I can totally relate to you. Moderate to severe acne is not the result of not washing your face. It's mostly genetic. Some people could be treated with simple topicals or antibiotics, but others do not respond. I'm one of those. Tried topicals, elimination diet, vegetarian diet, herbal medicine, extraction, antibiotics and birth control - most didn't work, some worked for a while (longest was birth control, it kept me clear for about one year). Try out different things and some might work for you. If not, and if you think acne has been hindering your life the way it should not, talk to a doctor about going on isotretinoin.

Acne came at a time for me when I was already with poor self image and low self esteem, so it definitely didnt do me any good, just made my life harder. I tried a bunch of creams and face washes over the counter at the pharmacy but they never really worked that well. Benzoyl peroxide is the acne fighting ingredient you want to look for when buying creams for acne. Try to get a cream with 2.5% bp concentration and apply it to your problem areas before going to bed. Dont be afraid to apply generous amounts once your skin has acclimated to its drying effect.

If washing your face once or twice a day and applying a BP cream at night doesnt improve your skin soon then see a skin doctor. To me it sounds like your acne is very persistent and has becomes a prolonged ordeal so you should make an appointment with a skin doctor while you try the bezoyl peroxide cream.