6 Essential Tips for Treating & Concealing Acne Scars

We've all had it: the blemish (or blemishes) that just wouldn't go away without leaving a mark in it's place. If you have experienced post-acne scarring, you are definitely not alone!

And of course, you know the frustration that can be (a) waiting for them to go away, and (b) trying to find the best product to cover them up.

If you fall into either (or both) of these categories, then I am incredibly excited to share these 6 essential tips for treating and concealing acne scars with you!

Concealing Acne Scars! (And Treating Them)

Tip #1: Your Cleanser Matters - I am always stressing a good cleanser for a reason: it totally matters.

There are, indeed, cleansers that work beautifully to help lighten acne scars, while preventing future breakouts, one of my favorites being Eminence Organics Bright Skin Cleanser.

Why? Because this fabulous product deeply cleanses the skin and uses innovative ingredients to brighten and even your skin tone, meaning you can lighten your dark spots and remove pigmentation issues while you cleanse.

Tip #2: Look for Certain Ingredients - Salicylic Acid has been a long time favorite in the anti-acne game, and with good reason!

This ingredient helps to exfoliate the skin and fade dark spots, meaning faster healing (and disappearing) of your acne scars.

You can find many products that spotlight this ingredient on its own, or that combine it with other skin brightening ingredients for targeted results.

I am a huge fan of SkinCeuticals' Advanced Pigment Corrector, which combines Salicylic Acid with hydroxyphenoxy proprionic acid and elegiac acid, which work to prevent future hyperpigmentation and discoloration on the skin.

Tip #3: Don't Go Too Heavy - I know it can be tempting to layer on the skin-brightening product, but the truth is: patience is your friend.

Even the most natural skin brighteners can cause skin irritation when used in excess.

So, what is an impatient soul to do? If your treatment is not working as quickly as you'd like it to, you have two options:

• Option 1: Talk to your esthetician or dermatologist! It is very likely that they will be able to recommend a product or treatment to help speed up results. If you are given a product or prescription for a product to help achieve results sooner, be sure to follow your skincare professional's instructions. Always contact your skin care professional if you notice any negative reactions on your skin.
• Option 2: Find a makeup routine that will help to conceal your acne scars. They may still be there (though healing over time), but you will not be fixating on how they look once they are properly covered up.

Tip #4: Primer is Your Friend - Are you one of the thousands of people who write primer off as a luxury?

Well, think again! Primer is fantastic, not only for filling in fine lines and wrinkles and smoothing out the skin, but also for filling in acne scars, creating a smoother canvas for your foundation or concealer.

I have been loving Dermalogica's Hydrablur Primer, which minimizes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, mattifies against oily shine and imparts a silky, luminous finish to the skin.

This formula can even be worn alone on those days when you just don't feel like wearing foundation.

Tip #5: Find the Right Concealer - There are millions of concealers out there, so I totally understand if finding "the one" can seem daunting.

My tip? Look for formulas that are geared towards covering scars and blemishes (yes, these totally do exist).

Go Minerals Camouflage Oil Free is a fantastic option. It is recommended for all skin types, tones, and conditions, but is particularly beneficial for hyper-pigmentation, acne, blemishes, and yes, scars!

Tip #6: Set It - A hugely frustrating part of concealing imperfections is finding that your makeup has moved during the day.

You can combat this by simply setting your makeup into place!

Thankfully, there are many different ways to do this ;-) .

If you want to set your makeup while getting some SPF protection, reach for COOLA's Makeup Setting Spray SPF 30 (you can check out a review here, done by the fabulous Beaumiroir).

If you've already got your SPF on, and would prefer not to layer on another round, Model in a Bottle (which is loved by many celebs, including the beautiful Oprah) is a definite go-to.

They offer two formulas, one original and one sensitive for those who need something a little more gentle!

If sprays are not in your comfort zone, opt for a setting powder! One thing to consider when seeking out a powder is you want matte formulas. Many will offer light-reflecting properties that, while beautiful, may emphasize acne scarring if the skin is dented or inflamed.

I love YoungBlood's Loose Mineral Rice Setting Powder for a soft, matte finish.

Beauties, do you have any go-to methods for concealing acne scars? I'd love to hear your recommendations in the comments!