What Causes Crepey Skin–and Can You Prevent It?

Crepey skin is fragile, thin skin that has a paper-like texture. It is commonly found on the face, neck, lower eyelids, legs, and arms.

Common causes include sun damage, aging, and certain medications.

You can help prevent crepey skin and maintain skin health by eating nutrient-rich foods, protecting your skin from sun damage, and following a regular skincare routine to keep skin moisturized and supple.

What Does Crepey Skin Look Like?

Crepey skin is thin in appearance and has a papery look and feel. The name comes from its resemblance to crepe paper—a thin, wrinkly-looking paper used for decorating (e.g., party streamers) and crafts (e.g., paper mache).

Another sign of crepey skin is lax, loose-hanging skin. When the skin loses strength over time, its elasticity decreases and is less likely to bounce back into place.

What Causes Crepey Skin?

There are several causes of crepey skin, including aging, loss of collagen (the main structural protein found in the body’s skin and connective tissues), sun damage, fluctuations in weight, and certain medications.

Aging: As people age, the epidermis (outer skin layer) thins because the body produces less elastin. Elastin provides elasticity to the skin, allowing the skin to regain its shape after being stretched.10

Sun damage: Overexposure or lack of protection from the sun’s damaging ultraviolet (UV) rays can also make skin less elastic over time and ultimately accelerate skin aging.11

Weight changes: Frequent weight fluctuations or significant weight loss can also result in excess skin and reduced elasticity, leading to crepey-looking skin.

Medications: Frequent use of certain medications, such as corticosteroids, may cause skin atrophy (thinning) as a side effect. This reduction in skin thickness can cause a crepey appearance.

Risk Factors

A number of risk factors are associated with the likelihood of developing crepey skin. Older people and people with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome are more likely to have crepey skin. Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is a genetic disorder that affects collagen formation and function.13514

Drinking alcohol and smoking may also be risk factors. Research shows both are associated with changes in facial skin and volume that can lead to premature skin aging, increasing your risk of crepey skin.13

Crepey Skin Treatment

From home remedies to in-office dermatological treatments, you can try several treatment options to reduce the look of crepey skin.

At-Home Treatments

To care for crepey skin at home, try using both a skin-firming moisturizer and a retinoid (skincare derived from vitamin A). While firming creams can temporarily help plump skin, results are subtle and not a permanent fix for crepiness. Consistent use of the products is also necessary.

One study showed that using a firming body moisturizer twice daily on crepey upper arms for 12 weeks helped firm upper arms, reduce crepiness, improve skin thickness, and improve overall skin health and appearance. While the results are promising, the study was funded by a skincare company, so additional research is needed.

Retinoids boost collagen and speed up skin turnover, which may help reduce the look of mildly crepey skin.

American Academy of Dermatology Association. Retinoid or retinol?.

Crepey skin that is more prominent will require in-office dermatological treatments for best results.

In-Office Treatments

For in-office treatments, you should visit a board-certified dermatologist, a medical doctor who specializes in treating skin, hair, and nail conditions.

Laser Resurfacing

Laser resurfacing treatments use beams of light to tighten crepey skin. Recovery typically takes 5-7 days, and tightening effects begin to show within two weeks.

Ultrasound Skin Tightening

Ultrasound skin tightening is a non-invasive, collagen-producing treatment that uses ultrasound waves to tighten and lift the skin using heat.1One treatment will result in modest skin tightening and lifting within 2-6 months. Additional treatments may be necessary.

Fillers

Injectable skin fillers such as Radiesse (calcium hydroxylapatite) have a volumizing effect that can help improve upper arm crepiness.

Other fillers can help with eye crepiness, such as hyaluronic acid soft tissue fillers. Not everyone is a candidate for undereye filler, so you should see a dermatologist if you are considering it. They can assess whether filler or another in-office treatment is best.

Facial Threads

With this procedure, a cosmetic surgeon inserts special threads under your skin to pull back the extra skin. This gives the appearance of lifted, tighter skin. Facial threads also stimulate collagen and can help thicken and volumize crepey skin.

There are different types of threads to consider and potential complications to be aware of, so it’s best to discuss whether you are a candidate for this treatment with your healthcare provider.

Microneedling

Microneedling is a minimally invasive procedure that can rejuvenate the skin by encouraging collagen formation. Your provider will roll a tool covered in tiny needles across your skin, making little punctures. This does not damage the epidermis; they are controlled skin injuries that lead to wound healing and, in turn, skin rejuvenation.

Prevention

There are some helpful tips and lifestyle changes you can incorporate into your everyday routine to prevent crepey skin. Some science-backed ways to prevent crepey skin include:

Moisturize: Moisturize your skin every day using lotions, ointments, or creams to prevent dryness

Eat a nutritious, well-balanced diet: Eat nutrient-rich foods to prevent nutritional deficiencies that can cause skin changes, skin lesions, or rashes

Wear sunscreen: Protect your skin from UV light by applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher daily

Avoid tanning: Steer clear of tanning beds and sunlamps, which can cause skin cancer and accelerate skin aging

Avoid alcohol and smoking: Limit alcohol and smoking, both of which are associated with premature skin aging and changes in facial skin and volume

Take or use collagen: Oral collagen supplements and collagen-containing skincare products may help reduce or delay skin aging and wrinkling

Take a supplement with vitamin D3: Supplementing with vitamin D3 may help delay premature aging and prevent sun damage due to the vitamin’s anti-inflammatory properties and ability to inhibit DNA damage and promote DNA repair

A Quick Review

Crepey skin is paper-thin, fragile skin that appears saggy and loose. Internal and external factors can cause crepey skin, including sun damage, aging, changes in weight, loss of collagen, and some genetic conditions.

To help prevent crepey skin, protect your skin from the sun by wearing sunscreen whenever you’re outside, eating a diet full of nutrient-rich foods, avoiding tanning, and avoiding or limiting smoking and alcohol.

If you have crepey skin, you may want to consider adding a skin-firming moisturizer and retinoid to your regular skincare routine. Other treatments for crepey skin include laser resurfacing, ultrasound tightening, and facial threading. Speak to a dermatologist or other healthcare provider to discuss the best treatment for your skin.

DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek. “Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more. Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals. Sunscreen “We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.” Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup. Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand. Vitamin C Serum “A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging. Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation. Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants. Peptides Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.” Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively. This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek. At-Home Peel Pads Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate. “The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.” According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says. Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection. KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids. Emollient Night Cream “In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.” “Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products. Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid. RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme “The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.

Related Articles

Ad Blocker Detected