One day you look in the mirror and there it is: crepey skin.
How did that happen? And what can you do about it?
What is Crepey Skin?
The main way we recognize crepe skin is by its thin, crepe paper-like appearance. (Imagine that crepe paper you buy from stores to make garlands, it’s skin that looks like this.)
As we age, many of us develop crepey skin on our neck, upper arms, under the eyes and inner thighs, although crepey skin can appear anywhere. This skin appears thin and usually sags. It is the opposite of firm, youthful skin.
However, crepey skin is not the same as wrinkled skin. Wrinkles are crevices that form in the skin and form lines. Crepe skin is an overall thinning of the skin so that it looks more fragile than it should. You may see wrinkles in crepe skin, but wrinkled skin is not necessarily crepe.
What causes crepey skin?
The sun
Most dermatologists agree that crepey skin is usually caused by sun damage. That’s because it often appears on areas of the skin that are exposed to the sun: the arms, neck, chest, and legs.
The ultraviolet (UV) rays that come from the sun break down the collagen and elastin in the skin. These are the components that give the skin its shape and form and keep it tight against the muscles and bones.
Because UV rays break down these components, the skin can slacken, thin and wrinkle. The underlying structure weakens, holes appear, and suddenly it looks like you have excess skin on certain parts of the body.
Age
Age also plays a role. You won’t see crepey skin in people in their 20s unless they tan regularly. From about age 40 and older, crepey skin begins to appear.
That’s because regular wear and tear can damage the skin’s elasticity. It also reduces the amount of collagen and elastin that the skin produces naturally. Again, this leads to structure breakdown, sagging and loss of firmness.
Drought
Age also tends to make skin generally drier. When the skin does not get enough moisture, the outer layer is damaged and can no longer protect the skin. This accelerates damage and can lead to crepey skin.
Hormones
Hormonal changes, such as those that occur during menopause, can cause changes in the skin that make it look creepy. For example, a drop in estrogen contributes to the decrease in collagen and elastin, resulting in thinner skin.
Pollution and toxins
Exposure to pollution and other harmful elements in the environment also contributes to aging and can accelerate the development of crepey skin. Those who smoke regularly are also more likely to have crepey skin, as the toxins in cigarette smoke break down skin fibers more quickly. Consuming too much alcohol can have similar effects.
Genetics
Finally, if you have close relatives with crepey skin, you are at a higher risk of developing it yourself.
How to prevent and treat crepey skin
The best cure is always prevention, so it’s best to start as early as possible. Follow these steps to reduce the appearance of crepey skin.
Protect yourself from the sun
Wearing sunscreen helps, as does covering the areas where crepey skin is likely to develop first. (The neck, chest and areas under the eyes are especially vulnerable!) Always wear sunglasses and try not to burn your neck, chest or upper arm.
Hydrate, hydrate!
Dryness is a major cause of crepiness. A daily skincare routine that includes applying a high-quality moisturizer is one of the best things you can do to slow down the development of crepey skin.
Keep in mind that any moisturizer won’t work. Many commercially available brands contain inexpensive ingredients that evaporate quickly and dry your skin within an hour. Look for high-quality oils, butters, ceramides and extracts to make sure you’re giving your skin what it needs.
We recommend effective moisturizers such as our Calming Moisture for the face, under eyes and neck, then our Body Repair Lotion for the chest, upper arms, inner thighs and other areas. Apply twice daily to protect your skin and keep it looking youthful.
Exfoliate regularly
When you exfoliate the skin, you remove the dead skin cells that lie on it. This reveals newer cells underneath and encourages younger cells deep in the skin to rise to the top faster. You can use a loofah or washcloth and a gentle exfoliating cleanser, or you can amp it up with gentle fruit acids like glycolic, malic, and lactic acids.
Be careful not to exfoliate too much. If you notice signs of irritation, such as redness or breakouts, exfoliate a little less often.
Baby your elasticity
The breakdown of collagen and elastin is the main cause of crepey skin. You can help by giving the skin what it needs to keep up with elastin and collagen repairs.
Retinol Products They are known to help improve elasticity and increase collagen production. They help skin cells to regenerate faster so that the skin retains more youthful firmness.
Peptides can also help. These are the building blocks of proteins. When applied topically, they can help support the skin’s strength and structure.
Vitamin C creams can even out the skin tone and improve the skin texture while protecting the skin against external influences.
Both alpha and beta hydroxy acids stimulate exfoliation and help maintain skin structure.
Our CV Skinlabs products all contain our exclusive Tri-Rescue Complex, a solution consisting of turmeric, reishi mushroom and alpha-bisabolol. Together, these ingredients promote repair, healing and calmness, reducing the stress of the environment on the skin and counteracting inflammation. All of these actions help promote youthful skin that prevents wrinkles.
Finally, search hyaluronic acid, because it counteracts dryness and plumps up dry, crepey skin.
Eat good
Remember that anything you eat can affect your skin. It needs beneficial nutrients from food to perform its repair tasks regularly. Try to make sure you get enough fruits and vegetables as they contain important antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that work together to protect the skin from premature aging.
Next, try to limit fast foods, high-sodium foods, and foods high in sugar, as they can accelerate skin breakdown.
Choose your skincare products carefully
Harsh ingredients, chemicals and preservatives in your skincare and cosmetic products can accelerate the damage to the skin that occurs over time. Harsh soaps, in particular, dry out the skin and make you more vulnerable to crepey skin. Look for fragrance-free, gentle cleansers, and always use a toner and moisturizer afterwards.
Avoid products with parabens, petroleum jelly, synthetic fragrances, harsh sulfates, and other ingredients listed here. Choose products manufactured by conscientious companies (like CV Skinlabs!) that are made with only safe and nourishing ingredients that skin loves.
What not to do with crepey skin
One quick recommendation: avoid collagen supplements for now. It might seem logical that consuming collagen would help, as the skin produces less as we age. But collagen is a large molecule. When you consume it, it has to pass through the digestive tract where it is broken down. It does not reach the skin intact, so it does not help.
Topically applied collagen is no better. The molecule is too large to penetrate the skin.
Do you suffer from crepey skin?
Featured image courtesy of Karolina Grabowska via Pexels.
