The best crepey skin cream is one you'll use every day on every area that needs it, with ingredients chosen for the look of aging skin and a texture that doesn't feel heavy. For most people that means a lightweight body gel or lotion rather than a thick face cream. If you want one made specifically for crepey arms, legs and chest, DermaGlow Crepey Skin Treatment Body Gel is the one I recommend. Below I've explained what crepey skin is, how creams, lotions and gels compare, and the ingredients worth looking for.
8 fl oz · Ships from within the United States with tracking · Free US shipping on 2+ items
What is crepey skin?
Crepey skin is skin that has become thin and finely wrinkled, so it looks and feels a little like crepe paper. It's different from deep wrinkles. Crepey skin is a texture: lots of tiny lines over a wider area, often with a slightly loose look. You'll usually notice it on the upper arms, inner arms, knees, thighs, chest and neck.
Why does skin become crepey?
- Less collagen and elastin. These proteins keep skin firm and springy, and the body makes less of both with age.
- Sun damage. Years of UV exposure break down the elastin and collagen fibers that let skin stretch and recoil. Cleveland Clinic names sun damage as the main cause.
- AGEs (advanced glycation end-products). These form when sugars bind to proteins like collagen, making them stiffer and less elastic. A 2012 review in Dermato-Endocrinology describes AGEs as key players in skin aging.
- Dryness. Dehydrated skin shows fine lines much more.
- Weight loss. Skin can look looser after losing weight.
Crepey skin vs wrinkles vs sagging
These often get mixed up, and the difference affects what you buy:
- Crepey skin is a surface texture: many fine, crinkly lines over a wide area. Topical body treatments and moisture can noticeably improve how it looks.
- Wrinkles are deeper single lines or folds, usually on the face, from expression and sun over many years.
- Sagging is skin that has dropped or loosened, often after weight loss. Creams make skin look smoother, but they can't lift loose skin.
If your main concern is the fine, papery texture on your arms, legs or chest, a crepey skin treatment is the right category.
Crepey skin cream vs lotion vs gel: which works best?
The format matters more than most people think, because body skin covers a large area and you need to use the product daily.
| Cream | Lotion | Body gel (DermaGlow) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texture | Thick, rich | Thinner, light | Light, fast-absorbing |
| Covers large areas | Slowly | Easily | Easily |
| Feels sticky? | Can | Rarely | No |
| Best for | Very dry patches, night | Everyday moisture | Daily targeted care for crepey-looking skin |
| Under clothes | May transfer | Fine | Fine |
My take: a plain lotion is great for moisture, but if crepey texture is your main concern, choose a treatment made for it. A gel gives you the targeted ingredients without the heavy feel.
Ingredients to look for in a crepey skin treatment
- L-carnosine. A compound often used in skin care aimed at the look of AGE-related aging.
- Antioxidant fruit extracts. Cranberry, blueberry and cornelian cherry are rich in plant polyphenols.
- Noni. Noni fruit juice and leaf extract are used in botanical skin care.
- Soothing hydrators. Oat kernel and olive leaf extract help skin feel calm and comfortable.
- Retinol or alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs). Common in crepey skin products too, but they can irritate, so introduce them slowly and use sunscreen.
Why This Product: DermaGlow Crepey Skin Treatment
DermaGlow is a body gel for crepey, aging-looking skin. It helps minimize the look of wrinkles and age spots and improves the look of firmness and tone. Its botanicals, including noni and cranberry, are chosen to target the appearance of skin aging linked to AGEs.
- Made for the body: arms, legs, chest and anywhere skin looks crepey.
- Lightweight gel that absorbs quickly and doesn't feel greasy.
- 8 fl oz, enough for daily use over large areas.
- Simple to use: apply to clean skin once or twice a day and massage in.
Add MagniGlow Collagen and get free US shipping on 2+ items
How to use a crepey skin treatment for best results
- Apply after a shower, on clean, slightly damp skin.
- Massage in upward strokes on arms and legs until absorbed.
- Use it once or twice daily. Consistency beats quantity.
- Wear broad-spectrum SPF 30+ sunscreen every day on sun-exposed skin, as the American Academy of Dermatology recommends. Sun protection is the single best way to keep crepey skin from getting worse.
- Feed your skin from within. Protein, water and collagen drinks like TeMana Liquid Collagen fit well into a skin routine.
- Be patient. Give it 6 to 8 weeks of daily use.
Why Choose Noni Nectar
- Ships from within the United States with tracking, with delivery in up to 7 business days.
- Flat $12.99 US shipping, free when you buy 2 or more items in one order.
- Real support by email at noninectar@proton.me.
Browse all US products, or read our guides to liquid collagen and hair, skin and nails vitamins.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best cream for crepey skin?
The best option is one made for body skin that you'll use daily. A lightweight gel like DermaGlow covers arms and legs easily and contains ingredients chosen for the look of aging skin.
Is lotion or cream better for crepey skin?
Lotion spreads more easily over large areas, while cream is richer. For crepey texture, a targeted body treatment or gel usually works better than a plain lotion or cream.
What does crepey skin look like?
It looks thin and finely wrinkled, like crepe paper, often with a slightly loose appearance. It's most common on the upper arms, legs, chest and neck.
Can you reverse crepey skin?
No cream permanently reverses it, but you can improve how it looks. Daily moisture, sun protection and a crepey skin treatment can make skin look smoother and firmer.
What causes crepey skin on arms?
Mostly sun exposure and the natural loss of collagen and elastin with age. Dryness, weight loss and AGEs also play a part.
Can I use DermaGlow on my face?
DermaGlow is made as a body treatment gel. Use a product made for facial skin on your face.
How often should I apply DermaGlow?
Apply to clean skin once or twice a day and massage in. Daily use gives the best results.
How long does it take to see results?
Skin feels soothed quickly. Visible changes in texture and firmness build over several weeks of daily use. Individual results vary.
How much is shipping on DermaGlow in the US?
US shipping is a flat $12.99, or free when you buy 2 or more items in one order. Orders ship from within the United States with tracking.
Ready for smoother-looking skin?
Crepey skin is common and completely normal, but you don't have to just live with how it looks. Make DermaGlow part of your daily routine and protect your skin from the sun.
$117.95 · Free US shipping on 2+ items
Sources
- Cleveland Clinic. Have Crepey Skin? Here's How You Can Address It. 2024.
- American Academy of Dermatology. Sunscreen FAQs (SPF 30+ broad-spectrum sunscreen and premature skin aging).
- Gkogkolou P, Böhm M. Advanced glycation end products: Key players in skin aging? Dermato-Endocrinology. 2012;4(3):259–270.
Written by Preet at Noni Nectar.
Noni Nectar is an independent online retailer run by a registered Partner.Co Brand Partner. DermaGlow is a cosmetic for external use only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Patch test before first use and stop using it if irritation occurs. Individual results may vary. This article is general information, not medical advice.
