Home remedies for acne scars include the use of sandalwood, ice, tomato, cucumber, eggs, turmeric, aloe vera, apple cider vinegar, lime juice, honey, water, lavender oil, fenugreek, and a variety of organic products.

Acne scars are the pits, raised tissue, and bumpy areas that one observes post the healing of acne wounds. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) reports that this intense skin condition afflicts as many as 50 million Americans. [1] Mild acne scars heal on their own, while the deep scars might remain for the entire life. These natural home remedies are useful in cases of severe infection or when acne has been pricked, squeezed or scratched.


Home Remedies for Acne Scars

The commonly used home remedies for acne scars include the following:

Tomato Slices

Rubbing tomato slices on scars is found to be effective in reducing the appearance of the marks or scars. This is partially due to the vitamin A and carotenes in tomatoes, which not only provide the red color but are also antioxidant compounds that can heal damaged tissues and promote the healthy re-growth of cells.

Cucumber Juice

Cucumber juice is an ideal skin toner, which improves the texture of the skin. Cucumbers reduce inflammation, soothe the skin and heal the scars caused by acne.

Sandalwood Paste

Apply a mixture of sandalwood paste in rosewater and leave it on your face overnight, then wash it off the next morning. [3] Repeat this process until there is a marked improvement in scars. The usefulness of sandalwood in skin care is very well known. It has actually been one of the traditional, essential elements of make-up kits for women in India for many years. Even today, there are several brands that prepare soaps that highlight sandalwood as one of its key ingredients.

Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil is one of the most popular remedies for curing acne problems. This diluted oil is applied to the spots affected by acne. There is a strong belief that this oil consists of Terpinen-4-ol, which eliminates bacterial activity and kills the bacteria permanently. It neutralizes the acne bacteria called Propionibacterium and other dangerous bacteria, which dwell on your skin and can quickly develop into acne.

Egg Whites

Egg whites are easy to obtain and are effective in treating acne scarring. [4] Apply egg whites on the scars using a cotton ball and leave it on overnight to get the best effect. Eggs contain a huge amount of protein and by applying them directly to your skin, you can speed the healing process. Proteins are the building blocks of cellular tissue, and muscle, so directly applying and leaving it on your face can boost the speed of your acne scar recovery.

Herb

Herbs such as turmeric, aloe vera, and sage are also effective in treating acne scars. Turmeric has been used for thousands of years in the Orient as a beauty product and applying turmeric paste to the skin or ingesting turmeric is effective in the management of acne scars. [5] Sage and aloe vera are well known healing agents, which can bring relief to acne scars. [6] Soak sage in hot water, allow it to cool, and then apply it on the skin. Aloe vera can be applied directly to the skin.

Apple Cider Vinegar

It is a good toner that helps clear up scars and acne marks. Vinegar is a powerful astringent that also stimulates blood flow to areas, which speeds healing and regeneration of cells.

Lime Juice

Apply freshly squeezed lime or lemon juice on the scars, and then it for a while before washing it off. [7] The bleaching property of lime juice makes the marks less visible. Lime juice also helps in the removal of dead skin cells and in the regeneration of new cells, along with improving the elasticity of the skin.

Olive Oil
You should use olive oil for cooking since it not only makes food appetizing but can also lighten acne scars. [8] Lightly massage olive oil onto the skin, and it will make the skin smooth again and reduce the scars. Olive oil is packed with natural antioxidants, which is why it is frequently used around the world for a variety of health benefits. In terms of clearing the skin of marks and scars, it is one of the best options for a home remedy.

Honey

Honey is a natural moisturizer, which is used in the treatment of acne scars. [9] Eating honey and applying a honey mask on the face are two ways which are found to be effective in acne scar treatment.

Water

Water is probably the best available natural method to treat acne scars. [10] You should drink plenty of water, as it helps in flushing out the toxins from your body and revitalizing it. Water also assists in shedding dead skin cells and aids in the formation of healthy skin. Drinking lukewarm water in the morning specifically helps in flushing out toxins.

Mint Juice

You can always apply the mint juice on the face as it is highly natural and nutrient-rich substance that has been connected with anti-inflammation and a reduction in acne symptoms.

Strawberry Leaves

After eating strawberries, do not throw away their leaves, as these are helpful in curing pimples on the face

Rosehip Seed Oil

Rosehip seed oil can reduce acne scars and lessen discoloration. [11] This oil is also a powerful anti-aging agent, which reduces wrinkles and rejuvenates the skin. Rosehip seed oil is an important ingredient in cosmetic products and is commonly used to treat acne scarring, facial scarring, sun damage, and premature aging. Massage the skin with this oil two times a day for best results.

Lavender Oil

Application of lavender oil on acne scars can revitalize the skin since it has many regenerative properties. [12]

Fenugreek

It is commonly used in the treatment of acne scars. Boil some fenugreek seeds in water and allow them to cool before applying to the scars. [13] Application of a face mask made from a paste of fenugreek leaves is also quite effective.


Other Remedies

Apart from the most common remedies mentioned above a few other remedies include:

Makeup and Creams

For women who want to reduce the appearance of their acne scars, be sure to choose makeup that is light, non-greasy, and oil-free. [14] Obviously, it is natural to want to cover the scars, but if you do it with harsh makeup or more chemicals, you could be making the problem worse.

Vitamin E

This essential vitamin helps in countering pimples since it is a natural antioxidant that eliminates free radicals associated with skin diseases. The common vitamin E supplements are soft gelatin capsules containing pure vitamin E along with glycerin, water, and soybean oil.

Toothpaste
You can apply toothpaste on the acne to relieve swelling and pain every night for at least a week to experience a significant improvement.

Ice

Applying ice to the face helps tighten pores and to reduce secretion of acne-causing sebum. Ice also works as a natural astringent to tighten up the pores around marks and scars, making scarring less obvious, by decreasing the size of the pores that were affected by acne in the first place.
Fuller’s Earth

This beneficial substance is commonly used for cleaning oily skin, clearing out skin pores, and diminishing scars due to acne. A face pack prepared from a mixture of fuller’s earth and rose water can be applied for quick results as it can reduce the effects of any sebum that has been additionally built up beneath the pores on the face.

Dietary Solutions

Applying natural or herbal products to the affected areas of acne scars can be helpful, but it is not the only solution. Remember that other skin care issues are solved both internally and externally. Be sure to maintain a healthy, balanced diet that has a sufficient amount of vitamins and minerals, particularly those that are renowned for boosting skin health, like vitamin A, and antioxidant-rich food that reduces any further damage to your skin. Including fruits and vegetables in your daily diet to reduce acne scars is a good idea, considering they are healthy and delicious dietary items that are associated with healthier skin.

Word of Caution: Home remedies are only recommended for mild acne scars and if you have a secondary infection or deep scars, you should consult a qualified dermatologist before setting out on an alternative treatment regimen. Apart from the natural goodness of home remedies, a nutritious diet can go a long way towards healing scars from acne.