Acne rarely has a single cause. Often, several factors interact, such as increased sebum production, hormonal changes, genetics and how the skin reacts to different skin care products.

Here are five tips that can help you manage acne and acne-prone skin, followed by information on how you can treat acne medically.

Many people with acne-prone or oily skin believe that the solution is to cleanse their skin extra-hard. This is a common misconception. Over-cleansing can actually disrupt the skin's protective barrier and in some cases worsen the skin's imbalance. The goal of acne skin care is therefore not to dry out the skin, but to support the skin's natural balance in a gentle way.

Washing your face too often or with harsh products can damage your skin's natural protective barrier. When your skin becomes too dry, your sebaceous glands can react by producing even more sebum, which can increase the risk of clogged pores and new breakouts.

For most people, cleansing once a day, usually in the evening, is sufficient. Choose a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser designed for acne-prone skin and avoid products that scrub or irritate the skin.

If you have acne-prone skin, it's important to use skin care products that don't clog pores. Products labeled as non-comedogenic are designed to reduce the risk of clogged pores.

This applies not only to cleansers, but also to face creams, sunscreens and makeup. By choosing products adapted for acne-prone skin, you can hydrate and protect your skin without contributing to new breakouts.

Certain active ingredients, in the right formulation and concentration, can help keep the skin in better balance. Very mild acids can help to gently dissolve clogged pores, while ingredients like azelaic acid are often used for their soothing and antibacterial properties.

Retinal is another ingredient that can help reduce the risk of clogged pores, stimulate skin cell renewal and improve skin texture. However, it is important to introduce active ingredients carefully and to adapt use according to how the skin reacts.

A common mistake with acne is to completely avoid moisturizing products. Even acne-prone and oily skin needs moisture. When skin becomes too dry, it may try to compensate by producing more sebum, which can worsen acne in the long run.

Choose a light face cream that is suitable for acne-prone skin and which focuses on supporting the skin's protective barrier. A skin in better balance often have better chances of recovery.

The sun can temporarily make pimples look less inflamed, but prolonged sun exposure can actually worsen acne and increase the risk of irritation and pigmentation changes after breakouts.

Therefore, it is important to use a sunscreen with a sufficiently high SPF that is suitable for acne-prone skin and does not clog pores. Sun protection is an important part of skin care, even if you have acne.