I've tried loads of things over the years to treat my acne, with varying success. I definitely identify with the feelings of depression and frustration that others have mentioned, and I know what it's like to consider calling in sick on the basis of acne! It's mostly under control now apart from a few great big, hormonal bastard, blind horrible ones just prior to riding the crimson tide each month, but I can live with them in comparison to what I used to have to wake up to everyday.
I definitely found a big improvement when I used Dianne/Estelle/Brenda contraceptive pills, however the weight gain, libido plummet and migraines meant that the pill was not for me... I also feel better within myself weathering the ups and downs of a monthly cycle, rather than hormonal manipulation, but that's a whole other thread

In my teens I used erythromycin and then minomycin, with limited success, and ceased them due to thrush issues... yeah - nice

There is definitely a lot to be said for a good diet in terms of minimising acne, at least for me. I find my skin is much better when I avoid highly refined, starchy, 'beige' foods, or those that are literally dripping with oil (think spring roll from takeaway shop!)and very spicy or sugary treats. I've also noticed that white wine or even pinot noir seem to affect my skin better than the richer red wines, and I'm lucky not to enjoy sugary soft drinks. Fruit juices and even some fruits are minimised, particularly very citrusy ones, which for me have always inflamed my skin (think hives, itchy hot redness, allergy-style), which in turn seems to bring on acne. So, whilst i'm not always successful at avoiding what I've found to be my triggers, i certainly minimise them, or wear the consequences... on my face, neck, back or chest usually!
Diet wise the biggest helpers I've found have been fish, particularly oily Omega rich ones like sardines, salmon and tuna, drinking plenty of water, having a wide variety of vegies (make your meal colourful!), especially plenty of green leafy ones, choosing complex carbohydrates and the least refined versions of 'grainy' foods that I can, vegie juice instead of fruit juice, and avocados.
Zinc and beta-carotene (converted to vitamin A in the body) supplements helped me too.
I found BP products and Proactiv too drying, and would then get a kind of 'rebound' effect from the dry skin going crazy with oil, into pores that were blocked with dry, flaky skin.
My absolute best topical friends so far haven't been mentioned in this thread which I am really surprised about.
I have been using a foaming face wash with the active ingredient clorhexidine, which is an anti-microbial. The brand name used to be Acnederm, but they changed it recently to AZ Clear and it is about $12 Australian in the chemist, and lasts about 1 month. It doesn't lather on your skin, but comes out of the container as foam, and is very soft and light feeling, which helps me to use a light touch, because that helps too... I minimise mechanical scrubbing, be that with wash cloths, scrubs, hands, towel or otherwise because for me any trauma to the skin just seems to make it worse.
After patting dry I use a topical lotion in the same brand (AZ Clear) and instead of applying it spot by spot, I apply a very fine layer to my breakout zones. This cream contains an active ingredient called azelaeic acid, and I swear it has changed my skin so much for the better that I want to grab people and make them give it a go! It just softens the skin and very slightly exfoliates it (chemically, rather than mechanically) day by day, whilst creating an environment in which bacteria don't breed.
Only if my skin is feeling dry (rarely) I use a very little bit of clean & Clear Everyday moisturiser, active ingredient salicylic acid (aspirin) or sometimes a Neutrogena light moisturiser with SPF.
Make up wise, I use Revlon Colourstay concealer that also has a little salicylic acid in it. It's great because you 'trust it' and so don't self consciously touch your face as much either which helps too.
Mineral type make-up has been pretty good too, in which case i use Nude by Nature, but if I want a little more staying power I use Revlon colourstay... I'd love to just not use make up, but for me the benefit of covering up previous damage and scarring outweighs the possibility of it contributing to acne, which I've found that by choosing the right products, taking it off before bed, and not applying with your fingers but with CLEAN brushes or sponges, isn't the issue.
Don't worry about brands, but if other things aren't working, give clorhexidine and azelaic acid products a try... they might be the go!
A bit of sun certainly makes my skin look better short term, but seems to promote breakouts in the longer ter, for me, but I usually can't resist the instant gratification of a bit of a tan

Haha!
Other tips include using very soft towels for your acne prone areas and patting dry gently - NO RUBBING! Change towels frequently too, as well as pillow cases, and try not to touch/pick (don't worry - I know it's hard!).
Watch what hair products you are using too. Those heavy in silicone (think Pantene and most supermarket conditioners, several styling products) when transferred to acne prone skin can clog it right up and cause break outs. If your hair rubs your pillow, and your pillow rubs your face, then guess what happens next?!
Swimming in the sea always seems to help, but sadly isn't as possible as I'd like it to be. Working up a sweat actually helps, surprisingly, but do wash your face off afterward, and avoid touching your face with 'gym-hands'... uuurrrggghh!
So - that was a bit of an epic post, and I may edit after a good proofreading later on, but yeah... I hope it is useful to someone out there!