14 Products That Will Help Smooth Crepey Skin

Buy from Graydon, starting at $39

Buy from Credo, $87

Retinol is one of the most effective ingredients for treating fine lines. It also can be harsh on the skin. Enter center stage Fullmoon Serum from Graydon. The water-based formula includes moth bean, a botanical retinol that promotes cell turnover and collagen growth. Peptides and amino acids from hibiscus extract strengthen the epidermis, while aromatic blue tansy reduces oil production and soothes. Expect your skin to look dewy and gorgeous.

Editor’s review: “I love anything plant-based, but I’m also serious about improving my skin and let’s get real — natural doesn’t always deliver. Fortunately, that hasn’t been the case with Graydon’s Fullmoon Serum. I truly love it. First of all, it looks and smells beautiful! Secondly, I’ve noticed a real improvement in the quality of my skin. Within the first week my face seemed smoother. After a month, I noticed that I looked less tired, and that the lines around my eyes and forehead seemed softer. It’s water-based, so I use it while my face is still slightly damp. I cleanse, tone, apply a water-based vitamin C, and then follow with the Fullmoon before applying a light moisturizer to lock all its goodness in. I wake looking brighter and refreshed. My skin has definitely become more youthful.”

Some skincare experts say that an eye cream is unnecessary, but I don’t agree. The skin around your peepers is extra delicate, needing lots of moisture to keep crepey skin at bay. The Bilberry + Tucuma Eye Cream from Om Skin is one of our Commerce Editor’s favorites. According to her, it’s “thick without being greasy,” and gives thin skin that “extra oomph.” The eye cream has antioxidants from plant extracts, and fatty acids to hydrate, nixing that parched look that area can get. It dries fast, smells amazing — like berries — but has no synthetic fragrances, parabens or other gunk no one wants around the eyes.

Promising review: “I’ve only used for a week so far, but my under eyes look brighter! The smell is so lovely. You only need a tiny dab, so I think this jar will last a long time!“

Get the most bang for your buck with this amazing discovery set from ELEMIS. The Pro-Collagen Rose Marine Cream is formulated with three different types of seaweed and 20 variety of organic roses to hydrate and lock in moisture. In a consumer survey, 92 percent of participants reported firmer skin. The set also comes with the Rose Cleansing Balm, Gentle Rose Exfoliator, the Pro-Collagen Rose Facial Oil, and a cute pink hairband to keep your locks off your face while completing your routine.

When you feel like your face is literally dragging, consider Moon Boost serum from Graydon the ultimate pick-me-up. Its green coffee extra firms skin and provides a dose of antioxidants that fight free radicals. Carrot seed oil, which contains vitamin A, works to smooth fine lines. If that wasn’t enough, the serum is also has vitamin c, vitamin B5 to lock in moisture, and blueberry NECTA seed oil to fight against blue light exposure – a known skin damager.

Crepey skin is not a skin issue exclusive to the face — far from. That’s why it’s important to have a great body lotion on hand to achieve a more taut look. One we love is Perricone MD’s Cold Plasma Plus+ Fragile Skin Therapy body lotion. Formulated specifically with crepey skin in mind, it comes loaded with smoothing retinol, Perricone’s growth factor peptide (a potent skin firmer), and micro-hyaluronic acid that will go deep into skin to lock in moisture. 

Promising review:“I ordered this and have been using it on my upper arms for approximately 2 weeks. As I am an older woman I have started to notice the skin in that area is not very youthful looking and living in a hot humid area I want to wear sleeveless tops in the summer. After using for this period of time I have noticed an increase in the smoothness in my skin. It also appears more hydrated. I will continue to use to hopefully achieve additional firmness of the skin.“

With the eyes being one of the places most deeply affected by crepey skin, having a top-notch eye cream, like RoC’s Multi Correxion 5-in-1, is essential. This potent formula is made using RoC’s own HEXINOL technology, a multi-benefit compound that targets the five signs of aging (discoloration, sagging, moisture loss, dull skin tone, and, of course, wrinkles). Formulated to help eyes look more youthful and revived, this anti-wrinkle treatment will have crepey under eyes looking smoother in no time. 

“I have only had this product for a week now and have already noticed a difference in the bags under my eyes. I have always had extremely dark circles under my eyes no matter how much sleep I had, and I think I have finally found the solution for them. I also have very sensitive, acne-prone skin, and this product did not irritate or cause any breakouts whatsoever. For the price, you get probably about two to three months worth of product (granted, I only use a bit around my eyes) and with the results it is completely worth it.“

A good sunscreen is a must for those looking to prevent crepey skin. EltaMD’s UV clear broad-spectrum SPF 46 is a great option to add to your suncare arsenal, particularly since it’s made with sensitive, delicate skin types in mind. This zinc oxide-based, tinted formula not only shields your complexion from harmful UVA and UVB rays to prevent free-radical damage, it also nourishes dry complexions thanks to healthy doses of hydrating powerhouses niacinamide (a natural hydrator), hyaluronic acid (a moisture-retaining acid), and vitamin E. What more could you ask for? 

“I’m giving this five stars because it really is amazing sunscreen. I’ve suffered from breakouts my whole live until I tried Elta MD products; I am forever grateful that I can finally wear sunscreen to work every day.“

When it comes to crepey skin treatments, there’s one heavyweight product that ranks well above the rest — Crepe Erase. Formulated to to reduce the appearance of dry fine lines and wrinkles for a radiant and youthful glow, this cream is the easiest way to rid your skin of its crepey look. In fact, in a consumer survey, 97 percent of participants agreed that their skin felt more supple and appeared healthier-looking and rejuvenated just eight hours after first application! 

One reviewer praised the “no tacky feel” of the product and “This product has made a big difference. My skin is quite dry and I have been using it at night as well as in the morning under my sunscreen. No break outs, no tacky feeling on my skin, just lots of compliments.”

If you’ve always wanted to try botox but are needle-phobic, One Drop Rewind serum from Beverly Hills MD is for you. It contains the peptide argireline, which inhibits facial muscle contractions. In plainer English: it fights wrinkles. Better still, this serum helps erase the ones you already have. At least, for up to 8 hours. All you have to do is apply a thin layer with a brush or your fingers before you apply your makeup. Wait a few minutes, and then enjoy the power of this skincare technology.

Since vitamin C plays a big role in the production of collagen (the main protein found in skin which is responsible for its structure) adding a powerful serum, like this one from Skinceuticals, is a surefire way to show crepey skin who’s boss. Featuring a potent blend of vitamins C and E, this serum also comes with a heavy dose of ferulic acid, which has been shown to improve the chemical stability of its included vitamins to make them even more effective. This serum may be on the pricier side, but with such a high potency, you’ll be able to make it last a good long while and get the effective, skin-smoothing results you’re looking for. 

One reviewer praised this serum saying, “Regardless of the price this is a product I would not go without. I’ve tried several vitamin C serums and I had noticeable improvement to my sunspots and overall complexion within a few uses. Well worth every penny and lasts for a long time.”

Another important part of treating and preventing crepey skin? Making sure your skin is properly hydrated. To keep your skin’s barrier strong and your skin deeply nourished, pick up this Hydra-Boost serum from ELEMIS. This serum does wonders for parched skin thanks to its rich blend of moisturizing powerhouses quinic acid (found in coffee), Dhatelo oil (a Nepalese moisturizing botanical), and hyaluronic acid. Apply it to freshly cleansed skin ahead of your moisturizer — your thirsty, crepey skin will thank you!

“I have very dry skin. I noticed a difference after just a few days in my skins ability to retain moisture. Also seems to have helped my uneven skin tone.“

Combining wrinkle-fighting power with intense hydration, InstaNatural’s retinol moisturizer will be one of your best lines of defense against crepey skin. That’s because it’s chock-full of one particularly important wrinkle-fighting component: retinol. A potent derivative of vitamin A, retinol is known for its skin-smoothing, anti-aging properties. When paired with the antioxidant powerhouses found in this hydrator, like green tea and vitamin C, plus moisturizing staples like hyaluronic acid and safflower oil, this cream will take wrinkles to task, leaving behind only radiant, refreshed skin. 

One reviewer labeled this moisturizer as “miraculous stuff” saying, “Especially since it also hasn’t broken out me out at all, and I’ve spent years trying to find a moisturizer which doesn’t feel gross on my skin or cause pimples/cystic acne. It’s been just over two weeks now and things are looking kind of amazing.“

Crepey skin is already delicate, so if you have sensitive skin on top of it, you’ll want to take care with the neck cream you choose. YEOUTH neck firming cream is made with skin-soothing ingredients, like green tea, and skin-smoothing ingredients, (vitamin C works wonders), plus wrinkle-fighting peptide argireline to make for a beloved blend that will keep you neck smooth and your wallet happy. 

“This is my first time trying a neck firming cream and it wasn’t really ever something I really thought about including into my skincare until now…Texture is soft and moisturizing but not oily (I hate creams that leave a sticky or oily feeling!) And it feels amazing! The green tea smell is soft and amazing. I was not too sure what to expect as a lot of “green tea” scents tend to be too strong but it’s a gentle and sweet scent.”

If you’re already beyond the prevention stage, you can rebuild your skin’s elastin and lessen the look of crepey skin with a jar of Aveeno’s Absolutely Ageless restorative night cream. Hypoallergenic and noncomedogenic, this formula relies on a key blend of blackberry and dill extracts to firm and tighten the epidermis, plus antioxidant-rich vitamins C and E. According to a new study from Johnson & Johnson, this ingredient combo can prompt skin to build new elastin, making it a must-have for anyone looking to polish up their crepey skin. 

One reviewer loves the texture of this cream saying, “I have been using Aveeno Absolutely Ageless Restorative Night Cream for a long time now and I still like using it still. I like the way it goes on my face, creamy but not greasy. I think age is going to happen to skin no matter what we do, but it makes me feel like I am doing something to slow it down. It’s a good value too. I will continue to use it, and know there are no miracles but good products to help us along.”