You were planning to wear your favorite sleeveless blouse to the party.
You slip it over your head and look in the mirror, stunned. The skin dangling from your inner arms has somehow become thin and wrinkled, the crinkly crepe party paper texture. But crepey skin is no cause for celebration. While crepiness is a common sign of aging, there are ways to minimize it.
What causes Crepey Skin?
Although weight loss and hormonal changes can lead to crepey skin, the leading cause remains exposure to sunlight. Crepey skin impacts larger areas like the neck, inner arms, and the delicate area under the eyes and has a distinct fragile texture.
Ultraviolet radiation from the sun is a double whammy that breaks down both elastin and collagen, making the skin more fragile and susceptible to damage. (Research from Mayo Clinic)
Elastin is a springy protein that lets your skin return to its original shape after being stretched or contracted. Like a pair of comfy sweatpants that needs a new waistband, the elastin in your skin breaks down over time and requires repair.
Collagen is a structural protein made up of amino acids that build your framework. It is the main component of your body’s connective tissues, like skin, bone, and cartilage. One of the primary functions of collagen is to provide structural support to the skin, giving it strength and firmness. As we age, the natural production of collagen in the body decreases.
Dryness can also contribute to crepey skin. Under each of your pores is a sebaceous gland that produces a natural oil called sebum that keeps your skin moisturized. One of the main ingredients of sebum is lipids, a type of fat. These oils create a vital lipid barrier that protects your skin and helps seal in moisture. As you age, your skin produces less oil. Hormonal changes can also lead to drier skin and less natural oil production. If you have crepey skin that comes and goes depending on the day or season, a lack of moisture is the likely cause.
4 Ways You Can Smooth the Crepe
1. Use Products with Elastin & Collagen Stimulators
Vitali’s Skin Cell Restorative Serum contains Copper peptides (GHK-Cu) that stimulate the production of elastin and collagen and increase the synthesis of water-retaining proteins.
Studies show that some age-related gene expression changes are not permanent and can be reversed. GHK-Cu cream applied to thigh skin for 12 weeks improved collagen production in a whopping 70% of the women treated, compared to 50% treated with the vitamin C cream and 40% treated with retinoic acid. (National Library of Medicine)
GHK-Cu is also able to:
- Improve skin laxity
- Promote skin clarity
- Boost firmness
- Enhance skin appearance
- Reduce fine lines
- Correct mottled pigmentation
- Increase skin density
2. Take a Daily Collagen Supplement
Another way to thicken the collagen in our skin is by taking a collagen supplement. According to Anthony Youn, M.D., and board-certified holistic plastic surgeon, “Studies show that taking a daily hydrolyzed collagen supplement can thicken the collagen in your skin” They do so by promoting the body’s natural production of collagen2 and other molecules that make up the skin, like elastin and fibrillin.” (Journal of Drugs in Dermatology)
3. Add Hydration
A lack of hydration highlights the thin appearance of your skin. Look for products that contain hyaluronic acid (HA) or glycerin that seals in the natural moisture your body already produces. Vitali included HA in its Skin Restorative Serum and its Skin Awakening Moisturizer for its high water-binding capacity — HA can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water. Vitali’s Restorative Body Cream is loaded with natural botanical oils such as Rosmarinus officinalis (rosemary), aloe leaf extract, and cocoa seed butter, allowing quick absorption and adding hydration to nourish the skin.
4. Exfoliate
Removing dead and damaged skin cells is essential for faster generation of new skin cells. Hydroxy acids can speed up the process. At Vitali, we like lactic acid, an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) milder than glycolic acid but delivers similar results and may be gentler on sensitive skin.
Vitali’s Gentle Exfoliating Cleanser loosens the chemical link between older and newer skin cells. This step increases the effects of Copper Peptides, allowing the more recent layers of smoother skin to rebuild more quickly. To concentrate on crepey skin, use exfoliating gloves and a small amount of cleanser to enhance the exfoliation of arms and legs.
The routine described above made great improvements in Crepey skin on the upper arm of this customer.