If your skin has the texture of crepe paper, it’s sort of calling out for help. If you’re older, you can blame it on the natural process of aging, but crepey skin doesn’t only affect the elderly. It can happen even in your 20s and 30s from sun damage, tanning bed use, significant weight loss, and even certain medications, such as prednisone. You can improve the look of crepey skin. We cover the best skincare products and lotions for crepey skin.

Skin with a crepey texture can also appear thin and fragile, the opposite of the firm, plump skin that comes with youth. In addition, crepey skin tends to sag more than unaffected areas of skin, which can draw even more attention to the area.

If you do have crepey skin, all hope isn’t lost—you can improve the appearance of affected areas of your skin. If you’re curious about the best skincare ingredients and the best lotions for crepey skin, we’ve got all the info you need here!

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The Best Lotions for Crepey Skin

Now that we’ve seen several substances that can help with crepey skin, let’s look at the finest crepey skin lotion.

Josie Maran Whipped Argan Pro-Retinol Body Butter

This body butter was specifically designed to hydrate, smooth and firm skin with retinol and pure argan oil. With pro-retinol from pink algae, this gentle formula helps reduce the bumpy transition to retinol people commonly experience. Instead, use this body butter to hydrate skin and improve the appearance of wrinkles and sagging. Aloe, shea butter, squalene, and green and white tea also make appearances in this formula.

Drunk Elephant T.L.C. Glycolic Body Lotion

With 10% AHA from glycolic, lactic, citric, and tartaric acid, this body lotion is designed to exfoliate and resurface skin to reveal the smooth texture underneath and even improve skin tone. Antioxidants such as green tea extract and nourishing oils such as marula help moisturize skin while electrolytes restore hydration. Sodium hyaluronate cross polymer—a smaller molecule similar to hyaluronic acid—helps improve the appearance of wrinkles. Apply every other day, working up to daily use.

Eminence Organic Skin Care Coconut Firming Body Lotion

This body lotion contains hyaluronic acid, plant-based retinol, and AHAs to help improve fine lines and wrinkles and encourage smoother, firmer skin. Coconut milk and coconut water deliver hydration and electrolytes to dehydrated, tired-looking skin. Green apple stem cells and antioxidants provide natural anti-aging benefits in this formula. Massage into skin after bathing and exfoliating for best results.

skinfix Resurface+ AHA/BHA Renewing Cream

This vegan body cream uses AHAs and BHAs to exfoliate and smooth skin in order to improve skin texture. The BHA in this formula from willow bark extract helps unclog pores if you struggle with congested skin or keratosis pilaris (also called chicken skin) in addition to crepey skin. Use daily for best results. You can also use it only on crepey or rough regions of skin, leaving the rest of your body to your regular lotion.

Biossance Squalene + Caffeine Toning Body Cream

This toning body cream contains caffeine, niacinamide, and squalene, which help smooth crepey or rough skin and increase skin hydration. Squalene is an excellent moisturizer, while caffeine has antioxidant properties and can protect against UV damage, slow photoaging, and penetrate the skin barrier to improve circulation, all of which may help improve the appearance of crepey skin and prevent new areas from forming. Use daily.

Essential Skincare Ingredients for Crepey Skin

You can essentially think about crepey skin as skin that’s prematurely aged. Therefore, some of the most beneficial skincare ingredients for mature or aging skin will overlap when it comes to improving crepey skin. When seeking the best lotion for crepey skin, check for the following ingredients:

Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid is a star molecule that can hold 1,000 times its own weight in water. It helps keep skin firm, plump, and well-hydrated. It is naturally present in your skin but decreases with age. Including hyaluronic acid in your skincare products (moisturizers, sunscreens, and serums) may help improve skin texture, wrinkles, and elasticity. Squalene, peptides, and ceramides are also great moisturizing ingredients to look for in a formula with hyaluronic acid.

Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs)

AHAs like glycolic acid and lactic acid are well-known, but what do they have to do with crepey skin? Turns out, AHAs can help improve the appearance of wrinkles and restore skin elasticity and hydration. AHAs may also help reduce UV damage such as wrinkles and hyperpigmentation, as well as promote collagen formation in the skin, which may improve skin firmness. Beta hydroxy acids (BHAs) may also help improve wrinkles.

Retinol

Retinol increases cellular turnover to encourage the skin to produce more collagen, which can increase firmness and potentially help minimize the appearance of crepey skin. Since retinol is known for minimizing the effects of aging, it could help prevent the formulation of additional areas of crepey skin as you age, making it a worthy consideration to add to your skincare arsenal. 

Chemical or Physical Exfoliants

Exfoliating your skin helps encourage the growth of new skin cells, which may help reduce the appearance of crepey skin. It’s essential to choose an exfoliant based on your skin type. For example, salt scrubs may be too harsh for dry skin, while sugar scrubs can be more gentle. Chemical exfoliants such as AHAs or fruit enzymes can also be gentler on the skin. Always follow the product’s instructions, as exfoliating too much can damage the skin. 

What Else Can You Do to Help Improve the Appearance of Your Skin?

Besides moisturizing with the best lotions for crepey skin, you can help improve the appearance of finely wrinkled and sagging skin by:

• Using sunscreen and minimizing sun exposure.

• Staying hydrated (read: drink enough water!)

• Eating a healthy diet rich in antioxidants.

• Getting enough sleep and reducing stress.

• Exercise to boost collagen production and reduce sagging skin.

What’s Your Skin Type?

Before you start looking for the best lotion for crepey skin, find out your skin type with our free quiz, so you know which products would benefit you the most and minimize the chances of irritation for YOUR beautiful skin when treating crepey areas!