Any of The Ordinary’s acids can be used to help fade the appearance of acne scars and red marks by providing light exfoliation. However, it’s important to stick to just one and not to layer acids – this will irritate skin and make the scars more inflamed. Retinol will also help, as it increases cell turnover, as will vitamin C (which brightens pigmentation) and rosehip oil. Again, it’s important not to mix these products. Dermatologists recommend using a vitamin C in the morning and then either an acid or a retinol in the evening.

Acids:

Mandelic Acid 10% + HA – The gentlest of The Ordinary’s AHAs as it has large molecules that don’t penetrate as deep as lactic and glycolic acids (full review here)

Lactic Acid 10% + HA 2% – A medium-strength AHA, lactic acid is stronger than mandelic as its molecules are smaller so can absorb deeper, however they are not as small as glycolic molecules so it is still a gentler alternative to glycolic

Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution – Glycolic acid has tiny molecules that can penetrate deeper, so this is the strongest of The Ordinary’s AHAs

AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution – An intensive treatment, a blend of lactic, glycolic, citric, salicylic, and tartaric acids to penetrate skin at multiple levels

Read more about The Ordinary’s acids here.

Retinols:

See below

Read all about retinol here.

Vitamin C serums:

See below

Read all about Vitamin C here.