing.

#4. Opt for Serums That Target Hyperpigmentation and Texture

For many, the best serum for acne scars​ will also contain products that actually improve texture and hyperpigmentation, as well as cell turnover. This is very important when addressing things like acne scars because scars tend to cause rough texture and pigmentation, so a product that reverses these can actually smooth out that texture, reduce pigmentation, and make it so that acne scars are much less visible.

One example is the PCA Skin Acne Gel. This gel helps reduce pigmentation and smooth the skin, improving scar visibility. Its advanced treatment is there to prevent future breakouts and fortify your skin by removing acne-causing bacteria and diminishing the pigmentation that follows acne scars.

Why It Matters:
Acne scars often involve uneven pigmentation and rough texture. Ingredients that address both aspects can significantly improve skin appearance.

#5. Consider Your Skin Type and Sensitivity

Before choosing the best serum for acne scars, consider the type of skin you have. Your skin type will determine how well you react to different serums. The serum that works for acne-prone skin might not be as effective for someone with oily skin or someone with sensitive skin.

For example:
If you have oily skin, you don't want comedogenic ingredients that will clog your pores and make acne worse, particularly oils, harsh exfoliants, certain silicones, or alcohol-based ingredients.
If you have dry skin, you don't want potential irritants like essential oils, including menthol and peppermint, retinols, harsh exfoliants like glycolic acid, or dehydrating ingredients. Instead, you would do better with alternative and moisturizing ingredients like glycerin, jojoba oil, or hyaluronic acid.
If you have sensitive skin, you want to avoid sulfates, alcohol, fragrances, or certain oils that could worsen your acne and scarring.

If you are unsure about a particular product and how it might react to your skin, you can always do a patch test. This is where you test the product on a small, inconspicuous part of your face to see if there are any adverse reactions. Conversely, if you are unsure, you can always consult a dermatologist about the products you are considering.

Why It Matters:
Different skin types may react differently to scar serums; what works for oily or acne-prone skin may not suit sensitive or dry skin.

#6. Be Patient and Consistent

If you are struggling with acne scars, it can seem like every day is a challenge when you apply a serum and you don't see immediate results. However, acne scars are not generated overnight, nor will they go away overnight.

To that end, it's important that you use any serum you have for acne scars as directed, usually daily or nightly, and give it several weeks to months for optimal results. The results will take time, even with highly effective and clinically proven ingredients. It is always important that you continue to use your acne scar serums regularly over the span of several weeks before you determine whether or not they are having any positive effects.

Why It Matters:
Acne scar treatment requires time and consistent use of serums to see visible improvements.

How to Incorporate Acne Scar Serums Into Your Skincare Routine

Once you find a good scar serum for acne​, follow these steps to incorporate it into your skincare routine:

Step 1: Cleanse and Tone

Start with a gentle cleanser and toner to prepare the skin for better absorption. If you try to apply any type of acne scars serum and you haven't cleaned your face, pollutants, sunscreens, makeup, and other products could clog your pores and block absorption, leading to poor results.

Step 2: Apply Scar Serum

Use the recommended amount of serum, applying it evenly over the scarred areas with gentle motions. It is important that you apply it gently so that you don't exacerbate any redness or irritation.
While it might seem faster to take a serum to use for acne scars and rub it quickly all over your face, this means most of the serum will end up on your hands and in between your fingers rather than on your face, and, more importantly, it could cause additional redness and inflammation.

Step 3: Moisturize and Protect

Follow with a soothing moisturizer and daily sunscreen to protect healing skin from further damage. Even the best serum to reduce acne scars won't be as effective if the key ingredients are allowed to evaporate.
So, following up with a good moisturizer and daily sunscreen can protect your skin by creating a barrier over the serum for acne scars and preventing it from evaporating so that it works all day.

Summing Up

What serum is good for acne scars? There are many options when it comes to the best serum for acne scars based on the formula and ingredients. If you struggle with acne scars, it is essential that you select a scar serum with the right ingredients, a gentle formulation, and consistent use for the best results.

The longer you stick with incorporating an acne scar serum into your skincare routine, the more likely you will see positive results over the span of several weeks.

Remember to consider your skin type and be particularly careful about the types of ingredients you select, looking for things that are hydrating, things that encourage cell turnover, and reduce inflammation. You can always do a test or consult a dermatologist if you are unsure which product works best for your skin type.

Try effective products like Osmosis Rescue Epidermal Repair Serum, PCA Skin Acne Gel, and PCA Skin Clarity Treatment 0.5% Retinol to start improving your acne scars today with a safe and targeted approach.

At Dermoi, we bring you a unique concept store dedicated to scientifically-verified skincare. Our experienced scientific team carefully studies and selects each product, ensuring only the most potent and effective options make it to our shelves. With Dermoi, you can be confident in using products that are high-quality and advanced.
For any questions about your skincare routine or product recommendations, our scientific team is available for support. Feel free to reach us by email at [email protected] or call (0)20 3963 9930, Monday through Friday, between 11am and 4pm.