The most effective home remedies for acne scars include the use of sandalwood, ice, tomato, cucumber, eggs, turmeric, and aloe vera. You can also heal your acne scars by using apple cider vinegar, lime juice, honey, lavender oil, fenugreek, and a variety of organic products. Hydrating yourself regularly helps boost skin health too.
Home Remedies for Acne Scars
Acne scars are the pits, raised tissue, and bumpy areas that one observes post the healing of acne wounds. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) reports that this intense skin condition afflicts as many as 50 million Americans. Mild acne scars heal on their own, while the deep scars might remain on the skin for one’s entire life. [1]
Home remedies are a good way to deal with acne scars. They are especially useful in cases of severe infection or when acne has been pricked, squeezed or scratched. The commonly used home remedies for acne scars include the following: [2]
Tomato Slices
Rubbing tomato slices on scars is thought to be effective in reducing the appearance of the marks or scars. This is partially due to the vitamin A and carotenoids in tomatoes, which not only contribute to their red coloring but are also antioxidant compounds that can heal damaged tissues and promote the healthy re-growth of cells.
Cucumber Juice
Cucumber juice is an ideal skin toner, which is said to help improve the texture of the skin. Cucumbers reduce inflammation, soothe the skin and heal the scars caused by acne.
Sandalwood Paste
Apply a mixture of sandalwood paste in rosewater and leave it on your face overnight, then wash it off the next morning. Repeat this process until there is a marked improvement in scars. [3]
The usefulness of sandalwood in skincare is very well known. It has been one of the traditional, essential elements of make-up kits for women in India for many years. Even today, several brands prepare soaps that highlight sandalwood as one of its key ingredients.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is one of the most popular home remedies for curing acne problems. This diluted oil is applied to the spots affected by acne. There is a strong belief that this oil consists of terpinene-4-ol, which eliminates bacterial activity and kills the bacteria. It neutralizes the acne bacteria called Propionibacterium and other dangerous bacteria, which dwell on your skin and can quickly develop into acne.
The organic acids in apple cider vinegar may help kill acne-causing bacteria and reduce the appearance of scars. Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Egg Whites
Egg whites are easy to obtain and are effective in treating acne scarring. Apply egg whites topically on the scars using a cotton ball, and leave it on overnight to get the best effect. Eggs contain a large amount of protein, and by applying them directly to your skin, they have been known to speed the healing process. Proteins are the building blocks of cellular tissue, and muscle, so directly applying it to the skin has been found to boost the speed of your acne scar recovery. [4]
Herbs
Herbs such as turmeric, aloe vera, and sage are thought by many to be effective in treating acne scars. Turmeric has been used for thousands of years in Asia as a beauty product; applying turmeric paste to the skin or ingesting turmeric is effective in the management of acne scars. Sage and aloe vera are well known healing agents, which can bring relief to acne scars. Soak sage in hot water, allow it to cool, and then apply it on the skin. Aloe vera can be applied directly to the skin. [5] [6]
Apple Cider Vinegar
It is a good toner that has been found by many to aid in clearing up scars and acne marks. Vinegar is a powerful astringent that also stimulates blood flow to areas, which speeds healing and regeneration of cells.
Lime Juice
Apply freshly squeezed lime or lemon juice on the scars, and let it sit for a few minutes before washing it off. The bleaching property of lime juice makes the acne marks less visible. Lime juice also helps in the removal of dead skin cells and the regeneration of new cells, along with improving the elasticity of the skin. [7]
Olive Oil
Olive oil not only makes food appetizing during the process but can also lighten acne scars. Lightly massage olive oil onto the skin, and it will make the skin smooth again and reduce the scars. Olive oil is packed with natural antioxidants, which is why it is frequently used around the world for a variety of health benefits. In terms of clearing the skin of marks and scars, it is one of the best options for a home remedy. [8]
Honey
Honey is a natural moisturizer often used in the treatment of acne scars. Including honey in your diet and applying a honey mask on the face are two ways which are found to be effective in acne scar treatment. [9]
Water
Water is probably the best available non-topical, natural method to treat acne scars. It’s important to always drink plenty of water as it helps flush out the toxins from your body and revitalize it. Water also assists in shedding dead skin cells and aids in the formation of healthy skin. Drinking lukewarm water in the morning specifically helps in flushing out toxins. [10]
Mint Juice
You can always apply mint juice on the face as it is thought to be a nutrient-rich substance, connected with anti-inflammation and a reduction in acne symptoms.
Strawberry Leaves
After eating strawberries, do not throw away their leaves! They are known by many to help cure pimples on the face.
Rosehip Seed Oil
Rosehip seed oil may reduce acne scars and lessen discoloration. This oil is a powerful anti-aging agent, which reduces wrinkles and rejuvenates the skin. Rosehip seed oil is an important ingredient in cosmetic products and is commonly used to treat acne scarring, facial scarring, sun damage, and premature aging. Massage the skin with this oil two times a day for the best results. [11]
Lavender Oil
Application of lavender oil on acne scars can revitalize the skin since it has many regenerative properties. [12]
Fenugreek
It is commonly used in the treatment of acne scars. Boil some fenugreek seeds in water and allow them to cool before applying to the scars. The application of a face mask made from a paste of fenugreek leaves is also quite effective.
Consult with your doctor before trying any home remedy for acne as there may be side effects. Photo Credit: Shutterstock
Other Remedies
Apart from the most common remedies mentioned above a few other remedies include:
Makeup and Creams
For women who want to reduce the appearance of their acne scars, be sure to choose the makeup that is light, non-greasy, and oil-free. It is natural to want to cover the scars, but if you do it with harsh makeup or more chemicals, you could be making the problem worse. [13]
Vitamin E
This essential vitamin helps in countering pimples since it is a natural antioxidant that eliminates free radicals associated with skin diseases. The common vitamin E supplements are soft gelatin capsules containing pure vitamin E along with glycerin, water, and soybean oil.
Toothpaste
You can apply toothpaste on the acne to relieve swelling and pain every night for at least a week to experience a significant improvement.
Ice
Applying ice to the face helps tighten pores and to reduce the secretion of acne-causing sebum. Ice also works as a natural astringent to tighten up the pores around marks and scars, making scarring less obvious, by decreasing the size of the pores that were affected by acne in the first place.
Fuller’s Earth
This beneficial substance is commonly used for cleaning oily skin, clearing out skin pores, and diminishing scars due to acne. A face pack prepared from a mixture of fuller’s earth and rose water can be applied for quick results as it can reduce the effects of any sebum that has been additionally built up beneath the pores on the face.
Dietary Solutions
Applying natural or herbal products to the affected areas of acne scars can be helpful, but it is not the only solution. Remember that other skincare issues are solved both internally and externally. Be sure to maintain a healthy, balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals, particularly those that are renowned for boosting skin health, like vitamin A, and antioxidant-rich foods. One idea is to include fruits and vegetables in your daily diet to reduce acne scars. [14]
Word of Caution: Home remedies are only recommended for mild acne scars. If you have a secondary infection or deep scars, you should consult a qualified dermatologist before trying home remedies.
