Everything you need to know about acne scar treatment products and whether they work

Many products help battle painful, pus-filled zits but how do you treat the pits they leave behind? Thankfully, there is more than one acne scar treatment cream on the market today and while no formula can completely rid you of a pimple-caused skin indent, there are those that can minimise its appearance. Ingredients like lactic acid, retinol and kojic acid can brighten the area and even out the skin texture to gradually reduce the appearance of scars.

Why acne scars happen

Acne scars form when breakouts penetrate deep into the skin and damage the underlying tissue. When the skin attempts to repair itself, it produces collagen, but sometimes it makes too little, creating pitted or indented scars and sometimes too much, leading to raised, thickened marks.

Inflammatory acne, such as cysts and nodules, is more likely to scar because it triggers a stronger immune response, which can disrupt normal healing. Even post-acne pigmentation (those lingering dark or red marks) is the skin’s way of reacting to inflammation. Genetics, skin type, and whether you pick or squeeze pimples (a major culprit) also influence whether a blemish leaves a long-term mark. Understanding how scars form can help you choose treatments that are realistic, effective and suited to your skin’s needs.

Topicals can make a real difference, but they work gradually,” says Dr Bindu Sthalekar, founder-medical director of Skin Smart Solutions. “Retinoids, azelaic acid, vitamin C, and niacinamide help with texture and pigmentation, but deeper or long-standing scars need in-clinic treatments like Fractional CO₂ laser, or Microneedling RF for visible, smoother results.”

An at-home guide to treating acne scars

If in-clinic procedures feel daunting, too expensive or simply not right for you, there are still plenty of effective ways to care for acne scars at home. Gentle, consistent skincare can gradually improve tone and texture without the need for machines or needles. Focus on barrier-strengthening ingredients like niacinamide, ceramides and peptides that help support healthy skin regeneration.

Regular exfoliation with mild AHAs or PHAs can smooth uneven texture over time, while antioxidant-rich serums (such as vitamin C) brighten lingering marks. Most importantly, daily sunscreen use prevents scars from darkening and allows active ingredients to work better. While at-home care may take longer, it’s a low-pressure, sustainable approach that still delivers visible improvement with patience and consistency. Many acne scar treatment products take a few weeks to yield results, so stick to your routine and don’t layer on too many actives at once.

Read on to discover dermatologist-approved products for acne scars.

Cicatrix Cream

Cicatrix Scar Reducing Cream contains natural ingredients like activated centella asiatica and pinus sylvestris that help reduce acne scars, hypertrophic scars, recent and old scars, burn marks, acne, and stretch marks.

AcneScar Advanced Gel by Brinton

AcneScar Advanced Gel by Brinton contains natural botanical extracts such as allium cepa, bellis perennis flower extract, and aloe vera extract, which do not aggravate acne and help in scar reduction.

Abbot Melaglow Rich Cream

Abbot Melaglow Rich Cream is an acne scar treatment, especially for PIH (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation). This cream has ingredients that break down pigmentation like Kojic acid but don’t worsen the redness and cause PIE (post-inflammatory erythema).

Biluma

With a combination of Kojic acid, Alpha arbutin, and niacinamide, Biluma Depigmentation and Skin Lightening Cream works really well on marks or scars left behind by acne.

Glyco 6 Cream

Glyco 6 cream contains Glycolic acid (AHA), a potent antioxidant and keratolytic activity to bust those stubborn pigmented acne scars away.

CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Facial Serum for Acne Prone Skin

CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Facial Serum targets post-acne marks and visible pores, refining skin texture with retinol. The key ingredients in this serum are ceramides and niacinamide which work to restore the skin’s barrier and provide soothing benefits. Formulated by dermatologists, it brightens, smoothens, and evens skin tone for a more even complexion.

Minimalist Anti-Acne Routine

A science-led brand known for straightforward formulas and high-performance actives. Their acne-picks are fuss-free, effective, and make it easy to build a routine that actually works.

La Roche-Posay Gel Wash

A gentle no-nonsense wash that cuts through excess oil without stripping your skin. Perfect for days when your face feels congested and you want some clarity.