The Ordinary has been able to build a loyal and excited customer base over the last couple of years, and it’s all due to its high-quality ingredients, clean formulas, and most importantly, fantastic products that truly deliver results.
Whether you’re fighting acne, trying to reduce skin blemishes, or looking for that anti-aging effect, The Ordinary offers a wide range of formulas that can address all these issues.
But the brand is particularly praised for its chemical exfoliants and “peeling” solutions that have been developed to treat uneven skin tone, provide a clear complexion, and most of all, help you get rid of acne scars.
Today, we’ll talk about the best The Ordinary products for acne scars.
Key Takeaways
In a hurry? here are the key points regarding The Ordinary products for acne scars:
- Some of the best The Ordinary products for acne scars are The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%, The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution, and The Ordinary Peeling Solution 30ml AHA 30% + BHA 2%.
- If you want to treat uneven skin tone and minimize the appearance of acne scars, The Ordinary products for acne scars are a great solution.
- The Ordinary products have taken the world by storm because of the clean formulas, quality ingredients, and affordable pricing.
The Best Ingredients to Get Rid of Acne Scars
What makes The Ordinary stand out from other brands and promise visible results? Of course, it’s the fact that they put ingredients first and everything else second.
You can find powerful ingredients such as retinol, AHAs, BHAs, etc. in The Ordinary’s rich range of formulas. Today, I’ll help you understand these acne-fighting ingredients a little bit better because it’ll help you find the best products for acne scars.
Related: The Ordinary Buffet review
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a skincare favorite. This powerful antioxidant helps fade acne scars and hyperpigmentation. It helps brighten skin tone and energize the skin, which is what makes it one of the best ingredients for acne scars.
Also, vitamin C has healing properties that help dramatically improve collagen production and rebuild the skin’s barrier. Look for products with vitamin C or ascorbic acid (the most common form of vitamin C in skin care products) to get rid of skin discoloration, redness, and dark spots.
Lactic Acid
Lactic acid is a mild and gentle acid that gets the job done. You can usually find it in over-the-counter products and gently-exfoliating products that peel away dead skin cells and increase cell turnover.
Lactic acid can help improve the skin texture, smooth rough scar tissue, and reduce the appearance of pores. It’s highly effective for fighting dark spots and acne scars, so look for The Ordinary serums with lactic acid if you want a gentle, yet visible exfoliation.
Niacinamide
Niacinamide is a form of vitamin B and one of the most popular hydrators in the skincare world. Everyone needs hydration, especially skin that has acne scars or discoloration.
Niacinamide provides a hydrating boost to the skin which can significantly speed up cell turnover and help eliminate acne scars. It also has anti-inflammatory properties that help reduce skin damage, protect the top layer of the skin, and treat discoloration.
Many brands incorporate niacinamide into their range of products to help people treat some of the most common skin issues, such as acne and acne scars.
AHAs & BHAs
Alpha hydroxy acids are skincare powerhouses that offer tremendous benefits to the skin, one of them being acne scar treatment. AHAs are plant and animal-derived acids typically used in anti-aging serums, chemical peels, and acne treatments. The most commonly used acids from this group are lactic acid and glycolic acid.
Beta hydroxy acids are the lesser-known version of AHAs; both groups are powerful chemical exfoliants and can help fade acne scars. BHAs are oil-soluble while AHAs are water-soluble. BHAs primarily address acne problems, while AHAs are more used in anti-aging products. The most popular acid from the BHA group is salicylic acid.
Retinoids
When we talk about skincare powerhouses and heroes, retinoids always have a special place on the list. They can dramatically speed up cell regeneration and support the production of new skin cells.
Retinoids can reduce inflammation, manage post-inflammation pigmentation, and help get rid of acne scars. Since there’s a variety of different types of retinoids, you may want to talk to a professional about using the stronger forms. Some of them even need a prescription, but the lighter types are often found in OTP skincare products.
Azelaic Acid
Another fantastic ingredient for acne-related problems is azelaic acid which is found in food grains such as wheat and barley. Because it has both antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory qualities, it’s an effective solution for active breakouts and scars.
Also, it improves the skin cell turnover, helps the skin heals faster, and minimizes acne scarring. By reducing inflammation and redness, it makes acne scars less visible and the skin brighter. Due to its ability to diminish redness on the skin, azelaic acid is a common post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation ingredient.
Salicylic Acid
As I mentioned, salicylic acid is one of the most popular beta-hydroxy acids that’s commonly used to treat acne scars, reduce redness, and improve skin health. You can find it in serums, toners, moisturizers, acne treatments, etc.
It’s a gentle and effective exfoliator that stimulates skin cell turnover and removes accumulated debris that’s clogging the pores. Salicylic acid is a great ingredient for fighting acne and getting rid of acne scars.
Glycolic Acid
Another acid that I already mentioned, but deserves a separate spot on the list is glycolic acid. Glycolic acid is a powerful ingredient that removes blackheads, whiteheads, and pimples. Also, it’s considered to be highly effective in brightening dark spots and helping get rid of pigmentation.
It works by exfoliating the skin to reduce the appearance of fine lines and pigmentation. Glycolic acid peels can eliminate acne scarring, shrink pores, and make the skin look healthier.
Can The Ordinary Help With Acne Scars and Dark Spots?
While there’s no universal treatment to help eliminate acne scars, there are a few options that can help brighten skin tone and discoloration. By using the right ingredients, you can significantly improve the condition of your skin and fade hyperpigmentation from acne scarring.
So, can The Ordinary help with your acne scars? Yes, the brand offers a variety of different serums and peeling solutions that help treat acne scars, reduce pigmentation, and brighten dark spots.
If you’re dealing with hyperpigmentation from acne scarring, there’s a broad range of products to check out in The Ordinary’s portfolio.
Which The Ordinary is Best for Acne Scars?
Not sure which product to add to your beauty regimen? Here are the 8 best The Ordinary for acne scars to consider.
1. The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution
This gentle exfoliating toner contains a 7% concentration of glycolic acid (an alpha hydroxy acid), aloe vera, amino acids, ginseng, and Tasmanian pepper berry. With continued and consistent use, this powerful combo can visibly improve the appearance of the overall skin tone and deliver radiance to a dull complexion.
Use it ideally in the evening and not more than once per day. This is a leave-in product so you can continue with additional treatments after applying it at night. Before you apply this toning solution, make sure you clean your face thoroughly.
Apply the product using a cotton pad and sweep across the face and neck. Avoid using it if you have sensitive skin, peeling, or compromised skin.
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Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant that brightens the skin tone and fights anti-aging. This formula is a water-free 30% suspension of very fine L-Ascorbic Acid powder, which remains stable due to the absence of water.
Alongside the mighty vitamin C in the form of ascorbic acid, this product also comes with an addition of dehydrated spheres of Hyaluronic Acid which supports vitamin C’s ability to smooth and brighten skin surface.
Because of this product’s unique format (that provides direct exposure to high concentrations of Vitamin C), this product may cause skin tingling during the first two weeks of usage. Also, your skin may need more time to absorb this product than other serums and creams. You can dilute the product cream base per application until your skin builds tolerance.
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3. The Ordinary Peeling Solution 30ml AHA 30% + BHA 2%, 1 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
The Ordinary Peeling Solution is one of the most popular products by the brand, especially beneficial for acne-prone skin. It contains 30% alpha-hydroxy acids (glycolic/lactic/tartaric/citric), 2% beta hydroxy acid (salicylic acid). Both AHAs and BHAs are powerful exfoliants.
Combined together, they offer deeper exfoliation, help fight visible blemishes, and improve skin radiance. The formula can also improve skin texture and reduce the appearance of fine lines.
Use this peeling solution as a masque and leave it for not more than 10 minutes on your face. Avoid using it on sensitive skin or irritated skin. It’s recommended to use this product a maximum of twice per week and at PM. Also, make sure you wear sunscreen while using this chemical exfoliation and a week after using it.
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This concentrated serum with Purified Alpha Arbutin and Hyaluronic Acid is one of the most powerful The Ordinary products for acne scars. It comes with a high 2% concentration of alpha arbutin and is supported with Hyaluronic Acid for maximum efficiency. This skincare product helps reduce the appearance of age spots and improve skin tone.
You can use it in the morning and/or evening. Apply a few drops of the serum on clean and healthy skin. Also, make sure you always use sun protection while using this product to avoid skin damage.
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5. The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + Ha 30ml
The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA 2% is a high-strength peeling formulation that contains a 10% concentration of lactic acid and is supported by a 2% concentration of hyaluronic acid. This rich formulation offers gentle exfoliation to the skin.
On top of that, this The Ordinary lactic acid comes with a purified Tasmanian pepper berry that can lessen inflammation that is often associated with exfoliation. If you want to get a more radiant complexion and brighten dull skin, try adding this lactic acid product into your skincare routine.
Apply ideally in the PM and only once per day. Do not use this product on sensitive or irritated skin. You can dilute it with other treatments until your skin builds tolerance. Also, don’t forget about sun protection.
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The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10% is a multifunctional brightening formula that can visibly enliven the skin. This lightweight cream can fade acne scars, lighten uneven skin tone, and overall create a healthier skin barrier.
If you use this product regularly, you’ll quickly see the difference in your overall skin tone. Apply it in the morning and/or evening while avoiding the eye area. Since this product can make your face more sensitive to the sun, wearing sunscreen is a must.
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7. The Ordinary Granactive Retinoid 5% in Squalane
Retinoids are highly effective skincare ingredients. This product is a water-free solution that contains a 5% concentration of an advanced retinoid active complex called Granactive Retinoid. This active technology has been proven to yield better results against multiple signs of aging than retinol.
While sun protection is mandatory when using all of The Ordinary for acne scars, it’s important to note that retinoids can make the skin particularly more sensitive to UV radiation. So, don’t forget to regularly wear sunscreen when using this retinoid formulation.
8. The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
One of the most praised The Ordinary products for acne scars is certainly this niacinamide formula. It contains a high 10% concentration of niacinamide (vitamin B3) that minimizes the look of skin blemishes and pore congestion.
Supported by zinc salt of pyrrolidone carboxylic acid, this high-strength formula also balances sebum activity. This product is great for fighting hyperpigmentation, dark spots, and discoloration.
It’s simple to use. You apply a few drops to the entire face morning and evening before heavier creams. Avoid mixing it with vitamin C because it may compromise the efficiency of both ingredients.
Example of The Ordinary Acne & Acne Scars Routine
Here’s an example of The Ordinary skincare routine for treating acne scars.
Morning:
- Squalane Cleanser
- Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1% Solution
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 Serum
- Natural Moisturizing Factors HA
- Mineral UV Filters SPF 15 with Antioxidants
Evening:
- Squalane Cleanser
- AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution
- Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 Serum
- 100% Plant-derived Squalane
Final Thoughts
Acne scars are one of the most frustrating and common skin issues. With The Ordinary’s hero products such as The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution and The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%, you will be closer to clear and bright skin.
When choosing products to fade your scars, always listen to your skin. Always patch-test every one of these products before you incorporate them into your daily (or weekly) skincare routine.
Remember that what works for someone else, may not necessarily work for you. The trick is to look for acne-targeting ingredients while choosing products that suit your skin.
I hope this article got you one step closer to the skin of your dreams. Good luck fighting those acne scars!