Sure, it’s great for all your DIY craft projects, but it’s not so fun when your skin resembles the same fragile texture. But crepeyness isn’t as inevitable as you may think; here’s everything you need to know about what causes crepey skin, plus how to prevent it and enjoy firm-looking skin for as long as possible. The skin looks wrinkled, fragile, and fine; “It may also sag or feel loose,” says board-certified dermatologist Hadley King, M.D. It can occur in most sun-exposed areas of the body, but common areas include the upper arms, eyelids, and neck. First up: Crepey skin affects larger sun-exposed areas, whereas wrinkles can pop up in targeted crevices (i.e., crow’s feet around the eyes). Wrinkles are also characterized by creases and fine lines, while crepey skin is more about the fragile texture, even though both conditions can appear hand-in-hand. And although wrinkles are an inevitable sign of aging, getting older is actually not the No. 1 cause of crepey skin. “Crepey skin looks thin, saggy, and wrinkled but it’s not necessarily linked to old age,” board-certified dermatologist Amy Ross, M.D., tells mbg. Rather, the thin appearance of crepey skin is affected by a lack of hydration and diminished cell turnover—processes that are affected by aging, yes, but also by environmental influences1 (think sun exposure, smoking, and pollution). We lose collagen as we age, so that’s one contributor to crepey skin we can’t really prevent. But factors like skin type, sun exposure, and smoking can also influence skin health and the degradation of collagen and elastin, says King. And weirdly, “gaining and losing substantial amounts of weight can also contribute,” she says, as frequent rises and dips may cause skin to sag. According to board-certified dermatologist Carl Thornfeldt, M.D., environmental and lifestyle factors are also key players: “Cold and/or dry climates will accentuate the appearance,” he tells mbg. “Years of ingesting insufficient or poor-quality protein is also a major contributor.” These can help promote your body’s natural production of collagen2 and other molecules that help the skin stay firm and taut, like elastin and fibrillin.* Aside from keeping your skin firm, they can even help support your skin’s hydration levels: One double-blind, randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial found that participants’ moisture levels in the skin were seven times higher3 than those who did not take the supplements.* Additionally, King says, limit those lifestyle factors you can control, like smoking and sun exposure. Then other lifestyle factors—like managing stress levels—can help keep crepey skin at bay. Poor sleep (a common symptom of stress) has even been shown to affect the skin and increase the signs of aging4, according to a small study on 60 women. That’s not to say treating crepey skin isn’t possible: It’s actually quite similar to the prevention method, as you want to keep your skin moisturized in order to prevent any more sagging. “Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize—this can improve the appearance,” King advises. According to Ross, regular exfoliation is also key: “Using an exfoliant (whether chemical or physical) will improve the appearance of crepey skin quickly,” she says. Even if you have sensitive skin, you can still use a mild chemical exfoliant to dissolve dead skin cells and promote turnover. We’re partial to the water-loving AHAs, specifically lactic acid and glycolic acid—both of which can increase skin cell turnover, improve moisture content of skin, and reduce the appearance of fine lines5. (Could there be a more perfect trifecta for crepey skin?) You may also go the in-office route, if you so choose. For crepeyness, try to opt for skin-resurfacing treatments, like professional microneedling—this can improve skin texture by using small needles to prick the skin, triggering collagen repair. Much more research is needed, but studies are starting to consider microneedling as a safer skin alternative6 to more invasive resurfacing treatments like lasers. To prevent that fragile, paper-thin skin, it’s all about supporting your body’s collagen and hydration levels. Think of crepey skin as incredibly parched: Apply the right hydrating ingredients, and your skin will eagerly drink up all the moisture. While you might not revert exactly to the plump, prepubescent skin of your youth, you’ll likely notice a difference.
