Written by Mallory Leblanc, founder of Wildpier Beauty
Quick answer: Crepey skin is thin, finely wrinkled skin that looks like crepe paper, most often on the arms, legs, and chest. It comes mainly from sun exposure, age, and dryness. You can't scrub it away, but you can make it look a lot smoother: gently exfoliate the dry, rough surface once or twice a week, moisturize while skin is damp, and wear sunscreen every day.
What is crepey skin?
Crepey skin is skin that has become thinner and lost some of its bounce, so it creases into lots of tiny fine lines, like crepe paper. It's most noticeable on the inner arms, elbows, knees, and chest, and it often looks worse when skin is dry.
What causes crepey skin?
- Sun exposure. Years of UV exposure is the biggest cause. It breaks down the fibres that keep skin firm and springy.
- Age. Skin naturally gets thinner and makes less oil over time.
- Dryness. Dry skin makes fine lines look deeper and rougher.
- Weight changes. Losing weight can leave skin looser in some areas.
- Genetics. Some people are simply more prone to it.
Crepey skin vs. dry skin: how to tell
Dry skin looks crepey too, but it bounces back within a day or two of moisturizing. True crepey skin stays thin and finely lined even when it's hydrated. Most people have a bit of both, and the dry part is the part you can change fastest.
Can exfoliating help crepey skin?
Honestly: exfoliating won't rebuild thin skin. What it does is lift the dull, dry layer sitting on top, which makes crepey texture look rougher and more obvious. With that layer gone, skin looks smoother, reflects more light, and moisturizer actually soaks in instead of sitting on top.
Here's a Wildpier customer's arm, before and after:
A customer's arm before (left) and after (right) using the Wildpier Luxe glove. Individual results vary.
How to exfoliate crepey skin safely
Crepey skin is thinner, so gentle matters more than pressure.
1. Use a gentle glove. Start with the Luxe glove, our gentler option, rather than a deep one.
2. Warm water first. Let skin soften in a warm (not hot) shower for about 5 minutes.
3. Bare, wet skin. No soap. Use light circles for 30 to 60 seconds per area. Let the plant-based fabric do the work. Don't press hard.
4. Start once a week. Build to twice a week if your skin is happy. Never daily.
5. Moisturize within a minute. While skin is still damp, apply a rich lotion or a few drops of body oil. This is where most of the visible smoothing comes from.
6. Sunscreen on arms every day. It's the single best way to keep crepey skin from getting worse.
New to gloves? Here's how to use an exfoliating glove.
What else helps crepey skin?
- Moisturizers with humectants like glycerin or hyaluronic acid, which pull water into the skin.
- Lotions with lactic acid or urea, which soften rough texture between glove days.
- Retinoids, which many dermatologists recommend for sun-related changes. Ask yours what fits your skin.
- In-office treatments, for deeper changes. A dermatologist can walk you through the options.
FAQ
What does crepey skin look like?
Thin, finely wrinkled skin that looks like crepe paper, often on the arms, legs, or chest. It may also look slightly loose.
Can you reverse crepey skin?
You can make it look noticeably smoother with gentle exfoliation, daily moisture, and sun protection. Deeper changes usually need treatments from a dermatologist.
Is exfoliating good for crepey skin?
Yes, if it's gentle. Removing the dry surface layer makes skin look smoother and helps moisturizer absorb. Use a gentle glove with light pressure 1 to 2 times a week.
How often should I exfoliate crepey skin?
Start once a week and build to twice a week if your skin tolerates it. Never daily.
What is the best moisturizer for crepey skin?
Look for humectants like glycerin or hyaluronic acid, or lotions with lactic acid or urea. Apply on damp skin right after showering.
The bottom line
Crepey skin can't be scrubbed away, but it can look a lot smoother. Exfoliate gently once or twice a week, moisturize on damp skin, and protect your arms from the sun. Start with the Luxe glove. Wildpier has 500,000+ gloves sold and 4.5 stars across 4,600+ reviews.
