How To Treat Crepey Skin: 5 Science-Backed Tips To Try ASAP

Skin is skin is skin is skin—no matter what area of the body it's covering. Sure, there is some variability in the thickness of skin under the eyes versus skin on the feet, but overall, there are more similarities than differences. This is why skin concerns we often experience on the face can also be present elsewhere on the body.

Dark spots, for example, show up on the face due to age and UV exposure—but they're also common on the chest, shoulders, hands, and other areas that are more exposed to sun damage. 

Another example is crepey skin, which is thin skin that develops fine lines and a crinkly appearance, much like crepe paper. Crepey skin may be more noticeable on large and highly visible areas such as the neck and chest; it's also present under the eyes, on the arms, and on the legs. The good news is that to tend to it requires similar tools no matter where it shows up.

For the eye area, invest in a deeply hydrating eye cream. This way, you can target the crepey skin without having to coat the whole face with a thick cream, especially if that's not a texture you particularly enjoy.

On the body—especially on the arms and legs—opt for one of these body lotions that specifically targets maturing skin. For the neck and chest, there are dedicated topicals for that specific area, as it's quite sensitive skin. Personally, I allow my hand cream to play double duty.

High-quality hand creams—like mindbodygreen's postbiotic hand cream, and those found in this roundup of the best healthy aging hand creams—can treat the skin, usually at a fraction of the cost. 

Retinol is often considered the gold star healthy aging ingredient, as it improves collagen production, enhances skin cell turnover, and offers a host of other benefits. As collagen loss is a driving factor in crepey skin, improving collagen production is pivotal in its treatment. 

Here's the caveat, though: Areas that develop crepey skin tend to be areas where the skin is thin and sensitive inherently, such as the eyes and neck. Retinol is often not well tolerated in these spots. 

So, in order to incorporate the ingredient into your routine, you'll need to make some adjustments. First is to find a product formulated specifically for the area, such as a retinol-infused eye cream or retinol body cream.

The key to exfoliation is finding your sweet spot. You don't want to do it too frequently or with too abrasive products, as you'll run the risk of compromising your skin barrier. (A compromised barrier means damaged collagen, increased dryness, and inflammation—so ultimately, you're back where you started.)

However, when done correctly, exfoliation can keep skin looking vibrant, improve product penetration, and even spur more collagen production. 

When exfoliating the face, chest, or neck, err on the side of caution. These are really delicate areas, so you don't want to go overboard. Look for gentle chemical exfoliants such as lactic acid, mandelic acid, and low-level glycolic acid, the latter of which has been shown to improve collagen production and dermal thickness2 in the skin.  

While this isn't an instant fix, eating a well-balanced diet and prioritizing protein can help support your skin structure. As board-certified dermatologist Carl Thornfeldt, M.D., told us "Years of ingesting insufficient or poor-quality protein is also a major contributor." For healthy adults, the recommendation for overall protein intake is about 1 gram of protein per kilogram of body weight per day. If you're physically active, your needs may be higher.

Collagen (a structural protein) is made up of amino acids, so ensuring you're getting your fill can mean your body has the adequate tools it needs to create more collagen over the years.