This might be the cause of your blemishes. Plain water will not be enough to get the oil and grease that gets into your skin during the day and night. Even if you aren't wearing makeup, there is still a lot of build up during the day because of sweat, humidity, hair on your forehead, etc.

I use AcneFree, which is a 3-step program, pretty much identical to ProActiv, but much cheaper and available in places like CVS. I only use the three steps at night. I use the acne cleanser for my face, then the astringent, then I put the acne cream over my face. It has been amazing in preventing breakouts. Right now, I am about 1 or 2 days away from starting my period and there is not one blemish on my face, whereas in the past, there would have been an entire breakout.

When I shower in the morning, I don't use the Acne Free system, as I don't want to dry out my face. Right now I'm using Neutrogena exfoliating facial scrub (grapefruit scented!) on my face in the morning. Then I put on Cetaphil moisturizer because it is completely oil-free and very good the skin. Then I put on my makeup.

So if you are looking to control the breakouts, I would suggest using something more than just water... It is good to use a cleanser and then the astringent... I find when I do this, even after I wash my face, there is still a good amount of oil/makeup that comes off on the cotton ball when I apply the astringent to my face.

I also make sure that I use oil-free makeup... Neutrogena even makes an acne control liquid foundation-- it is a foundation containing salicylic acid that works throughout the day to help stop breakouts.