Crepey Skin: Definition, Causes and Treatment

Crepey skin is a condition that causes the epidermis to sag and wrinkle. While crepey skin can occur throughout the body, it typically appears in areas that receive the most sun exposure, including the face, chest, and upper arms. Signs of crepey skin include dry patches, fine lines, and a papery epidermis.

One of the main signs of crepey skin is a lack of skin elastin, a key protein in assisting the skin’s ability to stretch and reshape. As the skin’s elasticity decreases, its ability to stretch and reposition itself back to place declines as well. This causes the skin to appear stretched and thin even when you’re not moving or working the muscles under your skin.

Here are a few common causes of crepey skin:

1. 1. Age: Similar to sun exposure, aging also causes the body to produce less collagen. As your body ages, your skin releases less oils, which help moisturize the skin and prevent wrinkles. Crepey skin tends to occur in older individuals prone to dry skin.
2. 2. Dehydration: While crepey skin is more common with age, some factors can cause crepey skin to appear early on. A lack of moisture in the skin from seasonal dryness or dehydration can cause the skin to have a papery-thin appearance.
3. 3. Sun exposure: The UV rays from the sun cause the skin’s natural production of collagen and elastin to break down, resulting in crepey skin over time. Both collagen and elastin help keep the skin supple, tight, and youthful. As the skin starts to produce less collagen and elastin, wrinkles and age spots develop.
4. 4. Weight loss: Significant fluctuations in your body weight can also cause the skin to stretch and sag. When you lose weight at a faster rate than normal, your skin appears loose since it’s still in the process of adjusting to the lower body mass.

Both your skincare habits and diet can impact how your skin ages. Consider incorporating the below natural remedies into your beauty routine to prevent crepey skin from developing:

• Apply moisturizer daily. Moisturizing your skin helps keep your skin supple, preventing dryness and crepey skin. Lotions with hydrating and plumping ingredients—such as hyaluronic acid, peptides, alpha hydroxy acids, and retinol—work best for preventing crepey skin since they lock in moisture. When using skincare products that contain retinoids, always apply these topical creams at night, as retinol makes the skin susceptible to sun damage.
• Drink water. For your skin to stay supple throughout the day, your body needs water. Drinking water nourishes the skin’s protein barrier, providing it with the hydration it needs to stay hydrated and dewy.
  
• Eat a well-balanced diet. Foods that contain a high concentration of antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids can also help prevent crepey skin. Fruits, vegetables, fish, and whole grains are all food groups that promote immune and skin health. Eating foods that contain high amounts of vitamin C can also help combat free radical damage and stimulate collagen production.
• Use SPF. Wearing sunscreen every day—rain or shine—can help protect your skin from UV exposure and early signs of aging. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher year-round, re-applying every two hours or so for optimal protection. You can also wear a hat to minimize your sun exposure and shield your face from UV damage.

Follow the below skincare routine and treatment options for reducing the effect of crepey skin:

1. 1. Use a moisturizing cleanser. Washing your face daily helps remove excess oil and dirt buildup, which clogs the skin cells and increases the look of crepey skin. Opt for a gentle cleanser with hydrating and moisturizing ingredients, such as ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and niacinamide. Cleansing your skin will also help your treatment products better absorb into the skin barrier.
2. 2. Exfoliate weekly. After cleansing your skin, exfoliate using a gentle sugar scrub or chemical exfoliant, such as glycolic or lactic acid. If you have sensitive skin, start by exfoliating once a week, while oily skin can handle exfoliating twice a week. Exfoliating can reduce the appearance of crepey skin because it encourages cell turnover, resulting in a smooth skin texture. For more dramatic exfoliation, consider asking your dermatologist about chemical peels, which target the skin cells deep in the dermis by using stronger grades of lactic, salicylic, and glycolic acid.
3. 3. Incorporate antioxidant-rich serums. You can also add anti-aging serums to your beauty routine to help treat crepey skin. Serums contain high concentrations of antioxidants and peptides that target problem areas and promote elasticity in the skin. Since serums are made of tiny molecules, they penetrate into the skin’s layers, effectively treating the fine lines and dryness associated with crepey skin.
4. 4. Apply a skin-tightening moisturizer. Some moisturizers’s formulas include skin-tightening agents, known to improve elasticity and firmness in the skin. These types of moisturizers can make your skin look more youthful by reducing the papery appearance of crepey skin. Look for a moisturizer that has anti-aging ingredients, such as niacinamide, piclonimade, and vitamins E, A, and C.
5. 5. Consider cosmetic treatment options. For more severe cases of crepey skin, consider consulting your dermatologist about different cosmetic procedures. Depending on the case, dermatologists typically use dermal fillers or laser treatments for reducing the appearance of crepey skin. While laser treatments involve heating the skin with radiofrequency, dermal fillers treat skin damage by injecting radiesse into the affected area. Both treatment options leave the skin less wrinkly and plumper.

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