What’s worse than having acne is dealing with acne scars, because it’s a constant reminder of our embarrassing teenage years and breakouts in our 20s and even 30s! Pregnancy can also cause breakouts or exacerbate existing scarring. Nobody wants acne, let alone acne scars! If you’re struggling with scarring, you’re not alone! Millions of people, even celebrities deal with this frustrating problem. Before I let you in on some amazing home remedies, let’s first get the low-down on what an acne scar is and what causes it.
What is an acne scar?
Acne scars usually occur at the end of skin inflammation or acne. The scars are caused by skin pores inflamed with excess oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria. The pore swells, causing a break in the follicle wall. The infected acne destroys the solid skin tissue and this becomes a scar on the skin.
Are there different types of acne scars?
Here is a quick rundown of the different types of acne scars you may have received: back acne scars, boxcar acne scars, rolling acne scars, atrophic acne scars, subcision acne scars, tretinoin acne scars, and microdermabrasion acne scars.
What do acne scars look like?
Acne scars vary in size, shape, and depth depending on how bad your case of acne was. They can be either depressed or raised. Depressed scars are where the surface of the skin has sunken because too much tissue was lost when the cyst dried up and eventually burst. Raised scars are where there is more tissue than usual under the top layer of skin which makes them noticeable as bumps or lumps.
Are acne scars permanent? Or can acne scars go away?
Acne scars are a bit more stubborn and can last anywhere between one month, three months, or years. However, acne scars can fade away and their appearance can be improved with the right treatment.
So how can we treat them?
Most people think over-the-counter products are the best way to treat acne – wrong. Over-the-counter products usually contain harmful chemicals and toxins that can do more damage to your skin.
The top-rated acne treatments use only natural ingredients, which don’t have any chemicals, toxins, or contaminants, and often have powerful anti-inflammatory or antibacterial properties. Unfortunately, natural ingredients and remedies aren’t always as convenient, so if you must, use acne products made with natural ingredients.
Natural ingredients will help you lighten the scars of your acne as well as gradually help you to remove your acne permanently. So now that we understand what an acne scar is and its causes, let’s answer the following questions: How to prevent acne scars? And how to get rid of them naturally?
Here are 15 natural home remedies to get rid of acne scars fast:
1) Tea Tree Oil:
Many people wonder if tea tree oil help with acne scars. One of the most popular and effective home remedies for curing acne problems is tea tree oil. Tea tree oil is packed with antibacterial properties, which allows this essential oil to fight the bacteria that cause skin problems, as well as reduce the redness and inflammation of pimples.
Directions:
You can apply this oil directly on the areas of concern or by mixing a few drops of tea tree oil with your regular face wash, then making sure you rinse off your face after 20 minutes. If you prefer to use cream instead of oil, try using Keeva Organics Acne Cream Treatment to get fast and effective results. Right now Keeva Organics is having a Buy 2 Get 1 FREE Sale on the #1 Tea Tree Oil Acne Cream in America.
2) Lemon Juice:
Lemon has natural bleaching properties and promotes clear skin. Vitamin C in lemon helps in rebuilding collagen and citric acid also helps to remove dead cells.
Directions:
Lemon can be used in various ways; apply fresh-squeezed lemon juice directly on your acne scars with your fingertips or a cotton ball and leave it on for about 20 minutes and then wash it off with lukewarm water. Do this once a day for two to three weeks; you will notice your scars will start fading day by day. You may also mix honey with your lemon juice to make it more effective in reducing acne scars.
3) Aloe Vera:
This natural ingredient does wonders for your skin; not only does it soothe swollen skin but it also helps in regenerate damaged tissues boosting the healing process. To see the best results, use a fresh gel-like substance directly from the aloe vera leaf than using over-the-counter products containing aloe vera. We love this Aloe Vera Gel from La Lune Naturals.
Directions:
Aloe vera can be applied directly to the affected areas. Leave it for about half an hour and then wash it off. Apply aloe vera gel twice daily to see the results in just a few days. This wonderful ingredient will have your scars diminish in no time, not to mention will leave your skin beaming!
4) Baking Soda:
Baking soda is a great and easy remedy for removing acne scars through its exfoliating effects. The granules of soda mixed with water remove the dead skin layer off your face without any inflammation caused during the application.
Directions:
Take 2 to 3 teaspoons of baking soda and 2 teaspoons of water and mix well until it forms into a thick paste. Apply this paste to the affected area and massage it in a circular motion. Leave it for 3 minutes and then wash your face with cool water.
5) Apple Cider Vinegar:
This is a very versatile and popular home remedy used for many things including acne! It is a good toner that helps to clear up scars and acne marks. Vinegar is a powerful astringent that also stimulates blood flow to areas, which speeds the healing and regeneration of cells. Apple cider vinegar also balances the pH level of your body and your skin when applied topically.
Directions:
Simply mix water and apple cider vinegar. Dip a cotton ball into the mixture and apply it directly to your acne scars. Leave it on for 5 to 10 minutes, and then wash it off with water. Repeat this daily. You could also add honey to your mixture if you desire.
6) Raw Tomato Slices:
Rubbing tomato slices on scars is also found to be effective in reducing the appearance of the marks or scars. Tomatoes are packed with vitamin A and carotenes, which not only provide a red color but are also antioxidant compounds that can heal damaged tissues and promote the healthy regrowth of cells.
Directions:
Take a ripe red tomato and cut it into pieces. Then crush the pieces to make a pulp of the tomato and apply the tomato pulp on your face and leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes. Lastly wash your face. You can repeat this routine daily for a week or two.
7) Cucumber:
Cucumber does wonders to your skin, as it contains vitamins and magnesium that are beneficial for your skin. Cucumbers also reduce inflammation, soothe the skin and heal the scars caused by acne.
Directions:
Slice up a fresh cucumber and lay the slices on the areas of concern. Leave the slices on for about 30 minutes, and then discard the slices of cucumber and wash off your face with water. Repeat this process daily to get fast results.
8) Olive Oil:
This is a great home remedy as olive oil is something many have at home! Olive oil is packed with natural antioxidants and promotes health benefits. It’s not only great for cooking but is amazing when lightening acne scars.
Directions:
Lightly massage olive oil onto the affected areas of concern; do this for a few minutes until you can feel all the oil absorbed by your skin. Using a clean towel or cloth, drape it into warm water. Place the warm wet cloth onto your face to get the steam. Then wipe away the excess oil gently with the cloth, trying not to rub. After 1 to 2 minutes, wash off your face with normal water.
9) Egg Whites:
Egg whites are another effective ingredient in treating acne scarring. Eggs contain a great amount of protein and will help tighten the pores to avert new breakouts while it lightens scarred skin.
Directions:
Apply egg whites on the scars using a cotton ball and leave it on overnight to get the best result. If you don’t want to leave it overnight, then apply egg whites to areas of concern and let it dry on the skin for a few minutes. Afterward, wash your face with lukewarm water and do this about two to three times a week.
10) Coconut Oil:
Coconut oil is an excellent ingredient for skincare, as it also is the best natural moisturizer and comes with recuperating properties. We recommend this fractionated Coconut Oil from La Lune Naturals.
Directions:
Use about a teaspoon of coconut oil and place it on the affected areas and let it dissolve. You do not need to wash it off as coconut oil is packed with many vitamins and vital unsaturated fats that will continue to enhance the health of your skin as you leave it on. If you prefer to not leave it on your skin, then leave it on for about 30 minutes and wash your face with mild face wash.
11) Raw Honey:
Honey is a great ingredient for clear skin and can help to reduce acne scars. It always leaves your skin feeling soft and moisturized. Honey contains antibacterial properties that help ward off infection.
Directions:
Using a teaspoon of honey, apply it all over your skin, especially onto the areas of concern. Gently massage in a circular motion and leave it on for 10 minutes, and then wash your face off with cold water.
12) Garlic:
Garlic is a very powerful ingredient that can be used to cure many such as acne scars! Garlic contains various properties such as antiviral, antifungal, and antioxidant components.
Directions:
Simply cut a fresh garlic clove into two pieces, and then rub the garlic on the affected areas while leaving it on for about 5 to 10 minutes. Repeat this treatment several times a day for faster results. You can also eat raw garlic cloves daily, which can help to purify your blood.
13) Potato Slices:
Potato juice is rich in vitamins as well as minerals; it is great for treating any kind of discoloration of your skin. Potatoes have excellent cosmetic properties that are useful in fading acne and pimple scars.
Directions:
All you have to do is simply rub a slice of raw potato or apply the potato juice directly to the affected areas of concern. Potatoes are known to lighten the marks due to their bleaching properties.
14) Turmeric Powder:
Turmeric has numerous beneficial properties such as antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant components which help to cure acne and pimple scars. We love this Turmeric Curcumin from Tranquility Labs. Simply open up the capsules to use the powder.
Directions:
The easiest way to use this ingredient is to mix it with water to form a paste. Once you made the paste, apply it directly to affected areas of concern. Leave it on until the paste dries, and then wash it off with water. Repeat this remedy daily for the best results.
15) Sandalwood:
Sandalwood is another excellent and effective acne scar remedy. Sandalwood aids in soothing the facial skin and fading away all acne scars, and spots on it. It is a natural astringent with a cooling effect that helps in cleansing the skin deeply.
Directions:
Combine sandalwood oil and water and mix until you form a paste. Simply apply the concoction to the affected areas and leave it on for about 15 minutes. Afterward, rinse off with cool water and pat dry.
Our Top Rated Solution: Tea Tree Oil
All in all, I hope that all the home remedies I shared with you come in handy. However, one question remains: does exfoliating help with acne scars? The answer lies in your skin. Since it is determined by heredity, there are many types of skin and therefore different responses to exfoliation. The absence or presence of improvement depends on the severity of the acne, the length of time since you last had an outbreak, how long you’ve been experiencing scarring, and other factors like overall health and stress levels. Taking these considerations into account before concluding whether exfoliating helps with acne scars.