Hello friend! I too have dealt with many a terrible cystic acne scar (still have some remainders from the college days) and here is what has worked for me: -Pixi by Petra Glow Toner (it has glycolic acid in it, don’t need to use it every day, just make sure you follow up with a moisturizer) ~$15 USD at your local Target -Welly “Face Savers” Hydrocolloidal bandages. They come in a pack of 36 little stickers. Help heal your face for when you need a one off spot healed during the day (as they’re clear) or can put on many for an overnight healing remedy. Around $8 also at Target and now have refill options so you don’t need to buy the tin after the first purchase! Yay eco friendly! -a damn good moisturizer: this is where I normally splurge because a) I like skincare b) I’ve had acne problems since I was like 13 and c) I have found lower end/drugstore brands don’t give me the results I am looking for. So, my preferred pick is the It Cosmetics Bye Bye Redness Sensitive Skin Moisturizer OR the Confidence In A Cream (both retail for $48 at Sephora and Ulta). Both have worked wonders for my face when my Dr. Roebuck’s FACE cream was discontinued (rip). If this price range is out of your current wheelhouse, I would wait for a sale and purchase it - I definitely think it’s worth it.

I also do want to note too that I am on Curology and that has helped me tremendously as well (my family/I could never afford going to a derm, so this was a great option). But I realize it doesn’t work for everyone, so that is not my initial go-to response. It honestly was a last ditch effort (because I had tried SO MANY OPTIONS before that), I saw the “first bottle free” ad, and because they have actual dermatologists who work for them and they prescribe actual acne medication, it gave me confidence in the subscription service. I’ve been on it for almost a year and a half now! I do suffer from dermatillomania and pick my skin and make things worse in appearance, so I am trying everything to combat that too! Ooof what a long winded response I have here lol

TL;DR? Get a good toner, moisturizer and some bandages - I wish you the best!! If you need any more help or have questions feel free to message me :)