How to Get Rid of Pimples And Other Secrets for Healthy Skin

Zandy Mangold

We beauty editors are always answering skin-care questions from our co-workers and friends. What’s the best antiaging moisturizer? How do I get rid of a pimple quickly? Do I need to see a doctor for this thing? (Yes, we’re asked to check out friends’ scaly patches more often than we’d like.)

We also get a ton of questions from you. So we thought: Wouldn’t it be great if we could bring all our readers into Health’s Beauty Closet for some real-world advice? Since that wasn’t possible, we did the next best thing: We gathered your top winter skin problems, then pooled our collective wisdom to help you solve them. Read on for our straight talk (no topic is taboo in the Beauty Closet!), quick tips, and favorite winter product picks.

Skin problem #1: “I have rough, dry skin all over my body.”

Colleen: This happens to everyone in the winter because of the colder, drier weather. I’ve found that it helps to shower every other day.
Jenn: That’s a good idea because water—especially hot—dehydrates your skin. It seems counterintuitive, but every dermatologist I’ve asked says it’s true. If you can’t go a day without showering, keep showers short and turn down the water temperature.
Colleen: An aesthetician once told me dry body brushing helps, too. Before I shower, I run a body brush over my skin using upward strokes—it removes the flaky dry skin cells so moisturizer penetrates better. After the shower, I apply Lubriderm Advanced Therapy Moisturizing Cream.
Melanie: But the trick is you have to put on lotion when your skin’s still warm and damp from the shower in order to seal in the moisture.
Jenn: I know that’s what you’re supposed to do, but I always forget!
Colleen: I put the lotion in my shower next to my shower gel, so I remember to do it before I get out.

Skin problem #2: “My complexion gets really dry.”

Jenn: Even people with oily skin can have this issue in the winter.
Colleen: My derm told me dry indoor heating is actually a big part of the problem. I’ve found that running a humidifier at night really helps. And switching to a richer formula of face moisturizer makes a huge difference.
Melanie: So if you use a gel, step it up to a lotion. And if you use a lotion, get a thicker cream.
Jenn: Most people don’t think of this, but you should also switch to a creamy cleanser because they’re less drying than the high-foaming gel ones. I like Neutrogena’s new cream cleanser. It takes off my makeup without making my skin feel tight and dry.

Skin problem #3: “My skin is so sensitive in the winter.”

Melanie: I can relate. As soon as the weather changes, my complexion becomes red and itchy.
Jenn: One derm told me when your skin is drier, the protective lipid barrier is compromised, and things that normally don’t cause irritation—like pollutants in the air or the lanolin from a wool sweater—can cause sensitivity. Fragrances in products can also be irritating for some people. So he suggested switching to fragrance-free products in winter.
Melanie: I have a fragrance-free soap and moisturizer, but I like serums, and it’s hard to find one that doesn’t have some sort of scent.
Colleen: Oh, the Olay serum that I like is actually fragrance-free. I put it on right before my moisturizer.

Next page: Winter dulls my complexion