6 Tips To Get Rid of Crepey Skin Naturally

Crepey skin can feel like a real confidence killer, but the good news is there are natural ways to manage it. If your skin feels thin, wrinkly, or loose, you’re not alone. Many people, especially as they age, notice changes in their skin texture.

Today, we’ll explain crepey skin, what causes it, and how to manage and prevent it.

What Is Crepey Skin?

Crepey skin gets its name because it looks like crepe paper — thin and finely wrinkled. While it can appear anywhere, it’s most common in areas like the neck, arms, hands, and under the eyes.

Crepey skin is different from regular wrinkles because it often affects larger areas and is linked to a loss of elasticity and hydration in the skin.

What Are the Causes of Crepey Skin?

Several factors can lead to crepey skin. While some are out of our control, others can be managed with the right care.

Let’s take a quick look at the most common causes:

UV Radiation

Sun exposure is one of the biggest culprits behind crepey skin. UV rays break down collagen and elastin, proteins that keep skin firm, stretchy, and youthful. Over time, repeated sun exposure weakens the skin’s structure, making it thinner and less resilient.

This process, called photoaging, leads to wrinkles and contributes to uneven pigmentation and sagging. Even brief periods in the sun without protection can add up over the years, so wearing sunscreen is essential to keep your skin healthy and prevent crepey skin.

Natural Aging

As we age, our skin produces less collagen and elastin, the proteins responsible for keeping it firm, smooth, and stretchy. This natural decline begins in our 20s and accelerates over time, especially after menopause for women.

Along with a reduction in these key proteins, the skin also loses its ability to retain moisture and repair damage as quickly. This combination of thinning skin, reduced skin elasticity, and slower cell renewal makes it easier for crepey skin to form, particularly in areas that experience frequent movement, like the neck, elbows, and knees.

Other Causes

“A frequent misunderstanding is that crepey skin develops solely from aging, but lifestyle factors like sun exposure and smoking are significant contributors,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Shoshana Marmon (1).

Other factors that contribute to crepey skin include:

• Significant weight loss can leave behind loose, stretched skin that has difficulty bouncing back.
• Dehydration can make the skin appear dull and exaggerate fine lines.
• Smoking speeds up the breakdown of collagen and elastin due to the harmful chemicals in cigarettes.
• Pollution adds to the problem by exposing the skin to free radicals, which damage skin cells over time.
• Genetics also play a role, as some people are naturally more prone to developing crepey skin due to their inherited skin type or slower collagen production.

While these factors may seem overwhelming, the good news is that many of them are preventable or manageable with the right care.

How To Treat Crepey Skin

If you already have crepey skin, don’t worry. Plenty of treatments can help improve your skin’s appearance, texture, and elasticity. Let’s explore some effective options.

1. Over the Counter (OTC) Skincare Products

Many OTC skincare products can help with crepey or loose skin by boosting hydration, improving elasticity, and encouraging collagen production.

When choosing products, look for these key ingredients:

• Hyaluronic Acid: This powerful humectant holds up to 1,000 times its weight in water, helping to plump up the skin and smooth out the look of fine lines. It’s especially effective in serums and creams applied right after cleansing.
• Retinol: A form of vitamin A that supports cell turnover and collagen production. It can also help even out skin tone and smooth rough patches with consistent use.
• Peptides: These tiny protein fragments signal your skin to produce healthy levels of collagen and elastin, making them a vital ingredient for rebuilding skin strength and elasticity.
• Antioxidants: Antioxidants like vitamin C, E, and ferulic acid support the skin during exposure to free radicals and repair damage caused by UV exposure and pollution. They also brighten the skin, reducing the appearance of age spots and discoloration.

“Formulas that contain retinol, antioxidants, and anti-aging peptides are also a plus since they help thicken the skin’s foundation and make crepiness less apparent,” says Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist (2).

2. Prescription Treatments

For more severe cases, prescription treatments can be a game-changer. These options are typically stronger and more targeted than OTC products, making them ideal for addressing advanced crepey skin.

Dermatologists might recommend:

• Tretinoin: A potent retinoid that supports cell turnover and collagen production, helping to improve skin texture and firmness over time.
• Hydroquinone: Often used for areas with uneven pigmentation, hydroquinone lightens the appearance of dark spots and evens out skin tone, complementing other treatments for crepey skin.
• Prescription-strength moisturizers: Formulated with high concentrations of active ingredients like ceramides or urea, these provide intense hydration to restore the skin’s barrier and improve elasticity.

For the best results, these treatments are often combined with professional guidance and a consistent skincare routine tailored to your specific needs. Regular follow-ups with your dermatologist can ensure your skin responds well to these powerful solutions.

3. Laser Treatments

Lasers like Fraxel or CO2 lasers work by resurfacing the skin and encouraging collagen production.

These treatments use controlled heat to remove damaged outer layers of skin while stimulating the deeper layers to regenerate. They’re great for improving texture, reducing wrinkles, and even addressing uneven pigmentation.

“Fractionated lasers can be used to improve the quality of the skin, but has also been shown to decrease skin cancer risk and treat scarring and other skin conditions,” says dermatologist Dr. Kassouf (3).

However, they often require multiple sessions to achieve optimal results and come with some downtime for healing, as the skin may appear red and sensitive for a few days to weeks after treatment. Despite the recovery time, laser treatments are popular for those seeking noticeable, long-lasting improvements in crepey skin.

4. Fillers

Dermal fillers like hyaluronic acid injections can plump up areas that have lost volume, instantly smoothing out wrinkles and improving the appearance of crepey skin.

“This treatment consists of the injection of small amounts of low-concentration fillers, intended to hydrate and smooth the skin not only from underneath but also through bio-stimulatory effects, which increase native collagen and elastic fiber synthesis,” says New York City dermatologic surgeon Dr. Nelson Lee Novick (4).

While this treatment is most commonly associated with the face, it’s also effective for rejuvenating the hands, neck, or even the décolletage. Fillers work by restoring volume and hydrating the skin from within, and the results can last anywhere from six months to over a year, depending on the product used.

When performed by a skilled professional, fillers provide a natural, refreshed look with minimal downtime.

5. Surgery

For severe crepey skin, surgery might be an option when other treatments aren’t effective.

Procedures like skin tightening, arm lifts, or neck lifts can remove excess skin and provide a smoother, firmer appearance. These surgeries are often recommended for individuals who have experienced significant weight loss or aging-related sagging.

While surgery offers dramatic and long-lasting results, it comes with higher risks, a longer recovery period, and higher costs. Because of this, surgery should always be considered a last resort after exploring less invasive options with your dermatologist or plastic surgeon.

6. Prevent It in the First Place

Treating crepey skin is one thing, but prevention is even better! Let’s explore ways to keep your skin looking healthy over time.

How To Prevent Crepey Skin Before It Develops

Good skincare habits and lifestyle choices can go a long way in keeping your skin firm and smooth.

Here are some tips:

Work With a Dermatologist

Regular visits to a dermatologist can help you stay ahead of skin issues. They can recommend the right treatments and products for your skin type.

Wear Sunscreen

Daily sunscreen is your skin’s best friend. “Studies show that approximately 80% of facial skin aging is thought to be related to ultraviolet exposure, which can manifest as fine lines, wrinkles, age spots, blood vessels, hyperpigmentation, and even skin cancer,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Rambhia (5).

Use a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher, and reapply every two hours if you’re outdoors.

Wear Protective Clothing

Hats, long sleeves, and sunglasses can shield skin from harmful UV rays. For extra coverage, look for clothing with UPF (ultraviolet protection factor).

Hydrate and Exfoliate

Hydrated skin is healthy skin! Drink plenty of water, use moisturizing products, and exfoliate regularly to remove dead skin cells. Try gentle scrubs or chemical exfoliants like lactic acid.

Promote Elastin and Collagen Production

Skincare products with ingredients like retinol, peptides, and growth factors can support your skin’s natural elasticity. Professional treatments like microneedling can also help boost collagen.

Eat a Balanced Diet

What you eat affects your skin. A 2020 study published in Nutrients shows that our diet significantly impacts skin health (6). Those who eat more whole foods tend to have healthier, youthful skin with less crepiness.

Include foods rich in vitamins C and E, omega-3 fatty acids, and protein to support healthy skin. Think berries, nuts, salmon, and leafy greens!

Wrapping Up

Crepey skin is a natural part of aging, but with the right care, you can improve its appearance and keep your skin looking youthful for years to come. Whether you’re treating crepey skin or preventing it, small steps like wearing sunscreen, hydrating, and using the right products can make a big difference.

Remember, skincare is a journey, and consistency is key.

Sources:

1. Why Your Skin Gets Crepey With Age Explained | Buzzfeed

2. How to Get Rid of Crepey Skin | RealSimple

3. Crepey Skin: Causes and Treatment | Cleveland Clinic

4. Crepey Skin | Real Self

5. 7 Best Face Sunscreens for Mature Skin, According To a Top Dermatologist | Woman’s World

6. Diet and Skin Aging—From the Perspective of Food Nutrition | PMC