Best overall
Differin
Adapalene Gel 0.1% Acne Treatment
8.3Great
The formerly prescription-only 0.1% adapalene gel, now OTC: a proven, inexpensive acne retinoid that demands patience through dryness.
Gel5
Glow · Even Tone
Acne marks
5 products we review are built for acne marks — 80% of them serums. The ingredients doing most of the work: niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and snail mucin. Most are made for combination skin, oily skin and acne-prone skin.
Dark spots, dullness and that lit-from-within look everyone on your feed is chasing.
Top rated
The acne marks podium.
The ingredients behind it
Key actives in the products that deliver acne marks — tap one for what it does and how strong the evidence is.
Often paired with
Benefits that tend to come along for the ride.
5 products
Every acne marks pick.
5 products
Best value
Good Molecules
Discoloration Correcting Serum
8.1Great
A $12 tranexamic-derivative and niacinamide serum with full ingredient percentages, a budget favorite for marks and uneven tone.
Serum5$12.00
Community favorite Trending
EltaMD
UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46
8.0Great
The dermatologist-office staple for acne- and rosacea-prone skin: light, fragrance-free and niacinamide-boosted, at a premium price.
SPF 465$46.00
Cult favorite Trending
COSRX
Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence
7.9Good
The K-beauty hydration staple: 96% snail mucin in a lightweight, fragrance-free essence that most skin types tolerate, at a fair price.
Essence5$25.00
La Roche-Posay
Mela B3 Dark Spot Serum with Melasyl + Niacinamide
7.6Good
A dark-spot serum pairing La Roche-Posay's new Melasyl molecule with 10% niacinamide; promising brand data, mixed real-world results.
Serum5$44.99