Acne scars can seem impossible to get rid of, if you don’t know which ingredients to use. They form when pores become inflamed after extended periods of inflammation from pimples. Skin pores become blocked with bacterial oils and skin cells.

Acne scars aren’t just unsightly, they can be very painful if left untreated. Of course, their appearance is often what bothers sufferers the most. There are prescription drugs that are able to remove these unsightly scars. However, these powerful drugs can be very harmful, and the side effects can stay with you for years to come.

Accutane (and its many generic equivalents) is so destructive that women have to sign a written document promising to take birth control while on it, and for some time after treatment is completed! Just one dose is enough to cause birth defects, and a negative pregnancy test is required before each refill.

Other side effects such as severe joint pain, dry mouth, headaches, and lack of energy make taking drugs to remove acne and acne scars a last resort. The following natural methods may take a bit longer to work, but their side effects are limited to minor skin irritations, which most of you are more than used to at this point, right?

Coconut Oil

Organic coconut oil is just what the doctor ordered to help in the battle against acne scars. This healthy oil has lots of health benefits thanks to its antibacterial fatty acids and vitamins, including the ability to simultaneously moisturize and disinfect the skin, killing bacteria and restoring the outer epidermis and inner dermis layers of the skin to their natural state. Don’t expect this to work immediately; acne scars take time to heal, and how much time is different for everyone.

How to use it:

Scoop a tablespoon or more of organic coconut oil out of its container with a spoon and place it in your hand to liquefy using your body temperature. Slather onto your skin and leave it there for as long as you like (all day or overnight is ideal).

Tea Tree oil

Tea tree oil is one of natures most powerful antibacterial oils. The oils penetrate acne-scarred skin and wipe out all traces of bacteria, so the skin can begin to heal. It’s also great for spot treatments when new outbreaks occur, reducing inflammation before it has a chance to damage the surface of the skin.

How to use it:

Tea tree oil is very astringent, so don’t overdo it when applying. Dab a small amount of tea tree oil on affected areas with a cotton ball. Do not rub it in; let it soak into the skin naturally. Use twice daily, less if major irritation occurs.

Aloe Vera

Aloe vera is another natural acne scar remover that works really well when applied often. It’s also great at preventing acne from forming in the first place, due to its antibacterial properties. Aloe has a number of health benefits when consumed internally, but it really shines in the skin department. This ingredient is ideal when you’re looking for an acne scar treatment that won’t leave your skin looking or feeling oily.

How to use it:

Aloe is freshest and most effective on acne and other types of scars when used directly off a live plant. However, if you have to use bottled product, at least ensure it’s organic. Either split open a fresh piece of harvested aloe vera stalk, or place a generous amount of commercial gel in your hands, and rub into your acne scars. Do this as many times a day as you can to speed up the process of removing your acne scars.

Baking Soda Paste

The previous two acne scar busters are both moisturizers and antimicrobial ingredients. Bacteria is a big problem for those who suffer from acne and the unsightly scars that linger afterward. Baking soda paste is a gentle exfoliate that helps to break down the scar tissue caused by pimples, while also killing germs as you gently rub it into your skin.

How to use it:

Put a quarter cup of baking soda into a bowl. Slowly mix water in using a spoon until you have a thick (not runny) paste. Rub the baking soda paste into affected areas and move it around for a few minutes like you would any other exfoliate formula. Follow up with aloe vera or coconut oil afterward to prevent over-drying and irritation.

Lemon Juice

Lemon juice contains naturally-occurring alpha-hydroxy acid and vitamin C, both of which help to exfoliate and rebuilt collagen. Some people will find it causes more irritation on their skin than is worthwhile, and may need to dilute the juice in a 1:3 solution (1 part lemon juice, 2 parts water). However, if your skin can tolerate regular treatments, undiluted lemon juice works really well to promote healing and reverse the skin discoloration that makes acne scars stand out.

How to use it:

Start out slow to reduce the chances of irritation. Dab full-strength, freshly squeezed lemon juice on acne scars several times a day. Use a cotton ball or disposable makeup wipe. Apply aloe vera or coconut oil every night before bed to prevent peeling and cracking of the skin.

Honey

Honey can moisturize as well as disinfect acne scarred areas of your skin. It’s full of antioxidants that can penetrate the skin to speed up cell turnover in the top layers of the skin, leading to scar-lightening effects and eventual scar removal (though, this does depend on how severe the scarring is). Honey has been one of the most revered substances on earth since the days of early Egyptian culture.

How to use it:

Honey is really easy to use as a spot treatment for new pimples, and as a scar treatment as many times a day as you want. Simply spot-dab affected areas, or smear a light layer of honey over severely affected areas. Mix a teaspoon of fresh ground cinnamon per 2 teaspoons of honey for even more antibacterial benefits.

Potato

Choose your favorite russet or red potato and use this vitamin and mineral rich food to heal acne scars all over the body. The juice of the potato will penetrate the topmost layers of the skin to help the acne-scarred skin cells die and new, healthy cells to grow.

How to use it:

Simply cut a fresh potato of your choosing and smear the juices onto affected areas. Alternatively, slice a potato in a food processor and smear the juicy mash leftover onto acne scars.

Sugar Scrub

Despite all the bad things we know sugar does inside the body, few people realize sugar is full of alpha hydroxy acid. Alpha hydroxy acid is a powerful natural exfoliating ingredient that helps improve the turnover of old skin cells into new ones. The graininess of the sugar also helps to exfoliate, which is why sugar scrubs are so popular.

How to use it:

Mix a teaspoon of natural organic cane sugar (not the white stuff!) into two tablespoons of olive or melted and cool coconut oil. The oil should be room temperature in order to keep the sugar from dissolving. Add a few drops of fresh squeezed lemon to enhance the exfoliation factor. You want to keep the sugar granules solid to enhance the exfoliating action of the paste.

Turmeric Paste

Turmeric has many benefits inside the body. Consuming it is very beneficial to handling acne issues. However, when applied directly to the skin, turmeric starts to break down acne scars immediately. It’s a powerful antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory.

How to use it:

Place a teaspoon or two of fresh ground tumeric powder onto a small plate or mixing bowl. Slowly add water to the paste while mixing it until it makes a thick paste that can be applied to the skin. An old eye dropper or something similar is perfect for this task. Leave the paste on the skin for at least 20 minutes at a time. Use morning and night for best results.

Fresh Garlic

Use fresh garlic applied to acne scarred skin as a first or last resort. I say “last” because there should be little doubt the garlic odor will definitely linger for an extended time after applying it to the skin. However, garlic has an advantage of being a natural antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and antioxidant. This natural pimple scar remover actually works very quickly, and the oils it contains help moisturize the affected areas.

How to use it:

You can buy garlic oil or ground garlic at the store. However, they will contain preservatives and are likely to be mixed with hydrogenated vegetable oils. Use a garlic press to squeeze 1 or 2 skinned garlic cloves into a small dish. Using a cotton ball, gently rub oil into scarred areas. It’s safe to use several times a day, and has the added benefit of preventing a possible vampire attack!

Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is an acidic astringent that helps remove dead skin cells, and stimulates blood flow to the area which encourages faster healing. When applied once or twice daily, it will immediately start to lighten dark acne scars as it begins to strip away layers of dead skin cells. Be careful and start slow with the number of applications used every day, as this ingredient can dry the skin.

How to use it:

Apply apple cider vinegar to acne scarred areas of the skin using a cotton ball. Start by applying it only once daily. If no side effects are noted after a few days, increase the number of daily applications up to 4 times daily, including when you wake and at night before bed.

Cucumber

Sliced cucumber is a cure-all that boosts health inside and outside the body. It’s chocked full of vitamins like C and E, and the mineral magnesium. Cucumber slices applied to the skin help remove discoloration and speed up the healing process by disinfecting and by providing antioxidant support. It also helps cool and soothe irritation such as burning and itching.

How to use it:

Simply cut a cucumber into thin slices and lay it on affected areas of the skin for up to 30 minutes at a time. Like most veggies, cucumber starts to lose its freshness as soon as it’s cut open. Eat whatever is left over after each day, as cucumber also helps to combat the high stress levels that often lead to breakouts. Organic cucumber gel is also a great alternative if you don’t want the hassle of dealing with knives and cutting boards.

I hope at least one of these natural acne scar removal treatments is helpful to you. Remember, it’s easy to go out and get a prescription from your doctor, but the side effects caused by common acne scar removal drugs should always make them the last option you choose.