After manys years battling with acne my skin has cleared up and has been better than even before I started getting acne.  This has been a long battle and only recently did I do a lot more research.  I wanted to write this for anyone who is battling acne because I know what its like and how it can affect all areas of your life.  You can fight back. 

IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM AREAS:
3 main components that cause acne for me is: A. Oily Skin and B. Blocked pores via dead skin cells. C. Repair/Restore your skins moisture barrier.  This protective layer helps protect the skin from clogging.  Good products (that restore instead of damage the barrier) and making sure your skin is properly moisturized will help keep your skin clear.  If the cause of your acne is different or you have different skin type everything I did to transform my skin may not do the same for you.  I can only speak for my own skin type and experience.

SEEING RESULTS:
Before I get into what works I wanted to make a statement about seeing results.  Your skin goes through a renewal cycle that takes about 4 weeks where new skin reaches the surface.  This means that anything you do to heal your skin will take time as it works its way through the layers.  I would say it was anywhere from 6-8 weeks to really start seeing the benefits of a good skin care routine.  Be patient. It's worth the wait. You may also experience a flare up in your acne during this time.  This is part of the process as the new layers of skin surface and go through its renewal process.

To reduce oil:
1. WATER
A. For me usually 2L a day.  I didn’t realize for the longest time I wasn’t getting enough water and my body was making excess oil to compensate.  By drinking enough water I noticed immediately my skin was less oily.  After the first few days the level of oil is the lowest its ever been in my life even before getting acne. 

To remove dead skin cells:
2. EXFOLIATE (1-2 times a week)
C. I use a cleanser with Salicylic acid to exfoliate.  Its important to find one that also maintains/repairs your skins moisture barrier.  The mositure barrier is crucial to protecting the skin and preventing future break outs.  Don't over exfoliate. Too much will strip the skin of its protective barrier causing more problems.   

Restore/Repair the skins moisture barrier:
3. USE A GENTLE DAILY CLEANSER & MOISTURIZE
I use a gentle foaming facial cleanser (for normal to oily skin) that helps repair/maintain the skin mositure barrier in the mornings daily.  The problem with a lot of cleansers is they are too strong and strip the skin of its mositure barrier. I use a facial moisturizer (non-comedogenic/wont clog pores, no dyes, no parabens) that helps maintain your skins mositure barrier.  I do this everytime after washing my face to prevent over drying and irrating the skin, to lock in moisture and prevent the production of oil from clogging pores.  Moisturzing is essential and finding the right moisturizer is key.  Look for products with ceramides (restore and maintain the moisture barrier), Niacinamide (calm skin) and Hyaluronic Acid (retain moisture). In the evening I use an acne cleanser with benzoyl peroxide.  It's important to not over use it as it can dry out your skin.  You can use it as spot treatment instead of your whole face to help with this.  This may not work for all skin types and like any skin care routine you will need to find something that works for your unique skin type.  If you moisture barrier is up you may not need this step.  This is what worked for me.  

THE IMPORTANCE OF ALL 3 FACTORS:
The combination of steps 1,2 and 3 is POWERFUL and removing anyone 1 componenet and the system doesnt work.  Each step works to keep pores clear.  It took me a long time to understand its all 3 that help you stay clear.  After doing steps 1-3 your skin should feel great, breathable & light.  You shouldnt feel like its irritated or too dry or too oily.  If it is something needs to be re-examined.
*If you are using any additional products on your face and you dont see improvment with points 1-3 you need to take a closer look at what you are using and finding out if it is blocking your pores*.  

4. OTHER SKIN CONDITIONS
If you have other skin conditions this can also affect your acne.  I also have Psoriasis. The last step that helped clear my skin was exfoliating my scalp.  Once I did this the oil on my face was also dramatically reduced.  If you have another skin condition, do some more research.  You may need to find ways to treat it as well in order to heal. 

5. ACNE ON OTHER PARTS OF YOUR BODY:
Steps 1-3 helped clear acne on other parts of my body as well including my back and scalp.    

6. SWEATING:
Try to time your workouts just before you wash your face so that any sweating that occurs will be washed off.  Areas of the face that I have found espeically sensitive can be around the mouth and chin.  I also try to avoid steam (either from shower or even a hot bath where the steam will be close to your face). This can overdry, irriate and/or block your pours causing it to create more oil.  

OTHER FACTORS TO CONSIDER:
I found the steps above had the greatest observable impact on my skin but there are some other factors to overall health you may want to consider on your journey to healing.

7. FOOD:
I switched to more of an anti-inflammatory diet.  I usually do an anti-inflammatory smoothie once daily and drink green tea.  I try to limit/avoid processed foods, any type of shellfish, sugary foods, nightshades and foods that can spike your blood sugar level (bread).  I usually start the day with a warm glass of water with some lemon juice (balance internal ph).   I try to include more leafy vegetables into my meals.  Any changes I do to what I eat I need to be able to do for my entire life.  So even though I have changed what I eat I still once in a while eat foods that I like.  

8. DE-STRESS:
I try to incorporate some activity for stress relief daily.  Exercise, reading, just releaxing ect. 

9. SLEEP:
I try to get about 7.5 hours of sleep. Getting black out curtains and removing any sources of light really helped with that.  This could be a whole other topic but sleep helps with overall health and healing.

CONCLUSION:
Transforming my skin was a complete lifestyle change.  I specifically didn’t want to mention any products or books because I don’t want to promote anything.  This is the framework for what worked for me.  If anyone does have specific questions, please feel free to send a PM.  Your battle with acne may be different.  Everyones body is different.  This is what worked for me.  You can win this fight.  Wishing everyone the best.