While it's obvious that beauty products work differently on different women, those that come highly-recommended by other people are more often that not worth a shot. Preview.ph asked their readers which products can help lessen and even erase pesky acne marks, and here are some that look promising:
Vitamin C Serums
Aside from counteracting sun damage, the vitamin C is an antioxidant that "contributes in the synthesis of collagen" and has "depigmenting and anti-inflammatory effects," according to Belo Medical Group's Dr. Anjelica Guzman.
So if you have trouble with dark spots, uneven skin tone, and pigmentation from acne, incorporating vitamin C in your skincare is a solid choice! In fact, one of the respondeds even shared a smart tip for speeding up the fading process: use vitamin C serum after laser treatment. Don't forget to amp up your sun protection while you're at it!
TRY: COSRX Triple C Lightning Liquid, $27, Sokoglam
TRY: Dear, Klairs Freshly Juiced Vitamin Drop, P1200, Watsons
TRY: Kiehl's Clearly Corrective Dark Spot Solution, P2995, Greenbelt 5
Face Oils
Tea Tree Oil
Respondents shared that they don't only use tea tree oil to treat pimples but also to heal the marks they leave behind. While there has yet to be conclusive research proving it effective for treating scars, we agree that it's worth a try! After all, this oil is anti-inflammatory and heals active pimples to lower the chances of scarring!
TRY: The Body Shop Tea Tree Oil, P495, Shangri-la Plaza
Sunflower Oil
Sunflower oil, or helianthus annuus in most ingredients lists, was another popular answer and we see why. This cold-pressed oil moisturizes the skin, retains moisture, and protects our skin barrier. It's also a natural source of omega-6 (linoleic acid), which keeps our skin cells healthy, and it's rich in antioxidants that help prevent skin damage from free-radicals. Overall, it's a chemical-free alternative to preventing scars from worsening, but bear in mind that results will most likely be gradual than instant.
TRY: Human Nature Sunflower Beauty Oil, P299.75, SM North Edsa
Bio-Oil
Much has already been said about the scar-treating prowess of the Bio-Oil. It contains several ingredients known to lighten pigmentation, such as lactic acid (an AHA) and niacinamide, and oils and occlusives that'll moisturize the scarred area and make it less prone to irritation. The best part about it, though, is you can use it on your face and body!
TRY: Bio-Oil Skincare Oil, P495, Lazada
Exfoliating Acids
Alpha Lipoic Acid
Like Vitamin C, Alpha Lipoic Acid is a potent, water- and fat-soluble antioxidant with tons of skin benefits—scar reduction included. It's said to help aid cell metabolism and regenerate other antioxidants, both of which are key to smoother, more resilient, and even-toned skin.
TRY: The Ordinary Alpha Lipoic Acid 5%, P660, Beautymnl
Lactic Acid
If you have sensitive skin, lactic acid is the mild AHA need in your life. As it chemically sloughs off the rough, scarred top layer of your skin, it's gentler than other acids (i.e. glycolic acid) when used in optimal concentrations (10% or less) and only a few times a week. Basically, it works the same way as other AHAs in resurfacing your skin, but with an extra kick of hydration.
TRY: First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Intensive Peel, P3236, Sephora.ph
Glycolic Acid
We can't do an exfoliating acids list without the most popular alpha-hydroxy acid out there. Having the smallest molecule of all acids, glycolic acid penetrates easily into the skin, so it does an AHA's job (exfoliate the top layer of the skin) quickly and effectively. Using it once or twice a week will definitely improve your skin texture and tone overtime. A heads-up, though: It might sting a bit.
TRY: Pixi Glow Tonic, P990, Glamourbox; Caudalie Vinoperfect Essence, P1,772, Sephora.ph
This story originally appeared on Preview.ph.
* Minor edits have been made by the Femalenetwork.com editors.
