Retin-A is an effective prescription cream, but lets face it guys nothing really works like acutane. That's like comparing pro hormones to AAS. Yea the former is effective but nothing like the later.
Platinum labz .com has a acne cream that work well, prob just as well as retin-A. And it's not really expensive.
The reason your acne is not in really bad shape now is prob due to the tanning, it drys the little buggers out.
One more thing, I noticed that my back acne (I always have some, even while not cycling) got better when I went on vacation to the beach and swam in the ocean. I guess the salt water is good for it too. I don't know where you live but if that's a possibility then give that a try too.