Skincare ingredients for acne scars and marks
Our research data links 20 ingredients to acne scars and marks. Strongest evidence comes first, each with the studies behind it.
A research list, not medical advice. If a skin condition worries you, see a dermatologist.
Which ingredients have the most evidence for acne scars and marks?
In our data, the strongest evidence for acne scars and marks is behind Azelaic acid, Tranexamic acid, and 4-Butylresorcinol.
- Azelaic acidModerate hazard
Studied at PIH/PIE 15% gel; PIH comparison 20% cream
15% 12-week placebo-controlled study and a 20% active-comparison dataset. Consider the PIE and PIH outcome measures and natural improvement in controls together.
- Reference: Shucheng et al., 2024
- Reference: Sobhan et al., 2023
Pregnancy: considered fine · Listed in 69 products
- Tranexamic acidLow hazard
Studied at post-acne PIH clinical 5% solution
Compared with 20% azelaic acid in a 12-week single-blind study, 30 people each completed. Both groups improved; with no placebo, natural resolution and the absolute effect cannot be fully separated.
- Reference: Sobhan et al., 2023
Pregnancy: not enough data · Listed in 165 products
- 4-ButylresorcinolLow hazard
Studied at PIH stand-alone effective concentration N/A; studies for other pigment disorders are in sections 2 and 4
Mainly extrapolated from other pigment disorders. The stand-alone effective range for PIH is N/A, and this differs from evidence for restoring scar structure.
- Reference: Huh et al., 2010
- Reference: Khemis et al., 2007
Pregnancy: not enough data · Listed in 10 products
- L-Ascorbic AcidLow hazard
Ascorbic Acid
Studied at PIH stand-alone effective concentration N/A; studies for other pigment disorders are in sections 2 and 4
Mainly extrapolated from other pigment disorders. The stand-alone effective range for PIH is N/A, and this differs from evidence for restoring scar structure.
- Reference: Humbert et al., 2003
- Reference: Espinal-Perez et al., 2004
- Reference: Murray et al., 2008
Pregnancy: not enough data · Listed in 609 products
- Isobutylamido thiazolyl resorcinolLow hazard
Studied at PIH stand-alone effective concentration N/A; studies for other pigment disorders are in sections 2 and 4
Mainly extrapolated from other pigment disorders. The stand-alone effective range for PIH is N/A, and this differs from evidence for restoring scar structure.
- Reference: Lima et al., 2021
- Reference: Lekhavat et al., 2026
Pregnancy: not enough data · Listed in 4 products
- N-Acetyl-D-glucosamineLow hazard
Acetyl Glucosamine
Studied at PIH stand-alone effective concentration N/A; studies for other pigment disorders are in sections 2 and 4
Mainly extrapolated from other pigment disorders. The stand-alone effective range for PIH is N/A, and this differs from evidence for restoring scar structure.
- Reference: Bissett et al., 2007
- Reference: Kimball et al., 2010
Pregnancy: not enough data · Listed in 158 products
- NiacinamideLow hazard
Studied at PIH stand-alone range N/A; general pigment and barrier clinical 2-5%
Mainly extrapolated from other pigment disorders. The stand-alone effective range for PIH is N/A, and this differs from evidence for restoring scar structure.
- Reference: Bissett et al., 2004
- Reference: Draelos et al., 2006
- Reference: Kimball et al., 2010
- Reference: Korea Ministry of Government Legislation et al., 2023
Pregnancy: not enough data · Listed in 2,529 products
- MadecassosideLow hazard
Studied at combination clinical 0.1% + LAA 5%; stand-alone N/A
- Reference: Haftek et al., 2008
Pregnancy: not enough data · Listed in 578 products
- AsiaticosideLow hazard
Studied at N/A
Pregnancy: not enough data · Listed in 514 products
- Asiatic acidLow hazard
Studied at N/A
Listed in 465 products
Copper Tripeptide-1
Studied at N/A
- Reference: Badenhorst et al., 2016
- Reference: Badenhorst et al., 2016
Pregnancy: not enough data · Listed in 374 products
- Madecassic acidLow hazard
Studied at N/A
Listed in 458 products
- Dimethicone (polydimethylsiloxane)Low hazard
Dimethicone
Studied at N/A; kept apart from product evidence for medical silicone gels and sheets
Film and hydration are mechanism candidates for hypertrophic scar management. An ordinary dimethicone lotion is not equated with a validated silicone scar device.
Listed in 1,508 products
- Sodium DNA / PolydeoxyribonucleotideLow hazard
Sodium DNA
Studied at N/A; injection evidence excluded
Pregnancy: not enough data · Listed in 366 products
sh-Oligopeptide-1
Studied at N/A
Listed in 126 products
Which ingredients for acne scars and marks need a doctor?
5 ingredients here are prescription-only or for in-clinic use in the US. We list them so you can look them up; they never go into a PERBETE routine.
Retinoic Acid
Studied at PIH original paper 0.1%, 40 weeks
A PIH controlled study in Black patients. Because irritation can cause new PIH, the same concentration cannot be applied uniformly.
- Reference: Bulengo-Ransby et al., 1993
Pregnancy: advised to avoid · Not in our product list yet
Studied at clinical/drug 0.005% = 50 ug/g
For the number of atrophic scars in patients with active acne and prevention of new scars. It does not mean complete restoration of already old, deep scars.
- Reference: American Academy of Dermatology, 2024
Pregnancy: advised to avoid · Not in our product list yet
Studied at atrophic acne scar clinical 0.1%
A 36-person split-face comparison. A small study against microneedling, not data confirming equivalence for all scars.
- Reference: American Academy of Dermatology, 2024
- Reference: Phillips et al., 2002
Pregnancy: advised to avoid · Not in our product list yet
Studied at PIH stand-alone range not confirmed in this review, N/A; melasma comparison 3-4%
Mainly extrapolated from other pigment disorders. The stand-alone effective range for PIH is N/A, and this differs from evidence for restoring scar structure.
- Reference: Balina and Graupe, 1991
- Reference: Espinal-Perez et al., 2004
- Reference: Janney et al., 2019
- Reference: Lim, 1999
Pregnancy: advised to avoid · Not in our product list yet
p-Hydroxyanisole
Studied at PIH stand-alone effective concentration N/A; studies for other pigment disorders are in sections 2 and 4
Mainly extrapolated from other pigment disorders. The stand-alone effective range for PIH is N/A, and this differs from evidence for restoring scar structure.
- Reference: Fleischer et al., 2000
Pregnancy: not enough data · Not in our product list yet
Which ingredients for acne scars and marks are advised against in pregnancy?
In our data, pregnancy guidance advises avoiding All-trans-Retinoic Acid (Tretinoin), Trifarotene, Tazarotene, and Hydroquinone. Each ingredient page names the source.
Pregnant or breastfeeding? Check new products with your doctor or midwife.
Get a routine for your skin
A free 2-minute quiz picks products for your concerns and leaves out ingredients you want to avoid.
Red does not mean poison. Preservatives that stop a product going off, UV filters and fragrance can land on yellow or red depending on their score.
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