STAY HYDRATED Your skin is the last organ to receive the benefits of the hydration, so you want to ensure you're using some topical moisturizer as well. Ensuring your skin stays well-hydrated will help to prevent the injury that leads to (or worsens) crepey skin.
The doctors do agree that water is important for good health. But minimizing wrinkles and perking up your skin really comes down to moisturizing and an overall healthy lifestyle. “Drink your water, limit alcohol, don't smoke, moisturize, wear sunscreen, and improve your nutrition,” Zimm says.
While completely reversing crepey skin is challenging, numerous treatments can improve its appearance and restore a youthful texture. The best approach often involves a combination of these methods tailored to your individual needs and concerns.
Estrogen Deficient Skin and Crepey Skin Appearance
This means that when estrogen levels decrease in perimenopause and menopause, collagen levels naturally decrease. Estrogen Deficient Skin has been shown to cause several changes in the skin's appearance, including not just crepey skin but also: Dryness.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is vital for older adults as it plays a significant role in maintaining skin health and preventing crepey skin. Moreover, vitamin E supplements are effective antioxidants that help to keep the body cells safe from oxidative stress and sun damage.
With non-surgical skin tightening, cosmetic surgeons can effectively tighten moderately lax or "crepey" skin on the face, neck and body, helping patients improve their appearance and postpone the need for surgery.
According to Zeichner, loss of hydration and the resulting inflammation worsens crepey skin. He recommends looking for purified petrolatum in your moisturizer, as in Vaseline's popular lotion. It protects the skin's barrier, prevents water loss, hydrates and plumps thin skin.
A well-established name in non-surgical lifting, Ultherapy® continues to be a go-to option in 2025. This FDA-cleared treatment uses focused ultrasound energy to stimulate collagen production deep within the skin. Benefits of Ultherapy include: Lasts 60-90 minutes.
Collagen can't be measured — for instance, in a blood test — but there are signs that your collagen level is decreasing. These signs and symptoms include: Skin that's wrinkled, crepey or sagging. Hallowing in and around your eyes and face.
“Daily use of a good moisturizing cream with bonus ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, ceramides and niacinamide will help repair that barrier and lock in moisture.” CeraVe Moisturizing Cream and Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream are two drugstore brands Dr. Pajo recommends.
Dermal fillers are one of the most common nonsurgical treatments to help create smoother, firmer skin on the face and reduce the look of wrinkles. Fillers typically contain collagen or hyaluronic acid, two of the substances that are essential for youthful skin.
Hydrate skin
Look for moisturizers that contain lubricating and plumping ingredients like alpha or beta hydroxy acids (like salicylic acid, lactic acid or glycolic acid) ― or one that has a high concentration of hyaluronic acid, known for holding onto moisture.
Using topical creams containing retinol can help improve the skin's elasticity and increase collagen production in the skin. Retinoids help skin cells regenerate faster, which might reduce the chance of developing crepey skin.
Whip up a cucumber cooler by adding sliced cucumbers, fresh mint, lemon, or lime to your next glass of water. Cucumber will keep you hydrated, tighten your skin, and flush out built-up toxins. It will also help you release excess water weight to help you look slimmer and leaner.
Improves Skin Thickness: Research published in the International Journal of Cosmetic Science found that drinking over 9 cups of water every day improved skin density and thickness after one month. Thicker skin is less prone to fine lines and wrinkles because it's more elastic.
Egg Whites. Egg whites are known for their tightening properties. They contain proteins that help firm the skin temporarily. Applying egg white masks can create a lifting effect, making the skin appear tighter and smoother.
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles surgeons charge between $8,000 - $12,500 for a mini neck lift.
Ultherapy costs more because of its advanced ultrasound tech, the skill needed for the procedure, and its FDA approval. These factors make it pricier than other non-invasive treatments.
Moisturize regularly
Keeping your skin hydrated with a good moisturizer helps maintain its elasticity. Look for products containing hyaluronic acid, glycerin, peptides and ceramides. Use a rich, hydrating moisturizer daily to keep your skin plump and supple.
“I make sure the skin stays moisturized to plump [it] up,” Harth says. “I recommend using products with ingredients like coconut oil, shea butter, and even petroleum jelly, which is a terrific sealant for skin.”
As for the claim that a cream or lotion can lift sagging skin, dermatologists say that's not possible. A cream or lotion cannot penetrate the skin deeply enough to do this. Still, you may see a small change if a product contains a retinoid, such as retinol, which can help your body make more collagen.
While there are many causes of crepey skin, including aging, hormonal changes, dehydration, weight loss, using tobacco, and even stress, Dr. McMahan says, “The main reason people develop crepey skin is prolonged or excessive exposure to sunlight.
What vitamin deficiency causes sagging skin? A deficiency in Vitamin C can accelerate skin ageing, resulting in premature skin sagging and wrinkling. This is because Vitamin C enhances the production of the protein collagen, which is vital to providing the firmness and vibrancy that counteracts skin sagging.