Crepey Skin Explained: Why It Happens and How to Treat It
Seeing your skin change and develop a crepey texture can be a real “how did that happen?” moment, leaving you feeling pretty deflated and not loving this time in life.
While crepey skin is a completely normal and common concern, it’s understandable to want to smooth and firm your skin to regain some of your lost glow and confidence.
Let’s put crepey skin under the microscope to understand what causes it and the best ways to treat it.
What Is Crepey Skin? The Truth Behind the Term
Crepey skin is skin that has become thin, loose, and finely wrinkled, often compared to the texture of crepe paper. Unlike deep-set wrinkles that appear in specific spots, crepey skin usually covers larger areas, giving skin an overall fragile look. TBH we don’t really like the term crepey and it gives us the ick… but it is what it is!
Where does crepey skin most often appear?
It can show up anywhere, but the most common areas are under the eyes and on the neck, chest, arms, and legs.
What Causes Crepey Skin?
It is most often associated with ageing, this isn’t the only reason why it develops. It can appear earlier in life and is usually the result of a combination of changes in your skin over time, along with lifestyle and environmental factors. Some of the leading causes of crepey skin include
- Loss of Collagen and Elastin: These proteins keep skin firm and springy. As production slows with age, skin naturally becomes thinner.
- Sun damage: Ultraviolet (UV) rays break down collagen and elastin fibres, causing skin dryness and accelerating the crepey look.
- Dryness: Dehydrated skin looks looser and less plump.
- Weight Fluctuations: Repeated stretching and shrinking of the skin can leave it less firm.
- Lifestyle Factors: Smoking, lack of sleep, and poor diet can contribute to faster skin ageing.
How To Get Rid of Crepey Skin: Is It Possible?
While you can’t completely get rid of crepey skin, there are lots of ways to improve its appearance.
Daily Skincare Habits
- Gentle Exfoliation: Regular exfoliation removes dead skin cells and encourages skin renewal.
- Hydration: Apply a nourishing and firming moisturiser to plump and smooth skin.
- Sun Protection: Wear sunscreen to prevent further skin damage.
Professional Treatments
What do dermatologists recommend for crepey textured skin?
- Laser Resurfacing: Uses targeted light to gently remove damaged outer layers of skin and encourage new skin to grow.
- Microneedling: Tiny needles create micro-punctures in the skin, which kickstart your body’s natural healing process and boost collagen production.
- Chemical Peels: A solution is applied to the skin to remove dead cells on the surface, revealing fresher, brighter skin underneath.
Lifestyle Adjustments
- Eat antioxidant-rich foods, such as berries, leafy greens, and nuts
- Drink plenty of water
- Avoid smoking and minimise alcohol consumption
How To Help Crepey Skin on Arms, Legs, Neck, and Eyes: Simple Steps for Real Improvement
Some areas of the body are more prone to crepey textures because they’re exposed to the sun or naturally have less fat padding.
Here’s how to target those common trouble spots.
- Arms: Apply a firming body cream with hydrating and tightening ingredients. Regular strength training can also help improve muscle tone underneath.
- Legs: Keep your skin moisturised, especially after showering, and exfoliate to encourage smoother texture.
- Neck: Extend your facial skincare routine down to your neck and décolletage. Use a nourishing crepey skin cream, and always apply sunscreen in this area.
- Eyes: With your ring finger, gently apply a lightweight cream formulated for crepey skin around the eyes in the morning and at night.
What Is the Best Cream for Crepey Skin? Clinically Proven Ingredients to Look For
Look for creams that combine intense hydration with ingredients that support firmness and elasticity.
- Hyaluronic Acid for deep hydration
- Vitamin E for nourishment
- DMAE (Dimethyl MEA) to boost tightness and support skin structure
- Alpha Lipoic Acid to reduce the appearance of fine lines
- Plant extracts for antioxidant support
- Peptides to encourage skin renewal
Not sure where to start?
Derma E Crepey Skin Repair Treatment with Resveratrol is specially formulated for crepey textured skin. Resveratrol is a powerful antioxidant that guards against free radicals (unstable molecules caused by sun exposure, pollution, and stress) that can degrade collagen.
Our crepey skin cream also features clinically-proven DMAE, Copper Peptides, and Alpha Lipoic Acid to support skin structure, promote elasticity, and help restore the soft, smooth bounce you’re after.
What Is the Best Crepey Treatment?
Beyond crepey skin moisturiser, the best overall skincare approach to crepey skin involves a combination of hydration, firming, and antioxidant protection. A set that covers these bases can be especially effective.
The Derma E Ultra Firming Set is a great option. It includes an Ultra Lift DMAE Concentrated Serum, Stem Cell Eye Lifting Treatment, and Ultra Lift Firming DMAE Moisturiser. These products target visible signs of ageing and support skin elasticity and firmness with antioxidants and peptides.
You don’t need to feel confused or overwhelmed by crepey skin treatments: this Derma E set has everything you need!
Care for Crepey Textured Skin with Derma E
With the right daily care, targeted treatments, and lifestyle choices, you can keep your skin looking less crepey and more supple, smooth, and full of life.
At Derma E, we believe in clean, proven, and sustainable skincare that delivers visible results. Our formulas are packed with botanicals, antioxidants, and skin-loving ingredients designed to support your skin at every stage of life.
For the best treatments and best cream for crepey skin in Australia, check out our range of Derma E crepey skincare today.
If you have any questions, please fill out this form. Our skincare experts are ready to help!
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FAQ
What Is the Difference Between Crepey Skin and Wrinkled Skin?
It is thin, loose, and finely textured, often covering larger areas and looking like tissue paper. Wrinkles, on the other hand, are usually deeper lines or folds that form in specific spots, like around the eyes or mouth.
What Age Does Crepey Skin Start?
It often starts to appear in your 40s and beyond, but it can develop earlier with sun damage, smoking, poor diet, dehydration, lack of sleep, or weight fluctuations.
What Is the Best Cream for Crepey Skin?
The best cream for is one that combines deep hydration with ingredients that support firmness and elasticity, such as hyaluronic acid, peptides, retinol, and antioxidants.
