What To Do About Crepey Skin?

One day Bev looked down at her arms only to find skin that looked like crepe paper and thought “When did this show up?!?!” It is Crepey Skin and has the appearance of crepe paper or a balloon who’s air has sadly leaked out. The appearance is different from wrinkled skin. It can appear anywhere but is commonly found where the skin is already thinner and fragile- under eyes, neck, chest, upper arms and inner thighs.

Sun damage is the most common cause of crepey skin, however, it is not the only one. Other causes of crepey skin- aging, genetics, weight fluctuations, smoking, lack of sleep, a poor diet and the medications one is on also play a role.

Crepey skin caused by sun damage starts to show up around 40 or earlier. Over time, sun exposure breaks down the elastin in your skin- while it does stretch and return to it’s normal shape- just like an elastic band- it will only do this for so long if you keep exposing your skin to the sun. Tanning beds are a no-no!

This post is dedicated crepey skin on your arms and legs and ways to prevent it. We have tried some serums and lotions and are sharing our results with you. We also are mentioning some that our friends have tried and recommend as well

What To Do About Crepey Skin

While crepey skin cannot be reversed there are different treatment options and products that prevent and mask the appearance of crepey skin. Maintaining skin heath helps to protect your body. Drinking the appropriate amount of water, eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep, not smoking and reducing stress goes a long way in skin maintenance and overall health. Protect your skin while you are in the sun by wearing a Broad Spectrum Sunscreen that blocks UV rays and clothing that provides coverage.

Establish a skin management program that includes exfoliating and a good moisturizer. Exfoliating is a must before applying any serum or moisturizer. Dry brushing is a light exfoliator and stimulates circulation.

Best Products For Crepey Skin

The products that are listed below are products that we have personally tried and saw a difference. We did not list those that we tried and felt that they didn’t work. There are so many products on the market that help the appearance of crepey skin by temporarily plumping the skin reducing the wrinkles and fine lines. The key ingredients of products that may work are Retinols, Vitamin C, Hyaluronic Acid, Alpha Hydroxy Acid, Salicylic Acid, Glycolic Acid. The Hydroxy Acids slough off the dead skin cells revealing smoother skin underneath. Hyaluronic Acid plumps up the skin because of it’s amazing ability to hold large amounts of water. Retinols increases surface cell turnover and stimulates collagen production. Vitamin C brightens and hydrates the skin. Niacinamide reduces pore size and improves skin tone. Peptides rebuild and repair damage cells and can stimulate the skin to produce collagen.

Exfoliators/Serums/Brushes

One recommendation- exfoliating is a must before applying any serum or moisturizer. We have included many products for this and have a dry brush too. Dry brushing is a light exfoliator and stimulates circulation. We included two other exfoliating products. Kate Somerville has lactic acid, salicylic acid and botanical enzymes to create perfectly polished skin. Skinfix has Glycolic acid and Lactic acid as ingredients that smooth and renew the skin. Click on any photo below for more information.

Moisturizers

Gold Bond Crepe Corrector

We both used this and loved it. It DID NOT wear off, DID melt into the skin and never felt greasy. The active ingredients are Omega-fatty acids, anti-oxidants- to control the free radicals, vitamin E and botanicals. The price point is very value oriented. Click on the photo below for more information.

L’Occitane Immortelle Karite Pro-Youth Body Balm

L’Occitaine has luxurious products that are holistic in approach and incorporate botanicals to create nature-infused skin care. Immortelle essential oil is a naturally derived alternative to retinol. Other ingredients- Shea butter and Pea Peptides help this product to reduce the appearance of crepey skin. Click on any photo below for more information.

Crepe Erase Body Firm

The Crepe Erase Body Firm is a two-step system. The first step is exfoliating with the Body Smoothing Pre-treatment. The Body Smoothing Pre-Treatment contains Alpha Hydroxy Acid and gentle exfoliators. Remember when you use any product with Alpha Hydroxy Acid, use sunscreen- you may have an increase sensitivity to the sun. The second step is the Advanced Body Repair Treatment Ultra. This ultra rich concentrated cream has phytonutrients and peptides that feels so smooth and absorbs quickly. Click on any photo below for more information.

Necessaire Body Serum and Body Lotion

The Necessaire system is a two-step system that incorporates a body serum and lotion. The beauty behind this is they work so well together. The Body Serum has hyaluronic acid, niacinamide and ceramide that hydrate, replenish and plump the skin. Use before applying the Body Lotion. The Body Lotion has peptides, Niacinamide, Vitamins C/E and Omegas 6/9 to moisturize, strengthen and firm the skin. Click on any photo below for more information.

L’Occitaine Ultra Riche Body Cream

The L’Occitaine Shea Ultra Riche Comforting Body Cream is a wonderful moisturizer. It has 25% Shea Butter which absorbs quickly, is very long lasting and is good for ages 3+. Click on the photo below for more information.

Strivectin Crepe Control Tightening Body Cream

The Strivectin Crepe Control Tightening Body Cream is a bit costly but has great reviews and awards. Click on the photo below for more information.

Alastin TransFORM Body Treatment

The Alastin TransFORM Body Treatment with Tri-Hex Technology is a product that just came to our attention. Bev uses Alastin Hydratint Pro Mineral Tinted Sunscreen and loves it. Click on the photo below for more information.

La-Roche Posay Lipikar AP+M Triple Repair Body Moisturizing Cream

This La-Roche Posay product is one that Bev uses and loves it. It does a wonderful job keeping the skin hydrated. Click on any photo below for more information.

CeraVe Renewing Salicylic Acid Body Cream

This CeraVe product is another one that Bev has used and loves it. It has a wonderful formulation that absorbs into the skin and hydrates for hours. Click on any photo below for more information.

Best Treatments For Crepey Skin

Let’s talk about the in-office treatments for Crepey Skin. The best thing to do is book a consultation with your board certified dermatologist to find what options are available for your specific skin and areas you’d like worked on. The focus of this article is on the crepey skin on our arms, chest and legs. In doing our research, there are a few treatments for these areas.

Fraxel Laser Resurfacing

In general Fraxel Laser Resurfacing treats for texture and pigment of the surface of the skin. It creates microscopic thermal zones on the skin that your collagen comes in to repair and sets into motion the resurfacing effect. A numbing cream is used on the area to be treated. After the treatment, you are sent home with post procedure instructions and products. This treatment is recommended for hands, arms, decolletage, neck and face. Consult with your dermatologist or aesthetician to see if this procedure is right for you. Neither of us have had this procedure so we can’t give any first hand feedback on this.

Cool Peel Laser

Cool Peel is a CO2 laser treatment that is used primarily on the chest, neck and decolletage- however, it can be used on any part of your skin. This procedure has less down time than the fraxel laser and treats many skin types. Consult with your dermatologist or aesthetician to see if this procedure is right for you. Neither of us have had this procedure therefore we can’t give any first hand feedback.

How To Prevent Crepey Skin

Stay In The Shade and Use Sunscreen

Protecting your skin from the sun is one of the best ways to prevent crepey skin. The ultraviolet rays from the sun break down collagen and elastin- the components that keep skin tight and wrinkle free. Use sunscreen daily that is a Broad-Spectrum SPF of 30 or higher. Bev and Val both use SPF of 50 or higher on their face and necks. Wearing a wide brim hat and clothing that has UPF sun protection protects your skin too! Below we have included our favorite sunscreens for your face, body and hands to check out.

Moisturize Your Skin

Moisturize your skin daily with products that include glycerin or hyaluronic acid to prevent or improve the appearance of the skin. These products pull in and hold moisture protecting the skin barrier and plump up the skin. Look for products that contain ceramides, emolients, and moisturizing oils- coconut, cocoa butter and almond oil.

Click here for our post on skin care routines

Pay Attention To Ingredients In Your Products

Non-prescription products can help stimulate collagen production, promote cell turnover and dissolve dead skin cells. Look for over the counter products that contain-

Retinol- promotes cell production, exfoliates and increases collagen production.

Hydroxy Acids- alpha hydroxy, salicylic, lactic, and glycolic efficiently exfoliate skin

Hyaluronic Acid- boosts moisture for dry skin, retains water.

LifeStyle Management

Everything that improves systemic health- getting enough sleep, a proper diet that includes antioxidants and Vitamins A,C,D and E, exercise, managing stress- reaches your skin cells too!

Remember– your skin is your largest organ- treat it with great respect, kindness and love.

We came up with the concept for this blog post 3 months ago and learned a lot from the research and trying out these products. We hope you learned something too!

Below are other products that we thought would be interesting to share. Click on any photo for more information.

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