Struggling with thin, crepey skin? Here’s how you can restore vitality for a youthful, radiant complexion.

Are you curious why your skin suddenly looks more delicate and crepe-paper-like? As we age, there is a gradual decline in our collagen, elastin and moisture reserves. As a result, skin loses its structure and fine lines and wrinkles emerge. Factors like excessive sun exposure, dehydration and a weakened barrier further speed up the process. This loss of volume manifests as a delicate, papery texture that makes your skin look fragile and tired. However, you don’t have to live with crepey skin. With the right formulas and a few tweaks to your skincare routine, you can boost elasticity and rebuild strength at the surface and deeper levels. This guide breaks down simple, effective tips to help your skin recover strength and bid goodbye to crepey skin once and for all. 

What is crepey skin?

Crepey skin develops when the skin’s collagen and elastin supply starts to dwindle. Without these structural proteins, the skin loses firmness and becomes thin, loose and crinkled. While it may look similar to wrinkles, the two aren’t the same. Wrinkles are often influenced by genetics and repeated facial expressions, whereas crepey skin is more strongly associated with cumulative sun damage.

How to treat crepey skin?

Here are a few tips and tricks to treat crepey skin and achieve a healthy and supple complexion:

Focus on layered hydration

Chronic dehydration is one of the main culprits behind textured, crepey skin. When the skin loses moisture, it loses elasticity and becomes more prone to wrinkling. Therefore, ditch your regular moisturiser and opt for products that offer intense hydration. Reach out for serums with hyaluronic acid because they bind water to the skin to restore suppleness. Also look for hydrating ingredients like glycerin and panthenol that draw moisture into the upper layers. Follow these with a thick, nourishing cream that helps lock in hydration. To banish crepey skin once and for all, you can try By Biolite’s Hydra Boost Gel. It gives your skin an instant burst of hydration and restores supple flexibility to dry skin. This nourishing gel does a great job of moisturizing the deepest layers of skin, as it is a combination of seven bioactive humectants we refer to as "Moisture Magnets," including panthenol, and moisture-filled liposomes called Moisture Zomes.

Restore skin barrier

If you have crepey skin, there’s a high possibility that your skin barrier is compromised. When the barrier is weak, moisture escapes rapidly and the skin becomes more vulnerable to environmental stress. This makes the texture look finer and more fragile. To combat this, add ingredients like ceramides, niacinamide and peptides to your skincare arsenal. These ingredients work together to prevent moisture loss. As the barrier strengthens, the skin retains moisture more effectively and its texture gradually improves. For hydrated, supple skin, try By Biolite’s Niacin Radiance Crème. This supercharged treatment moisturizer uses clinically proven PhytoRetinoid Technology to banish dullness and give you clear and brighter skin.

Add retinol to your routine

Retinol is hands down one of the best ingredients for combating crepey skin. It works by boosting cell turnover and prompting the deeper layers to form fresh collagen. A well-formulated retinoid helps refine the surface and thicken the deeper layers, making the skin appear less fragile over time. Since incorrect retinol usage can lead to irritated, dry skin, it is advisable to start slow, allow your skin to adjust and choose water-based, skin-strengthening options that minimize the risk of irritation. You can try our Bright Skin Complex. The product fuses retinol with two scientifically-proven age-fighting complexes in an instant re-texturizing, line-diffusing base to give you a youthful, flawless complexion. 

Shield your skin from UV damage 

Excessive sun exposure is one of the major reasons for crepey skin. UV rays break down collagen and elastin, thus leaving your skin looking thin and saggy. Therefore, if you want healthy, bouncy skin, sunscreen is a non-negotiable. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 every morning. Make sure to bring SPF down to your neck and chest, as these areas are more prone to crepey skin. And don’t forget to reapply throughout the day to maintain protection. Our Zinc Block can be an excellent addition to your skincare routine since it provides broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection and glides on smooth with a greaseless, invisible finish in only 60 seconds.