5 Expert-Backed Tips To Treat Crepey Skin Head To Toe

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Retinol is often considered the gold star healthy aging ingredient, as it improves collagen production, enhances skin cell turnover, and 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. You can also buffer the ingredient by sandwiching it between two layers of moisturizer (more tips on how to use it here). Finally, you can utilize my favorite hack: Skin cycling, which is where you’ll use retinol one night, but then take a few recovery nights in which you stick to calming moisturizers.  

3.

Prioritize sun protection. 

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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, error 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.  

On the body (like the legs or arms) you can usually opt for something stronger, as the skin is thicker and more durable. You may want to try a body scrub or a body serum with chemical exfoliators. 

5.

Support skin internally. 

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. 

One way to supplement your protein intake is through collagen powders. Collagen is a protein made of peptides, but it's not a complete protein—it doesn't have all nine of the essential amino acids (it's missing tryptophan and is on the lower side on a few others)—but can absolutely contribute to your overall daily protein goals and needs. Not only can collagen help folks meet their daily protein intake3, but hydrolyzed collagen has been shown to support skin elasticity, hydration levels, and promote youthful texture4.

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