10 Best Korean Products For Acne Scars & Dark Spots

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Best Korean Products For Acne Scars And Dark Spots

There is nothing worse than finally getting rid of that pesky pimple, only to be left with a dark mark in its spot. Acne scars and dark spots can be just as frustrating to deal with as acne itself. And unfortunately, can hang around much longer than that zit did. But with the right products, you can fade those dark marks quicker and get your skin clear and smooth. And with anything skincare related, if you want something that’s well-formulated, delivers results and doesn’t cost an arm and a leg, you look toward K-beauty skincare. Here’s the best Korean products for acne scars, dark marks and hyperpigmentation.

Best Ingredients For Hyperpigmentation & Acne Scars

In order to get rid of acne scars, you’ll need to make sure your products contain chemical exfoliants and brightening ingredients. Chemical exfoliants work by speeding up cell turnover, which means your skin cells exfoliate at a faster rate, which helps to fade acne scars quicker. Brightening ingredients work in various ways, but help to get rid of the pigmentation in the skin that’s causing the dark spot.

Here are some of the best ingredients to look for to help fade acne scars:

• Vitamin C
• Azelaic Acid
• Retinoids
• AHA’s
• Alpha Arbutin
• Niacinamide
• Tranexamic Acid
• Licorice Root

While Korean products can only do so much for pitted acne scars, they can help to some degree. These products focus mainly on fading pigmentation, dark spots, etc. If you have mild pitted acne scars, any kind of exfoliant can help, but ideally you would want something with tretinoin. For severe pitted acne scars, you’ll likely need professional treatments like lasers and microneedling.

Although we wish there was a magic serum that we could apply and all your acne scars would magically disappear instantly, I’m afraid you’ll have to do some searching for the right products. But if you want a little help on the search for the best Korean products for acne scars, then this list will help you pick out well-formulated products that will deliver results.

Best Korean Products For Acne Scars & Dark Spots

Wondering which Korean product is best for acne scars? Keep scrolling for all the best serums, treatments, moisturizers and more to fade hyperpigmentation and dark spots.

Goodal Green Tangerine Vita C Serum

This vitamin c serum is made of 70% green tangerine extract, which is a natural source of vitamin c. Although it won’t be as potent as other forms of vitamin c, this one is a great option for sensitive skin, as other more potent forms of vitamin c can be more irritating. The vitamin c will help brighten and fade acne scars, dark marks and hyperpigmentation. Plus, this serum has niacinamide and alpha arbutin to help fade acne scars even quicker.

With hyaluronic acid, centella asiatica and green tea extract, this serum will hydrate and soothe skin to help with redness and other discolorations. These ingredients make this one of the best Korean serum for acne scars and sensitive skin types.

Hanskin Vitamin C Glow Mask

Not only does this mask help instantly brighten skin, it’s also great because it’s a clay based mask which can help with acne, clogged pores, blackheads and oil production. So it’s kind of like a two-in-one product to help with acne scars and acne. This mask is infused with vitamin c which helps to fade discolorations and instantly brighten the skin. Kaolin and bentonite clays will help to gently exfoliate, which helps to fade acne scars and draw out impurities in the skin which can lead to acne.

Hanskin Real Complexion Hyaluron Exfoliating AHA Treatment

With a 10% blend of glycolic and lactic acid, this powerful treatment will help fade acne scars quick and keep skin smooth and clear. With each use, dead skin cells are exfoliated away, leaving behind brighter, more even skin tone and acne scars that look less and less noticeable. This serum is also packed with four different types of hyaluronic acid, which helps to keep skin hydrated which is super important when using chemical exfoliants. Hands down one of the best Korean serums for acne scars.

Beauty Of Joseon Glow Serum

Claimed to be “dewy skin in a bottle,” this serum is gentle, yet extremely effective at brightening skin tone and fading acne scars, dark marks and hyperpigmentation. The star ingredient in this serum is Propolis, which helps to not only soothe and hydrate, but it also helps to fade acne scars and heal active pimples. Niacinamide helps to fade acne scars, brighten skin tone, shrink pores and regulate oil production. This is one of the best Korean skincare products for acne scars and oily/acne prone skin. Don’t pass this gem up if you have more oily skin types!

Some By Mi Galactomyces Pure Vitamin C Glow Serum

A powerful 75% galactomyces ferment filtrate helps to instantly brighten and even out skin tone, while helping fade hyperpigmentation and dark spots. Plus 3% l-ascorbic acid, the most powerful form of vitamin c, kicks this serum up a notch. This is one of the more gentler serums, so if you have more sensitive skin, definitely check this one out.

Krave Beauty Kale-Lalu-yAHA

This cult-favorite exfoliant has 5.25% glycolic acid which helps to gently exfoliate skin without being too harsh. Hyaluronic acid keeps skin hydrated and healthy, while kale, spinach and parsley act as powerful antioxidants to help protect skin from environmental damage and keeps acne scars from darkening.

CosRX Blemish Spot Clearing Serum

With 4% niacinamide, propolis, centella asiatica, EGF and ceramides, this serum packs a serious punch. Niacinamide brightens skin and fades acne scars, propolis hydrates, soothes and reduces redness, centalla asiatica calms inflammation, EGF and ceramides help to stimulate collagen production and strengthen skin’s moisture barrier. Add this serum with a chemical exfoliant and you’ve got yourself an acne scar fighting powerhouse duo.

Glow Recipe Pineapple Vitamin C Serum

This powerful serum has AHA, vitamin c and exfoliating enzymes to help tackle even the most stubborn hyperpigmentation. With Ascorbic Acid and Lactic Acid, this serum packs a punch and acne scars won’t stand a chance. Pineapple juice adds even more brightening power to this product, which makes it one of the best Korean products for acne scars. Chamomile helps to soothe skin and reduce redness while hyaluronic acid plumps skin full of moisture. It’s claimed to be “glass skin in a bottle,” after all.

Some By Mi AHA-BHA-PHA 30Days Miracle Toner

Another cult-favorite toner, this powerful product is sold every 3 seconds and its ingredients list is a little hint into why. A triple acid formula with AHA, BHA and PHA will tackle acne scars with ease. Papaya enzymes help to gently exfoliate and brighten skin, adding to its power. Adenosine and Niacinamide instantly brighten skin tone while helping fight pigmentation. Think this toner can’t get any better? Tea Tree Extract helps to calm inflammation, reduce redness and fight active acne. Pair this powerful toner with a vitamin c serum and your acne scars will be long gone.

CosRx AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid

As one of Reddit’s favorite prodcuts, the CosRx AHA 7 Whitehead Power Liquid contains the powerful Glycolic Acid to exfoliate dead skin cells and fade acne scars. Of course, it wouldn’t be such a beloved product without Niacinamide to help fight hyperpigmentation and dark spots. This serum finishes off with hyaluronic acid to plump skin full of moisture so it glows all day long. This is one of the best CosRx products for acne scars, hands down.

Isntree Clear Skin 8% AHA Essence

This incredibly lightweight serum combines 4% glycolic acid and 4% lactic acid to remove dead skin and brighten skin tone, smooth texture and fade hyperpigmentation. Both AHA’s have humectant properties so this serum will help hydrate your skin while it exfoliates.

It also contains Licorice root extract which is one of the best ingredients to help lighten acne scars and pigmentation. It also has aloe, hyaluronic acid, centella asiatica and chamomille extract which helps reduce inflammation and redness associated with acne and acne scars.

This is the best Korean serum for acne scars and dark spots because it combines exfolaiting acids and brightening ingredients to fade hyperpigmentation fast.

CosRX AHA/BHA Refresh Vitamin C Booster Serum

This serum features 57% Golden-Rx Complex, consisting of a mixture of plant extracts like kiwi fruit extract, dragonfruit extract and seabuckthorn water which helps to naturally exfoliate, hydrate and brighten the skin.

It also features 2% niacinamide and AHA/BHA which help to fight acne breakouts and brighten the skin tone while fading hyperpigmentation and dark spots. The lower concentration of actives make it a great choice for those with sensitive skin or for those using other actives like retinol.

With allantoin and hyaluronic acid, this serum will also help to calm and hydrate the skin and reduce redness while fading hyperpigmentation.

With so many exfoliating and brightening ingredients, this is one of the best Korean serum for dark spots and acne scars.

Naturium Niacinamide Serum 12% Plus Zinc 2%

A super potent formula designed to brighten uneven skin tones, reduce pores and fade dark spots and pigmentation. With 12% Niacinamide, this serum is packed with brightening and anti-acne properties.

Plus 2% Zinc, which helps to regulate oil production and kill acne causing bacteria, this serum is a must-have for those with acne-prone skin.

It contains glycerin and hyaluronic acid to add lightweight hydration to oily and combination skin without weighing it down.

Versed Stroke of Brilliance Brightening Serum

This serum is packed with skin brightening and lightening actives so it packs a punch! Even the most stubborn acne scars don’t stand a chance against the powerful combo of vitamin c, licorice root, plamaria palmata and niacinamide.

Niacinamide and vitamin c help to hydrate, firm and brighten the skin while licoricce root and red algae fade discolorations like acne scars and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

This is one of the best korean serums for fading acne scars, especially if you have sensitive skin and can’t tolerate a lot of acids.

Missha Vita C Plus Spot Correcting & Firming Ampoule

Vitamin C is one of the best ingredients for acne scars and dark spots. Not only does it help to reduce pigmentation, but it also helps to stimulate collagen which can fill in indented acne scarring like icepick or boxcar scars.

This serum has a potent 33% Vita C Liposome Formula that contains pure Vitamin C and Collagen to brighten and firm the skin. Since it’s packed with such a concentrated amount of Vitamin C, this is one of the best Korean serums for fading acne scars fast.

Niacinamide, arbutin, and transexamic acid help to brighten dark spots and acne scars and improve hyperpigmentation.

This powerful serum also contains ingredients like allantoin, glycerin, ceramides and peptides to plump, hydrate and nourish the skin.

Beauty Of Joseon Glow Deep Serum: Rice + Arbutin

With 68.6% rice bran water, this moisturizing and clarifying serum helps to hydrate, plump and brighten skin tone. Rice bran water is rich in nutrients like Vitamin B and other minerals that help to strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier and fade dark spots.

It’s packed with 2% arbutin to fade acne scars and dark spots while evening out the skin tone.

This is one of the best Korean serums for dark spots and acne scars!

Ma:yno Glow Deep Serum: Rice + Arbutin

A powerful, lightweight serum that helps to clarify, brighten and strengthen the skin barrier. With 93.69% galactomyces ferment filtrate, which helps to brighten and moisturize the skin, this serum is perfect for those with oily, combination or dehydrated skin.

4% Niacinamide works to even out skin tone and fade acne scars and dark spots while reducing the look of pores and calming redness and inflammation.

Benton Snail Bee Ultimate Serum

A silky and slightly sticky serum that instantly sinks into the skin and plumps and brightens. Packed with goodies like snail, bee venom and tea tree leaf water to brighten, hydrate and clarify.

Snail secretion filtrate and bee venom help to heal active breakouts and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation while reducing inflammation, redness and irritation.

Tea tree leaf water helps to fight active breakouts while niacinamide fades scarring and hyaluronic acid, glycerin, allantoin and betaine soothe and reduce redness associated with active acne and acne scarring.

Naturium Retinol Complex Face Serum

A potent acne fighting serum that helps to reduce breakouts, fade acne scars and dark spots while stimulating collagen. This retinol serum contains 2.5% microencapsulated retinol and bakuchoil to stimulate collagen, plump skin and fade hyperpigmentation while fighting breakouts, reducing signs of aging and minimizing the look of large pores.

Since the retinol is microencapsulated, it’s less irritating than traditional forms. Squalane helps to moisturize and nourish the skin to keep the skin barrier healthy and strong.

And since retinol can stimulate collagen which helps to plump skin and fill in scarring, this is one of the best korean products for pitted acne scars.

Best Korean Products For Acne Scars: Wrap Up

Acne scars can be one of the most frustrating things to deal with when it comes to your skin. With this list of best Korean products for acne scars, you can certainly speed up the healing time and get rid of those pesky dark spots in no time. Be sure to look out for those ingredients listed above when looking for skincare for acne scars. Not only will it help shopping for skincare less overwhelming, but it will get you results, and that’s what you want, right?

What’s your favorite Korean product for acne scars? These Korean acne scar treatments will help you fade dark spots, hyperpigmentation and acne scars fast.

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Best Korean Skincare For Acne Scars