WINTER brings its own set of skin challenges. Although you might associate breakouts with summer months when your skin produces sweat and excess oil, acne can be just as troublesome in the winter.

"Acne is a chronic condition that doesn’t take a break with the seasons – so continue treating it even in the winter months," say Drs. Kathy Fields and Katie Rodan, board certified dermatologists and co-developers of Proactiv Solution.

When you’re choosing a remedy for your winter acne, keep in mind that just as important as what the ingredients are, is how those ingredients - and how much of them – work together in your treatment.

You can care for your skin and look your best this winter if you keep some important information in mind about acne and acne treatments.

The active ingredient in your acne treatment is the reason it works. All acne medications have a tendency to cause dryness because they target oil on the skin. While this may not be an issue during the summer months when skin is often oily, winter is a different story. Cold, windy weather coupled with indoor forced-air heating systems cause disruption of the skin’s outer barrier, frequently leading to sensitive skin.

For example, Proactiv, a trusted leader in acne treatment for 15 years, uses benzoyl peroxide to treat and prevent acne. And, now, New Proactiv is enhanced with exclusive micro-crystal benzoyl peroxide designed to absorb more quickly into pores to target acne-causing bacteria.

In addition to an effective acne fighting ingredient like benzoyl peroxide, consumers should also look for acne products formulated to be gentle and supportive of the skin’s barrier with ingredients like allantoin, aloe vera, green tea or glycolic acid. Also applying an oil-free, non-comedogenic moisturizer after the acne treatment step can provide much needed hydration.

"Encouraging our patients to manage their acne-prone complexions differently in cold weather ensures compliance with their medications and keeps them clear," Rodan says. Successful acne treatment depends upon how medicated actives are combined with soothing ingredients - or, in scientific terms, how a particular product is formulated.