We’ve all given into the temptation. You know what I’m talking about: popped a zit, picked at our skin, and maybe even gone so far as left a scab on our face. But what comes next can be a major stressor for some. I’m talking about the dark red and blue marks or uneven texture of scars that remain after the acne disappears.

“Much of the ‘scars’ leftover from acne are really skin color changes of hyperpigmentation and redness,” shares New York-based dermatologist Blair Murphy-Rose. “While the true scars from acne can be treated with in-office laser procedures, those pigmentation changes can be worked on effectively at home and to some degree and textural changes can be improved.”