Experts Say These Face Masks Actually Help Heal Acne Scars
Acne and scarring: Two skin woes that go hand in hand. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, over 50 million Americans are affected by acne annually.1 Rest assured that if you’re convinced you can’t ever catch a break from its side effects like scarring, hyperpigmentation, and inflammation, you’re not alone, and you will get through this. Trusting in a reliable skincare regimen will make all the difference.
When it comes to fading acne scars, a lot of products come into play. There are serums, cleansers, home remedies, and more that you can use for treatment. One of the best products for bringing on clear, glowing, radiant skin is a trusty face mask. Curling up on your couch with Netflix going and a face mask on could be the answer to getting those dark spots to finally fade away. We tapped the pros to figure out which masks have the best acne-fading reputation.
Keep scrolling to discover the best face masks for acne scars.
Best Overall: Ren Clean Skincare Glycol Lactic Radiance Renewal Mask
This peel-off mask has an effective concoction of four acids to speed up cell turnover and leave you with baby-soft skin. The powerful grouping of acids helps to even out the skin tone and diminish the look of dark spots over time.
Best Brightening: Peter Thomas Roth Pumpkin Enzyme Mask Enzymatic Dermal Resurfacer
KEY INGREDIENTS Alpha-hydroxy acids are a group of acid compounds most often derived from plant-based sources. There are a variety of different ones out there, some of which include glycolic (derived from sugarcane) and lactic (derived from sour milk). While they all act on the surface of the skin as chemical exfoliants, they differ in size and subsequently penetration and potency.
Mōda artist and skin expert Dominique Lerma loves this triple-action mask because it revitalizes dull-looking skin with its exfoliating properties while soothing acne-prone areas. “I am especially a fan because pumpkin is packed with fruit enzymes and alpha hydroxy acids to increase cell turnover and boost collagen production,” she says.
Runner-Up, Best Exfoliating: Noto Botanics Resurface Scrub
Founder of skincare line Noto Botanics and makeup artist Gloria Noto suggests using this scrub as a mask to reap optimal benefits. All of the alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) blended with the grounded walnut shells deeply penetrate the skin when you let it seep in for at least five minutes. “Once ready to remove, you are adding extra resurfacing by gently exfoliating the micro-ground walnut shells off of your face,” Noto explains. “AHAs are known to help repair and bring fresh skin to the surface.”
Best Sheet Mask: Joanna Vargas Dawn Face Mask
KEY INGREDIENTS Vitamin C is an essential nutrient required for the growth and repair of tissues in all parts of the body, including the skin, but we cannot produce it on our own. For the skin, it helps to boost collagen, fade discoloration, and fight free radicals.2
Exfoliating powers are always a plus when looking to fade acne scars. “This mask has mandelic acid3 along with vitamin C, so it’s both exfoliating and healing, which is perfect for people with acne and scarring,” celebrity aesthetician Joanna Vargas explains.
Best for Hyperpigmentation: May Lindstrom The Problem Solver Correcting Masque
The best remedy for curing cold-weather blues? A warming mask, of course. “This is a warm correcting mask that is rich in raw cacao,” Lerma adds. “Its unique formula heals inflammation and aides with fading hyperpigmentation while also treating current breakouts.”
Best Firming: Palermo Vitamin C Facial Mask – Pink Clay + Rosehip
This mask is rich in rosehip, vitamin C, and strawberry extracts. “These ingredients are key in the production of collagen, which can help heal scarring, plump up the skin, and reduce the appearance of sun damage,” Noto says.
Best Clay Mask: H is for Love Propolis Face Mask
Noto points out the generous amount of clay in this mask, which draws out impurities, deep-cleans clogged pores, and prevents future breakouts and scarring. “This mask also has orange peel and frankincense, which are both known to help heal and purify the skin,” she explains.
Best Calming L:A Bruket Hydrating Face Mask
This Swedish skincare line’s international skin advisor Teja Mulic always recommends this mask because it’s great for soothing the skin and calming down microinflammation, as it’s formulated with aloe vera and cucumber extract. “Acne-prone skin is often sore, irritated, and dehydrated from deep cleansers used every day that balance sebum production,” Mulic explains. “Therefore, it is ideal to use products with calming and super-hydrating ingredients to balance and calm the inflammation, which helps avoid scars.”
Final Verdict
We’re giving top picks to the Ren Clean Skincare Glycol Lactic Radiance Renewal Mask. With a powerful blend of four acids to promote quicker cell turnover, this mask will give you soft, even-toned skin and fade your acne scars over time. Have acne scars on your body? Look no further than the Noto Botanics Resurface Scrub. Its gentle but effective blend of AHAs and grounded walnut shells will promote new, healthy, and glowy skin.
What to Look For in Face Masks for Acne Scars
Type
From scrubs to creams to sheets and peels, there are several types of face masks to treat acne scars. When exploring masks, consider which specific type will best heal your acne scars. If you’re looking for added exfoliation properties, a scrub is a great option. If you want to avoid messy application, opt for a sheet mask that’s easy to apply and remove.
Formula
Face masks differ in what specifically they target, key ingredients, and how “clean” they are. If you also want to tackle wrinkles or hydrate your skin, look at other listed benefits on the product’s packaging. As for ingredients, if you have sensitive skin or find yourself irritated by salicylic acid, pay attention to the dominant ingredients to avoid inflammation on top of acne scarring. Finally, if you’re committed to all-natural, vegan, or cruelty-free masks, it’s also important to double-check the product’s packaging and the company’s core values.
FAQ
How do face masks help to address acne scars?
It’s all in the formula. Face masks for acne scars often contain peeling agents, like alpha hydroxy acids, which accelerate exfoliation.4 This helps improve skin texture and hyperpigmentation associated with scarring.4
How often should you use a face mask for acne scars?
People differ in specific skin types, even among those prone to acne and acne scarring. Look at the product’s packaging for guidelines and consider your skin’s sensitivity and dryness.
How long should you leave on a face mask for acne scars?
It depends. Face masks for acne scars can be designed to wear overnight or might work in as little as five minutes. Take into account your schedule, skincare routines, and how long you prefer to wear a face mask when selecting one to heal acne scars. Pay attention to the product’s packaging to maximize efficacy.
How We Researched
To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best products on the market in this category, evaluating their key features—like ingredients, shade range, or design—in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. We then used this research to assign a star rating from one to five (five being the best; one being the worst) to certain products on the list.
