Crepey skin is a term used for skin when it becomes thin and dry like crepe paper.
Crepey skin is different than deep wrinkles which are caused by the breakdown of the layers of the skin.
What Causes Crepey Skin?
Elastin fibers in the skin break down. Elastin fibers allow the skin to stretch and then return to normal. When the elastin fibers can’t return to taught skin, the skin becomes crepe-like.
What About Collagen Loss?
The breakdown of elastin Combined with Loss of Collagen makes skin particularly fragile. Collagen gives skin internal support from the dermis (3rd layer below the cuticle and epidermis (1st) layer).
Collagen also helps with elasticity and hydration.
Without collagen, which is a protein, skin becomes weak and sags and wrinkles. Our bodies naturally lose collagen at 1% per year.
For more on skin and collagen, see this page for articles.
How Adding Collagen Helps to Get Rid of Crepey Skin
Adding collagen internally and/or topically helps build the dermis layer of the skin.
The dermis is the third layer of skin below the Cuticle and the Epidermis. When the Dermis breaks down — loss of Collagen and Elastin — the Epidermis and Cuticle sink.
Collagen naturally builds the dermis layer back up to firm skin and creates stability in the dermis layer reducing wrinkles. This is why collagen works for skin tightening.
For a great tasting liquid collagen that includes the best type of collagen for skin which also includes Hyaluronic Acid for hydrating the skin, get ModereⒸ’s Liquid BioCell for skin here.
How Can Crepey Skin be Repaired?
Add Vitamin A to Your Diet
- Cow liver or cod liver oil – not my favorite foods but if you like them
- Eat your vegetables!
- Think Orange – carrots, sweet potatoes, orange peppers, orange tomatoes, apricots, papaya, cantaloupe, mangoes.
- You can get enough Vitamin A from vegetables. It is a little harder for Vitamin A to absorb without the animal fat so juicing and eating vegetables raw helps here.
For the Face, Apply Vitamin A Topically or Use an Alpha Hydroxy Acid Moisturizer
Carrot Seed Essential Oil has high amounts of Vitamin A and is amazing for the skin.
Add a few drops to a favorite moisturizer or carrier oil that works well for your skin.
Use a Retinol (Vitamin A) Serum and Moisturizer
I like the Retinol Serums and Moisturizer from goPure Beauty. The ingredients are pure and effective and this company doesn’t mess around with toxic, low-quality ingredients.
Further, the price is fantastic at less than $30.
Use an Alpha Hydroxy Acid Moisturizer
Alpha Hydroxy Acid is also a skincare ingredient to look for to repair elastin in the skin.
This one is from goPure Beauty and targets the look of dry, sagging, and thinning skin.
For the Neck and Decollete, Try goPure Beauty’s Tighten and Lift Neck Cream
Expertly formulated to target the delicate décolleté and neck areas, this luxurious dream cream absorbs deep to repair and restore, leaving your skin hydrated, refreshed, and younger looking.
For the Body, Try This Over the Counter Alpha Hydroxy Lotion
Eucerin Intensive Repair (over the counter) contains Alpha Hydroxy – use at night as it does increase sensitivity to the sun. Get the fragrance-free version.
Works on the “bigger skin” areas like neck, knees, and elbows for the price.
Not recommended for your face.
Summary for What is Crepey Skin and How Can it Be Repaired?
Crepey skin is a term used for skin that has lost its elasticity and appears to look like crepe paper.
Crepey skin is different than deep wrinkles which are caused by the breakdown of layers of the skin.
To repair, add Vitamin A to your diet; use carrot seed essential oil or retinol serums and moisturizers; use skincare products with alpha hydroxy acid.