Aging is a beautiful thing, but sometimes the concerns that go along with it; think: fine lines, wrinkles, and crepey skin aren’t so pretty. If the latter is bugging you, we totally get it. That’s why we tapped dermatologists, Joshua Zeichner and Ranella Hirsch, to get the lowdown on what exactly what crepey skin is, treatment options, and ingredients that both prevent and mask the appearance of crepiness.
What is Crepey Skin?
When skin loses collagen and elastin—proteins that are responsible for fending off fine lines—the skin can appear saggy, crinkled, and loose. That said, crepey skin is not interchangeable with wrinkles. “Wrinkling is related to genetics, facial movement, and some sun damage,” explains Dr. Hirsch, who points out that crepey skin, on the other hand, is often related to sun damage from the sun breaking down the elastin.
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Wear SPF 30 to Protect the Skin
We preach it all the time: Always wear sunscreen—yes, that means rain or shine. Not only will this help ward off gnarly sun spots, sun cancer, and age-related wrinkles, but it’ll also keep your skin looking youthful with noticeably fewer lines and crepiness. Dr. Zeichner suggests using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 to protect against the sun’s harmful rays right from the start. (PS: don’t skimp on bringing your SPF down your neck).
Tip
Reapplying your sunscreen every two hours will prevent sun damage.1
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Add Hydration With Hyaluronic Acid
Crepey skin combined with a lack of hydration can be a dermal disaster for many, but Dr. Hirsch recommends looking for products that seal in the natural moisture your body already produces. Cue hyaluronic acid, which promises to attract and add more moisture back into the skin, keeping it radiant and smooth for longer. If your skin lacks plumpness or is dull in tone, hyaluronic acid can also help restore the dew.
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Use Retinol to Stimulate Collagen Production
According to Dr. Zeichner, retinol stimulates collagen and helps thicken the skin’s foundation, making fine lines and crepiness less apparent. Retinol products can be used on any parts that look crepey, including the hands, neck, elbows, and face. Because retinol-based products can cause the skin to flake, it’s best to apply a moisturizer over them. Retinol is known to deactivate with sunlight, therefore, it’s best to apply it in the evening. Dr. Zeichner recommends looking for products that contain retinol to combat the crepe.
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Consider Incorporating Elastin Stimulators into Your Routine
Think of elastin stimulators like ingredients that boost the skin’s ability to combat aging. Look for ingredients like blackberry extract and dill that have been shown to stimulate elastic fiber production and improve the skin’s look and feel, according to Dr. Zeichner.
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Protect the Skin Barrier With Petrolatum
Petrolatum has a bad rap in the beauty world, but the key is to look for the purified form, which means it’s free of the nasties. According to Dr. Zeichner, loss of hydration and the resulting inflammation that comes from it can make crepey skin appear more, well, crepey. He recommends looking for purified petrolatum in your moisturizer, as it protects the skin’s barrier, prevents water loss, hydrates, and plumps up thin skin.
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Double Up on Protection With Antioxidants
Antioxidants are often the unsung heroes in skincare because SPF gets all the glory, but they work together to achieve a positive outcome. Dr. Hirsch likes to use the following analogy when explaining antioxidants and their benefits to patients: “If you’re going away on vacation, the first thing you do is lock your front door. The second thing you’ll do to protect your home is turn on the burglar alarm. Antioxidants are that burglar alarm, the second level of protection underneath sunscreen that your skin needs to guard against aggressors, such as UV rays,” she notes.
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Reduce Signs of Aging With Squalane
“Squalene is a fat, made naturally by our bodies as a component of sebum,” says Dr. Hirsch, explaining how the amount our bodies produce after age 30 dramatically decreases, creating the need for a synthetic version to make up for the loss. “In addition to helping provide lipids to the epidermis (a major part of the moisture barrier of the skin), it has antioxidant properties,” says Dr. Hirsch.
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Apply Niacinamide to Increase Cell Turnover
“There is a natural process on the top layer of the skin where cells at the bottom lose their nuclei and flatten as they mature,” says Dr. Hirsch. “When a cell is turning over with a stimulus, it revs up that process, leaving the top layer of the skin more neatly organized.” She explains that part of what makes skin look dull and aged is how sun damage disorganizes this process, but by using ingredients that reorganize that process, skin can clinically appear better. Niacinamide is one of those ingredients that allows greater cell metabolism, including cell turnover.2
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Cleanse Daily for a Radiant Complexion
Skin looking lackluster? Re-evaluate your face wash routine. Cleansing your face both in the morning and evening plays an important role no matter your skin concern, but especially for those with crepey skin; proper cleansing sets the stage for the entirety of your crepe-combatting regimen. It’s a time to wash off dirt, oil, and impurities from the day and create a polished surface for the rest of your products to shine.