serious answer to your question: chemical exfoliants.
do you currently have acne? look for a product with betahydroxy acid (also known as salicylic acid). BHA products gently exfoliate the skin, improving tone and texture. they also can penetrate inside your pores, helping to combat acne.
if you do not currently have acne and are just trying to get rid of dark spots from the past, start using an AHA product (alphahydroxy acid). works well on hyperpigmented skin (dark spots from acne).
you can use these two exfoliants together as well.
www.paulaschoice.com is a good place to start, but you can find tons of stuff at the drugstore with these ingredients.
