If you’re dealing with acne scars, you’ll no doubt be wondering how to get rid of them the best way. Luckily, there are many skin care products and ingredients that can greatly reduce their appearance, including face washes. Therefore today, we will help you choose the best face washes for acne scars, dark spots associated with acne, and uneven skin tone and texture.
Table of Contents
Best Face Washes for Acne Scars
Mario Badescu Glycolic Foaming Cleanser
The Mario Badescu Glycolic cleanser is a lightweight resurfacing foam cleanser that works to deep cleanse the skin and promote an even skin tone and texture. The foaming action of the cleanser ensures a top-notch cleansing every time, and when you’re done cleansing, your skin will look radiant and glowing.
This cleanser is formulated with glycolic acid to thoroughly cleanse the skin and refine its texture, as well as several herbal extracts, such as chamomile, marshmallow, sage, and yarrow extracts for a soothing and softening effect, and it makes both dull and discolored skin look a whole lot better.
Priced very reasonably, anyone can afford to buy this excellent cleanser, and not only does it work great on acne scars, but it offers exfoliation, deep-cleansing, and a soothing effect that keeps the skin looking great and feeling even better.
Pros:
- Great for acne scars, uneven skin tone, dullness, and pores.
- Vegan and cruelty-free.
- Suitable for all skin types.
- A little goes a long way.
- It comes with a light sage scent that is pleasing for everyone.
- Affordable.
Cons:
- Can cause dryness and irritation if used too often.
- Not recommended for sensitive skin.
Murad AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser
It is phthalate-free and made for all skin types. With this cleanser, all of your dull, dry skin is washed away, and you get brighter and healthier-looking skin without any irritation or redness.
This creamy cleanser also contains Jojoba skin-polishing beads to slough away dull, dead skin cells. It also contains Sodium PCA and jojoba seed oil to help replenish skin’s moisture for plumpness and elasticity.
It is super easy to use, and you only need to use it 2 to 3 times per week.
Pros:
- Contains salicylic acid, lactic acid, and glycolic acid.
- Contains Jojoba beads that dissolve when massaged into the skin.
- Also great for uneven skin texture, dullness, fine lines and wrinkles, and dryness.
- Suitable for all skin types.
- A little goes a long way.
- Developed by dermatologists.
- Certified cruelty-free.
Cons:
- None.
Replenix Acne Solutions Gly/Sal Exfoliating Acne Cleanser
Thanks to the powerful blend of 2% salicylic acid and 5% glycolic acid in the formula, this gentle exfoliating cleanser works to effectively wash away dirt and impurities, while regulating sebum production.
It will not only gradually fade acne scars, sun spots, and pigmentation, but it is also designed to fight acne and prevent breakouts without over-drying the skin.
It also contains green tea extract, which is proven to work well against free radical damage and skin irritation. This cleanser also treats blackheads, whiteheads, and clogged pores over time.
Even if your skin is sensitive, this cleanser can keep it clear without any tingling or burning. It comes in three different strengths to suit everyone’s needs, and it helps smooth the skin and unclog the follicles in the skin.
Replenix acne solutions has a light and pleasant scent, comes in a cream form that feels good on the face, and most importantly, it works!
Pros:
- Has a powerful blend of 5% pure glycolic acid and 2% salicylic acid.
- Gentle enough for everyday use.
- Non-comedogenic.
- Sulfate-Free, paraben-Free.
- Affordable.
Cons:
- Some users have reported that this cleanser is a bit drying.
Touch 10% Glycolic Acid Face Wash
With a full 10% glycolic acid included in the product, this face wash works wonders when it comes to getting rid of acne and reducing the look of acne scars.
Touch face wash is very affordable, and some of the natural ingredients found in the formula include tea tree, and soothing, anti-inflammatory chamomile, and aloe vera. It brightens and revitalizes your skin without causing any irritation, and best of all, it is made for all skin types.
This is a low-pH, oil-free lotion that also works on blackheads, pores, and even wrinkles.
This face wash is also gentle and contains no sulfates, dyes, parabens, or any type of alcohol that can dry out the skin and make it tight and uncomfortable. It not only makes the skin look better, but feel better as well.
Pros:
- Formulated with 10% glycolic acid.
- Suitable for all skin types.
- Also great for blackheads, pores, uneven skin and texture, and wrinkles.
- Affordable.
- Free of sulfates, dyes, paraben, phthalates, and alcohol.
- Great for use with a face brush.
Cons:
- The consistency is a bit watery.
- May be strong for sensitive skin.
SkinMedica AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser
With both alpha-hydroxy and beta-hydroxy acids in it, this exfoliating cleanser works great on all skin types, and it is made with ingredients that include lavender, orange, citrus, lemon extracts, and soft jojoba spheres.
This cleanser has a very high rating from real-life customers, and you’ll understand why once you start using it. It improves your skin tone, the texture of your skin, and the smoothness of your skin, allowing for a deep cleanse without any irritation.
With gentle exfoliation but a deep cleansing action, this is the perfect product for acne sufferers, and the only one you’ll need to lighten up those acne scars.
Pros:
- Helps improve the appearance of skin tone and texture.
- Also helps minimize skin pores and fight signs of aging.
- Contains a powerful blend of lactic acid, glycolic acid, citric acid, malic acid, and salicylic acid.
- Cleanses the skin gently and thoroughly.
- Suitable for all skin types.
- Free of sulfate, phthalate, and paraben.
Cons:
- Some people consider the price a bit steep.
- May be harsh on sensitive skin.
Botanic Tree Glycolic Acid Face Wash
This is indeed a multipurpose face wash that is made for all skin types. It is formulated with 10% glycolic acid to deeply and gently cleanse the skin, soften scars caused by acne, reduce acne breakouts, and correct the skin tone and texture.
The formula also contains natural and organic ingredients such as bamboo, Shea butter, tea tree, willow bark, and seaweed to help purify and soothe the skin.
The Botanic Tree Glycolic Acid face wash is great for both teens and adults, and in fact, if your skin is prone to acne, this is the face wash you need in your bathroom cabinet. It even helps with wrinkles, dark spots, dull skin, and hyperpigmentation, making it a very versatile product.
This cleanser is also very affordable.
Pros:
- Contains 10% glycolic acid.
- Formulated with organic and natural ingredients.
- Also great for wrinkles, dark spots, dull skin, acne, sun spots, and hyperpigmentation.
- Suitable for all skin types.
- Affordable.
- Cruelty-free.
- Free of paraben and sulfate.
Cons:
- Some users said that they didn’t like the scent.
- Some complaints that it didn’t work.
What Are the Ingredients That Help Reduce Acne Scars?
If you’re researching products that help reduce the look of your acne scars, it’s good to first learn what ingredients to look for. Lots of ingredients have been proven to help fade away scars left by acne, and they include the following:
- Alpha hydroxy acids (AHA), such as Lactic acid and Glycolic acid, which get rid of dead skin cells and encourage the growth of newer and healthier ones.
- Salicylic acid, which gets rid of debris in the pores and reduces any redness or irritation on the skin.
- Vitamin C, which increases collagen synthesis and brightens the skin as well.
- Azelaic acid , which encourages cell turnover and therefore diminishes the look of acne scars.
- Grapeseed oil, which reduces excess sebum in the skin and therefore reduces the risk of deep blemishes.
- Neem, which both reduces the look of acne scars and helps fight free radicals.
- Turmeric, which has been around forever and is both anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial.
- Vitamin E, which is rich in antioxidants and reduces the severity of your breakouts.
- Retinol: It works by increasing skin cell turnover, which helps reduce any kind of acne scarring or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
Not all products will contain all of these ingredients, of course, but if you find a product that has several of them, you’d be wise to go ahead and purchase it.
Treatments to Get Rid of Acne Scars
- Laser treatments: These treatments are expensive but worth it. They target blood vessels and lighten up both flat and raised scars. Normally, a total of three to five treatments are required to get the effect you want.
- Microneedling: Also called collagen induction, it involves using a microneedling tool (dermapen or dermaroller) to create tiny micro-channels in your skin, which encourages the production of collagen and makes for a much smoother look.
- Chemical peels: Less expensive than laser treatments, these peels allow the dead skin to peel off naturally, encouraging the growth of newer and healthier skin.
- LED light therapy: Led light therapy is a non-invasive treatment that is excellent when it comes to treating acne scars. A combination of Red light and Blue light is often used to clear acne, repair cells, and fade marks and discoloration.
Conclusion: Best Face Washes for Acne Scars
While all of the treatments mentioned above are effective, they can also be expensive and even painful, which is why trying the right facial cleanser should be your first option. Acne scars are no fun to live with, but there are tons of facial cleansers that can help with acne scars.
Usually, only the most severe scars require specialized treatment at a dermatologist’s office, but facial cleansers are being made better and better all the time, they can work wonders on post-inflammatory marks and post-acne spots.
If you have sensitive skin, make sure you get a cleanser specifically made for that type of skin. It’s always better to err on the side of caution, as they say, because clear skin won’t do you any good if you end up with red or dried-out skin in return.
Lastly, keep in mind that products that contain AHAs and BHAs may increase the skin’s sensitivity to UV rays, that’s why it is recommended to apply a sunscreen before sun exposure while using these products.
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