What Is "Crepey Skin" & How To Tighten It, From A Derm

The phrase "crepey skin" is constantly flying around the beauty space, but what does it really mean? Crepey skin doesn't refer to deep, imprinted wrinkles or settled expression lines. Yet it's not the same as dry skin either. 

"Crepey skin is thin and looks finely wrinkled, like crepe paper," King says, hence where it gets its name. "It may also sag or feel loose," she continues. One of the main differences between crepey skin and other kinds of fine lines is the area in which they appear.

King says you generally find crepey skin on the upper arms, eyelids, and neck. These areas naturally have thinner skin and thus begin to sag and "crinkle" earlier than other parts of the body that have a thicker dermis. 

In terms of what causes crepey skin, we can boil it all down to a lack of collagen and elastin in the skin, both critical protein compounds that help the skin appear taut and plump.

Your collagen levels naturally decline as you age, but other factors like sun exposure and smoking can also influence collagen decline and thus accelerate the appearance of crepey skin. However, it's important to note that gaining and losing substantial amounts of weight can also contribute to crepey-looking skin. 

You see, when you're younger, your collagen production is generally balanced with degradation, but this scale tips as you age because aged fibroblasts produce less collagen1. One way to support your natural balance, research demonstrates, is through collagen supplementation.* Studies show that hydrolyzed collagen peptides are able to enhance your collagen production by stimulating fibroblasts2, those same cells that make collagen and elastin to begin with.* 

Of course, not all collagen supplements are created equal. Some collagen supplements work better than others, and we're proud to say our beauty & gut collagen+ blend has been formulated to deliver high-quality and comprehensive results that go far beyond supporting natural collagen balance (read more about our standout ingredients here).*

The term "crepey skin" is tossed around left and right in the beauty space, often without much concrete explanation.

This term refers to loose, crinkly skin that can be caused by an imbalance in collagen production and degradation, among other factors. Research shows collagen supplements can help, and experts recommend prioritizing topical hydration too.*