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Sometimes the worst thing about an acne breakout is not the breakout itself, but the marks that come afterwards. Spots can disappear within days … these scars seem to take a lifetime to clear up. Luckily, there are skincare products that can help us deal with this. We just have to figure out which ones they are!
Scrolling through The Ordinary website can be a bit overwhelming. There are so many formulations and so many unknown ingredient names, it seems impossible to decipher which ones we actually need. That’s why I’ve created this summary – to give a quick rundown of the best The Ordinary products for fighting hyperpigmentation and clearing acne scars.
Read on to find out what they are and how they work!
DISCLAIMER: The products listed below are only effective in the case of post-inflammatory erythema (PIE), post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) and very shallow acne scarring. For deeper acne scars it’s advisable that you see a doctor or dermatologist who can offer alternative treatment.
The Ordinary AHA 30% + BHA 2% Peeling Solution
The Ordinary’s Peeling Solution is made up of five different acids which all share one common function: breaking down dead skin cells. On the BHA side we have glycolic, lactic, tartaric, and citric acid. And on the AHA side we have the powerhouse that is salicylic acid (seriously, is there anything this ingredient can’t do?).
This mask works by resurfacing the skin to reveal a smoother, more radiant complexion. It’s pretty strong so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that this solution has been shown to reduce not just acne scars, but fine lines too!
PSA: It’s super important to remember that this is a wash-off product so it shouldn’t be left on the skin for more than 10 minutes at a time. Since it does contain so many chemical exfoliants, it’s also imperative that you wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen after using it. BHAs and AHAs have a tendency to make your skin much more sensitive to the sun, so be generous with the SPF!
The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension 10%
This is probably my favourite product from The Ordinary and it’s ALWAYS sold out so other people must love it too!
Azelaic acid works by brightening the skin and reducing redness, making it a key ingredient for fighting dark marks. It also has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties so not only does it help fade hyperpigmentation, it treats any remaining acne lesions too.
The Ordinary Azelaic Acid Suspension is described as a lightweight gel-cream, however, I would say it sits quite noticeably on the skin. Not in a bad way, just that – due to its silicone base – it has a kind of chalky finish. Because of this, I tend to only use this product at night or on days when I’m not wearing makeup. I personally find that the combination of azelaic acid, moisturiser and sunscreen makes my foundation pill like crazy so I avoid it if I can.
The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution
Glycolic acid is an AHA that’s derived from sugarcane. It sloughs away dead skin and improves surface texture, leaving the skin underneath looking brighter and more rejuvenated.
The Ordinary’s toner is made up of just 7% glycolic acid – the other key ingredients being humectants and amino acids – so it’s effective, yet still really gentle. Unlike the AHA and BHA Peeling Solution, this product can be used daily. In fact, this is the recommended usage – a simple swipe over the face in the evening should be more than enough.
Due to its exfoliating properties some people have even seen benefits using this for keratosis pilaris. Glycolic acid helps dissolve impacted keratin and unclog pores, so it stands to reason that your skin will be looking smooth and bump-free after using this toner!
The Ordinary Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate 10%
Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate is a vitamin C derivative that brightens the skin and fades scar tissue. It’s stable and has a neutral pH so it’s said to be less irritating than other forms of vitamin C – ideal for dry or sensitive skin types.
What’s great about this cream is that not only does it fade hyperpigmentation, it also suppresses melanin production so that these marks don’t appear in the first place. Prevention is key, so I think this is an amazing product to keep on hand.
The Ordinary Mandelic Acid 10% + HA
The Ordinary Mandelic Acid is another AHA that fights acne scars. Like glycolic acid, it exfoliates the surface of the skin and fades hyperpigmentation. But that’s not all it does! It also promotes collagen and elastin production, making the skin look fuller and fresher.
Best of all, mandelic acid is less irritating than other AHAs, so it’s more suited to sensitive skin. If you suffer with acne scars and tend to stay away from The Ordinary products because they’re a little too strong, you need to try this out!
The Ordinary Lactic Acid 10% + HA
By now you’ve probably noticed a running theme … which is that AHAs are really good for diminishing acne scars! Lactic acid is no exception. It stimulates cell renewal and really helps to lighten dark spots. It’s also great for getting rid of textural irregularities and reducing bumpiness.
Lactic acid is slightly more gentle than glycolic acid since the molecule doesn’t penetrate into the skin as deeply. This means that it’s less irritating, but it also means that the results are likely to be more superficial. You’ll probably notice an improvement pigmentation-wise, however, you won’t see too much change when it comes to pitted or indented acne scars.
The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%
This niacinamide x zinc combination is a favourite among many. Both ingredients have been proven to repair damage and support skin healing. Niacinamide also minimises redness, while zinc stimulates collagen production. So, if you want a product that evens out skin tone and reduces texture, this is it!
Personally, it took me quite a while to see results from using this serum. I did see a difference in the end, but only after weeks of applying it. I think it’s one of those products that you really have to commit to. If you stick it out, you will eventually notice improvements in your skin, it just takes a little time.
There you have it – the best The Ordinary products for clearing acne scars. Which of these do you use? Or which ones do you want to try? Let me know down in the comments.
In what order do you apply these and can they all be used together? And which do you do in tje morning and which at night? Thank you!
Hi Nina, thanks so much for your comment! It’s best not to overwhelm your skin, so I recommend using only one of these products at a time in your respective morning and evening skincare routines. The only exception is the niacinamide serum, as this can be used in combination with nearly all the other products on this list (not including the magnesium ascorbyl phosphate). If you’re new to exfoliating acids, I would start by applying mandelic acid a couple of days a week in the evening and see how your skin gets on. If this works you could then add a vitamin C derivative, like magnesium ascorbyl phosphate, into your morning routine. When it comes to The Ordinary Peeling Solution, this should be used very sparingly (one a week or even once every two weeks) and make sure not to leave it on for more than a couple of minutes. If you have sensitive skin you might want to avoid the peeling solution entirely as it is quite strong. Hope this is helpful! The Deciem Chat Room also has some really great advice about which The Ordinary products you can and can’t mix 🙂
I am from Bangladesh. My age is 27. I have pitted acne scars and boxer scars. My skin type is oily,acne prone and sensetive.Which ordinary product help me reduce my pitted and boxer acne scars?
Kindly reply to me. Thank you.
With regards,
Sayeda Suravi Akter
Hi Sayeda, thanks so much for your comment. These The Ordinary products work best on superficial scarring and discolouration, so they may not be as effective on pitted, boxcar scars. If you’re able to speak to a GP or dermatologist, they can help you find a treatment that will help to reduce the appearance of deeper scars. All the best, Ellen
Are the Ordinary peeling products as well as the other products ok to use on mature skin to reduce or resurface deep wrinkles?
Hi Patsy, instead of the exfoliants I mention in this post, I’d look into The Ordinary’s retinoid offering instead. These are specifically formulated to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles 😊