13 Best Korean Skincare Products for Acne Scars and Dark Spots
Struggling with acne scars? Not sure what will work? Don’t worry! Here are the 13 Best Korean Skincare Products for acne scars and Dark Spots
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Nothing more annoying than getting rid of the pimple after all the struggle and then being left with acne scars for good!
Acne scars can be challenging to get rid of. While a pimple stays on your face for about 2-4 days max
Acne scars last for months and months.
With time Dark spots and hyperpigmentation can still get a little litter, but scars take way too long
It is extremely frustrating when you have dark spots and redness everywhere.
I have had acne for 10 years, and more than the pimples, I find acne scars to be more annoying
They make my face red, and it looks like I have acne everywhere. After lots of experiments and research, I learned
there are some products and ingredients that can help in fading up the scars a bit quickly and effectively!
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How to get rid of Acne scars and Hyperpigmentation
If you are curious to know how you can get rid of acne scars and hyperpigmentation in detail with lots of different methods that are not Korean products related
I have a full detailed post sharing everything-How to fade acne scars and pigmentation
Best Ingredients For Hyperpigmentation & Acne Scars
When it comes to fading acne scars and hyperpigmentation, it is all about its ingredients.
Ingredients play a key role in either speeding up the process of your acne scar journey or keeping it stagnant.
Learning about the ingredients has been a game-changer in my acne journey and made my skin 10x better!
For your acne to heal and fade, there should be chemical exfoliant used for scars and brightening agents for hyperpigmentation!
Chemical exfoliant helps in exfoliating your skin and resurfacing the texture of your skin and hence fades your scars.
Whereas, Brightening ingredients help in fading dark and pigmentation and making your skin clear
Here are some of the best ingredients that work to help fade acne scars:
- Vitamin C
- Niacinamide
- Azelaic Acid
- Retinoids
- Alpha Arbutin
- AHA’s
- Tranexamic Acid
- Licorice Root
These Ingredients are quite effective in fading hyperpigmentation, but when it comes to acne scars there is not much these ingredients or Korean skincare products can do
If you have acne scars that are mitted or in short-term – physical scarring,, Chemical exfoliant can work to some extent in resurfacing your skin
But unfortunately, there is no magical product that can help with acne scars, only professional treatments like peels and laser work the best.
I know this can feel heartbreaking as even I have very little mild physical scarring on my face, and affording peels and the laser is not easy for us.
One thing I am focusing on is preventing more scars to form by taking extra care of my skin and using chemical exfoliants, you can read about it here
What are some Korean Products that are good for acne scars and dark spots?
If you are wondering why Korean skincare products and what is the hype all about?
Korean skincare products have gained huge popularity for being effective at treating all sorts of skin concerns, including acne scars.
Their products are made with lots of deep research, and treatments have been magical.
Their use of ingredients is clean, safe, and especially high quality
Here are some Best Korean skincare products for acne scars and dark spots!
1. COSRX Snail Mucin 96% Power Repairing Essence:
Cosrx is one of my favorite Korean skincare brands and especially their snail mucin collection.
The snail mucin essence contains snail mucin, which is known for its ability to promote skin regeneration and repair.
It contains 96% snail secretion filtrate, I know you might be wondering if it is cruelty-free or causes any harm to the animal.
So after doing a little research, I found that they use a very harmless way to do this
The snails are put in a place where their secretion is left, and they collect it to use the product. So they are not harmed.
It can help to fade acne scars and improve overall skin texture.
This Product has been really popular among people for helping heal their acne and its scars.
This product claims to provide
- Fade dark spots
- Improve Skin texture
- Anti aging
- Hydration
2. CosRX AHA/BHA Refresh Vitamin C Booster Serum
This is definitely one of the best Korean serums for dark spots as it contains so many brightening and exfoliating ingredients like-
- 57% golden-rx Complex (containing a mixture of plant extracts like kiwi, and dragon fruit seabuckthorn water) that helps in naturally exfoliating and brightening the skin!
- 2% niacinamide and AHA/BHA to help with acne breakouts and fade scars! Since the concertation of actives is less, it also works perfectly for sensitive skin!
3. KRAVE Beauty Kale-lalu-yAHA
With 5.25% glycolic acid, it becomes a perfect chemical exfoliant to fade acne scars. Its percentage makes it gentle and suitable for sensitive skin
Also contains Hyaluronic acid which keeps your skin hydrated.
Kale, spinach, and parsley are some amazing antioxidants in this product to act as a barrier against external damage
This product is CULT FAVOURITE! Perfect exfoliating product out there!
4. Beauty of Joseon Serum (Glow Deep Serum)
This is a water-based serum containing 68.6% rice bran water making it a product full of hydrating and brightening properties.
The rice barn in this helps restore the skin barrier and fade dark spots
It also contains 2% arbutin, which helps in fading dark spots and evening out skin tone
Clearly the Best serum for acne and dark spots!
5. Naturium Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2%
Niacinamide has been known for fading acne scars and helping reduce acne as it helps reduce sebum production.
Niacinamide is great ingredient and I have tried it in the past ( the ordinary one at 10%)
This Product contains 12% niacinamide which makes it a strong-brightening product.
However, if you have extremely sensitive skin. The concentration must be too high for you.
You need to patch and try it for yourself and see if it is well tolerated by your skin or not.
It also contains glycerin and hyaluronic acid to add hydration to oily and combination.
6. Isntree Clear Skin 8% AHA Essence
Chemical exfoliant used in the form of toner or essence works best as they stay on your face longer and get enough time to do all the magic in your skin.
This Isntree AHA Essense contains, both glycolic and lactic acid which are great chemical exfoliants to remove dead skin, smooth skin texture, and fade dark spots.
The great thing about this essence is that both the ingredients Glycolic and lactic acids are humectants that will help in hydrating the skin.
It also contains Licorice root extract that helps lighten acne scars and pigmentation.
This is the best Korean skincare product for acne scars and dark spots, as it combines exfoliating and brightening ingredients to quickly fade hyperpigmentation.
7. COSRX Centella Blemish Cream
COSRX Centella Blemish Cream is another Korean skincare product made for treating acne scars.
It contains 50% Centella Asiatica leaf water, which is known for its anti-inflammatory and healing properties.
Centella Asiatica helps to calm irritated and soothe sensitive skin, also strengthening the skin’s barrier.
With 7% Zinc Oxide, it helps treat & prevents skin irritation like cuts, and burns. This ingredient is found in most sunscreens as it helps in protecting the skin from UV rays.
It also has sunflower seed oil, which is a great source of vitamin E, an antioxidant that is effective for acne, inflammation, general redness, and irritation of the skin.
The Best Korean Skincare Product to Treat acne scars for Sensitive skin as well
8. Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30Days Miracle Toner
Chemical Exfoliant works best in the form of toner, and this is one of the most popular Korean skincare Chemical exfoliants out there!
This Miracle toner Contains all three hydroxy acids – AHA (alpha-hydroxy acid), BHA ( beta-hydroxy acid) PHA (polyhydroxy acid) making it a jam-packed chemical exfoliant.
It works by exfoliating your skin gently and removing dead cells, unclogging pores, and improving overall skin texture.
The Some by Mia Miracle toner also includes patented ingredients P-PEFINYL, which is a sebum-controlling component, and Fructan, which is moisturizing the skin.
If you have Physical scarring, this product can really help you treat those scars!
For those with acne-prone skin, this can help control sebum production, which helps prevent breakouts and fade post-acne pigmentation!
9. Beauty of Joseon] Glow Serum : Propolis + Niacinamide
This Ultimate Glow Serum is an extremely popular Korean Skincare serum to help hydrate, brighten, and improve the overall appearance of the skin.
The key ingredients in the Beauty of Joseon Glow Serum include
- 59.94% Propolis extract which is a natural resin produced by bees, is known for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, making it effective in treating acne and preventing new breakouts.
- 2% Niacinamide, a form of vitamin B3 that brightens the skin, Control Oil production, and fades hyperpigmentation. Perfect Ingredient for Acne-prone skin!
- Tamanu oil is a natural oil that is suitable for all skin types and helps in treating inflamed and wounded Skin.
This is an ultimate Brightening and glowing Korean serum that helps with acne scars and improves skin health.
10. Naturium Retinol Complex Face Serum
Retinol is one of the best ingredients out there for acne, scars, wrinkles, and overall skin health!
When Others ingredients don’t give your skin much result, retinol becomes the last solution because it is a very strong ingredient too.
Naturium Retinol Complex Face Serum contains a blend of various active ingredients like-
Retinol is the primary ingredient, is a form of vitamin A that is known for its anti-aging properties and boosts Collagen.
It helps by exfoliating the skin and promoting cell turnover, which improves the texture and tone of the skin and works great for pitted acne scars.
It also reduces the appearance of hyperpigmentation on your skin
Squalane, helps moisturize your skin to maintain a strong and healthy skin barrier
11. AXIS-Y Dark Spot Correcting Glow Serum
As said by the name of the product, it is a dark spot-correcting serum that has brightening and anti-aging properties
It has a variety of active ingredients that work together to reduce the appearance of dark spots and brighten the skin like niacinamide, glutathione, and hyaluronic acid
- 5% Niacinamide which is a good amount of concertation for sensitive and normal skin. It helps in fading acne scars and controls oil production and improves skin health
- Squalane, Keeps skin young and healthy
- Sea Buckthorn, which Brightens skin and reduces spots
- Rice Bran, which smooths and brightens the skin
Best Korean serum for acne-prone skin to help fade hyperpigmentation and acne scars!
12. MISSHA Vita C Plus Spot Correcting & Firming Ampoule
Vitamin C is one of the best Brightening ingredients making it perfect for fading hyperpigmentation!
The MISSHA Vita C Plus Spot Correcting & Firming Ampoule contains 99% Vitamin C which is going to help brighten your skin and fade dark spots!
It also contains Niacinamide and TranexamicAcid, which reduces the appearance of dark spots and hyperpigmentation.
It also contains ingredients like allantoin, glycerin, ceramides, and peptides to plump, hydrate and nourish the skin.
13. Goodal Green Tangerine Vita C Serum
Another Great Vitamin C serum for acne scars and hyperpigmentation you will love!
It contains a powerful blend of 70% fresh green tangerine extract, 4% niacinamide, and arbutin.
All of these powerful ingredients work in fading acne scars and pigmentation and brightening skin tone!
It is suitable for sensitive skin as well.
However, Vitamin C should not be exposed with Sun which is why it IS A MUST to put on your sunscreen when using it in the morning.
When exposed to the sun, it can cause more dark spots and make your skin more sensitive! Which is why You can use it at night
Conclusion- Korean Skincare Products for Acne Scars and Dark Spots
Korean skincare products have been famous for their quality products!
Remember, it’s important to use these products consistently and give them time to work. It takes between 3-6 months for acne scars to fade away.
It’s also important to use sunscreen daily to protect your skin from further damage and to prevent acne scars from getting worse.
I know Acne scars can be extremely exhausting to deal with, however, there is no overnight treatment for them.
It takes time, and we need to accept our skin and keep working on our skincare game!
What’s your favorite Korean Skincare Products for Acne Scars and Dark Spots?
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