The best crepey skin treatments can help address that wrinkled, thin, loose texture that literally creeps up as we age. You’ll usually notice it happening on areas of the body that tend to soak up sun more often, like the forearms, upper arms, and legs. There are a few causes: intrinsic aging (the natural aging process) and extrinsic aging (mostly from long-term sun exposure). “Over time the collagen and elastin that provide structure start to break down, and the skin barrier becomes weaker and thinner,” says Geeta Yadav, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Facet Dermatology in Toronto.
Fortunately, there are a number of proven antiaging ingredients that can help combat these visible signs of aging and improve the skin’s overall texture. While retinol is one of the most studied in boosting collagen and reducing crepiness, other ingredients like peptides and hyaluronic acid play a role in improving hydration, firmness, and overall smoothness.
Here, we spoke with dermatologists and mature women to determine the very best crepey skin products if you’re after smoother, firmer skin.
Our top crepey skin treatments
- Best for Overall: Alastin Skincare TransForm Body Treatment, $220
- Best for Body: Paula’s Choice Skin-Smoothing Retinol Body Treatment, $32
- Best for Discoloration: L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Triple Power Rich Night Cream, $31
- Best for Saggy Arms: Maëlys B-Flex Lift & Firm Arm Cream, $52
- Best Value: Gold Bond Age Renew Crepe Corrector Body & Face Lotion, $10
Frequently asked questions
Best Overall: Alastin Skincare TransForm Body Treatment
Alastin Skincare TransForm Body Treatment
Original video from Megan McIntyre testing Alastin Skincare TransForm Body Treatment
For people who might experience more crepiness with age and sun damage, consider investing in this barrier-repair body treatment. The formula features proprietary blends with peptides, botanicals, and dill extract. These ingredients help give the appearance of firmer skin, support the production of elastin and collagen, and help improve skin texture. While this pick is pretty expensive, a little goes a long way. It can be used anywhere on your body, including arms, hands, knees, and neck. Plus, this product can be used after a procedure (such as liposuction) or rapid weight loss—it helps clear out damaged fat cells and debris left behind in excess skin.
“While I take meticulous care of my face, I’ve never been a big body-lotion person. Everything always felt too greasy or left an annoying residue. I now have the ultrafine lines and dry texture to show for it. The Alastin TransForm treatment is my new top-to-toe crepey skin MVP: It has the consistency of a light lotion and absorbs without a trace, leaving my skin silky soft. I’ve been using it for the last week, and the skin on my neck and chest feels and looks ultrasmooth. It’s easy to add to my nightly routine under my neck cream, and after a few more weeks of use, I’m hopeful I will see a real improvement in the crepey texture that’s been creeping up on me in my 40s.” — Megan McIntyre, Glamour contributor
“Alastin Skincare TransForm Body Treatment undoubtedly made my skin smoother and softer after using it for a few days—both visually and to the touch. It flattened some of my rough tiny wrinkles and reduced the appearance of my chicken bumps, an unexpected but welcome result. The only problem is that this product is a little odd-smelling. But if you can deal with the scent, you’ll enjoy the results.” —Charlotte Twine, Glamour contributor
- Best for: Mature, sagging, and post-procedure skin
- Key ingredients: TriHex Technology, LipoDrone, dill extract
- Size: 6 oz.
- Fragrance: Not confirmed
Best for Body: Paula’s Choice Retinol Skin-Smoothing Body Treatment
Paula’s Choice Retinol Skin-Smoothing Body Treatment
Courtesy of Charlotte Twine testing the Paula’s Choice Skin-Smoothing Retinol Body Treatment
Not only is this treatment our favorite for treating crepey skin, but it’s also one of our favorite retinol body lotions. We really can’t get enough of this powerhouse formula. “Retinol is an essential antiaging ingredient for the treatment of lax, crepey skin as it helps promote new collagen production, which in turn works to firm and tighten skin,” says Dr. Yadav. “This formula features 0.1% retinol, which is a gentle, lower concentration [than the typical 0.3% to 1%] yet shows clinical efficacy to firm skin over time. It has hydrating panthenol, grapeseed oil, shea butter, and evening primrose oil to support skin-barrier function and create a smoother, healthier look to the skin,” she says. It’s not greasy, but it also doesn’t leave skin feeling stripped or dry. We like that it’s fragrance-free, making it suitable for sensitive skin types, and doesn’t leave skin red or irritated, which can often be a side effect of retinol.
Pro tip: Apply a broad-spectrum SPF 30 (minimum) to protect your skin from the sun, which may be more sensitized after using retinol.
Glamour contributor Twine says:
“Paula’s Choice Skin-Smoothing Retinol Body Treatment proved to be a solid product that visibly reduced the roughness on my crepey, post-menopausal skin after just a few days’ use on my chest and arms. It absorbed super quickly too. Bonus: It also helped my arm tattoos look less ashy! IYKYK. The cons: The smell is a bit medicinal (kind of like pencil erasers?), and it does give me a temporary zingy feeling when I apply it to my arms. If you don’t mind those things, then I would definitely give it a try.” —C.T.
“This body treatment is effective yet gentle, and so far, it hasn’t triggered any redness. I’ve been using it for my thigh area where I’m starting to notice the development of uneven skin texture, and I have definitely seen an improvement after using it for a few weeks. It makes my skin look and feel buttery smooth, and I’ve noticed fewer lines and texture.” —Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour commerce writer
- Best for: Uneven, dry, crepey skin on arms and legs
- Key ingredients: 0.1% retinol, grape seed oil, evening primrose oil, glycerin, panthenol
- Size: 4 oz.
- Fragrance: No
Best for Deep Wrinkles: Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream
Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream
Original video from Gill Cohen testing Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream
This rich cream feels just as expensive as it sounds—and although it does have a hefty price tag, it’s one of the best moisturizers for deep wrinkles we’ve tried. It features amino acids to help boost skin brightness and repair the skin barrier, plus peptides to plump fine lines and wrinkles for a smoother, more resilient finish. It also addresses discoloration from sun damage or melasma, and will make your skin appear more radiant and firm over time. Crepey skin pretty much has nothing on this cream.
Glamour UK contributor Gill Cohen says:
“My skin immediately looked glowier and felt soft and smooth, and over time, that rich texture really seemed to pay off. After using it for a month, I noticed a difference in my skin’s hydration levels—especially around the areas where I’d been getting a bit of dryness from the cold weather. My skin felt less tight and much more comfortable day to day. I also found that when I wore makeup over the top, my skin didn’t seem to dry out in the same way, and my makeup sat better for longer, too.” —Gill Cohen, Glamour UK contributor
- Best for: Deep fine lines on face and neck
- Key ingredients: Amino acids, peptides
- Size: 1.7 fl. oz.
- Fragrance: No
Best for Discoloration: L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Triple Power Rich Night Cream
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L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Triple Power Rich Night Moisturizer
For an overnight cream that helps reduce fine lines and crepiness, we love this triple-power-packed formula. It features a blend of hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and glycolic acid to hydrate, brighten, and slough away dead and dull skin. The consistency is creamy and thick, great for applying as the last step in your skin care routine overnight. It evens out skin tone over time, too, making it a great option if you want to target both skin creases and discoloration.
Glamour contributor McIntyre says:
“My 40s have been a fun adventure of looking in the mirror and wondering what the heck is going on with my skin. Most recently, that question popped up after noticing my skin had pulled a double whammy of looking more textured while also having a sharp increase in redness and pigmentation. I’ve always been militant about SPF (application and reapplication!), but hyperpigmentation came for me with a vengeance all the same. Which is why I appreciate this new night cream from L’Oréal—it targets crepey texture while softening the look of fine lines and using a blend of glycolic acid, vitamin C, and polyhydroxy acid (PHA) to brighten my complexion and even tone. It is one of the richest-textured night creams I’ve used—it feels almost like a soft balm in the jar—but it spreads so silkily across the skin and leaves an almost velvety feel on the skin. I love how it visually plumps and smooths for instant gratification, but with long-term benefits for texture and tone that I can see with each passing week.” —M.M.
- Best for: Facial discoloration, crepey skin
- Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, glycolic acid
- Size: 2.55 fl. oz.
- Fragrance: Yes
Best Value: Gold Bond Age Renew Crepe Corrector Body & Face Lotion
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Gold Bond Age Renew Crepe Corrector Body & Face Lotion
If you’re experiencing full-body crepiness, consider reaching for this hardworking drugstore lotion. Dr. Yadav recommends it to her patients because it’s affordable and has a gentle moisturizing formula that uses a blend of hydrators, antioxidants, and omega fatty acids to plump up dry, crepey skin and improve elasticity. It’s also a favorite of Rachel Nazarian, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City, who says it’s a great option for larger areas. “The Gold Bond crepe corrector features omega fatty acids that thicken the superficial skin surface and offset the appearance of fine lines and dullness that often accompany crepey-looking skin for an immediate visual improvement,” she says.
Glamour contributor Gwenn Hauck says:
“I typically have to moisturize in the morning and evening, but when I use this formula at night, my skin feels well hydrated by the next day. Even though it contains retinol, it didn’t exacerbate my super-dry skin.” —Gwenn Hauck, Glamour contributor
- Best for: A drugstore buy that works on face and full-body crepey skin areas
- Key ingredients: Omega fatty acids, antioxidants, moisturizing blend
- Size: 8 oz. or 14 oz.
- Fragrance: No
Best for Under Makeup: Lancôme Rénergie H.P.N. 300-Peptide Cream
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Lancôme Rénergie H.P.N. 300-Peptide Cream
This triple-powered antiaging cream blends hyaluronic acid and peptides to smooth, plump, and add bounce back to the skin. It also features niacinamide, which helps address discoloration due to redness and hyperpigmentation. This moisturizer is our top pick for under makeup because it absorbs quickly and won’t pill when you layer a foundation or tinted moisturizer on top. It helps target volume loss and sagging that often come with crepey texture, and over time, it will make your skin look more awake and resilient.
“It’s best worn during the day—I’d recommend a separate night cream—and it works to effectively firm your complexion while minimising the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Texture-wise, I’d say it’s a lightweight cream, especially compared to something like Augustinus Bader The Rich Cream. It feels much easier to smooth over the skin, sinks in nicely, and doesn’t leave behind any heaviness, which I really liked for daytime wear. When I tested it, it sat comfortably on my skin and worked well under makeup, too, making it a good option if you want hydration without that richer, heavier cream feel.” —Camilla Kay, Glamour UK former beauty director
- Best for: Plumping skin for the appearance of a tight, smooth look
- Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, peptides, niacinamide
- Size: 1.7 fl. oz.
- Fragrance: Yes, but it’s subtle
Best for Saggy Arms: Maëlys B-Flex Lift & Firm Arm Cream
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Maëlys B-Flex Lift & Firm Arm Cream
One of Maëlys’ bestsellers, this pick is specifically formulated to tighten, tone, and lift the arm area. In fact, its texture is formulated for upper‑arm use (where skin can be thinner and more prone to crepiness). With unconventional ingredients like Brazilian peppertree (to smooth the appearance of loose, crepey‑looking skin), red algae (to tighten the look of loose skin), and kangaroo flower (to tone sagging skin), this pick has been clinically proven to help reduce crepiness and dryness. Just make sure to rub the product in completely after you’ve applied it to your arms so you don’t see any color (don’t worry, it won’t turn your arms purple!).
“This cream is lightweight and luxurious to apply. It absorbs fairly fast, but it does have a strong purple color that takes some rubbing in. My arms have felt smoother after consistently using, but it does have a tingling sensation and bright color that originally put me off from using, so just be aware when applying.” —Jenifer Calle, Glamour senior commerce editor
- Best for: Loose, crepey arms
- Key ingredients: Brazilian peppertree, red algae, kangaroo flower, panthenol, vanillyl butyl ether
- Size: 3.38 oz.
- Fragrance: Yes
Frequently asked questions
What causes crepey skin?
Dr. Nazarian says that typically, crepey skin occurs when skin has lost much of its collagen and elastin. “This makes it wrinkled and thin, similar to crepe paper—it becomes super fragile,” she says. Crepey skin can tear more easily with mild injury and often bruises very easily too. “It can happen from natural loss of collagen due to aging, or environmental loss of collagen from exposure to ultraviolet radiation and external factors,” she says.
What is the most effective product or ingredient for crepey skin?
When it comes to treatment, topical retinoids are the gold standard, according to Dr. Yadav. Prescription options have been shown to boost collagen production, thicken the skin, and smooth out texture. For those who want something gentler, over-the-counter retinol is a milder but effective alternative. Other ingredients that work to treat crepey skin include vitamin C (for brightening), Centella asiatica (also known as cica), collagen, lactic acid, or mandelic acid (which gently exfoliates). Caffeine might also be beneficial for temporary effects in tightening skin.
Important: Don’t mix retinol with AHAs (alpha hydroxy acids) or BHAs (beta hydroxy acids), as this can cause irritation and redness. And don’t forget to use sun protection (SPF 30 or higher) after any of these treatments to protect skin.
“Some newer studies suggest that pairing ingredients like collagen with vitamin C can further enhance results,” says Dr. Yadav. ”Hyaluronic acid, especially when combined with amino acids or antioxidants, leaves skin hydrated and plumper. And gentle actives like mandelic acid or Centella asiatica can improve skin elasticity and reduce crepiness, even for those with more sensitive skin.”
Of course, daily sunscreen, whether mineral or chemical, is key to preventing premature signs of aging, so be sure to apply year-round.
Can crepey skin be reversed?
Crepey skin can actually be improved, and even partly reversed, with consistent treatment. Using topical treatments at home over time helps stimulate collagen and strengthen the connection between the upper and lower layers of the skin, according to Dr. Yadav. In-office treatments that boost collagen production—such as microneedling, radiofrequency therapy (such as Morpheus8), fractional laser resurfacing (e.g., Fraxel), and ultrasound-based treatments (like Ultherapy)—can enhance these results. Studies show that both approaches can lead to real structural improvements under the microscope, with new collagen forming and the skin’s architecture becoming stronger and more resilient.
What are the best nonsurgical treatments for crepey arms and legs?
The best nonsurgical treatments for crepey skin on the arms and legs focus on rebuilding collagen and strengthening the skin cells from within. “Ultrasound-based skin-tightening treatment options like Ultherapy use focused energy to firm the deeper layers of the skin, while microneedling combined with radiofrequency delivers controlled heat beneath the surface to improve both tone and texture,” explains Dr. Yadav. “Together, these approaches can noticeably smooth and strengthen crepey skin without surgery.” For an at-home approach, you can also incorporate red-light therapy into your routine to help boost collagen production and soften lines.
How we tested
To find the best treatments for crepey skin, we recruited a diverse group of testers ranging in age from their 30s to their 60s and asked them to try dermatologist-recommended products for several weeks. Each person applied their assigned lotion or cream to areas where crepiness commonly shows up (think upper arms, thighs, chest, and hands), tracking how their skin looked and felt over time.
We focused on formulas packed with derm-approved ingredients like retinol, hyaluronic acid, peptides, vitamin C, and rich hydrators like ceramides and emollients. Texture was important too. We prioritized products that felt silky, absorbed quickly, and didn’t leave behind any stickiness or residue. The top performers delivered real results: smoother, firmer skin; fewer fine lines; and a visible reduction in crepiness. The products that stood out weren’t just effective—they were enjoyable enough to use daily, which is key to seeing real change.
Meet the experts
- Geeta Yadav, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Facet Dermatology in Toronto
- Rachel Nazarian, MD, board-certified dermatologist based in New York City
