Niacinamide Serum for Oily Skin and Acne Scars: What You Should Know

Acne may disappear, but where acne goes, acne scars are soon to follow. If you have oily skin and acne-prone skin, you know this struggle too well. But people often confuse acne scars with acne marks. They are fundamentally different.  Understanding their difference can help you choose the right ingredient to help target your acne scars. 

In this dermatologist-approved guide, we can help you choose the right skincare routine to help you understand where niacinamide may fit, and where other treatment options may be needed. 

Deconstruct — Clearing Serum

Lightweight serum with Niacinamide & Alpha Arbutin that helps fade acne marks, reduce pigmentation, and promote clearer-looking skin.

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Acne Marks vs Acne Scars: What's the Difference? 

Acne Marks:

They are flat, patchy discolouration left behind once a pimple has healed. Once a breakout has occurred, your skin experiences inflammation. Your skin overproduces melanin as a response to the trauma and tries to heal. The excess pigment pools at the surface, creating a visible dark spot, even long after the pimple has healed. 

They appear as flat, uneven, patchy discoloration (black,dark brown, red or pink) that are completely smooth on the skin’s surface.

Acne Scars: 

Acne scars, on the other hand, are fundamentally different. They can cause either permanent or semi-permanent changes in the skin texture. They can either be raised or depressed, and occur when severe breakouts end up damaging deeper layers of your skin (the dermis). 

They can be of different types

• Box scars, ice pick scars, rolling scars

They might require professional intervention and treatments, such as Q switch lasers.

Here are the fundamental differences between acne marks vs acne scars. 

So, can Niacinamide help acne scars?

Niacinamide is commonly used in skincare routines to help improve the appearance of post-acne marks and uneven skin tone, due to its anti-inflammatory properties, helping reduce redness, inflammation and help soothe skin.  Textural acne scars, however, often require evaluation and treatment by a dermatologist, as topical skincare alone may have limited effects.

Where Niacinamide Fits in a Post-Acne Routine

Niacinamide is frequently used in post-acne skincare routines for its anti-inflammatory properties and it’s ability to boost the fading of post-acne marks, while reducing risk of irritation 

Supporting a More Even-Looking Skin Tone

• Think of niacinamide like a traffic police. It helps inhibit the transfer of pigment(melanin) before it reaches the skin’s surface. 

• By doing this it promotes a more even looking skin tone, overall 

Helping Build a Consistent Daily Routine

• Post-acne marks require consistency and patience. 

• A gentle, beginner-friendly ingredient like niacinamide, can help encourage a consistent routine that’s effective for post-acne care 

When Should You See a Dermatologist? 

If you’re wondering when you should seek a dermatologist, look for these signs: 

• Deep or indented scars

• Changes in skin texture, such as raised or depressed indentation 

• Raised scars

• Persistent changes in your skin’s texture 

Always seek a professional’s advice before treating your acne-scars.

Recommended Product: Deconstruct Dark Spot Clearing Serum with Liposomal Technology (5% Niacinamide + 2% Alpha Arbutin)

A highly dermatologist-recommended serum for helping treat post-acne marks and reducing acne and inflammation is the Dark Spot Clearing Serum from Deconstruct. Here’s why:

 An Effective Daily Serum for Post-Acne Marks 

• 5% Niacinamide

• 2% Alpha Arbutin

• Lightweight and water-based texture and formula, suitable for oily and combination skin

• Supports a balanced-looking complexion

• Helps improve the appearance of post-acne marks and uneven skin tone

• Liposomal Alpha Arbutin to help target dark spots and pigmentation, with targeted delivery in a gradual, controlled-release manner.

Why it’s also suitable for beginners: 

• Beginner-friendly daily-use formula 

• Gentle yet effective formulation 

• Suitable for morning and evening routines

• Layers comfortably under moisturizer and sunscreen 

If your primary concern is post-acne marks rather than textural acne scars, Deconstruct ‘s niacinamide-based serum, the Dark Spot Clearing Serum with Liposomal Technology (5% Niacinamide + 2% Alpha Arbutin) is a lightweight option designed to support a more even-looking complexion as part of a consistent skincare routine.

Quick Comparison Table 

Here’s a quick comparison for your easy reference:

Common Mistakes After Acne Clears 

Here are some common mistakes people often make in their post-acne journey 

Confusing Marks with Scars

Confusing the two, acne scars and acne marks is a common mistake, but they are NOT the same. They differ fundamentally in the following ways:

Acne marks are flat discolourations on the skin’s surface 

Acne scars are textural changes to the skin, like pits or crater-like (either raised or depressed) indentations, 

 Skipping Daily Sunscreen 

When using a post-acne mark focused routine, you should always remember to wear your SPF, daily. Forgetting to apply SPF will worsen post-acne marks and make pigmentation worse due to UV-induced dark spots. 

Expecting Immediate Improvement 

Fading post-acne marks is a gradual process. They can take several weeks to even months. You will get your desired results, if you stay consistent with your niacinamide serum and a complete routine to complement it. 

Simple Routine for Post-Acne Marks

Morning

• Gentle Cleanser

• Deconstruct Dark Spot Clearing Serum with Liposomal Technology (5% Niacinamide + 2% Alpha Arbutin)

• Oil-Free Moisturizer

• Sunscreen

Evening

• Gentle Cleanser

• Deconstruct Dark Spot Clearing Serum with Liposomal Technology 

• Oil-free Moisturizer

Instead of using multiple skincare products to target pigmentation and dark spots, using one product with complementary ingredients to niacinamide, such as alpha arbutin, can help effectively target dark spots while also providing a well-rounded post-acne mark skincare solution.

Learning how to use your niacinamide-based serum for oily skin and acne-prone skin, can help you target your post-acne marks 

Final Thoughts 

Not every post-acne concern is an acne scar. Knowing whether you're dealing with post-acne marks or textural scars helps set realistic expectations and help give them the targeted treatment they each need. If they’re discolouration but smooth on the surface, they’re acne marks. If they change the texture of your skin and visible indentations, they’re acne scars and may need professional intervention. 

For oily skin with post-acne marks and uneven-looking skin tone, Deconstruct’s Dark Spot Clearing Serum (5% Niacinamide + 2% Alpha Arbutin) is a lightweight, water-based option, that can be incorporated into a consistent daily skincare routine, especially for oily skin. 

FAQs

What is the difference between acne scars and acne marks?

Acne marks are discolourations, completely flat and smooth on your skin’s surface. Whereas acne scars on the other hand, cause structural changes in your skin. They are raised or depressed pits or craters, as a result of deep tissue damage and need professional intervention. 

How long does it take to fade acne marks vs acne scars? 

Acne marks require targeted serums, with ingredients such as niacinamide, alpha arbutin or vitamin C and can fade anywhere between 4-12 weeks with consistent topical application. Acne scars on the other hand may take several years, depending upon the depth of the scar, also needed professional intervention and treatments such as Q switch lasers. 

Does niacinamide work on post-acne marks? 

Yes, niacinamide is a dermatologically-recommended topical ingredient that works