Pimples: How To Get Rid Of Acne Scars And Pimple Marks

Acne is painful and embarrassing. To make things worse, acne often leaves behind dark spots and scars that might actually scar you for life! Don’t worry, though – we have come up with a list of home remedies that can help improve your acne scars. Read on to know more.

  • What Causes Of Acne Scars?
  • Types Of Acne Scars
  • Home Remedies For Pimples
  • Prevention Tips

What Causes Of Acne Scars?

Acne can be classified into two subtypes – Non-Inflammatory and Inflammatory.

Whiteheads and blackheads usually fall under the noninflammatory subtype, while papules, pustules, nodules, and cysts are the inflammatory types of acne.

Among these types, it is inflammatory acne that tends to leave behind scars and marks.

Inflamed acne blemishes occur when your pores become engorged as a result of excess oil, dead cells, and bacteria clogging them. This leads to the swelling of the pores, which causes the follicle walls to expand and break.

If this rupture occurs close to the surface of your skin, the resulting acne lesion is usually minor and heals quickly. However, if the break on the follicle is deep, the lesion will be more severe, and the infected material may leak out into the dermis (the second of layer of skin), destroying healthy skin tissues.

Acne scars are further divided into different types.

Types Of Acne Scars

The most common types of acne scars are:

  • Ice-Pick Scars: Narrow, deep, and pitted scars
  • Rolling Scars: Broad, depressed scars with slanting edges
  • Boxcar Scars: Broad scars with sharp edges
  • Atrophic Scars: Flat, thin, and depressed scars
  • Hypertrophic Scars: Lumpy and thick scars

Regardless of the type of acne scars, the home remedies listed below may help you in combating them naturally. Some are more well-studied than others. It is always important to keep in mind that more severe scarring, often requires expert treatment by a dermatologist.

Home Remedies For Pimples

1. Orange Peel Powder

Orange peel powder has amazing lightening properties that can help in reducing the appearance of acne scars and pigmentation.

You Will Need
  • 1 teaspoon of orange peel powder
  • 1 teaspoon of raw honey
What You Have To Do
  1. Mix a teaspoon each of orange peel powder and honey.
  2. Apply this paste to the affected areas on your face.
  3. Allow it to dry and then wash it off.
How Often You Should Do This

Do this once every alternate day.

2. Coconut Oil

Coconut oil has a wide range of benefits when it comes to your skin. It is packed with antioxidants and vitamins E and K that repair your skin and promote the growth of healthy skin tissues. The anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties of coconut oil can prevent the surfacing of new acne lesions. However, some people may develop more whiteheads, as it may clog your pores. It is best to test a small area of skin first to determine how your skin reacts.

You Will Need

1 teaspoon of coconut oil

What You Have To Do
  1. Take a teaspoon of coconut oil and rub it between your palms.
  2. Dab the oil lightly all over your face, concentrating more on the acne scars.
  3. Leave it on overnight and wash off the next morning.
How Often You Should Do This

You must do this daily or every alternate day.

3. Besan

Besan (gram flour) is another great remedy for skin issues like acne and acne scars. Its strong exfoliating and lightening properties help in reducing the appearance of acne scars.

You Will Need
  • 1 tablespoon of besan
  • Rose water or lemon juice (as required)
What You Have To Do
  1. Take a tablespoon of besan and add some rose water to it until you get a paste of medium thick consistency (not too runny).
  2. Apply the paste to your face and neck, concentrating more on the scars.
  3. Allow it to dry, after which you can wash it off with water.
How Often You Should Do This

You must do this once every alternate day.

4. Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is a popular remedy among those with acne-prone skin. It not only helps in getting rid of acne but also helps in diminishing the appearance of the scars with its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. It works similarly to benzoyl peroxide. However, it may take a little bit longer to show improvement.

You Will Need
  • 3-4 drops of tea tree oil
  • 1 teaspoon of coconut oil
What You Have To Do
  1. Add three to four drops of tea tree oil to a teaspoon of coconut oil.
  2. Mix well and apply it evenly to the scars and lesions.
  3. Leave it on overnight or for 1 to 2 hours before washing it off.
How Often You Should Do This

You must do this daily for best results.

5. Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar possesses antimicrobial properties that help in keeping acne at bay. The anti-inflammatory properties of apple cider vinegar reduce the inflammation and reddening of your acne scars and help them to fade. It may be drying, so make sure to moisturize.

You Will Need
  • 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons of honey
  • Water
What You Have To Do
  1. Mix a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar with two tablespoons of honey.
  2. Add a little water to this mixture to dilute it and mix well.
  3. Using a cotton pad, apply this mixture to the entire face or only the acne scars.
  4. Leave it on for 10 to 20 minutes and wash it off with water.
How Often You Should Do This

You must do this once daily or every other day.

6. Aloe Vera

Aloe vera contains polysaccharides and gibberellins that enhance the healing of scarred skin. It also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that promote the repair of damaged skin.

You Will Need

Aloe vera gel

What You Have To Do
  1. Extract the gel from aloe leaves.
  2. Apply an even layer of the gel to the affected areas.
  3. Leave it on overnight.
How Often You Should Do This

You must do this daily.

7. Baking Soda

Baking soda has exfoliating properties that help slough off the dead skin cells. The slightly alkaline nature of baking soda restores the pH of your skin, thereby helping you combat acne as well as acne scars.

You Will Need
  • 2 tablespoons of baking soda
  • 1 tablespoon of water
What You Have To Do
  1. Mix two tablespoons of baking soda with a tablespoon of water.
  2. Apply this mixture to the acne scars.
  3. Allow it to dry and wash it off.
How Often You Should Do This

Do this once daily for best results.

8. Lemon Juice

Lemon juice has skin lightening properties that can help in fading acne scars faster.

You Will Need
  • ½ lemon
  • Cotton pads
What You Have To Do
  1. Squeeze the juice from half a lemon.
  2. Dip a cotton pad into this and apply it to the affected areas. Leave it on for 10 minutes.
  3. Wash it off.
How Often You Should Do This

You must do this once every alternate day.

9. Castor Oil

Castor oil contains vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids that help in repairing scarred and damaged skin tissues. It also helps in combating pigmentation, reducing the appearance of the acne scars.

You Will Need

Castor oil (as required)

What You Have To Do
  1. Take a few drops of castor oil on your fingers.
  2. Apply it directly to the acne scars.
  3. Leave it on overnight and wash off the next morning.
How Often You Should Do This

You must do this once daily.

10. Turmeric

Turmeric is another great way to lighten your acne scars and skin tone. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of turmeric speed up the healing of the scarred tissues and improve skin quality (9).

You Will Need
  • 1-2 teaspoons of turmeric powder
  • ½ lemon
What You Have To Do
  1. Mix one to two teaspoons of turmeric powder with lemon juice.
  2. Apply this paste all over your face.
  3. Allow it to work on your skin for 30 minutes, after which you can wash it off with water.
How Often You Should Do This

You must do this once every alternate day.

11. Vitamins

Vitamins C, E, and A are great for your skin.

Overexposure to the sun can rob your skin of vitamin A, causing wrinkles, blemishes, and scarring. Vitamin E helps in improving the health of your skin.

The strong antioxidant potential of vitamin C makes it helpful in healing and repairing your skin tissues. It is important in the synthesis of collagen, thus helping with scars and blemishes.

You can get your daily dose of these vitamins by consuming citrus fruits, leafy vegetables, carrots, fish, cheese, avocados, and spinach. Topical vitamin C is also a great option.

12. Potato

Potatoes are widely used to lighten the skin and reduce the appearance of scars and pigmentation. These benefits can be credited to their composition and alkalinity.

You Will Need
  • Crushed raw potato
  • Cotton pads
What You Have To Do
  1. Crush a raw potato and extract its juice.
  2. Dip a cotton pad into this juice and apply it to your face or just the acne scars.
  3. Leave it on for 20 to 30 minutes, after which you can wash it off with water.
How Often You Should Do This

You must do this once daily.

13. Cocoa Butter

Cocoa butter is highly moisturizing, and this helps in softening the scar tissues. It also lightens your skin tone and reduces the appearance of scars.

You Will Need

Cocoa butter (as required)

What You Have To Do
  1. Take a little cocoa butter and spread it evenly on your face.
  2. You can also apply it directly to the acne scars.
  3. Leave it on overnight and wash off the next morning.
How Often You Should Do This

You must do this on a daily basis.

14. Honey Mask

Honey possesses antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties that help in healing damaged skin and prevent further acne breakouts. The moisturizing nature of honey also softens the scar tissues and accelerates skin repair.

You Will Need
  • 1 tablespoon of honey
  • ½ lemon (optional)
What You Have To Do
  1. Take a tablespoon of honey and mix it with the juice of half a lemon.
  2. Apply the mixture to your face and let it work for 20 to 30 minutes.
  3. Wash it off with water and pat your skin dry.
How Often You Should Do This

Do this once daily or every alternate day.

15. Rosewater

The healing and moisturizing abilities of rose water help in softening the scar tissues, thereby lightening the appearance of acne scars and aiding regeneration of the skin cells.

You Will Need
  • Rosewater
  • Cotton balls
What You Have To Do
  1. Soak a cotton ball in some rose water and gently swipe it across your cleansed face.
  2. Allow it to evaporate on its own.
How Often You Should Do This

You must do this twice daily.

16. Garlic

When minced or broken, garlic cloves release a compound called allicin that possesses powerful anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties. These properties can help in getting rid of the acne scars and prevent further breakouts. Just be careful! Garlic cloves can sometimes cause an allergic or irritant reaction on the skin, especially when used in conjunction with other topicals.

You Will Need

Garlic cloves

What You Have To Do
  1. Take one or two freshly peeled garlic cloves.
  2. Break these cloves and rub the inner portion on the affected areas.
  3. Leave it on overnight and wash off the next morning.
How Often You Should Do This

You must do this once every alternate day.

17. Almond Oil

Almond oil is a rich source of vitamin E and fatty acids, which make it extremely moisturizing and healing.

You Will Need

A few drops of almond oil

What You Have To Do
  1. Take a few drops of almond oil in your palm and apply it evenly to your face with your fingertips.
  2. Leave it on overnight.
How Often You Should Do This

You must do this once every night.

18. Oatmeal Mask

The oatmeal face pack is perfect for those with acne-prone skin. It helps in absorbing excess oil, and its exfoliating properties work on repairing scarred and damaged skin tissues. It also helps hydrate the skin, without clogging your pores.

You Will Need
  • 2 tablespoons of oatmeal
  • 1 teaspoon of honey
  • 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
What You Have To Do
  1. Mix two tablespoons of oatmeal with a tablespoon of lemon juice and a teaspoon of honey.
  2. Apply this mixture to your face and neck.
  3. Leave it on for about 30 minutes and then wash it off with water.
How Often You Should Do This

You can do this 3 to 4 times a week.

19. Ginger

Ginger contains compounds that exhibit strong anti-inflammatory properties. These help in reducing the appearance of acne scars by repairing the skin damaged by acne lesions.

You Will Need

Minced ginger

What You Have To Do
  1. Mince some ginger and apply it to the affected area.
  2. Leave it on for 30 minutes.
  3. Wash the mixture off your face with lukewarm water.
How Often You Should Do This

You can do this once daily.

20. Egg White

Egg whites exhibit skin tightening and healing properties. Regular use of this remedy will undoubtedly help in lightening the scars on your face.

You Will Need
  • 1-2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon of lemon juice
What You Have To Do
  1. Take two eggs and separate the egg whites from the yolks.
  2. Add a teaspoon of lemon juice to the egg whites and whisk well.
  3. Apply the mixture to your face using your fingers.
  4. Leave it on for about 30 minutes before washing it off.
How Often You Should Do This

You must do this once every alternate day.

21. Green Tea

Green tea contains catechins that help in reducing inflammation and the size of the acne scars. This remedy is helpful when taken internally and/or applied topically

You Will Need

Used green tea bags

What You Have To Do
  1. Take a used green tea bag and apply it to the affected areas.
  2. You can also take used green tea leaves and make a face pack.
  3. Additionally, you must consume green tea daily for best results.
How Often You Should Do This

You must do this once daily.

22. Epsom Salt

Epsom salt contains magnesium that exhibits excellent anti-inflammatory properties. These properties help reduce the size of the scar.

You Will Need
  • ½ cup of Epsom salt
  • Water (as required)
What You Have To Do
  1. Mix half a cup of Epsom salt with a little water to make a thick paste.
  2. Apply this mixture to your face and neck and massage gently for a few minutes.
  3. Leave it on for about 20 minutes before washing it off.
How Often You Should Do This

You must do this thrice a week.

23. Neem

Neem leaves have antiseptic, soothing, and healing properties, which accelerate the healing of the acne scars and help in lightening them over time.

You Will Need

A handful of neem leaves

What You Have To Do
  1. Take a handful of fresh neem leaves and grind them to make a thick paste.
  2. Apply this paste to the affected areas.
  3. Leave it on for 20 to 30 minutes and then wash off with water.
How Often You Should Do This

Do this daily.

24. Avocado Face Mask

This is one of the most effective remedies for acne scars. Avocados help in keeping your pores clean, preventing acne outbreaks. They also contain vitamin C that helps in lightening blemishes and dark spots.

You Will Need
  • 1 ripe avocado
  • 1 tablespoon of honey
  • ½ lemon
What You Have To Do
  1. Take a ripe avocado and mash it to form a smooth paste.
  2. Add a tablespoon of honey and the juice of half a lemon to the mashed avocado and mix well.
  3. You can use this mixture as a spot treatment for your acne scars or apply it on your face for an even complexion.
  4. Leave it on for 20 to 30 minutes and wash off with water.
  5. Pat your skin dry.
How Often You Should Do This

You must do this once every alternate day.

While these remedies work their magic on the existing acne scars, you can prevent new scars from developing by keeping the following tips in mind.

Prevention Tips

  • Wash your face at least twice daily
  • Remove your makeup before going to bed.
  • Do not squeeze or prick your pimples.
  • Try and avoid the sun. Always wear a sunblock if you have to go outdoors.
  • Follow a healthy diet that consists of whole grains, legumes, fresh fruits, vegetables, fish, and nuts.

The above remedies may help in reducing the appearance of the scars to a great extent, but keep in mind, many require treatment by a dermatologist. It is best to try and treat acne as soon as possible to reduce the severity of the scars that follow, and schedule a visit to your dermatologist. How well did this post help you fight acne scars? Let us know in the comments section below.

Natural Remedies To Get Rid Of Pimple Scars

Coconut Oil
Scoop about a quarter of a teaspoon of virgin coconut oil in to the palm of your hand and let ¡t melt as it comes up to body temperature. With your fingertips, massage oil directly on to the skin. However, ¡t is not recommended for acne prone skin.

Cucumber
Cucumbers are a popular ingredient in facial treatments, for a good reason. This vegetable is not only super hydrating but also contains vitamin A, vitamin C and magnesium – all of which are great for the skin.

Honey Honey is a great natural solution for clearing up pimples and reducing the red marks they leave behind. This is because honey contains antibacterial properties and helps to soothe the skin and reduce inflammation. Honey is a great option for those with sensitive skin, as unlike other treatments, honey is non-irritating, and moisturizes skin instead of drying it out.

Rose Hip Seed Oil
For maximum health benefits, use organic cold-pressed oil. Apply this light-weight, non-greasy treatment once or twice each day to reap the benefits of its essential fatty acids and high concentration of trans-retinoic acid – a natural form of vitamin A found in rose hip seeds. Try 100 per cent organic rose hip seed oil in conjunction with a derma roller to heal scars even faster.

Vitamin E
Probably the easiest way to use vitamin E for healing scars is to simply puncture the end of a gel capsule and squeeze the contents onto your fingertip. Apply the oil directly to scarred skin or mix it in to your daily moisturizer to help heal acne and pimple scars faster.

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