The question of how to get rid of acne scars is one our esmi skin team is asked frequently!

Here we guide you through the different types of scars and marks, the best ingredients and products for acne scar treatment, and when to start tackling them.

We truly understand how acne scarring can affect your skin confidence. Scarring is something many of our customers deal with and treating it takes time and patience.

While skin care solutions can help assist with improving the look of even very deep scars, some still may remain visible. And that’s ok. We encourage you to embrace skin confidence wherever you’re at in the journey while working towards your healthiest skin outcomes.

Top Tips to Fade Acne Scars Naturally

1. Look for natural active ingredients like kakadu plum extract, liquorice, bearberry and pomegranate.
2. Stimulating the skin with a gentle massage to boost circulation.
3. Regular exfoliation can help minimise the look of acne scars.
   
4. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.
5. Always wear sunscreen and avoid prolonged sun exposure which will worsen scars.

The Types of Acne Scars

Acne scars develop in the dermis (the second layer of the skin) and appear on the surface as depressions, indentations, or raised lumps.

Discovering how to get rid of acne scars begins with understanding the type of scars you’re dealing with.

4 of the most common acne scars are:

• Ice pick scars (atrophic)

Deep and narrow, these scars look like the skin has been poked with an ice pick and are the most common type of acne scars. They are often the result of cystic acne.

• Keloid scars (hypertrophic)

A raised mound that is a different colour, often darker, than the surrounding skin. These types of lumpy scars are caused by excess protein created during the skin healing process.

• Rolling scars (atrophic)

Often the result of long-term inflammatory acne, rolling scars appear as indents that vary in depth and have sloping edges giving the skin a wavy appearance.

• Boxcar scars (atrophic)

Boxcar scars are defined by their straight, sharp edges that cause a box-like indent in the skin. They are most common in areas like the jaw and cheeks where the skin is thicker.

Acne scars vs Acne marks

The types of acne scars above are characterised by textural integrities. They present as either indents or lumps in the skin due to an underproduction (atrophic) or overproduction (hypertrophic) of collagen during the healing process.

Acne can also leave behind ‘marks’ - dark spots and discolouration on the skin known as hyperpigmentation or red spots known as erythema. These marks are the result of inflammation to the skin caused by acne.

When to Consider an Acne Scarring Skin Routine

The process of healing acne scars can’t be rushed.

Frustrating news, we know, but timing is super important in the approach you take on how to get rid of acne scars. You shouldn’t think about dealing with scarring until all active breakouts are cleared.

If you try to treat scars while you’re still breaking out, you risk exacerbating the situation. The result? Increased chance of irritation and scarring down the road.

Once active breakouts are under control you can move forward with tackling acne scarring. 

What Ingredients to Look for to Fade Acne Scarring

In understanding more about how to get rid of acne scars, it’s useful to know the different ingredients that help fade acne scarring and how they interact with the skin.

Vitamin C: An all-round antioxidant superstar, Vitamin C promotes collagen production which helps rebuild healthy skin and speed up the healing of scars.

Glycolic acid: A chemical exfoliant, glycolic acid helps increase cell turnover to improve the appearance of acne scars and discolouration.

Kakadu Plum extract: Believed to be the most concentrated natural source of vitamin C in the world, Kakadu plum can brighten, reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation, and promote collagen production.

Liquorice extract: Known for its ability to lighten hyperpigmentation, liquorice extract offers a number of active ingredients to bright, soothe, and strengthen skin.

Bearberry extract: A botanical extract, bearberry is a natural skin brightener which also contains allantoin which helps to soothe and repair damaged skin.

Pomegranate extract: An excellent choice for acne prone skin, pomegranate extract not only helps manage breakout causing bacteria it also plays a role in lightening post-inflammatory scarring and promoting skin regeneration.

Retinoids (Vitamin A derivative): Can help reduce acne lesions, quicken cell regeneration, and lighten dark spots.

Using a Brightening Cleanser

Don’t underestimate the role your cleanser can play in your acne scar treatment routine. Using a cleanser with brightening active ingredients can help minimise discolouration and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

The Uncomplicated Cleanser plus Brightening is ideal to help improve the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation while being gentle enough to use in the morning and evening.

The cleanser assists to brighten and even out skin tone with the help of Vitamin C rich Kakadu Plum extract while gently lifting away impurities and maintaining the skin's hydration levels.

How to use The Uncomplicated Cleanser plus Brightening

Apply a pearl-sized amount of the cleanser to damp hands and massage gently into skin with an upward motion. Rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water or remove with esmi's Microfibre Facial Cleansing Mitt.

Use in the morning and at night - don’t forget to double cleanse in the PM after wearing foundation.

Pomegranate Serum for Regeneration

Including serum in your treatment routine for acne scars can really speed along results in minimising pigmentation and healing scar tissue.

Pomegranate Brightening Serum is a potent brightening, anti-pigmentation serum with powerful skin lightening ingredients including Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), pomegranate extract, and licorice extract.

Ideal for most skin types the serum can help improve the appearance of pigmentation to minimise acne scars and enhance skin's luminosity and clarity.

How to use Pomegranate Brightening Serum

Ideal for morning and evening, use the dropper to apply an amount smaller than a pearl on cleansed skin and gently massage in. Allow the serum to absorb before applying other products.

Have sensitive skin? Start by applying a pearl-sized amount to cleansed skin every second night for 2 weeks, gradually increasing to every night.

For best results, finish with 24k Gold Nourishing Oil to lock, seal and create a protective barrier on the skin and protect your skin daily with Skin Shield Natural Sunscreen SPF 30.

Boost Blood Circulation to Reduce Scar Appearance

Boosting blood circulation in the skin may help speed up healing in areas affected by scaring, improve texture and overall strength of the skin.

24K Gold Nourishing Oil

Luxurious 24-karat gold leaf face oil nourishes for a visibly firmer, more youthful complexion - boosts skin elasticity, stimulates collagen production and improves blood circulation.

This oil is best suited to for a more dry skin type. Non-greasy, it’s perfect for combination to dry skin as a moisturiser to address dryness, dehydration, ageing, fine lines and wrinkles on face, neck, and decolletage.

How to use 24K Gold Nourishing Oil

Using the dropper, drip 2-3 drops of oil directly to the palm of the hand and massage into cleansed skin after applying other skin treats. Can be used morning and night and around the eye area.

Detoxify & Exfoliate

How to get rid of acne scars with exfoliation? Exfoliation works to remove the build up of dead cells on the surface of the skin.

When dry, old cells pile up on the outer layer of the skin it can enhance the appearance of acne scars. Regular exfoliation (1 - 3 times a week, depending on your skin) can help minimise the look of acne scars and aid in smoothing uneven skin tone caused by acne marks.

Detoxifying Exfoliating Charcoal Serum

This exfoliating charcoal serum is a 10% AHA (Glycolic and Lactic Acid) combination.

These are fruit acids which help to remove skin cell build up, drawing dirt and debris from the skin to aid in the improvement of overall skin texture, including acne scars and acne marks. This serum is ideal for most skin types.

How to Use Detoxifying Exfoliating Charcoal Serum

Using the dropper, apply a pea-sized amount to your charcoal brush or fingers and massage into freshly cleansed skin, avoiding the under eye area. When using AHA, you may feel a mild to intense tingling sensation but don’t worry it’s a normal skin response.

Leave for 5-10 minutes before wetting the charcoal brush or fingers and massage around the face to remove any softened dead skin cells before washing off.

The charcoal is a detoxifying ingredient and can draw impurities out of the skin - continue to use after impurities have emerged.

We suggest using the Charcoal serum 2 times a week or less frequently if you have sensitive skin.

Using the Charcoal Serum for the first time?

When introducing the Charcoal Serum to your skincare routine, apply 1-2 times a week after cleansing. 

Brighten and Boost to Promote Smooth Skin Tone

You can probably see by now that the most effective approach on how to fade acne scars is using products in your routine that work to brighten and even the skin tone.

Bouncy Brightening Silky Booster Mask

Ideal for lightening hyperpigmentation, acne marks and sun damage, this face mask evens out skin tone for a smoother, brighter complexion.

Suitable for most skin types, the mask is formulated with a brightening blend of Kakadu Plum, Licorice and Bearberry extracts to tackle dull skin and protect against free radical damage.

How to use the Bouncy Brightening Silky Booster Mask

Apply the Bouncy Brightening Booster Mask after cleansing with clean fingers or a mask brush.

Leave the mask on as long as you like, it works brilliantly overnight to soak up all the active ingredients. You can use it on your neck and chest too!

Rinse well or remove with esmi's Microfibre Facial Cleansing Mitt.

Note: Our Booster Mask range is quite concentrated so if your skin is new to such intense active ingredients it is a good idea to ease your skin into it and work your way up to leaving it on overnight.

Nourish & Heal

Hyper sensitive and acne-prone skin needs to soothe and heal. The lysates in our Probiotic Skin Mylck helps to balances skin’s microflora and aids in replenishing the skin moisture. It also helps to speed up skin recovery and strengthens the skin barrier. 

Probiotic Skin Mylck

How to use Probiotic Skin Mylck

Refresh & Hydrate

Hydrated skin is healthy skin. Keeping hydration levels topped up helps scar tissue remain supple which aids the healing and fading process.

Refreshing and Hydrating Skin Snack Face Mist

Rehydrate and replenish your skin throughout the day with this refreshing face mist.

Formulated with super hydrator Hyaluronic Acid and protective natural oils it works to keep skin's moisture barrier healthy and hydrated. It’s perfect to use in environments where your skin is exposed to drying elements - for example, air conditioning, UV rays, and wind.

How to use Refreshing and Hydrating Skin Snack Face Mist

Shake the bottle to combine the oils and extracts and spray onto your face throughout the day for a quick skin refresh. You can also use it over the top of makeup to set your look.