So That’s Why Your Skin Gets Crepey As You Get Older

Crepes may be delectable, but crepey skin? Not so much. 

The term describes skin that, like crepe paper, appears thin and crinkled and typically lacks the elasticity, thickness, and firmness of youthful skin.

“Crepey skin is primarily an aesthetic concern, but it can also be indicative of potential health issues,” board-certified dermatologist Dr. Shoshana Marmon told HuffPost. “Since it usually develops as a result of substantial sun damage, individuals with crepey skin may be at increased risk for the development of skin cancer. Additionally, since crepey skin is thinner and less elastic, it may be more susceptible to bruising and tearing, which could lead to infection if not properly cared for.” 

Plenty of creams and lotions claim to alleviate the appearance of crepey skin, and anyone who wants to take care of it quickly can seek doctor-administered treatments. We spoke with experts who weighed in on what works best and whether there’s anything you can do to prevent crepey skin from forming in the first place.

Why and when crepey skin forms.

As Marmon hinted, crepey skin primarily results from sun exposure. “A frequent misunderstanding is that crepey skin develops solely from aging, but lifestyle factors like sun exposure and smoking are significant contributors,” she said. “While everyone is susceptible to crepey skin, people with lighter skin tones, who are more prone to sun damage, are particularly at risk.” 

Sun exposure causes the skin to lose volume due to dehydration. “It doesn’t store water the same because the integrity of the skin is damaged,” board-certified dermatologist Dr. Shani Francis told HuffPost. That leads to degradation of collagen and elastin, the proteins that hold water and therefore help the skin keep its structure. 

Any ultraviolet exposure, even from tanning beds, can lead to the formation of crepey skin. “It’s really not the sun itself — it’s ultraviolet radiation,” Francis explained. “Any type of ultraviolet radiation exposure is going to damage and degrade the collagen and the elastin tissues.”

Genetics play a factor too. “If you look at your parents, if they have crepey skin, you know you need to start the process of preventing a little bit earlier,” Francis said.

According to Marmon, many women begin to notice crepey skin around the time they hit menopause because the drop in estrogen during that time speeds up the decrease in collagen and elastin, resulting in a thinning of the skin, with a loss of moisture and fat.

“It starts around middle age and gets worse as we age,” Francis reiterated. “The elastic fibers, they start off very strong. Twentysomething-, thirtysomething-year-olds, their skin snaps right back. Once you get to 40, it doesn’t quite work that way.” 

Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Noëlle S. Sherber told HuffPost that crepey skin from UV damage usually shows up around the eyes, the chest, and the backs of the hands. Some people also see it above the knees and on the inner arms.

What you can do to prevent crepey skin.

Wearing sunscreen may seem like the obvious way to ward off crepey skin, but Francis said another method may be more effective. 

“You can’t see light through your clothes — that’s better,” she said, “Sunglasses, a hat, those things, are always better than sunscreen because they’re on and in place. Sunscreen doesn’t last. It’s not permanent. Sun protection instead of sunscreen is much more comprehensive. I always tell people, think of sunscreen as your last line of defense.”