Dr Elizabeth Tanzi

Slipping your feet into sandals and flip-flops in the Summer is reason enough to keep up with your pedicures. Don't skimp on your feet upkeep once the temperatures cool, though. "Caring for your feet in the Winter is very important because heels can thicken and crack," says Dr. Elizabeth Tanzi, codirector of the Washington Institute of Dermatologic Laser Surgery in Washington DC. "Those cracks can become painful and infected if left untreated."

Getting a weekly pedicure would be choice. But if you're looking for something a little more wallet-friendly, there are plenty of at-home procedures for those looking to smooth out their soles. "Use a thick moisturizer containing urea or glycolic acid under socks at night," Dr. Tanzi says. Layer on a lotion like Kiehl's Imperial Body Balm ($42) all over your feet, and slip on your favorite socks before bed. Dr. Tanzi also suggests exfoliating with a pumice stone, or using a similar dead-skin-removal method, once a week in the shower. Your feet may be stuffed into your warmest boots, but they'll be healthy enough for a spur-of-the-moment trip to the Caribbean. Hey, it could happen.

Sensitive skin is a term that gets thrown around all too often. The truth is that most people who claim to have sensitive skin actually don't. "It's an overused phrase," says Dr. Elizabeth Tanzi, codirector of the Washington Institute of Dermatologic Laser Surgery in Washington DC. "They [people] may be overusing their products, leading to irritation." Skin is also more prone to irritation in the cooler months, so don't take a reaction to the frigid temperatures as a red flag for skin sensitivity.

So how do you know if you do actually have sensitive skin? There are a few tests you can give yourself. "Brush your fingers across the side of your face with light to medium pressure," celebrity facialist Joanna Vargas says. "If the skin turns red, it's sensitive." If you have a deeper skin tone that doesn't show red so easily, though, Dr. Tanzi has an equally simple tip for uncovering if your skin has a sensitive disposition. "You know you have sensitive skin if the majority of the products you place on your skin cause stinging or redness," she explains. This includes everything from face washes and moisturizers to foundations and blushes.

Understanding whether or not you truly have skin sensitivity is the first step in perfecting your skin care regimen. So if you haven't quite had that healthy glow you've been dreaming of, perhaps now you'll be a few steps closer to achieving it.