Top 5 Ways to Naturally Fade Post Acne Marks

Isn’t it a bit frustrating to battle new acne after you’ve just finished battling a previous pesky acne mark you’ve been trying to get rid of for a month?

 When a swollen acne blemish finally goes away, it’s all too often replaced by a frustrating reminder, in the form of an unsightly red or brown mark. Actually, frustrating is an understatement!

Post acne marks or more commonly referred to as  hyperpigmentation, are different from acne scarring. A post acne mark is an area of skin that has changed pigmentation, usually being pink, red, purple, or brown in color. However, it doesn’t change the texture of your skin by creating a pitted area as an acne scar would. If you have skin discoloration without a change in texture (after dealing with a breakout) then you more than likely have post acne marks.

Post acne marks are usually a response to inflammatory acne, though little red or brown dots may be seen after a typical breakout as well.It’s a completely normal response to your body’s inflammation process, but that doesn’t make it any less annoying!

People who frequently expose themselves to the sun’s UV rays for a long period of time without applying sunscreen and those who previously had skin inflammation are more likely to suffer from this type of dermatologic conditions.

Hyperpigmentation is often referred to as post acne marks and is a harmless condition in which the skin patches become darker in color than its usual normal surrounding skin. This hyperpigmentation occurs as a direct result of an increased melanin synthesis caused by increased hormonal levels in one’s body. There are different types of post acne marks or hyperpigmentation: melasma, sun spots, post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), age spots and freckles.

Here are few top ways to fade post acne marks or acne related hyperpigmentation:

• Reach For A Brightening Serum.
• Exfoliate To Fade The Appearance Of Acne Marks
• Protect With SPF
• Don’t Pick At Acne
• Use Lightening Creams
• Microdermabrasion/Dermabrasion
• Dermal filler
• Microneedling
• Cosmeceuticals

Below are a few more ways to fade post acne marks quickly, for more even, glowing, and radiant skin!

• Vitamin C
• Rosehip Oil
• Turmeric
• Banish Fighter Gel (Aloe Vera)
• Vitamin E
•  Grapeseed Extract
• Coconut Oil
• Baking Soda
• Apple Cider Vinegar
• Onion Extract
• Honey

1)  Vitamin C 

Perhaps one of the most powerful acne mark and scar fighting treatments on the market, Vitamin C can be taken orally or applied topically to quickly reduce the look of post acne marks. Adding a vitamin C supplement not only speeds up the healing of wounds but it also dramatically reduces redness and inflammation in acne by calming inflammatory responses. Vitamin C helps acne pigmentation by slowing down melanin formation and supporting collagen production when applied topically. This means your spots won’t be as inflamed, irritated, or as red; in general they will appear less visible and be less painful. It’s a win-win for everyone!

Lemon juice is rich in vitamin C, which can brighten skin and even skin tone. Vitamin C has been shown to be an  effective depigmenting agent that decreases melanin formation. According to the Cleveland Clinic, L-ascorbic acid can help reduce the appearance of scarring and even out your skin tone by boosting collagen production.

One of my favorite Vitamin C loaded products is the  Banish Oil from Banish Acne Scars. It contains vitamin C, ferulic acid, and Vitamin E oil - proving to be a powerhouse for post acne marks and acne scars.

 2)  Rosehip Oil 

Rosehip oil tackles post acne marks in a different approach. It contains vitamins and fatty acids that work to restore the original skin color; reducing hyper-pigmentation, redness, and preventing scars from occurring. Retinol, a common ingredient found in creams and lotions for anti-aging is naturally found in rosehip oil along with vitamin c, omega-3, omega-6, and linolenic acid. Rosehip oil is more of dry oil so it absorbs quickly without leaving a heavy oily feeling. It does have a peculiar smell and an orange tinge, but that quickly disappears once applied to the skin.

Rosehip oil is an essential oil derived from plants in the  Rosaceae family. It goes by many names, including rose oil, rosehip seed oil, and rose hip.

In my opinion, the best Rosehip oil is created by the brand Trilogy. It is certified organic and amazing for all over hydration, repair, and strengthening the skin barrier. When looking for a rosehip oil make sure it is organic and cold pressed without any additives or fillers for the best results!

Unlike rose oil, which is extracted from rose petals, rosehip oil is pressed from the fruit and seeds of the rose plant. Although the oils are pressed from different parts of the plant, they contain similar active ingredients and offer similar benefits.

3)  Turmeric

Not only does it add a world of flavor to any dish, turmeric is great for your skin as well. Turmeric is amazing at treating post acne marks and is most widely known for reducing inflammation. There are several studies proving that the effects of curcumin, the yellow pigment in turmeric, are as effective as ibuprofen in reducing pain and inflammation without all the nasty side effects. The reduction in inflammation can be seen as a decrease in redness, pain, and swelling, all associated with acne and post acne marks. Turmeric also boasts high antioxidant properties, antibacterial properties, and in all, is simply a very powerful ingredient when it comes to the treatment of acne.

Boost your lemon juice by adding turmeric into the mix. “Turmeric contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties that help acne lesions resolve quicker and scars to fade faster,” says Dr. Goldenberg.

“Turmeric manages microorganism growth on the skin, helping ward off acne-causing acne bacteria, and prevents other infections from spreading,” says Dr. Gates. “It also contains powerful antioxidant properties, balances sebum secretion, and helps clean out pores.”

Turmeric is super easy to find at any local grocery and good news is that it’s cheap! You can mix turmeric with a dab of water and apply it as a paste to the affected area; just make sure to leave it on for no longer than 15 minutes as the bright yellow pigment can stain when left on for longer. Cocokind also makes an amazing organic turmeric stick that’s super handy at fighting post acne marks AND it doesn’t stain!

4)  Banish Fighter Gel 

The  Banish Fighter Gel is a skin-soothing gel that fights inflammation. This gel contains water and aloe based gel that aids many skin concerns such as redness, dry hands, dry flaky skin, new breakouts as well as eczema and psoriasis.

5)  Vitamin E

Vitamin E is vital when it comes to a smooth, even complexion both when taken orally and applied topically. Although vitamin A is usually associated with skincare, you need Vitamin E to regulate it! Your body stores vitamin E in your fat tissue, which then allows for use of Vitamin A. Vitamin A guarantees you have healthy looking skin but without enough vitamin E, your skin can become dry and more prone to breakouts. It’s a vicious cycle with these two working hand in hand to ensure your skin is balanced.

The   Vitamin E Oil was believed to help heal or fade your post acne marks (hyperpigmentation) and reduce their visibility. Vitamin E found in ointments and creams claim to clear every type of scar can be found and purchased on store shelves across America.

Vitamin E oil on the other hand is great at reducing the appearance of scars, fine lines, and hyperpigmentation. It also regulates the production of collagen, lightens scars and dark spots, and promotes tissue repair. Many people use vitamin E as a way to treat or reduce cellulite and stretch marks.

6)  Grapeseed Extract 

Grapeseed extract is another natural product that may work to help lighten dark spots.

Grapeseed oil comes from the seeds that are expelled from grapes during the winemaking process. The seeds are cold-pressed to produce an oil that’s known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

There aren’t any studies on the topical use of grapeseed extract for this purpose. But there is a study that shows that 6 months of grape seed extract taken orally was beneficial for people who have the skin condition melasma, which is similar to  post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

7)  Coconut Oil 

Coconut oil is not just good for food but for the skin as well especially in fading those post acne marks or hyperpigmentation. This home remedy has been recommended by avid users to include in your at home skin care routine. One way to use this oil is to dab it under your eyes, on the lips, and bare eyebrows to help keep your face looking fresh.

A word of caution for dewy beauties: use coconut oil only on the area you want to treat. Too much coconut oil might just cause a breakout here and there if you don't control your usage. 

8)  Baking Soda 

Baking soda is commonly used to make cakes, but it is a versatile ingredient and has properties which make it beneficial in beauty products. The powder itself acts as a natural exfoliant, and when used on the face as a scrub cleans out dirt and dead skin from pores, helping to prevent flare-ups by keeping your skin free from bacteria.

9)  Apple Cider Vinegar 

This home remedy has been considered  as an all-around natural ingredient for everything (including cleaning solutions and skincare).

The simplest recipe is to dilute the apple cider vinegar with water before applying it to your scars.

Follow these steps:

1. Clean your face with mild face wash and pat dry
2. Mix 1 part ACV with 2 to 3 parts water
3. Gently apply the mixture to the scar using a cotton ball
4. Let sit for 5 to 20 seconds, or longer if it doesn’t irritate your skin
5. Rinse with water and pat dry

10)  Onion Extract  

If you don’t mind a little sting (don’t worry, it goes away quickly) then onion extract is another great option for you. Onion extract has been known to show improvements in scar texture, softness, redness and overall skin appearance after 4 weeks.

The onion extract contains bioflavonoids such as cephalin and kaempferol to help significantly reduce the appearance of acne scars after only a few weeks when used daily.

11)  Honey 

This home remedy has been known for its antibacterial properties which help eliminate P acnes. Aside from that,   honey is also known as an anti-inflammatory home remedy that helps reduce skin inflammation.

Keep this mask simple! Apply 3 tbsp of raw honey to clean skin. Leave on for 10-20 minutes, then rinse.

There are a lot of home remedies that you can use to naturally fade your post acne scars or hyperpigmentation. Which of the natural home remedies or ways will you start using or following to get rid of post acne marks/hyperpigmentation? Kindly share your thoughts in the comment box.