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Are you curious as to how you can get rid of blemishes, pores, and acne scars at home? Haute Beauty sat down with Haute Beauty experts to get the answers you need to properly treat your skin. Here’s what they had to say about the best at-home treatments and masks.

Dr. Karyn Grossman | Skin | Los Angeles

For dark spots and hyperpigmentation left over from acne, I recommend looking for at-home treatments with ingredients like Vitamin C, Aloe Vera, Niacinamide, Tranexamic Acid, Kojic Acid, Glycolic Acid, and/or Licorice extract. Kojic acid, for example, works to lighten your skin by making the enzyme necessary for melanin(pigment) production unavailable. Niacinamide is another powerful ingredient that can brighten dark spots and pigmentation. It also inhibits oil production and inflammation which is helpful to those who are prone to blemishes.

I’ve actually been collaborating with Dr. Brian Warrington and Zelira Therapeutics on a CBD acne line called Raf Five. I am so excited to announce that it will be available to the public by the end of September 2021. In clinical trials, 97% of participants saw improvement in only 14 days! This is likely due to Zylorma’s patent-pending complex that contains CBD isolate and botanicals to combat bacteria, unclog pores, and balance out sebum production. CBD isolate is the purest form of CBD on the market. It fights acne and blemishes by regulating oil production. I would highly recommend the entire line which includes a gel cleanser, roll-on spot treatment, hydrating SPF, nighttime moisturizer and Clear the way acne pads. Follow @raf_five for updates!

The Karyng Illuminate Enzyme Mask is an outstanding mask for anyone prone to acne because it uses papaya and pineapple enzymes for an “enzymatic exfoliation.” Harsher exfoliants can cause microtears in the skin and promote breakouts and blemishes. This gentle yet effective mask gently exfoliates without leaving your skin stripped. It even has olive oil to help protect your skin’s natural barrier. Gentle exfoliation can reduce the appearance of acne scars and leftover pigmentation.

To shrink pores, I recommend using retinol and/or retinoids. Not only can this help shrink pores, but it also reduces pigmentation and fine lines/wrinkles.

For more information, visit Dr. Grossman’s website, Instagram, or Facebook!

Dr. Bertha Baum | Skin | Miami/Fort Lauderdale

Here are some tips on what to do to prevent and treat blemishes and acne scars:

• Exercise daily since blood flow and oxygenation can be key in the healing process of anything.
• Steam the face for a couple of minutes, be safe about it but definitely try it. Prepare to clean your pores right after.
• Do not pick or touch your pimples, it creates more inflammation and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.
• Eat healthily. Add lots of vegetables and fruits, fewer sugars, processed foods, and carbohydrates to your diet.
• Drink water and less alcohol.
• Cleanse your skin daily and don’t sleep with makeup. Use broad-spectrum sunscreen daily.
• Haircare practices and make-up selection- may make acne worse -should be non-comedogenic mineral or water-based.
• Over-the-counter treatments for hyperpigmentation, azelaic acid, kojic acid, retinoid, peels, and microdermabrasion.
• Use over the counter products that work controlling acne such as Salicylic acid, adapalene, retinol and benzoyl peroxide
• Tumeric and honey are antimicrobial as well as tea tree oil however all of these ingredients may cause contact dermatitis since they don’t have a vehicle that penetrates the skin correctly.

Home masks (only 5-minute applications)

Acne Face Masks

• 1 banana mashed
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
• Add papaya or pumpkin as a natural exfoliant and to give a glow
• If very oily may use clay to cleanse the skin

Pigmented Skin Masks

• 1 butternut squash pureed
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 2 drops of tea tree oil

For more information, visit Dr. Baum’s website, Instagram, or Facebook!

Dr. Mara Weinstein Velez | Skin | New York

LED light therapy is an easy-to-use at-home treatment that may help improve the look of redness, dark spots, acne, and wrinkles. It is non-invasive and safe for all skin types. LED light therapy works by sending light waves into your skin to stimulate collagen production and kill bacteria that cause acne. There are also anti-inflammatory benefits and it’s a great procedure to use at home post-procedures. To perform LED light therapy at home, you will need to buy an LED light mask or wand, which you can find online. Ask your Board Certified Dermatologist for specific recommendations on which unit might be right for you! For best results, carefully follow the instructions for the specific device that you purchase. Generally, you can use an LED light mask for 10-20 minutes at a time, three to five times a week. Wands can be held over the skin for 20-30 minutes. Some brands that make LED light masks include Qure, MMSkinCare, Peppy, Dr. Dennis Grossman, and The Self-Care Mask.

For more information, visit Dr. Weinstein Velez’s website, Instagram, or Facebook!