Acne scars

Acne scars: what a silicone gel can help with.

Acne can leave dark marks, raised scars and pitted scars long after breakouts clear. Once the skin has healed, a vitamin C–enhanced silicone gel helps raised scars soften and supports a more even tone. It cannot fill a pitted (atrophic) scar; that needs in-clinic treatment.

Reviewed by Raed Salah, Pharmacist and Technical DirectorLast reviewed September 2026

What acne scars are

Acne scars form when inflammation from breakouts damages the skin. Some are atrophic (depressed) where tissue was lost; others are raised. Many people also have dark marks (post-inflammatory pigmentation) that aren't true scars but fade slowly.

Texture and tone improve gradually. Supporting collagen and protecting the skin help acne scars and marks look smoother and more even over time.

What causes acne scars

Acne scarring depends on:

Inflammation. Deeper, inflamed breakouts are more likely to scar than surface spots.

Picking or squeezing. Disturbing breakouts increases the risk of lasting marks.

Skin and sun. Skin tone and sun exposure affect how dark marks form and how long they last.

Once breakouts have settled, supporting the skin's repair and protecting it from the sun helps marks and texture improve.

What to look for

Types of acne scarring

Acne can leave different kinds of marks:

  • Depressed or pitted scars (atrophic)
  • Raised scars, more common on the back or chest
  • Dark or red marks left after a breakout
  • Uneven skin texture
  • Marks that fade slowly over months

Improving acne scars

Once active breakouts have calmed, a consistent routine helps acne scars and marks improve:

Support repair. A vitamin C–enhanced gel supports collagen and helps even tone over time.

Protect from the sun. Sun darkens marks and slows fading; daily protection is one of the most important steps.

Be patient and consistent. Texture and tone improve gradually over weeks to months.

Don't pick. Disturbing the skin prolongs marks and can create new ones.

Silicone cannot fill deep or pitted scars — those need in-clinic treatment such as microneedling or resurfacing. Topical care can support tone and texture alongside it.

When to seek care

See a professional if

A dermatologist can help with stubborn or deep acne scarring. Consider advice if:

You have deep, pitted scars you'd like to address
Acne is still active and causing new scars
Marks aren't improving with consistent topical care
Scarring is affecting your confidence

How Scarless helps

How Scarless helps acne scars

Scarless pairs a silicone barrier with a stable vitamin C derivative. The barrier supports the skin's repair environment while vitamin C supports collagen and helps even tone — improving the look of acne scars and marks over time.

  • A stable vitamin C derivative supports collagen and helps fade uneven tone.
  • The silicone barrier hydrates and protects the skin as it repairs.
  • Squalane keeps skin soft and comfortable through a long course.
  • Antioxidant support helps protect the skin while marks fade.
Learn about the ingredientsSee how it worksSee how the gel helpsRead the published researchHow long do you have to keep using silicone gel?

Common myths

“Acne scars and dark marks are the same.” Dark marks (pigmentation) usually fade over time; true scars change texture and need more support.

“Scrubbing harder clears acne scars.” Aggressive scrubbing irritates skin and can worsen marks.

“There's no point treating scars while I still break out.” Calming active acne comes first, but protecting and supporting the skin helps marks throughout.

“Sunscreen doesn't matter for acne scars.” Sun is one of the biggest reasons marks linger; protection is essential.

Research highlights

Published research on vitamin C and skin

Vitamin C is supported by published research for its role in collagen synthesis and skin tone — the science behind Scarless's tone-evening action.

Vitamin C

Silicone gel with vitamin C on fine surgical facial scars

A topical silicone gel containing vitamin C, applied from stitch removal to six months after surgery, significantly reduced scar elevation, erythema and melanin index compared with an untreated group. This is the closest published analogue to a silicone-plus-vitamin-C approach. It is a comparative case series, not a randomized trial, and the participants were Asian patients with facial scars.

Vitamin C

Ascorbic acid and collagen synthesis in an animal wound model

Ascorbic acid increased collagen deposition, fibroblast and vascular density, and accelerated wound contraction. This is mechanistic, animal-model evidence for vitamin C's role in collagen formation — not a clinical scar outcome, and it studied ascorbic acid rather than the stable derivative used in Scarless.

Squalane

Biological importance and applications of squalene and squalane

A review chapter documenting the antioxidant, hydrating and emollient properties of squalene and squalane, and their use in topical formulations. It describes ingredient properties; it does not measure a scar outcome.

Related reading

Where to next

A few ways forward

Acne scars improve gradually with consistent, sun-smart care. Here's where to start.

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