3 Ingredients That Fade Acne Marks/Hyper-Pigmentation

Acne marks are the bane of my existence to put it lightly. Just when you think you're pimple has healed and the worst is over you find out the worst has yet to come. You've managed to heal the Mount Everest on your forehead but it left behind a colourful mark in its place. An acne mark. 

Today, we're discussing 3 fantastic ingredients that will become your best friends if you suffer from persistent acne marks like I do. The images used are representations for the ingredients we are talking about today. I am not advising to put the actual fruit on your skin but to look for the specific ingredients mentioned.

INGREDIENT 1
The first ingredient is Vitamin A. When applied topically, Vitamin A exfoliates the dead skin cells off of the surface of your skin to reveal smoother, new skin cells. Our skin cells turnover in a 28-day cycle. At any given time, our skin cells are at different points in the cycle. Essentially our skin is always turning over. The process of removing this damaged, darkened dead skin will reveal the new and untouched skin cells. Consistent exfoliation will help to gradually get of those dark spots, by ridding the skin of those dead, traumatized layers. Just don't overdo it with the exfoliation because you can actually traumatize the new skin cells or even damage the skin's natural moisture barrier.

INGREDIENT 2
The second ingredient is Vitamin C. This vitamin has unique chemical properties that effectively inhibit the production of melanin pigments. Why is this essential, you might ask? When acne starts to heal, the skin reacts to the traumatic experience by protecting itself, it produces pigment (the same happens when you tan!). While this is good and dandy for the skin, it leaves a dark mark on the surface that can be very difficult to get rid of. Vitamin C naturally inhibits this darkening, and lightens spots that have been darkened as new cells turnover.

Vitamin C is also a mild exfoliant, which only further helps bring new, clearer cells to the surface. Moreover, it naturally protects the skin from sun damage. The sun rays only further darken the skin because skin cells react to the sun damage producing melanin to try and protect itself. As you can probably guess, they further darken hyper-pigmentation. Vitamin C lighten these marks, by exfoliating, reducing melanin production and protecting the skin from further damage.

INGREDIENT 3
The third ingredient is Vitamin E. This vitamin is known in the beauty community (or at least in my books) as the oil of preservation. Vitamin E is a known natural preservative used in many natural skincare products to extend the longevity of earthy DIY creations. It also has a similar effect on the skin. This ingredient neutralizes free radicals that can damage the skin cells. Furthermore, it helps to heal the skin cells by promoting skin repair. There have been many claims surrounding Vitamin E's effect on scars and stretch marks, but the gist is that it is a light, highly moisturizing oil for the skin. The skin is made to heal itself, and it does so best when it properly hydrated and moisturized.