I've had acne on and off my whole life. You can tell when my hormones are screwing up cause I have problems. When I have problems I simply wash my face in the morning and night with Neutrogena clean bar of soap. My dermatologist always tells me that is the best. And you know what he is right. Doesn't feel dry or icky when I'm done. No horrid medicine stench and it's cheap. After that I spot treat with a Neutrogena rapid clear gel. It is suppose to reduce the site of inflammation within 8 hours and usually it does. Quite well! I do that until I get out of the acne funk again.
Here are a few tips I’ve found for hiding my problems. Red eye reducer, like Visine, you can put on a pimple that is very red and inflamed and the redness is reduced to the nth degree. Sometimes all together.
Oil blotting sheets are wonderful for taking the oil off your face and your makeup. But if you are oily like me you would go through packs a week to stay satin smooth. I found the greatest tip ever once online and it is sooooo true and works just as well. You know toilet seat covers that every bathroom in America has pretty much. They work just as well if not better half the time as the sheets you buy. So every time you use the restroom use one of those for going potty and grab another one and gently blot your face with it.
The other thing I do to control oil. I buy a translucent loose powder., not the kind packed in a compact. I dust that over my makeup with a large brush to set my makeup again and again throughout the day. Works wonders. Make sure it is oil free and won't clog pores though. Again that will take you back to satin smooth.