Lines, Firmness & Texture

Crepey Skin

Crepey skin is thin skin covered in very fine wrinkles, so it looks and crinkles like crepe paper. It most often shows under the eyes and on the arms, and it is mainly a sign of long-term sun damage and aging.

Evidence reviewedNovember 13, 2026
Medical reviewDr. Abdurrahman Efem
Practical reviewMerve Akkaya
What it isThin skin with fine, crinkly wrinkles
Usual areasUnder the eyes, arms, sun-exposed skin
Main causeLong-term sun damage plus age
Usually startsAround the 40s, sometimes earlier
Key takeaways
  • Crepey skin is thin skin whose elastic fibers have been worn down, most often by years of sun exposure.
  • Moisturizers improve its look quickly but temporarily, while retinoids work slowly and modestly.
  • Daily sun protection on the arms, neck and chest matters as much as on the face.

Overview

What is crepey skin?

Crepey skin is skin that has become thin and covered in fine lines, so it crinkles when you move or pinch it. Cleveland Clinic dermatologists describe it as most common under the eyes and on the arms. Other sun-exposed skin, such as the neck and the backs of the hands, can show it too. It usually starts around the 40s, or earlier with heavy tanning or large swings in weight.

The texture comes from changes in the dermis, the deeper layer that gives skin strength and stretch. UV light breaks down elastin, the fibers that let skin stretch and spring back. Years of sun exposure also leave a build-up of disorganized elastic tissue in the dermis, a change DermNet calls solar elastosis.

Crepey skin is related to, but not the same as, sagging skin and fine lines. It describes the surface texture: thin and crinkled. Skin can be crepey without hanging lower, and the two often appear together.

Common signs and patterns

What crepey skin can look or feel like

These features give context; they do not confirm how much is sun damage and how much is natural aging.

Crinkles like crepe paper

Many very fine lines that bunch together when the skin is pushed or folded.

Thin, papery feel

Skin feels thinner and looser than it used to, especially on the arms and under the eyes.

Worse on sun-exposed areas

Forearms, the neck, the chest and the backs of the hands often look more crepey than skin that stays covered.

Dry, dull surface

Dryness makes crepey texture more visible. If it softens after moisturizing, some of what you see is dehydration.

Causes and contributors

Sun damage is the usual driver, with age, dryness and weight changes adding to it.

Dermatologists name sun damage as the typical cause. UV light from sunlight and tanning beds wears down collagen and elastin over years, which is why crepey skin is most obvious where skin has had the most sun. Smoking also damages elastin and speeds skin aging.

Natural aging thins the skin and makes it drier, as older skin produces less oil. Gaining and losing a lot of weight can leave skin looser and crinkled. Long-term use of some medicines, such as oral steroids like prednisone, can also thin skin; do not stop a prescribed medicine without talking to your doctor.

What it may be confused with

Similar-looking concerns need different decisions

Crepey texture overlaps with several other changes, and the next step depends on which one you are seeing.

Dry, flaky skin

Rough or flaking skin that improves clearly with regular moisturizer. Crepey skin also looks better moisturized but stays thin and crinkled.

Sagging skin

Skin and deeper tissue that sit lower than before, such as jowls or loose upper arms. It needs different treatments.

Fine lines

Individual shallow creases, often from expression, rather than an all-over crinkled texture.

Sun damage

The wider picture, including sun spots and rough patches. Crepey skin is often one part of it.

Bottom line

Moisturize for comfort, protect from sun for the long run, and treat with realistic expectations.

The quickest visible change comes from moisturizing every day, including the arms, neck and chest. The most important long-term step is daily broad-spectrum sunscreen on every area that sees the sun; in a randomized trial, adults who used sunscreen daily showed no detectable increase in skin aging over 4.5 years.

A retinoid can add a slow, modest improvement in fine crinkling. For a bigger change, dermatologists use lasers, radiofrequency, ultrasound and fillers, and surgery is an option for large areas of loose skin. Results vary by area, so an assessment helps.

Evidence-supported options

Choose the option that matches the area and how much change you want

This is general education, not a personal treatment plan. Product strengths, permitted uses and prescription status vary by country.

Supportive care

Daily moisturizer

Creams with humectants such as glycerin or hyaluronic acid, or with gentle lactic acid, make crepey skin look smoother and feel more comfortable.

Limit: The effect is temporary and needs daily use; acids can sting on thin or irritated skin.

Prevention

Daily sunscreen and covering up

Slows further sun damage to collagen and elastin, on the face and on the arms, neck and chest.

Limit: It prevents new damage more than it repairs old damage.

Evidence-supported

Topical retinol or a prescription retinoid

In a small controlled trial in very elderly adults (average age 87), 0.4% retinol improved fine wrinkling over 24 weeks compared with a plain lotion.

Limit: Changes are slow and modest, early dryness and flaking are common, and retinoids are avoided during pregnancy.

Professional treatment

Lasers, tightening devices and fillers

Fractional lasers improve texture, and the AAD notes laser and radiofrequency treatments are used on loose skin of the upper arms and neck. Fillers can plump selected areas.

Limit: Several sessions may be needed, results build over months, and side effects, downtime and cost vary by device and clinician.

Supportive skincare

A simple routine for crepey skin

Treat the body areas too; crepey skin on the arms, neck and chest needs the same care as the face.

Morning

  1. Gentle cleanseUse lukewarm water and a mild, fragrance-free cleanser; skip harsh scrubs.
  2. MoisturizeApply moisturizer to the face, neck, chest and arms while skin is still slightly damp.
  3. SunscreenBroad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher on all exposed skin, including forearms and the backs of the hands. See how much sunscreen to use.

Evening

  1. CleanseRemove sunscreen gently, without rubbing thin skin.
  2. Retinoid, if you use oneStart two or three nights a week on the face or neck and build up slowly. The beginner retinol routine shows how.
  3. Richer moisturizerA thicker cream at night helps comfort and reduces retinoid dryness.

Common mistakes

What can make crepey skin harder to manage

  • Applying sunscreen only to the face and leaving the arms, neck and chest unprotected.
  • Scrubbing thin skin with harsh exfoliants, which irritates it without rebuilding it.
  • Using a retinoid and strong acids on the same area every night, which can leave thin skin raw.
  • Judging a product by how smooth skin looks an hour later, which mostly reflects moisture.
  • Tanning, including tanning beds, and smoking, which both speed up elastin damage.

When professional help makes sense

Seek assessment when thin skin comes with other changes

  • A rough, scaly spot that does not heal on sun-damaged skin can be an actinic keratosis (a precancerous spot) and should be checked.
  • A new or changing mole, spot or sore among sun-damaged skin needs a dermatologist.
  • Skin is becoming thin, bruising easily or tearing, especially if you take long-term steroid medicines; talk to your doctor.
  • You are pregnant or breastfeeding and want to use a retinoid; ask your clinician first.
  • You are considering lasers, devices or fillers; choose a qualified, board-certified clinician and ask about risks for your skin tone.

Related reading

Continue with the next useful question

Sagging SkinWhy skin loses firmness and what can lift it. Fine LinesShallow creases and the skincare with real evidence. Sun DamageHow UV ages skin and what can still improve. Mature Skin RoutineA simple routine built around sunscreen and a retinoid.

Editorial record

What this page knows, and what remains uncertain

Evidence summary

This page relies on Cleveland Clinic dermatology advice, DermNet, the American Academy of Dermatology, a randomized sunscreen trial and a controlled retinol trial in aged skin.

Important limitations

“Crepey skin” is a descriptive term, not a formal diagnosis, so there is little research on it by name. Most evidence comes from studies of photoaging and aged skin in general, and many are small.

Financial transparency

No paid product placement or affiliate ranking is included on this foundation page.

Recommendation logic

Options run from daily moisture and sun protection to retinoids to professional procedures.

Editorial Record

Editorial status
reviewed
Medical reviewer
Dr. Abdurrahman Efem
Practical reviewer
Merve Akkaya
Last reviewed
November 13, 2026

Frequently asked questions

Short answers to common questions

What causes crepey skin?

Mostly long-term sun damage, which breaks down the elastin that lets skin spring back. Natural aging, dryness, smoking, large weight changes and long-term steroid medicines can add to it.

Can crepey skin be reversed?

It can be improved more than reversed. Moisturizer helps quickly but temporarily, a retinoid can soften fine crinkling over months, and lasers or other procedures can do more.

What is the best treatment for crepey skin on the arms?

Daily moisturizer and sunscreen are the base. A retinoid is an option on the body too, and dermatologists use lasers and radiofrequency for loose upper-arm skin.

At what age does crepey skin start?

Dermatologists say it usually begins in the 40s, and earlier with frequent tanning or big weight swings.

Is crepey skin the same as sagging skin?

No. Crepey describes thin, finely wrinkled skin; sagging describes skin and deeper tissue sitting lower. They often occur together but are treated differently.

Do lotions with lactic or glycolic acid help crepey skin?

They can help the surface look smoother. Cleveland Clinic dermatologists suggest moisturizers with hydroxy acids such as lactic or glycolic acid, and say keeping skin well moisturized helps prevent crepiness from getting worse. Start slowly, as acids can sting thin or irritated skin.

Sources reviewed

Guidance behind this page

Sources support general editorial guidance. They do not replace regional product labels, prescribing information or personal medical assessment.

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Skin ConcernsReturn to the complete library. IngredientsUnderstand active and supporting ingredients before combining products. GuidesPractical how-tos for routines, sunscreen and labels. Medical DisclaimerUnderstand the limits of general skincare information.