When it comes to PIH, i would definitely recommend azelaic acid! This contains niacinamide too! These 2 ingredients really suitable for acne prone skin, it really works wonder on my skin, i can see the difference after 3.5 months of used! Since both the ingredients work wells with other actives, i found that applying a thin film of benzoyl peroxide on stubborn/ cystic acne after this serum really helps to clear those acne faster! If nothing works on your cystic acne, you should try this method! Azelaic acid also act as a gentle exfoliant, so you have super senstive skin and cant tolerate any chemical exfoliant, you should try this serum!