Crepey Skin: Causes, Prevention and Repair

crepey skin
When thinking of aging, the first image to come to mind may be fine lines and wrinkles, but many women also notice a different change in their skin. Very fine lines combined with a loss of fullness can leave skin looking like a party-store streamer. This is referred to as crepey skin. Crepey skin can happen on any part of the body, but is often found where skin is already thinner and more fragine, such as around the eyes and on the neck. Learn more about what causes crepey skin, how to prevent it and what to do if it has already appeared.

What Causes Crepey Skin?

Like so many skin concerns, the first cause of crepey skin is time and age – specifically the decline in cellular function. This decline leads to slower production of proteins such as collagen and elastin, which help keep skin looking full and fend off fine lines. As we age, stem cell function—which helps with cellular turnover and replication—declines. This means that with time, the body produces fewer healthy skin cells which can lead to visible signs of aging like crepey skin. The typical cellular decline that comes with age can be seriously exacerbated by environmental factors. Sun exposure in particular is closely linked to crepey-like skin, as it can break down elastin in skin over time. Sun damage causes a host of skin concerns, as it can make it harder for skin to retain moisture. When dry skin and a reduction in collagen and elastin combine, you can start seeing crepey skin. Other factors that contribute to crepey skin include hormonal changes, dehydration, weight loss, and tobacco use.

Estrogen Deficient Skin and Crepey Skin Appearance

Hormones also play a major role in the way your skin ages. As you get older, your estrogen levels decline. Estrogen activates receptors in the skin that are responsible for collagen production. This means that when estrogen levels decrease in perimenopause and menopause, collagen levels naturally decrease. Estrogen Deficient Skin has been shown to cause several changes in the skin’s appearance, including not just crepey skin but also:
  • Dryness
  • Dullness
  • Fine lines and wrinkles
  • Thinner skin
  • Decreased elasticity

How to Prevent Crepey Skin

It’s always easier to prevent the appearance of skin concerns than to fix them after the fact and crepey skin is no exception. The first step to preventing crepey skin is to wear sun protection. Studies suggest signs of premature skin aging are connected to UVA waves, but a broad-spectrum sunscreen is recommended to help protect against both UVA and UVB exposure. Support cellular function, particularly stem cell function. Because stem cells create new skin cells, they are very important in anti-aging skincare. Stem cells only activate to create new cells when they are signaled to do so, but that function slows over time. Some skincare products can help activate stem cells, encouraging them to create new cells including fibroblasts and keratinocytes, which are responsible for collagen. Practice healthy skin maintenance with cleansing and regular exfoliation. Also consider adding antioxidant support to your daily skincare to help prevent environmental damage like pollution. Lastly, focus on skin moisture. Choosing the right moisturizer depends on your skin type, but generally look for ingredient lists that include humectants such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid, and emollients like shea butter.

Products for Crepey Skin Repair

If you are already seeing crepey skin and hope to reverse it, there are some ingredients that can help. Biopelle’s CellPro™ Technology is specifically formulated to address crepey skin brought on by declining stem cell function. It is the only skincare technology clinically proven to help support stem cells in the skin to differentiate and migrate into new healthy skin cells. The newly formed skin cells have the ability to help improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles as well as restore and maintain firm-looking skin. CellPro Technology is derived from the eggs of the Cryptomphalus aspersus snail, which contain a stem-cell signaling protein. This protein is extracted and purified in a patented process and is specifically designed to address crepey skin, dullness and fine lines and wrinkles. Biopelle Tensage Stem Cell—which contains CellPro™ Technology—is clinically proven to help reduce the visible signs of aging, reinforce skin’s integrity, and restore healthy, youthful-looking skin. For women seeing signs of Estrogen Deficient Skin including crepey skin, Emepelle is the first and only line of skincare products available to help improve the appearance of Estrogen Deficient Skin. Using MEP Technology, an exclusive, patented, nonhormonal ingredient, Emepelle can help reduce dryness, dullness, and the appearance of fine lines and sagging skin.