When what was once taut becomes looser, thinner, and a bit wrinkled, the best crepey-skin treatments will give your skin a smoother, tighter appearance (with consistent use as directed by the brand, of course). As we age, our skin’s collagen and elastin levels begin to decline, leading to textural concerns such as crepiness, as well as other issues like fine lines, dryness, and discoloration.
Once signs of skin aging begin to pop up—or even before, if you prefer to take a precautionary route—these over-the-counter topical treatments are beloved by board-certified dermatologists for their ability to minimize the appearance of crepey skin, among other skin texture and tone concerns. (That being said, keep in mind that only in-office treatments, like ultrasound and radiofrequency microneedling, can create a really visible and dramatic change in your skin laxity.) Below, explore our favorite expert-approved body lotions, creams, and serums for plumping the look of thinning, crêpe-paper-like skin.
Our Top Crepey-Skin Treatments
Frequently Asked Questions
Best Overall: Alastin TransForm Body Treatment
Alastin Skincare
TransForm Body Treatment
Why it’s worth it: If there were such a thing as skin care that acts like shapewear, Alastin TransFORM Body Treatment comes close. This lightweight, fragrance-free lotion “contains a host of peptides to help promote collagen and elastin production, as well as caffeine, which work in tandem to firm and smooth the look of skin instantly,” says Geeta Yadav, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Toronto, Canada. While peptides alone aren’t new to the skin-care world, “this product contains them in a patented delivery system, which is really unique to reduce the appearance of crepey skin,” adds Heather Woolery-Lloyd, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Miami. It also hydrates and nourishes the skin with shea butter, squalane, and avocado extract, giving it a plumper, healthier appearance.
- Key ingredients: caffeine, peptides, dill extract, linseed extract, plantain leaf, shea butter
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best with Retinol: Nécessaire The Body Retinol
Nécessaire
The Body Retinol
Why it’s worth it: Retinol, the eponymous star of the Nécessaire The Body Retinol, is one of the most recommended skin-care ingredients for mature skin, but especially for addressing skin elasticity. But, according to bicoastal board-certified dermatologist Blair Murphy-Rose, MD, there’s more that this formulation has to offer beyond the active to boost the look and feel of your skin. It “combines retinol with exfoliating alpha-hydroxy acids to firm, tone, and reduce discoloration,” she says. As retinol promotes cell turnover and improves skin texture, a combination of glycolic and mandelic acids exfoliates the skin for a smoother texture. Beyond these key ingredients, this stacked formulation contains the works to transform the feel and clarity of your skin, including firming peptides, hydrating glycerin, and a tone-evening antioxidant duo of vitamin C and niacinamide.
- Key ingredients: retinol (0.1%), glycolic acid, mandelic acid, glycerin, peptides, vitamin C, niacinamide
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Sun Spots: Shani Darden Body Reform Treatment Serum
Shani Darden
Body Reform Treatment Serum
Why it’s worth it: Forgot to apply sunscreen one too many times and now dealing with sun spots? It happens, but you can address this form of sun damage with the Shani Darden Body Reform Treatment Serum. Dr. Murphy-Rose calls it a must-have for anyone addressing discoloration and hyperpigmentation for its intensive cocktail of antioxidants and exfoliators. “This serum contains a retinoid to boost cell turnover and improve skin texture, kojic acid to brighten and reduce hyperpigmentation, and green tea extract to provide antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties,” she says. The retinoid in question is known as granactive retinoid, which has a slow-release delivery system to minimize the sensitizing feel of the active ingredient.
- Key ingredients: granactive retinoid (2%), vitamin C, kojic acid, green tea extract
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Lightweight: Paula’s Choice Skin-Smoothing Retinol Body Treatment
Paula’s Choice
Skin-Smoothing Retinol Body Treatment
Why it’s worth it: Though the Paula’s Choice Skin-Smoothing Retinol Body Treatment is fueled by a hard-working blend of retinol, shea butter, and antioxidants, Dr. Murphy-Rose loves that it has a lightweight, non-greasy formula that can be slathered on before bedtime. “It has a deeply hydrating effect from shea butter, ceramides, and its antioxidant complex,” she says. “In combination with potent retinol, this formula defends against collagen breakdown and protects against signs of aging.”
- Key ingredients: retinol, antioxidant complex, shea butter, ceramides
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Sensitive Skin: Versed Press Restart Gentle Retinol Body Lotion
Versed
Press Restart Gentle Retinol Body Lotion
Why it’s worth it: Trust us, when it comes to its irritation-free formulations, Versed’s Press Restart Gentle Retinol Body Lotion truly lives up to its mild claims. “This is a great choice for those with more sensitive skin as it contains an encapsulated form of retinol alongside a retinol alternative, bakuchiol, to enhance skin quality and texture while firming,” says Dr. Murphy-Rose. Vitamin E, squalane, and cocoa butter also make an appearance in this formula to soothe and moisturize.
- Key ingredients: encapsulated retinol, cocoa butter, squalane, vitamin E
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Redness: Naturium Skin-Renewing Retinol Body Lotion
Naturium
Skin-Renewing Retinol Body Lotion
Why it’s worth it: If retinol tends to leave your skin a little red and blotchy, Dr. Murphy-Rose suggests trying the gentler formulation of Naturium’s Skin-Renewing Retinol Body Lotion. It combines a slow-release encapsulated retinol with hyaluronic acid to plump and firm skin while squalane supports the skin’s protective lipid barrier, allowing you to reap the benefits of the active ingredient with little to no irritation, depending on how sensitive your skin is.
- Key ingredients: encapsulated retinol, hyaluronic acid, squalane
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Drugstore: Gold Bond Age Renew Crepe Corrector Body Lotion
Gold Bond
Age Renew Crepe Corrector Body Lotion
Why it’s worth it: Good things come to those who moisturize, especially when it only takes 48 hours to start seeing results (or so the brand claims). Gold Bond Age Renew Crepe Corrector Body Lotion is a budget-friendly favorite that works fast to visibly smooth and firm crepey skin. “This drugstore pick gets its power from a concentrated blend of hydrating, emollient, and occlusive ingredients like glycerin, squalane, jojoba, and dimethicone, which draw moisture into the skin, fortify the skin barrier to stave off moisture loss, and seal all that moisture in to keep skin nourished for longer,” says Dr. Yadav. It’s also hypoallergenic and fragrance-free, making it a gentle choice for sensitive skin.
- Key ingredients: vitamin E, omega fatty acids, glycerin, jojoba
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Dry Skin: SkinMedica Firm & Tone Lotion for Body
SkinMedica
Firm & Tone Lotion for Body
Why it’s worth it: Just like your morning coffee perks you up, caffeine can give your skin a much-needed boost, too. SkinMedica Firm & Tone Lotion for Body combines caffeine and coffea arabica seed oil with collagen-supporting green microalgae and shiitake mushroom extracts to visibly firm and smooth sagging, crepey skin. “This product has a blend of botanical ingredients like lemon balm extract and parsley extract, and has been shown to help with crepey skin and to improve skin texture,” says Dr. Woolery-Lloyd. It’s also deeply hydrating, thanks to emollients and moisture-boosting ingredients that help soften and plump dry, textured skin. “Crepey skin is often dry, which exacerbates its coarse appearance—providing hydration and moisture to crepey skin can help dramatically improve its texture,” adds Dr. Yadav.
- Key ingredients: green microalgae, shitake mushroom, lemon balm extract, coffea arabica seed oil, caffeine
- Fragrance-free: yes
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes crepey skin?
Crepey skin, at its most basic explanation, is just another sign of aging that develops as we age. “Simply put, crepiness is caused by a loss of collagen and elastin, as well as many other components,” says Jennifer Gordon, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Westlake Dermatology in Austin, Texas. “The cause isn’t a straightforward answer but a combination of things, such as genetics, sun damage, pollutants, skincare (or lack thereof), weight loss or gain.”
Dr. Murphy-Rose notes that cumulative sun exposure can cause significant skin damage, which largely contributes to the signs of skin aging, including crepiness, laxity, and wrinkles. “Dehydrated skin lacks the plumping effect of hydration in skin cells and can further contribute to the appearance of crepey skin,” she adds.
How can I treat crepey skin at home?
Your biggest line of defense against crepey skin is sun protection, according to our experts. “Sun protection is crucial to keeping skin healthy and youthful,” says Dr. Murphy-Rose. “UV radiation causes DNA damage, increases free radical production, and causes many signs of skin aging, laxity, and crepiness by triggering collagen breakdown and elastolysis.” The takeaway: Make sure you use sunscreen with a broad-spectrum SPF rating of 30 or more and wear protective clothing when you’re outside to maintain your overall skin health and keep your body’s largest organ in tip-top shape.
