When your on a cycle and breaking out like a mad man you can wash your skin all you want, it will not help.
Of course if you don't, your gonna get it worst, but it will not cure the acne. Washing helps if you have larger pores and oily skin, if your skin is not oily then you need to use antibiotics.
Just go to your doctor and explain to him your breaking out, you don't have to go see a dermatoligist to get the antibiotics.
They are very very cheap, about $8 for a months worth and can be bought over the .net w/o a perscription pretty easy.