Crepey skin refer is a term used to describe a skin that is thin in appearance and wrinkled, it is called crepey skin because the skin looks like a crepe paper. It also has other names like grandma skin, paper skin, and elephant skin.
It is similar to wrinkles but there is a major difference between crepey skin and wrinkles. Wrinkles are caused by aging while crepey skin is not, but aging is still a risk factor for crepey skin.
Crepey skin can affect any part of your body and cover large areas of your skin, the affected skin part becomes thin and fragile.
Causes of Crepey Skin
Skin Type: Fair people or people with fair complexion are more prone to crepey skin than others.
Genetics: An individual can be susceptible to crepey skin if one of the parent or grandparent has it.
UV Rays: Dermatologists believe that exposure to UV radiation is the most common cause of early skin aging and crepey skin and it is also the most preventable. The use of tanning beds also increases one’s risks of crepey skin.
UV radiation destroys the elastin fibers and breaks down the collagen in your skin, this stretches your skin; your body can heal those fibers but they might not be repaired completely. This can lead to crepey skin.
Decreased Production of Collagen or Lack of Collagen: As an individual advances in age, the production of collagen declines, this protein is necessary for maintaining the structure of the skin, cartilage, and tendons.
Decreased production of this essential protein or a lack of it makes the skin crepe, it also lose its firmness, strength, and elasticity
Aging: Aging reduces the production of elastin and collagen, these molecules help in keeping your skin firm and youthful. This makes your skin unable to repair itself like when you were young, this leads to sagging and dry skin. Your skin also produces fewer skin cells when you are aging and this also leads to crepey skin.
Poor nutrition: When you eat unhealthy food and food that have been stripped of its nutritional content, you starve your skin of the vital nutrients it needs to maintain its health and vigor.
Reduced Production of Oil: When you age, the production of oil in your oil glands reduces and this causes dry skin and crepey skin eventually.
The oil produced by your skin helps to form a natural protective barrier thereby protecting the skin. It also helps to make your skin soft, retain moisture, and prevent dehydration of the skin.
Smoking cigarettes: Cigarettes contain more than 4,000 chemicals and they damage your elastin and collagen thereby increasing the rate at which you age and also trigger wrinkles and crepe skin.
Smoking is the strongest risk factor for facial wrinkles in both sexes, it also damages your skin and inner arms and impairs the flow of blood to your skin.
Nicotine makes your blood vessels narrow, this makes it difficult for your skin to get sufficient oxygen, vitamins A and C, and other vital nutrients that it needs. It also damages the fibers in your skin that is responsible for its support and elasticity. This leads to sagging, premature aging, wrinkles, and crepey skin.
Gaining or losing weight: Drastic weight loss or weight gain can give you crepe skin faster. Excess weight loss keeps one at higher risks of crepe skin than weight gain because when you lose weight, you also lose the layers of fats below the surface of your skin.
This leads to the appearance of wrinkles and crepe skin.
High intake of Sugary Foods: High intake of sugar cause glycation to take place in the body, this is a process whereby proteins or lipid bond with sugar molecule.
This leads to the formation of AGES (advanced glycation end products) which makes your fibers get stiff and they also form in an abnormal manner. This mostly affects your elastin and collagen.
When these important proteins needed for healthy and firm skin join with renegade sugars, they become abnormal, discolored, less pliable, and weak. This leads to crepey skin, aging, sagginess, and wrinkles
Dehydration and lack of moisture in the skin: Dehydration makes your skin dry and this will eventually lead to crepey skin if the dehydration gets severe.
Keep your skin hydrated by drinking clean water, healthy drinks like herbal teas and homemade and unsweetened fruit juices, and also increase your intake of fruits and vegetables. They contain the purest forms of water on earth.
Poor sleep pattern and sleep deprivation: Sleeplessness and sleep problems have been linked to premature aging and inability of the skin to repair itself or recover after trauma or sun exposure.
Sleep problems also affect the elasticity of your skin. Your skin repairs itself every night and it only does that when you are sleeping deeply. When you don’t sleep well at night, you are missing this opportunity for your skin to repair itself.
Some drugs like prednisone: Long-term use of prednisone can trigger crepe skin.
Excess Intake of Salt: Excessive intake of salt retains water in your body, this makes you swollen and cause crepey skin around the eyes.
How is Crepey Skin Treated Conventionally?
There are different ways of treating crepey skin, it can be treated with prescription drugs, over-the-counter-products, fillers, ultrasound or radiofrequency, and finally surgery.
Over-the-counter Products
There are certain creams and products made with retinol, a special type of vitamin A which support skin health and protect your skin. These creams can also contain lactic acid, malic acid, glycolic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, and other types of alpha hydroxyl acids.
Most times, these products cause skin problems and side effects like burns, sting, and irritation. Stop use immediately if this occurs and limit the number of products you use on your skin. They can also take months before you see any positive effect.
CoolSculpting (Cryolipolysis)
This is a non-invasive method, in this treatment, localized areas of fats are removed. The lipids in the fat cells are frozen and then slowly dissolved. This method is used when the cause of the crepey skin is excess accumulation of fats in the body. This treatment method tightens your skin and removes fat beneath the surface of your skin.
Medications
Prescription drugs can tretinoin is applied on the skin topically in form of a cream. This cream is applied directly on the affected skin part to repair the skin. Stabilized vitamin C and chemicals which are part of the vitamin A family are also available as creams and prescribed for people with crepey skin.
Laser Treatment
Another treatment for crepey skin is ultrasound or radio frequency, in this treatment method, dermatologists use a pulsed light device, ultrasound, or radio frequency device to help treat this skin condition from the inside out. This is also known as laser treatment.
The device used heat up small areas of your skin and insert energy deep into the skin, this helps to remodel and rebuild collagen thus helping to make the skin tight and firm.
The draw back with laser treatment is that some parts of the skin do not respond to this type of treatment, this includes the upper arm and areas of the skin that are attached to your muscles; but other areas like the neck and face respond well to laser treatment.
This method is painful and required anesthesia in the past, but it is not the same anymore, it is now advanced and can be carried out without anesthesia.
Filling
In this method of treatment, fillers like radiesse are used on the upper arm particularly this treatment is effective. Dermatologist injects the filler into the skin to give it volume.
Surgery
This last and final option is done for people who have excess of creepy skin, especially those who have lost a large amount of weight and this resulted in excess crepey skin.
In this method, the skin is removed and there are a lot of risks associated with this procedure.
Effective Natural Remedies for Crepey Skin
Hydration
This is the most effective way to prevent and correct crepey skin. This will help in keeping your skin young and healthy, it fights skin problems, clears signs of aging, improve the production of collagen, restore the elasticity of your skin, and thickens it.
Water is a major component of your skin, cells, body tissues, and fluids. It maintains the health of your skin and keeps your general body hydrated.
Regular intake of water prevents crepey skin from happening in the first place. I am talking about plain water here, not teas, sport drinks, sodas, and other liquids that actually cause dehydration.
Ginger
Ginger has many amazing benefits for the skin, it gives you an even skin tone, it reverses and slows down aging, and gives you a beautiful and healthy glow. Take lemon and ginger tea daily or you chew on fresh ginger roots.
Shea Butter Nut Essential Oil
This essential oil is rich in important and vital stearic fatty acids and oleic acids, it nourishes the skin, scalp, and hair and fights aging. It is easily absorbed by the skin and it gives a radiant and healthy glow. This oil improves the look and texture of your skin, and helps restore crepey skin.
Carrot
Carrots are storehouses of vitamin A and powerful antioxidants which help in slowing down aging and maintaining the structure and firmness of your skin. Add carrots to your daily diet, boil few pieces of carrot, crush it and add honey, mix well and apply on the problematic part, let it sit for 10 minutes and then you wash it off.
Exercise and Massage
These help to manipulate your skin, it works on the underlying muscles and build up underlying muscles. These two help reduce the appearance of crepey skin.
You can do facial exercise/massage three times a week, this reduce fine lines, wrinkles, and crepe skin and it also improves your skin’s texture and lifts and firms the contours of your face.
For your arms and legs, massage the affected area and try dry brushing. If you’re over 40, you need to add resistance training to your exercise routine.
Dry skin brushing improves the tone and appearance of your skin. It increases the flow of blood to the surface of your skin and this helps in keeping your skin nourished with oxygen and nutrients.
It boosts skin renewal, increases cell turnover, and also fade cellulite and improve the overall appearance of your skin. There are dry skin brushes available at good health stores.
Almonds
These healthy nuts are rich in omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E, these nutrients protect your skin from premature aging, UV damage and crepe skin.
Include it in your diet and you can apply almond essential oil directly on your skin.
Aloe Vera Gel
Aloe vera is a wonder skin salve, it works wonders on crepey skin, it helps to firm and tighten loosed skin. The gel contains malic acid and this compound restores and improves the elasticity of your skin and helps in eliminating saggy skin.
It is a good moisturizer for your skin. Get a large aloe vera leaf and extract the gel, apply this gel on the affected skin part and allow it to sit for 15 to 20 minutes before washing it off with lukewarm water. Repeat this several times a week.
Mix a tablespoon of aloe vera gel, a teaspoon of honey, and a teaspoon of mayonnaise. Apply this mixture on the problematic skin part and let it sit for 15 minutes. Wash it away with warm water and then cold water. Do this once weekly. This will help improve the appearance and texture of your skin.
Rosemary
This powerful skin-friendly herb has many benefits on the aging. It reverses and slow down aging, it clears the signs of aging and improves your appearance.
It boosts skin elasticity, increases the circulation of blood to the skin, and clears puffy eyes, fine lines, and redness. Use rosemary leaves in preparing your meals and you can make use of rosemary essential oil. Don’t apply it directly on your skin, mix it with a carrier oil before applying it.
Avoid High Heat of the Sun
One of the most effective ways to prevent crepey skin is to protect your skin from UV rays by avoiding extreme sunlight. UV radiation gotten from tanning beds damages the DNA of your skin cells thereby leading to skin cancer and premature aging. Moderate sunlight, especially at sunrise and sunset is enough for your skin and health.
Avocados
Avocados are rich in skin-friendly nutrients like vitamin A and E, these moisturize your skin, keep it hydrated and protect it. They also increase the production of elastin and collagen, the proteins that help to maintain your skin structure.
Apply avocado on the affected skin part, let it sit for 20 minutes and then you wash it off with cold water. You can also apply avocado oil directly on your skin.
Lemons
Lemons are rich in vitamin C, a powerful nutrient that helps the bod produce collagen, this, in turn, helps in restoring the elasticity and firmness of the skin. They also have astringent properties which helps tighten skin and reduce the signs of aging like wrinkles and crepe skin.
Get fresh lemon juice from an organic lemon and apply it gently on the affected skin part. And leave for 10 minutes before washing it off with water. Do this thrice daily and apply a good moisturizer after each.
Drinking lemon water will also help and you can also use cold lemon water to wash your face. Wash your face with plain water before using lemon water on your face, leave it to air dry before rinsing it off. Do this twice daily to get the best result. Mix lemon juice and plain water in equal amount to get lemon water, you can save it in a fridge.
Rice mask
Rice mask is wonderful for treating crepey skin, it fights dryness and locks n moisture, and it also makes your skin soft, plum, and glow.
Rice is rich in squalene and linoleic acid, these nutrients are powerful antioxidants that keep aging away and they clear the signs of aging and crepe skin. It prevents the skin from wrinkling in the first place and also boosts the production of collagen.
Boil half cup of rice, heat a spoon of milk and add it to the rice, add honey and mix well till it forms a thick and even paste. Wash and dry your skin with a clean towel before you apply this mask, do it and leave it to sit on your skin for 20 minutes.
Wash it off using the water in which the rice was boiled and then you use plain water, preferably cold water, to rinse your face. Please make sure you allow them to get cold before using them to prevent burning your skin.
Moisturize your Skin
Moisturizing help improve crepey skin and make a huge difference because it helps to hydrate your skin on a deeper level. You can get a quality moisturizer that is free of harmful chemicals or you make yours at home
Try and make this effective moisturizer at home, get pure coconut oil or olive oil and mix it with raw honey. Mix these two properly until you get a thick consistency or a mixture that is not too runny.
Rub it on the affected area and massage it lightly. Allow it to stay on your skin as long as you can bear and then you have a shower using warm water.
Don’t use soap on the affected area, only the warm water should be used. This will coat your skin and make it soft and hydrated. This is an effective moisturizer, it is not sticky because the warm water will wash it away and just leave the oil on the skin.
Omega-3 Rich Foods
Omega-3 rich foods and supplements have great benefits for the skin, they make your skin soft and elastic and they also prevent your skin from getting thin.
They prevent collagen damage, protect the elasticity of your skin and repair crepey and wrinkled skin. Seeds, nuts, oily fish, fish oil are all rich sources of omega-3 and 6 fatty acids.
Cucumber
Cucumber is a natural toner, it works wonders on lose and saggy skin, it improves the appearance and texture of your skin and it leaves it rejuvenated and refreshed.
Grind a cucumber and extract the juice, apply this juice on the affected skin part and let it sit until it dries off. Rinse it off using cold water and do it once daily.
Another way to use cucumber is to grate it and add a tablespoon of this grated cucumber to a tablespoon of yogurt and mix well. Apply this mixture on the problematic skin part and let it sit for 15 minutes. Rinse it off with plain water and do it twice daily.
Another potent facemask to try is a mixture of fresh cucumber juice, vitamin E oil, and egg white. Add two tablespoons of fresh cucumber juice, one egg white, and 3 drops of vitamin E oil, you can make it up to 5 drops.
Mix properly and apply on the affected skin part and leave it for 15 minutes before washing it off with cold water. Do this once weekly.
Cocoa Butter
Cocoa butter is an excellent skin moisturizer, it fights and prevents inflammation and reduces the risks of skin damage. It locks in moisture thereby preventing skin dryness and dehydration, a leading cause of crepey skin.
Cocoa butter has a rich content of polyphenols, these compounds increases skin elasticity and prevent the skin from getting thin. It is a good treatment for crepey skin, apply it directly on your skin. You can mix it with essential oils like vitamin E oil, jojoba oil, or almond oil.
Healthy Nutrition
What you eat can heal your skin or damage it, choose healthy food to give your skin the necessary nutrients it needs to produce more collagen and retain its youthfulness and glow.
Healthy diet reduces the risks of crepey skin by over 50% and it also helps in repairing the skin and fighting the condition. Eat vitamin C rich foods, they help increase the production of collagen and keep you looking young and beautiful.
Essential Oils
There are some essential oils that are very effective in fighting crepey skin, they have rejuvenating properties, you mix them with any carrier oil of your choice to reduce their concentration before applying it on your skin. Lemon essential oil is rich in vitamin C, this increases the production of collagen or replenishes low collagen levels, and it nourishes your skin and reduces the signs of aging.
Lavender essential oil soothes and rejuvenates your skin, it prevents oxidative stress which leads to wrinkles, fine lines and crepe skin. Frankincense essential oil combats aging and improves skin tone and elasticity.
Honey
Honey naturally hydrates your skin, it contains powerful antioxidants and anti-aging biochemicals which help in treating crepe and sagging skin.
Get 3 teaspoons of honey, add few drops of olive oil and lemon juice, mix properly and apply it on the affected skin part. Let it get dried before you wash it off with warm water, do this twice daily for visible results.
Mix half teaspoon of honey and half teaspoon of sour cream well, add half teaspoon of turmeric powder and mix properly, apply this on the affected skin part and let it sit for 15 minutes. Rinse it off using cold water and do this once weekly.
Dill
Pure dill essential oil helps promote the production of elastin, this supports the structure of your skin and give it a smoother and firmer feel. Mix it with a carrier oil before applying it on your skin. Do this twice daily. You can also get the herb, boil the leaves and take it as tea.
Exfoliate
This procedure helps your dermis and it also increases the production of collagen. It erases dull skin and improves your complexion. You can make use of freshly made pure vitamin C powder.
It is possible to make yours at home, mix sugar and olive oil to get a scrub, olive oil is a powerful hydrator. Mix these two in equal amount and make sure you get a mixture that can be easily spread, it shouldn’t be dripping.
Apply this mixture on the affected area and massage lightly, allow it to sit for a few minutes before washing it away. The sugar crystals will dissolve the dead cells and impurities on the surface of the skin while the oil hydrates your skin and improves the appearance.
Sage
This herb has skin-friendly phytochemicals, it is rich in ursolic acid, this phyto-active compound restores the elasticity of your skin, boosts its resilience, and prevents the damaging effects of UV rays. You can take sage tea or you apply the oil on your skin after you’ve mixed it with a carrier oil.
Strawberries
Strawberry is a natural astringent, it works wonders for crepe and sagging skin. This berry is a storehouse of vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that helps your body produce collagen and strengthens the fibers that help keep your skin firm and smooth.
Strawberries are dense with alpha hydroxyl acids, these compounds help delay the visible signs of aging and they maintain a youthful and healthy look.
Get three ripe strawberries and mash them, add two teaspoons of honey and two teaspoons of yogurt, mix properly and apply this on the problematic skin part. Let it sit for 5 minutes and then you wash it off with lukewarm water. Do this once daily and also include this wonderful berry in your daily diet.
Watermelon Seed Essential Oil
This is very unique oil with powerful antioxidants which help reverse aging and the signs of aging like wrinkles and crepe skin. It has a rich content of vitamin E and higher content of antioxidant than any other fruit.
This essential oil protects your skin from UV damage, it restores skin elasticity and help the deep layers of the skin produce more collagen. It also gives the skin luster and glow, increases turnover of new skin cells and restore the skin.
Cinnamon
This is a powerful remedy for sagging and crepe skin, it increases the production of collagen and helps to tighten and firm your skin. Mix cinnamon and turmeric powder in equal amount and add olive oil to form a thick paste.
Add half teaspoon of sugar or salt and mix well again, apply this on the affected area and scrub it gently for a few minutes, leave it to dry and then you wash it off with lukewarm water. Do these twice weekly for effective result.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is a powerful remedy for crepey skin, especially if it is caused by dryness of the skin. It provides a lot of moisture for your skin thereby fighting dryness.
Rub the affected area or your body with pure organic coconut oil and massage it lightly, do this twice daily and you will see a great improvement.
Coconut oil is comedogenic, meaning it can clog your pores and trigger acne breakouts. So, if you notice break outs, you can stop using coconut oil and try other natural oils with the same benefits.
Some of them are neem oil, argan oil, grapeseed oil, sunflower oil, and hemp seed oil. Go for organic and cold pressed oils because they contain less pesticides and fertilizers and they still have their nutrients intact.
Coffee Bean
Coffee has powerful skin benefiting phytochemicals, it has a strong antioxidant activity which prevents skin damages and heals it and it clears the signs of aging and improves the general appearance of your skin.
Get finely ground coffee bean powder, make sure the particles are very smooth so that it won’t damage your skin, mx this with equal amounts of cocoa, add honey and make a thick paste. Apply this on the affected area and leave it on for 15 minutes, wash it off after that and use a soft towel to dry your skin.
Aloe Vera Essential Oil
This essential oil is the queen of therapeutic oils. It has many great benefits for the skin and it helps it in many ways. It gives speedy healing and tightens the skin, it reverses aging, skin damage and increases turnover of skin cells.
Aloe vera essential oil protects your skin from infections and it also hastens healing of wounds. It helps repair and restore crepey skin because it contains 20 amino acids which help support the structure of the skin.
These amino acids are the structural foundation on which your skin is built, it thereby heals and maintains the structure of your skin while shrinking large pores.
Grapes
Grapes are packed with skin-promoting nutrients, it is especially rich in resveratrol, a powerful antioxidant that is present in grape skin. It clears wrinkles, saggy skin, and crepe skin.
Crush 5 grapes and add a teaspoon of honey, mix properly and apply it on the affected area. Wash it off using lukewarm water. Do this thrice weekly.
Red Algae
Red algae help in fighting oxidative stress, one of the root causes of crepey skin. The mechanism of action is its rich content of metabolites such as polyphenols, pigments, glycerols, and polysaccharides.
Any type of algae contains metabolites too, like the brown, green, or red algae but the red one is mostly used in treating crepey skin. The metabolites present in red algae help to build up your collagen and it also prevents future breakdown of this important protein.
Milk powder
Milk is not just good for your bones, it is also good for your skin, it contains lactic acid which helps in removing dead skin cells and increasing the production of collagen in the body.
Add a tablespoon of milk powder to a teaspoon of honey or rose water, mix properly and apply it on the affected area, let it sit for 20 minutes and then wash it off using lukewarm water.
Olive Essential Oil
This is the queen of moisturizers, it reduces wrinkle, crepe skin, and other signs of aging and makes them less noticeable over time. It is dense in vitamin A and E, these vitamins fight aging and reduces the appearances of sagging skin, wrinkles, crepe skin, and scaring. This essential oil makes your skin glow and it also makes it stronger, smoother, and firmer.
Pineapples
Pineapples contain bromelain, this is a powerful enzyme that helps fight wrinkles, sagging skin, crepe skin, and other signs of aging and skin deformations.
It is a natural alpha hydroxyl acid and it removes dead skin cells and impurities from the skin’s surface. Extract juice from fresh pineapples and apply this juice on the affected area. Let it stay for at least 15 minutes before rinsing it off. Do this thrice weekly.
Castor Oil
This oil has very low comedogenic rating and it is a good choice for oily and acne prone skin. It is an effective treatment for crepey skin because it has the ability to trigger the production of collagen and elastin deep within the dermis.
People with dry skin should use castor oil with caution because it has a drying effect on the skin. This is because it has a rich content of ricinoleic acid.
You can prevent your skin from drying when using castor oil by mixing it with different oil like grapeseed oil. When you use castor oil alone, you will dry your skin and this will make the crepey skin worse.
Cold water
Cold water has a therapeutic effect on your skin, it slows down aging and increases the flow of blood to your skin. Bath with cold water, not too cold beyond what you can bear. Extremely cold water can damage your capillaries. Or you apply cold water on the affected skin part daily.
Apple Seed Essential Oil
This essential oil has powerful restorative effects and benefits on the skin, it is a powerful sunscreen, it increases the turnover of new skin cells, and it prevents pollutants in the environment from damaging your skin.
This oil is commonly used by massage therapists because of its immense skin benefits. It gives the skin a healthy glow and a dewy look, it gives it a radiant complexion and reduces the signs of aging especially on the face.
Its rich content of fatty acids helps fight dryness, one of the causes of crepe skin, it lifts sagging skin, restores crepe skin, and reverses aging.
Fenugreek
This is another powerful remedy for fine lines, crow’s feet, and crepe skin. Make a paste using fenugreek leaves and water and apply this on the affected area, let it sit for 10 minutes and then you wash it off.
One of the surest ways to prevent and treat this condition is to increase your intake of natural and raw foods. you can see that most of the natural remedies mentioned above are herbs, fruits, and vegetables.
When you increase your intake of this, you give your body the right building blocks it needs to constantly build and repair your skin. When proper healthy nutrition is combined with these remedies, you can reverse your crepey skin and it will be a thing of the past.
Don’t forget proper hydration, your skin needs water. Another remedy I can’t write much on now is the use of body sculpting cups, lots of women swear by this that it helped erase their crepe skin and signs of aging.
The reason I can’t write on this is because dermatologist have not known the long-term side effects of using these cups. They give results sure, but no one knows what will result from the use of these cups many years from now.
Before you use it, please do your own research, ask doctors, dermatologists, or any skin care expert you know, this will help you make a good decision regarding the use of body sculpting cups.