The Quest for Clear Skin

Recently while browsing around in Target, I found myself in the skin care aisle. My face has been breaking out lately, and I figured there was no time like the present to take care of it. Just the day before I had asked someone with seemingly perfect skin for her secret. She told me that the key was a really good cleanser, toner and moisturizer. Embarrassingly enough, I had none of those.

So now I'm in Target, staring at all of the choices and I'm confused. What brand do I go with? Am I a dry skin type, oily or combo? What's the difference between a toner and an astringent?