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When what was once taut becomes looser, thinner, and a bit wrinkled, the best crepey skin treatments will give your skin a smoother, tighter appearance—with consistent use as directed by the brand, of course. As we age, our collagen and elastin levels decline, leading to textural concerns, including crepiness, as well as other issues like fine lines, dryness, and discoloration.
Once signs of skin aging begin to appear—or before, if you prefer to take a proactive route—these over-the-counter topical treatments are beloved by board-certified dermatologists for their ability to minimize the appearance of crepey skin, among other texture and tone concerns. (Keep in mind that only in-office treatments, like ultrasound and radiofrequency microneedling, can create a really visible and dramatic change in laxity.) Below, explore our favorite expert-approved body lotions, creams, and serums for plumping the look of thin, crepe-paper-like skin.
Our Top Crepey Skin Treatments
- Best Overall: Alastin TransForm Body Treatment, $220
- Best for Dry Skin: SkinMedica Firm & Tone Lotion for Body, $165
- Best Drugstore: La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+ Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream, $22
- Best for Dry Skin: Murad Retinal ReSculpt Body Treatment, $79
- Best With Retinol: Nécessaire The Body Retinol, $62
- Best Lightweight: Paula’s Choice Skin-Smoothing Retinol Body Treatment, $32
- Best for Sensitive Skin: Versed Press Restart Gentle Retinol Body Lotion, $18
- Best for Eczema: Eau Thermale Avène XeraCalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Balm, $38
Frequently Asked QuestionsLargeChevron
- What causes crepey skin?
- How can I treat crepey skin at home?
- Are there any professional treatments for crepey skin?
- Meet the experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
Best Overall: Alastin TransForm Body Treatment
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Alastin Skincare
TransForm Body Treatment
Amazon
Alastin Skincare
Why it’s worth it: If there were such a thing as skin care that acts like shapewear, Alastin TransForm Body Treatment comes close. This lightweight, fragrance-free lotion “contains a host of peptides to help promote collagen and elastin production, as well as caffeine, which work in tandem to firm and smooth the look of skin instantly,” says Geeta Yadav, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Toronto. While peptides alone aren’t new to the skin-care world, “this product contains them in a patented delivery system, which is really unique, to reduce the appearance of crepey skin,” adds Heather Woolery-Lloyd, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Miami. It also hydrates and nourishes the skin with shea butter, squalane, and avocado extract, giving it a plumper, healthier appearance.
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- Key ingredients: caffeine, peptides, dill extract, linseed extract, plantain leaf, shea butter
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Dry Skin: SkinMedica Firm & Tone Lotion for Body
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SkinMedica
Firm & Tone Lotion for Body
Amazon
Dermstore
Why it’s worth it: Just like your morning coffee perks you up, caffeine can give your skin a much-needed boost, too. SkinMedica Firm & Tone Lotion for Body combines caffeine and coffea arabica seed oil with collagen-supporting green microalgae and shiitake mushroom extracts to visibly firm and smooth sagging, crepey skin. “This product has a blend of botanical ingredients like lemon balm extract and parsley extract, and has been shown to help with crepey skin and to improve skin texture,” says Dr. Woolery-Lloyd. It’s also deeply hydrating, thanks to emollients and moisture-boosting ingredients that help soften and plump dry, textured skin. “Crepey skin is often dry, which exacerbates its coarse appearance. Providing hydration and moisture to crepey skin can help dramatically improve its texture,” adds Dr. Yadav.
Still not convinced it’s worth the luxe price tag? “While luxury products are not necessary to see results, this one stands out for its elegant texture and its ability to make skin feel visibly smoother and more conditioned with consistent use,” says Alexandra Bowles, DO, a board-certified dermatologist based in Cincinnati. “It’s particularly nice for mature skin that needs both comfort and long-term barrier support.”
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- Key ingredients: green microalgae, shitake mushroom, lemon balm extract, coffea arabica seed oil, caffeine
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Drugstore: La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+ Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream
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La Roche-Posay
Lipikar AP+ Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream
Amazon
Dermstore
Ulta Beauty
Why it’s worth it: Whenever we see a moisturizer come in a huge pump bottle, it gives us full permission to slather to our heart’s delight, and because La Roche-Posay’s Lipikar AP+M Triple Repair Body Moisturizer is accepted by the National Eczema Association, you can do it without fear of irritation. “Redness and crepey texture often coexist, especially in mature or reactive skin,” says Dr. Bowles. “This formula helps calm visible redness while deeply hydrating and strengthening the skin barrier.” The rich cream combines ceramides, shea butter, and glycerin for long-lasting moisture, plus niacinamide to soothe discoloration. La Roche-Posay’s prebiotic thermal spring water, naturally rich in selenium and trace minerals, helps support a healthier barrier over time. “With consistent use, skin looks smoother, more supple, and less fragile, all of which help improve the appearance of crepiness,” adds Dr. Bowles.
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- Key ingredients: La Roche-Posay thermal spring water, ceramides, shea butter, glycerin, niacinamide
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Dry Skin: Murad Retinal ReSculpt Body Treatment
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Murad
Retinal ReSculpt Body Treatment
Amazon
Dermstore
Ulta Beauty
Why it’s worth it: This body treatment gives your arms, thighs, and décolletage the same retinoid-level attention as your face. Murad’s Resurgence Retinal ReSculpt Body Treatment uses retinal (a.k.a. retinaldehyde), the more potent cousin of retinol that works faster to deliver visible firming benefits. “The encapsulated retinal delivers more efficacy with less irritation to help lift, firm, and tighten skin, while shea butter, squalane, and avocado extract keep it deeply moisturized,” says Dara Spearman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The cream is slightly thicker to suit body skin, yet absorbs quickly, leaving it soft and moisturized without any greasy residue.
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- Key ingredients: retinal (percentage undisclosed), shea butter, squalane, urea, avocado fruit extract
- Fragrance-free: no
Best With Retinol: Nécessaire The Body Retinol
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Nécessaire
The Body Retinol
Amazon
Nordstrom
Credo Beauty
Why it’s worth it: Retinol, the star of Nécessaire The Body Retinol, is one of the most recommended skin-care ingredients for mature skin, but especially for addressing elasticity. And according to bicoastal board-certified dermatologist Blair Murphy-Rose, MD, there’s more that this formula has to offer beyond the active ingredients to boost the look and feel of your skin. It “combines retinol with exfoliating alpha hydroxy acids to firm, tone, and reduce discoloration,” she says. As retinol promotes cell turnover and improves skin texture, a combination of glycolic and mandelic acids exfoliates the skin for a smoother texture. Beyond these key ingredients, the stacked formulation contains the works to transform the feel and clarity of your skin, including firming peptides, hydrating glycerin, and a tone-evening antioxidant duo of vitamin C and niacinamide.
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- Key ingredients: retinol (0.1%), glycolic acid, mandelic acid, glycerin, peptides, vitamin C, niacinamide
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Lightweight: Paula’s Choice Skin-Smoothing Retinol Body Treatment
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Paula's Choice
Skin-Smoothing Retinol Body Treatment
Amazon
Dermstore
Paula's Choice
Why it’s worth it: Though Paula’s Choice Skin-Smoothing Retinol Body Treatment is fueled by a hardworking blend of retinol, shea butter, and antioxidants, Dr. Murphy-Rose loves that it has a lightweight, nongreasy formula that can be slathered on before bedtime. “It has a deeply hydrating effect from shea butter, ceramides, and its antioxidant complex,” she says. “In combination with potent retinol, this formula defends against collagen breakdown and protects against signs of aging.”
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- Key ingredients: retinol, antioxidant complex, shea butter, ceramides
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Eczema: Eau Thermale Avène XeraCalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Balm
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Eau Thermale Avène
XeraCalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Balm
Amazon
Dermstore
Why it’s worth it: When crepey skin overlaps with eczema, Eau Thermale Avène’s XeraCalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Balm is one that comforts both. “For patients with crepey skin who also have sensitivity, eczema, or frequent irritation, barrier repair is essential,” says Dr. Bowles. “When the skin barrier is healthy, crepiness often becomes less noticeable because the skin can retain moisture more effectively.” The balm takes a barrier-first approach with glycerin and mineral oil to seal in hydration. It also features the brand’s signature Avène Thermal Spring Water, which is naturally rich in postbiotic compounds and trace minerals from its native microflora (Aquaphilus dolomiae), to help calm itch, redness, and inflammation. It’s accepted by the National Eczema Association, making it a standout for anyone who can’t tolerate retinoids or acids but still wants smoother texture and lasting nourishment.
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- Key ingredients: Avène thermal spring water, glycerin, mineral oil
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best for Sensitive Skin: Versed Press Restart Gentle Retinol Body Lotion
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Versed
Press Restart Gentle Retinol Body Lotion
Versed
Why it’s worth it: Trust us, when it comes to irritation-free formulas, Versed’s Press Restart Gentle Retinol Body Lotion truly lives up to its claims of mildness. “This is a great choice for those with more sensitive skin as it contains an encapsulated form of retinol alongside a retinol alternative, bakuchiol, to enhance skin quality and texture while firming,” says Dr. Murphy-Rose. Vitamin E, squalane, and cocoa butter also make an appearance to soothe and moisturize.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: encapsulated retinol, cocoa butter, squalane, vitamin E
- Fragrance-free: yes
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes crepey skin?
Crepey skin, at its most basic, is just another sign of aging. “Simply put, crepiness is caused by a loss of collagen and elastin, as well as many other components,” says Jennifer Gordon, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Austin. “There isn't a straightforward answer. It's a combination of things, such as genetics, sun damage, pollutants, skin care (or lack thereof), weight loss or gain."
Dr. Murphy-Rose notes that cumulative sun exposure can cause significant skin damage, which largely contributes to the signs of skin aging, including crepiness, laxity, and wrinkles. “Dehydrated skin lacks the plumping effect of hydration in skin cells and can further contribute to the appearance of crepey skin,” she adds.
How can I treat crepey skin at home?
Your biggest line of defense is sun protection, according to our experts. “Sun protection is crucial to keeping skin healthy and youthful,” says Dr. Murphy-Rose. “UV radiation causes DNA damage, increases free-radical production, and causes many signs of skin aging, laxity, and crepiness by triggering collagen breakdown and elastolysis.” The takeaway: Make sure you use sunscreen with a broad-spectrum SPF rating of 30 or more and wear protective clothing when you’re outside to maintain your overall skin health and keep your body’s largest organ in tip-top shape.
Our experts also note that properly hydrating yourself and your skin can keep crepiness at bay. “Hydration keeps skin more plump, improving its appearance,” says Dr. Murphy-Rose. “Consume adequate fluids, limit intake of caffeine, alcohol, and other diuretics when possible, and apply a balanced, high-quality moisturizer that’s well-balanced for your skin every day.”
Along with daily habit changes, incorporating certain ingredients, such as retinol and vitamin C, into your body-care regimen will help diminish the look of crepiness. Vitamin A derivatives, like retinol and prescription-strength retinoids, increase production of collagen and elastin to prevent and reduce these signs of aging. Dr. Murphy-Rose adds that antioxidants like vitamin C, coenzyme Q10, resveratrol, and vitamin E neutralize free radicals and are essential for protecting your body’s natural supply of collagen and preventing wrinkles and laxity over time.
Are there any professional treatments for crepey skin?
If you want to take a more dramatic approach to treating your crepey skin, Dr. Gordon says that there are many treatment options to choose from at your trusted board-certified dermatologist’s office, but finding the right one for your skin is key. “There are many things that try to treat crepey skin, such as resurfacing procedures that incorporate certain lasers and microneedling, as well as skin-tightening procedures like smart liposuction, Ultherapy, and radiofrequency. However, there is no perfect concoction for many people. It is a very difficult issue to address,” she says.
Dr. Murphy-Rose says that one of the most popular crepey skin treatments she offers to her clients is Sofwave, “which uses high-frequency, high-intensity ultrasound technology to heat tissue just below the surface of the skin to powerfully stimulate collagen production,” she says. As a result, this procedure improves the overall quality of skin and prevents crepiness, laxity, fine lines, and wrinkles. “Another option is CO2 laser resurfacing, which improves crepiness by laser remodeling of collagen,” she says. “Non-ablative fractional resurfacing with Fraxel Dual is another great option with five to seven days of downtime, including redness, mild swelling, and roughness of the skin.”
Radiofrequency microneedling, another option Dr. Murphy-Rose recommends, uses tiny needles that penetrate the skin, causing microscopic wounds in the dermis. “Downtime after radiofrequency microneedling is approximately three to five days, and typically a series of treatments is recommended for the best results,” she explains.
Meet the experts
- Alexandra Bowles, DO, a board-certified dermatologist at MONA Dermatology based in Cincinnati
- Jennifer Gordon, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Westlake Dermatology in Austin
- Blair Murphy-Rose, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City and Newport Beach, California
- Dara Spearman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Radiant Dermatology Associates based in Fort Wayne, Indiana
- Heather Woolery-Lloyd, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Miami
- Geeta Yadav, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Facet Dermatology in Toronto
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that's included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best crepey skin treatments, we considered each product's performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance (or lack thereof), texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors, along with special consideration from board-certified dermatologists. To learn more about our reporting and testing process, read our complete review process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from are folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it's never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
