Tuesday, 9 September 2014

Tips for Treating Spot Scars/Marks

Having extremely breakout prone skin for over half of my life (wow that's a depressing stat!), I face an ongoing battle not only with the breakouts themselves, but the consequent scars that follow. Now I am by no means a skincare expert, but I feel like I have a good grasp now of what routine I should follow and what products I should use to help those annoying red marks disappear quicker than they would otherwise.


1. Don't Pick Your Spots!
This is probably an obvious one, but years of fiddling with my face has taught me that picking spots can make them redder, more inflamed and take them longer to heal. Picking spots can push the infection deeper into the spot and damage the skin tissue around the spot, all of which means evidence of the spot is going to stick around for a lot longer. 

2. Regular Exfoliation
It is important to exfoliate as it encourages the removal of dead cells and allows new skin cells to be exposed. Regular exfoliation will therefore help red marks fade quicker. Regular readers will know I love the Pixi Glow Tonic, which is a liquid exfoliator that contains Glycolic Acid, an ingredient that naturally loosens dead skin cells without the need for physical grains or beads. I use this every day because I find it helps to reduce actual breakouts too, so is fantastic for a clearer complexion overall.

For a more intense exfoliation I use a radiance face mask either once a week or once a fortnight. My favourite is the Elemental Herbology Facial Glow Radiance Peel. This also contains Glycolic Acid, plus a whole host of other natural, active ingredients, including Jojoba Beads to manually exfoliate as you apply and remove the mask. This gives my skin an amazing glow; it looks brighter, fresher and clearer instantly.

3. Use Facial Oils
Independent studies and trials have shown that using natural or essential oils on the skin can improve the appearance of scars and marks. One of the most popular is Rosehip Oil and I use the Pai BioRegenerate Rosehip Oil, which according to Pai is the most concentrated Rosehip Oil on the market. The oil contains Trans Retinoic Acid, which converts to Vitamin A when absorbed by the skin and helps the skin to repair itself. I use this about four times a week, sometimes more, because it really does reduce redness over time. I also use and recommend the Antipodes Divine Face Oil, which contains a mixture of oils including Rosehip, Avocado and Jojoba.

I just want to give a little mention here to the La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo+. It's not a facial oil but more of a primer/serum. I'm still making a full judgement on this, but it really seems to be helping with reducing my spots and the marks they leave behind much quicker than before.

4. Wear SPF
We all know that the sun causes skin damage and when it comes to scars and marks the sun can actually them redder and darker, which obviously makes them look a lot worse. I'll be honest, I do forget to apply SPF sometimes. However now I have my Susan Posnick Brush on Block SPF30 in my handbag I can apply SPF at any point in the day and over my makeup, which means I'm a lot better than I used to be! My skin definitely looks less red when I've protected it from the sun.

I hope you found these tips useful! I'd love to know any tips you have for treating spots scars and marks?

Beauty Bird xx




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16 comments

  1. I would definitely agree with the no picking spots rule, I tortured my face for YEARS and I had awful skin. Thanks to beauty bloggers my skin is so much better and I feel so much better about my skin I can go out without any make up on :)


    Danniella x
    www.famousinjapan.co.uk

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    1. I hope one day I'll be able to go out without makeup on and feel confident about it! Your skin is amazing xx

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  2. If only I could have read this during my younger years Sasha - the amount of spots we must have all picked over the years! Great tips here - great post! xx

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    1. Thanks Jenny! I picked them a lot when I was younger too, I wish I had been more savvy! xx

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  3. I also suffer from breakouts and am extremely prone to the red scars that follow, but as an added level of struggle, acid toners are way too irritating for my sensitive skin, and all facial oils seem to break out! I've found that keeping my skin really hydrated and wearing SPF daily to prevent the scars from turning into brown pigmentation marks is my best bet.

    Cindy | cicique.blogspot.com

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    1. It definitely is a case of using what is suitable for your skin, at least you know to avoid those type of products. Sounds like you have found a routine that works for you :-) xx

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  4. I always struggle with acne scarring, it drives me insane! I love the nip & fab glycolic fix pads but I really want to try the Pixi Glow Tonic - it sounds amazing xx

    Gemma | missmakeupmagpie.com

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  5. I follow all of these steps except for using face oil - I need to invest in a good one!

    Tara x

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    1. There are lots of good ones out there, I do love the Pai and Antipodes ones. The Trilogy Rosehip Oil is meant to be great too xx

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  6. I have so many acne scars, because I get cystic acne I get scars even when I don't pick them :( I really want to get the rosehip oil though, I've heard loads about it! Some of my scars are pits so they're not disappearing but the red marks definitely need to get off!

    India / Touchscreens & Beautyqueens

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    1. I would definitely recommend trying Rosehip Oil, I think it would help. xx

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  7. Yes to everything you said! I think a lot of people forget sunscreen but it makes such a big difference! x

    Evelyn @ We Were Raised By Wolves

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    1. SPF was the last thing I started doing out of this list and I'm annoyed at myself that I haven't been better with applying SPF earlier xx

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  8. Elemental Herbology's Facial Glow remains one of my favourite exfoliating products to this day! I've tried so many and I really do think it is the best. It's just a shame it is so expensive! I loved your tips, since starting beauty blogging I've treated my skin so much better than I used so. I wish I'd followed all your advice when I was a teenager, I would have been so much more confident if my skin had looked better xx

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    1. I wish I'd known them and followed them when I was younger too!! My skin really knocked my confidence when I was younger and I wasn't skincare savvy at all.
      I definitely need to get the Facial Glow back in my life ASAP! I saw it in a few skincare sets in the run up to Christmas so could buy one of those xx

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