Skin care routine for acne scars and uneven skin tone for normal to oily skin

You’ve finally won the battle against that stubborn breakout, only to discover it left a parting gift, a dark spot that refuses to fade. Here is the good news: you don’t need expensive treatments or dermatologist visits to fade those marks. All you need is the right drugstore products and consistency.

In this article, we provide a list of effective products for your morning and evening routines to help fade dark spots and redness left by healed acne and restore an even skin tone.

We have focused on drugstore-friendly options with proven ingredients such as niacinamide, Melasyl™, and retinol, suitable for normal and oily skin types, along with SPF recommendations to protect your progress. Remember that consistency is key! With this routine, you can see visible improvement within 8-12 weeks.

Before we dive into the products, here are the key active ingredients that make this routine effective:

• Niacinamide is your multi-tasker. It fades dark spots and redness, evens skin tone, strengthens your moisture barrier, while helping prevent future breakouts by keeping oil production in check.
• Melasyl™ is the new kid on the block, formulated through 18 years of research by La Roche-Posay. It visibly reduces dark spots, including post-acne hyperpigmentation and age spots. It is suitable for all skin types, including sensitive skin and aging skin. Remember to always follow with an SPF 50.
• Retinol is the gold standard for skin renewal. It helps smooth uneven texture and fade dark spots by accelerating cell turnover and boosting collagen production. The catch? You need to start slow to avoid dryness, irritation, and sun sensitivity. For this reason, it’s evening-only in this routine.
• Ceramides are your skin’s repair crew, restoring the skin’s protective barrier, which is often damaged by acne or harsh acne treatments.

Please note that this routine is meant for normal to oily skin, as well as acne-prone skin.

Anua Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil is a lightweight facial oil that helps you remove makeup and any impurities. It comes with a non-comedogenic formula that cleans your skin from impurities and sebum without clogging pores.

• Put some oil on dry hands
• Gently massage your face to remove makeup and SPF
• Remove using a cleanser

Grâce à sa formule spécifique, le La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Gel Cleanser est votre allié pour nettoyer votre peau et lui redonner son éclat.

Pourquoi choisir ce produit ? Ce gel nettoyant permet de se débarrasser des taches brunes causées par les acnés et redonne à votre peau sa texture naturelle. Ce produit est facile à utiliser et s’adapte à vos habitudes de soin et convient à tous les types de peaux.

• Morning and evening
• After cleansing oil, before serum

This anti-aging serum visibly reduces a range of skin discoloration, including sunspots, age spots, post-acne marks (or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation), and even the most persistent dark spots. It visibly reduces a range of skin discolorations, including sunspots, age spots, post-acne marks (or post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation)

• 3-4 Drops
• MORNING & EVENING After your face cleanser
• Gently massage serum into skin with your fingertips

CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum helps smooth your skin’s texture by reducing the appearance of post-acne marks, minimizing the look of pores, and improving your skin’s texture.

• Apply evenly in the evening only, alternate with the La Roche-Posay Mela B3 Serum
• After your cleanser

CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion provides a high level of protection for your skin by absorbing and reflecting harmful sun rays. This moisturiser also keeps your skin smooth and hydrated throughout the day.

• Morning only and after applying Mela B3 Serum
• Apply 15 minutes before sun exposure after
• Apply every two hours to ensure optimal protection

CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion

CeraVe PM Facial Moisturizer is essential to your skincare routine. This lotion is light and oil-free, which makes it suitable for an evening skincare routine. Its formula includes niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and provide hydration for your skin, helping restore the natural skin barrier, ensuring that your skin stays smooth all day.

• Use after cleansing and serum
• Apply thoroughly to the face and neck at night