Try products sold exclusively through dr.s. By law, over the counter products aren't as potent as the stuff you buy from dr.s; they're considered prescription skin care.

I really like M.D. Forte' products (not to be confused with M.D. Formulations) and have used them for years. They're a middle-of-the-road line, price wise, but work as well if not better than some of the higher priced lines (I've tried several of those including Obagi and Kinerase). M.D. Forte' is made by Allergan, the same company who is responsible for Botox and now Prevage (which is also sold by Elizabeth Arden at a reduced strength and an increased price!).

You can find some good deals on ebay as well as skincare.com (I think if you sign up for their email you can receive codes).

I also use retin-A and a skin bleaching cream (for the sun damage). And, if your sun damage is great, you can do foto-facial. I've done it and it's amazing ~ the sun damaged area quickly forms a scab that doesn't last long. Underneath is damage-free skin.