8 Best Crepey Skin Treatments to Improve Texture and Firmness

Why it’s worth it: Trust us, when it comes to non-irritating formulas, Versed’s Press Restart Gentle Retinol Body Lotion lives up to its gentle claims. “This is a good choice for those with very sensitive skin as it contains a combined form of retinol alongside a different retinol, bakuchiol, to improve skin quality and texture while firming,” said Dr. Murphy-Rose. Vitamin E, squalane, and cocoa butter also make an appearance to soothe and moisturize.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes crepey skin?
Crepey skin, at its core, is just another sign of aging. “Simply put, wrinkles are caused by the loss of collagen and elastin, along with many other nutrients,” says Jennifer Gordon, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Austin. “There is no definitive answer. It’s a combination of factors, such as genetics, sun damage, pollution, skin care (or lack thereof), weight loss or gain.”
Dr. Murphy-Rose notes that increased sun exposure can cause more damage to the skin, leading to more signs of skin aging, including dullness, sagging, and wrinkles. “Dehydrated skin doesn’t have the effect of absorbing water from the skin cells and can contribute to the appearance of crepey skin,” she adds.
How can I treat crepey skin at home?
Your biggest defense is sun protection, according to our experts. Dr. “Sun protection is essential to keeping skin healthy and youthful,” says Murphy-Rose. “UV rays cause DNA damage, increase collagen production, and cause many signs of skin aging, sagging, and sagging by causing collagen breakdown and elastolysis.” The takeaway: Be sure to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher and wear protective clothing when you’re outdoors to preserve your overall skin health and keep your largest organ in tip-top shape.
Our experts also note that properly hydrating yourself and your skin can keep the creepiness at bay. Dr. Murphy-Rose says: “Dehydration keeps the skin plump, improving its appearance. Drink enough fluids, limit caffeine, alcohol and other laxatives if possible, and apply a balanced, high-quality moisturizer that’s good for your skin every day.”
Along with changes in daily habits, adding certain ingredients, such as retinol and vitamin C, to your skin care routine will help reduce the appearance of crepiness. Vitamin A derivatives, such as retinol and prescription-strength retinoids, increase the production of collagen and elastin to prevent and reduce these signs of aging. Dr. Murphy-Rose adds that antioxidants like vitamin C, coenzyme Q10, resveratrol, and vitamin E neutralize free radicals and are important for protecting your body’s natural supply of collagen and preventing wrinkles and sagging over time.
Are there any treatments for crepey skin?
If you want to take a more dramatic approach to treating your crepey skin, Dr. Gordon says there are many treatments to choose from at a trusted board-certified dermatologist’s office, but finding the right one for your skin is important. “There are many things that try to treat crepey skin, such as rejuvenation procedures that include certain lasers and microneedling, as well as skin tightening procedures such as smart liposuction, Ultherapy, and radiofrequency. However, there is no complete integration for many people. It is a very difficult problem to deal with,” he said.
Dr. Murphy-Rose says one of the most popular crepey skin treatments she offers her clients is Sofwave, which “uses high-frequency, high-intensity ultrasound technology to heat tissue just below the skin to strongly stimulate collagen production,” she says. As a result, this process improves the overall quality of the skin and prevents sagging, sagging, fine lines, and wrinkles. “Another option is CO2 laser resurfacing, which improves firmness through laser remodeling of collagen,” he says. “Non-ablative fraxel resurfacing with Fraxel Dual is a great alternative with five to seven days of downtime, including redness, less swelling, and skin tightening.”
Radiofrequency microneedling, another method Dr. Murphy-Rose, who recommends it, uses tiny needles that go into the skin, causing small cuts in the skin. “The downtime after radiofrequency microneedling is about three to five days, and usually a series of medications is recommended for the best results,” he explains.
Meet the experts
- Alexandra Bowles, DO, is a board-certified dermatologist at MONA Dermatology in Cincinnati
- Jennifer Gordon, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist at Westlake Dermatology in Austin
- Blair Murphy-Rose, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City and Newport Beach, California.
- Dara Spearman, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Radiant Dermatology Associates based in Fort Wayne, Indiana
- Heather Woolery-Lloyd, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in Miami
- Geeta Yadav, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Facet Dermatology in Toronto
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When Seduction reviews the product, our editors look at it from all angles in an effort to help you better. We review ingredients, scrutinize product claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each product included in each review, we rely on experts in their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us evaluate ingredients and formulas.
To come up with our list of the best crepey skin treatments, we considered each product’s performance in five main categories: product ingredients and effectiveness, packaging, fragrance (or lack thereof), texture, and product wear. Every product is determined to be successful in each category by our editorial team, made up of in-house writers and editors and contributors, with special consideration from board-certified dermatologists. To learn more about our reporting and evaluation process, read our full review process and how-to page.
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