Clearing Up Red Acne Marks and Dark Spots Can Be Easier Than You Think

Put down the color correcting concealer. These are the most effective ingredients to fade the appearance of red marks and dark spots, according to experts.

If you’ve gotten past a bout of acne, you may feel that the battle is won.

However, getting rid of stubborn red and brown marks can be just as tough as banishing the acne itself.

Fortunately, these post-acne marks can be healed quickly and safely, without expensive visits to the dermatologist — you just need the right ingredients!

What Causes Red Marks?

Source: Instagram (@mimandskin)

"Before one scar would fade, a new pimple would surface. It was extremely frustrating and I couldn't find a product that would get rid of the acne scars." – Mim P.

Inflammation occurs when the body increases blood flow to the tissue surrounding a clogged pore¹. It is the body’s natural response in fending off bacterial infection.

After the pimple has flattened, it normally takes 8 to 12 weeks for blood vessels to shrink back to its original size. The residual blood and dilated blood vessels cause the red mark and it is important to fade these red marks quickly.

The longer red marks linger, they get exposed to UV light, collect melanin and become stubborn brown marks.


Getting Rid of Red Marks — Botanical Vs. Synthetic

Most scar spot treatments use lighteners to target melanin pigment. Such products only work on brown acne marks and does nothing to dissipate residual blood or shrink blood vessels in red marks.

Synthetic ingredients were commonly used to fade the redness, but they weren't nearly as effective as natural botanical complexes when it comes to soothing your skin2.

Meet Lighten Up — a unique formulation of botanical complexes to dissipate residual blood and reduce the appearance of dilated blood vessels:

  • Marigold flower improves your skin texture/tone.
  • Chamomile flower promotes healing and acts as a soothing agent.
  • Tea tree oil soothes redness and fades the appearances of post-acne red marks.

Clearly's pharmacists had vetted thousands of combinations of botanical ingredients before finding the optimal mix.

Apply Lighten Up both morning and evening and you should see a significant reduction within a month. The lotion does not clog pores and does not irritate sensitive skin.


A Different Tool for Brown Acne Marks?

@deannaskin Individual results may vary

It is important to fade red marks quickly as it reduces the chance of UV exposure. When red marks are exposed to UV, they quickly collect melanin and turn into brown marks3.

These dark spots are more stubborn than red marks and can last up to two years on most skin types. To fade them, use the Dark Mark Defense (DMD). This formulation penetrates deeper into the epidermis where melanin is buried.

DMD contains potent pigment-regulating agents* that fade the appearance of dark spots much faster.

  • Vitamin E creates a healing barrier over your skin.
  • TXA brightens skin and fades the appearance of hyperpigmentation.
  • 4nBR creates a lightening effect on your skin.

*Each active ingredient inside DMD is well researched by the medical community. Its effectiveness is further amplified by mixing the ingredients together in the right percentages. You won't find this unique mix anywhere else.

DMD works on post-acne brown marks, sun spots, age spots and melasma. You will see good improvement within three months of continuous use and a significant improvement after six months of use:


Don't know what type of acne scars you have? Generally red marks linger for three months so if you have a mark that lasts longer than three months, it is likely a brown acne scar. Questions? 👉 Click here for a FREE personalized assessment 💬.


What More Can I Do to Prevent Acne Scars4?

  1. First, prevention is key. Get rid of the clog and there is no acne . If you don't have new breakouts, you won't have new acne scars or marks.

  2. Second, resist the urge to pick at your pimples. Picking at your pimples increases the chances of inflammation, bacterial complications and permanent damage (atrophic scarring*) to the tissue surrounding your pores.

  3. Third, make sure to apply sunblock SPF35 or higher whenever you are outdoors as a red scar can easily turn brown with exposure to UV light.

*An atrophic scar is an indented scar that heals below the normal layer of skin tissue. They form when the skin is unable to regenerate tissue. As a result, it leaves behind imbalanced scarring.

Types of atrophic acne scars. Source: WebMD

To learn more about atrophic scars and how to get rid of them quickly and safely, sign up for the FREE toolkit below:

Win the War Against Acne

@mimandskin Individual results may vary

Of course, the best way to prevent acne scars is to stop new acne.

Doing this is easier than you might think. You don’t need a six-step procedure involving scrubbing and steaming. (Don't scrub or steam as it will further inflame your acne and leave deeper red marks)!

You just need a single lotion that is effective at penetrating into the pore to flush out dead skin trapped inside . If the dead skin does not accumulate inside the pore, clogs are much harder to form.

 

If you look at the algorithm dermatologists use5 to treat acne, the first choice in treating acne is a retinoid followed by an AZA lotion. Both ingredients flush out dead skin and are a deadly combination when working together.

Clear Out combines both pharma-grade retinol and AZA into a single bottle.

This unique combination of ingredients has been balanced to maximize effectiveness. The active ingredients work together to drive better results with less side effects*.

*Over 50% of our users have sensitive skin and they have no issues using Clear Out. This formulation is gentle, yet very effective in flushing out clogs.

Pair Lighten Up with Clear Out in order to clear clogs and reduce redness simultaneously:

Clear Out carries a 90-day money back guarantee so if you don’t see a noticeable improvement after using the entire bottle, you will get a full refund. T&Cs apply.

What People Are Saying About Clearly Basics ...

Clearly Basics has helped many people with acne ranging from mild to severe; people with sensitive skin to people with extremely oily skin. For a personalized assessment, please click "Send Message" on the Clearly Basics Facebook page.

Here are some of our user's stories below. These are users who have documented their entire acne journey on Instagram, including products they have used before they started Clearly Basics:


Toni (@xx.tonilumsden), a stylist from Hertfordshire spent over $6500 in acne products and treatments that did nothing for her acne but damage her skin …

Then she discovered Power Duo and it changed her life…

@xx.tonilumsden Individual results may vary

Never in my life did I imagine my skin would be this clear! Clearly Basics has completely transformed my skin!”


Alisha (@skinwithak) suffered from severe acne and went through three rounds of oral medications before discovering Clear Out :

alisha
 

@skinwithak Individual results may vary

“All I can say is ‘ Clear Out ’ by @clearlybasics is a Godsend ❤️ It doesn’t leave me overly dry or flaky which most retinol creams did.” "I wish I came across Clearly Basics before starting oral medication as I would have purchased these and wouldn't have had to put my body through so much!"


Or Ella (@_myskinstory), an aesthetician and a makeup artist who loves using Clear Out to keep her skin less acne-prone.

" Clear Out  is my favorite and most recommended product to any of my followers who suffer with mild-acne as well as post-acne suffers. The combination of ingredients are unique and work THE BEST in keeping spots at bay as well as improving acne marks & scars."


Bea (@beas.bareskin), a student from California, who has tried almost everything...

Ranging from prescription medication, chemical peels to a long list of brands (Clean & Clear, Clearasil, Proactiv, St. Ives, etc.)

...which resulted in even more breakouts, until she found Clearly Basics.

@beas.bareskin Individual results may vary

"My skin looks so good now! I've had a few of my classmates tell me my skin texture looks so nice and even now. 😊"


And many more reviews from Google ...


Try It, Risk FREE!

If you finish an entire bottle and don’t see any results…

You’re entitled to a full refund within 90 days! T&Cs apply.

Get Clear Out and give it a TRY!

About the Author

Mim is a primary school teacher from Southampton, England. Her Instagram page @mimandskin is dedicated to help those with acne. She has been documented her acne journey on this IG page.

References:
1. Deirdre Connolly et al, 2017 : Acne Scarring—Pathogenesis, Evaluation, and Treatment Options
2. Alison F. Stallings et al, 2009 : Practical Uses of Botanicals in Skin Care
3. Paula Begoun : Postinflammatory Hyperpigmentation
4. Fabbrocini G et al, 2018 : Evaluation, Prevention, and Management of Acne Scars: Issues, Strategies, and Enhanced Outcomes
5. Christine Nguyen, 2018 : Acne treatment algorithm suggested by Gollnick et al - Mild Moderate and Severe Acne

Disclaimer:

Nothing on this article should be interpreted as personal medical advice. For medical related matters, please consult with your dermatologist.

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#RealResults

See what others have to say about Clearly Basics.

Based on 25 reviews
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(22)
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Skin Type: Normal
Comments: Any ideas on how to get rid of brown skin damage
Skin defence

Marks of sun damage are still there they haven't faded much after using twice a day for 60 days. . I will continue until product is finished. I'm a bit disappointed

Skin Type: Combination

I am so happy that I stumbled upon clearly basics on instagram. I was skeptical at first but decided to give it a try and bought clear out clarifying lotion. It's been 2 months and my skin has improved a lot. I can see significant reduction in pores and acne.

Skin Type: Combination
Amazing

After years of medication and products, I decided to try clearly basics. In just 6 weeks my skin has calmed and I am now able to treat scarring.

So glad to have found these products!

Finding products that helped to control my acne without irritating my sensitive skin has always been a huge challenge. The clearly basics products have been my saviour, I can't recommend them enough ☺️

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Excellent and actually works

I am so incredibly impressed with the TLC for pore minimising - it 💯 works and has transformed my skin.

I’m in my 50’s and always had hormonal flare ups with larger pores as I age - this is a game changer and have just reordered my 3rd bottle !

❤️❤️❤️❤️

Skin Type: Combination
The Best!!

So good been buying for a couple years. Just a shame they no longer ship to UK and I have to look for another product

not bad but I thought the formula has changed since what it was previously (i had it maybe 2 years ago) and I found it less effective now

Skin Type: Combination
This is the stuff.

So, long time sufferer of acne. Started when I was 12 and I'm 28 now still battling it. I've tried all kinds of different things to try and get it under control and besides birth control, nothing has helped long term. I never want to take birth control ever again and I just happened upon this brand and decided well, why not try? To my amazement, it has helped more than anything else I've tried, I'd say it has improved my skin to the level it was at when I took BC. Of course I still get pimples every now and then, and tiny flare ups during PMS but my skin is nowhere near as bad as it used to be. I highly recommend this company. To those who are considering trying this out, be aware that during the first week or so your skin will go through a purge and your acne will appear to get worse at first. Stick with it! Once that phase is over is when your skin will begin improving. I do need to use it every night for it to be fully effective, but even when I do forget, the pimples don't get too out of control. I just can't say enough good things about this product. It has helped my confidence improve immensely and I definitely recommend trying it to those who have skin as finicky as mine.

Skin Type: Sensitive / Dry
The only moisturiser I trust

I am super sensitive and this is the only moisturiser that I trust honestly incredible.

Skin Type: Combination
Amazing!

I use this product and with the clear out and it has really helped my hormonal acne.

This skin care routine is the o lay one that has helped clear up my daughters skin.

My daughters skin is really starting to look better!

Skin Type: Oily
So far so good

Bought this for my daughter that has struggled with acne for years. She has seen improvement and less frequent breakouts.

Best moisturizer I have found!

V
Lighten Up Redness Rescue Cream
Veronica Ilenya Ranieri
Skin Type: Sensitive / Dry
Perfect

Has changed my skin from acne pro to almost perfect 😍😍

Skin Type: Combination
Obsessed !!

Obsessed with this cleanser!! It left me feeling fresh and prevented break outs. It is incredible . Loved this product so much

My skin feels so soft after using this moisturiser!

My skin feels so soft after using this moisturiser!

Skin Type: Combination
Fresh and clean!

My face is filled with energy and feels so fresh and clean!

Skin Type: Normal
excellent item!

have been using this for years! so good for my skin :)

C
So Fresh pH Balancing Cleanser
Carmelinda Di Manno
Skin Type: Combination
Fresh Feeling

My skin feels so clean and still hydrated when I use this cleanser. It’s balancing and refreshing. My skin has responded really well to it and at times my skin can be sensitive. I highly recommend this product to anyone with relatively oily t-zone area

Skin Type: Combination
Very happy!

Love the texture, the minty scent and the lather.
I wish the bottles were a bit bigger HOWEVER they are just small enough to fly with.

Skin Type: Normal
Comments: The only thing I now need to use to keep my skin clear.
The holy grail for clearing hormonal acne.

This is the only product that I have needed to keep my skin clear since discovering it about 2 years ago, after suddenly developing cystic hormonal acne at the age of 25. I now only need to use it every second night, so it's incredibly affordable. It has also never irritated my sensitive skin and it has faded previous acne marks to truly clear my skin. After years of trying expensive supplements/products/harsh prescription creams, Clear Out was the only thing that gave me long-lasting results.

Skin Type: Oily
Clearly Basics is the only product that has helped my Adult Acne

I have always struggled with dehydrated acne prone skin. Every month like clockwork I would get a new breakout on my chin or cheek area. These included large cystic acne that by the time they came to a head would take me months to clear. With new breakouts each month this created more & more spots before the first could heal leaving more hyper pigmentation spots that never have time to clear. Clearly basics changed all that for me. It gave my skin a chance to heal and reduced the number of breakouts each month. When I do get a new breakout it resolves itself quickly with less scarring and redness. Now that the acne is under control the products are helping to eliminate the remaining hyper pigmentation spots left from years of acne. I have not been using the product for long but I will continuing relying on this product and look forward to the day I can happily look in the mirror at a smooth clear & even complexion some day soon.

Skin Type: Combination
Comments: Product consistency in terms of smoothness/coarseness/stickiness/ is sometimes a miss, don't believe it affects the result provided.
Great Combo

Have seen great improvements by using these 2 items concurrently, hard to fault and wil continue purchasing.

Individual results may vary

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