Just as the name suggests, crepey skin is thin and looks like crepe paper – you know, the one used to make pom-poms. Now, at a glance, crepey skin looks a lot like wrinkles; however, it tends to affect much larger areas of your body.
Excessive sun exposure and age cause elasticity in the skin to diminish over time. Although to some people developing crepey skin may seem inevitable (genetics also play a role in this); but, wouldn’t it be great if there were natural ways to cure (and prevent) this problem?
So, the million-dollar question is: could crepey skin be cured naturally – particularly by something as simple as drinking water?
In this article, we will discuss the possibility of getting rid of crepey skin by staying hydrated and other natural ways to remedy this skin problem.
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How does Hydration Help Crepey Skin?
One of the most basic ways to help improve aging skin and skin’s elasticity is usually underestimated: drinking plenty of water.
But, how does something as straightforward as drinking water improve wrinkly skin? Drinking between 5 to 8 glasses of water can have an extremely positive impact on your skin, which can ultimately help in delaying and preventing crepey skin.
Water Moisturizes Skin
Drinking water helps to moisturize your skin – and moisturized skin is healthy skin. Hydration helps keep the skin smooth, supple, and clean by unclogging pores.
Drinking water also helps with healing skin after UV exposure faster. Better moisturization will decrease skin damage and the appearance of sagging, loose skin. It also improves blood flow which aids even skin tone.
Adequate Hydration Balances pH Levels
For supple and smooth skin, it is extremely important to maintain your body’s pH levels. With a neutral pH of 7, water helps balance your body’s pH levels, thus aiding smooth skin.
Water Reduces the Appearance of Wrinkles
Overall, water is needed for all body organs to function optimally, and thus, it is no surprise that it has the same effect on the largest body organ – skin. Drinking plenty of water keeps wrinkles and fine lines at bay by improving the elasticity of your skin.
You can also increase collagen levels by squeezing vitamin C-rich lemon or orange juice into your water.
According to Mascha Davis, MPH, RD, a registered dietician and nutritionist, “[Vitamin C is] essential for natural collagen production.”
This will further help prevent crepey skin.
Water Aids in Flushing Out Toxins
Gut health is crucial for good skin and to prevent premature aging. When you drink water, your body naturally flushes out harmful toxins which prevent loose skin, helping you maintain a youthful glow.
Other Ways to Cure Crepey Skin Naturally
The primary reason crepey skin is loose is that the skin fibers slowly lose their ability to repair and revert to their original suppleness. To understand this phenomenon better, imagine an elastic band that ultimately loses shape over time.
While no one magic food or cream would cure crepey skin overnight – there are natural ways you can opt to have youthful skin for a longer time and lessen the appearance of thin, wrinkled skin.
Wear Sunscreen
First and foremost, do not skimp on sunscreen. Sun damage is the chief cause of crepey skin. Thus, it is essential to minimize exposure to the sun and wear protective clothing when exposed to UV rays.
The recommended SPF for maximum protection from sun damage that causes skin aging is at least 30.
Over-the-Counter Treatments
A good moisturizer should be a must in your daily skincare routine. Use one with hyaluronic acid or glycerin – both products are said to improve loose, flaccid skin. Look out for other tried and tested lubricating ingredients in your creams and lotions like alpha and beta hydroxy acids (like salicylic acid, lactic acid, or glycolic acid).
These ingredients can be easily found in over-the-counter products that you can, and should, incorporate into your daily skin regimen. Ingredients like alpha hydroxy acids and retinoids promote cell growth and help remove dead skin cells.
To treat crepey skin on the upper arms and legs, choosing a body lotion or moisturizer with ammonium lactate can do wonders.
Healthy Diet
Even though there is no singular power food that can improve crepey skin in no time, a balanced diet can help improve thin skin appearance and keep away signs of aging like wrinkles for an extended period.
Your skin directly benefits from a diet rich in antioxidants. Thus, be sure to add lots of colorful fruits and vegetables to your daily meals. Foods rich in vitamin C also help in increasing collagen, thus helping tighten skin.
As is the case with all-natural remedies, do not expect one portion of antioxidant-rich food will provide immediate improvement in sagging skin. Consistency is the key to help prevent skin breakdown over time.
At-Home Remedies
There are many invasive surgical procedures, like laser treatments, one can get done to help reduce crepey skin; yet, many people resort to simple at-home treatments to remedy loose, wrinkly skin.
At-home remedies to cure crepey skin include several simple treatments, from body massages to facial exercises and strength training.
Simple scrubs also help remove damaged skin cells, which improves overall skin texture resulting in a youthful appearance. You can make one with pantry ingredients like coarse sugar and olive oil.
Major Takeaways
With the information provided above, we can conclude that even though it may not be possible to revert damaged skin and signs of aging like crepey skin, it is certainly possible to improve its appearance.
Simply staying hydrated improves skin elasticity and results in a youthful glow with overall improved skin texture. However, water is no elixir that will magically transform and help get rid of all the thin and flaccid skin. It is just as crucial to have a proper skincare regimen. Use moisturizers rich in skin tightening agents like the AHAs and religiously use sunscreen.
Following everything that has been recommended, along with a healthy and nutritious diet as a lifestyle choice rather than a one-time treatment, is bound to show the best anti-aging results for sagging, flaccid skin.
