Your skin acts as your number one defense against heat, light, injury, and INVADERS like germs, bacteria, and disease. And like any barrier under attack, it can sometimes get damaged. Here's how to fight 5 common skin problems. #1: Acne is obviously a major skin issue. These pus-filled, pink bumps form when dirt and oil clogs pores. . To keep your complexion clear, wash your skin with a gentle soap, twice a day. Stick with oil-free or non-comedogenic (that means non-pore-blocking) products to avoid blocking your pores further. Over-the-counter medications containing benzoyl peroxide, sulfur, or salicylic acid can help dry up zits and remove clogging debris. #2: Dry skin is a condition that few of us escape, especially during winter when there's little humidity in the air. Besides the weather, everything from hot showers, harsh soaps, detergents and sun exposure to central heat and air conditioning can leave you with sandpaper skin. LOCK in moisture and HEAL roughness by applying a cream, lotion or oil at least once daily, especially right after showering. But make sure to use different moisturizers for your face and body - THICK moisturizers on your FACE can clog pores and cause pimples. # 3: Razor bumps. These pimple-like spots are caused when individual hairs get trapped under the skin after shaving. You can prevent them by shaving directly AFTER a shower, while your pores are open. Always pull the razor in the direction of hair growth, and use a shaving cream to eliminate drag. #4: Blisters. These fluid-filled sacks crop up on our skin as our body attempts to protect an injured area. Usually, they form when something rubs against our skin, like our shoes, but can also be caused by burns or skin infections like eczema. What's "fun" about blisters is that you can pop them on your own. Get rid of germs by washing your hands and rubbing the blister with alcohol. Take a sterilized pin and poke a small hole to allow the fluid to completely leak out. Lastly, apply an antibiotic ointment and bandage. #5: Sun damage. It's the cause of everything from wrinkles to brown spots to skin cancer. Protect yourself from skin-frying UVA and UVB rays by applying a broad spectrum sunscreen every day before heading outdoors, even when it's cloudy or rainy - you'll need about one ounce or a shot glass worth to fully cover your body. For more flawless-skin tips, check out the rest of the videos in this series.