When you’re young, all you think about during the summer is having fun in the sun. When you get older, though, you often pay for that fun with crepey, wrinkly skin.
Are you fed up with crepey skin? Are you a sun lover who wants to avoid developing crepey skin?
This guide explains the relationship between the sun and crepey skin. It also provides advice on how to prevent and treat it.
How Does the Sun Cause Crepey Skin?
Sun damage is one of the most well-known causes of crepey skin.
You harm the skin cells when you expose your skin to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays for extended periods. This cell damage interferes with the skin’s ability to retain moisture, resulting in dry, wrinkle-prone skin.
Furthermore, UV rays damage two of the primary proteins in the skin: collagen and elastin.
Collagen provides structure, strength, and support to many of the body’s tissues, including the skin. Elastin, as the name suggests, contributes to the stretchiness of the tissues.
When collagen and elastin break down, the skin loses its healthy, youthful appearance. Instead, it looks wrinkled and loose, causing us to look older.
How to Prevent Crepey Skin
The good news is that you can take many steps to prevent crepey skin (without sacrificing your time in the sun). The following are some of the most effective methods to use:
Wear Sunscreen
Because sun exposure is one of the most significant contributors to crepey skin, it makes sense that wearing sunscreen would help prevent creping from happening.
Always use sunscreen before spending time outdoors, even on overcast days. Make sure you apply it to all exposed areas, too, including your face, neck, chest, arms, and legs.
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends looking for the following when shopping for sunscreen:
- Broad spectrum: This means it protects the skin from UVA and UVB rays.
- SPF 30+: This level of SPF provides the best sunburn protection.
- Water-resistant: This means the sunscreen will stay on wet skin for a while (usually 40 or 80 minutes) before reapplying.
Don’t forget to reapply regularly, too, especially if you’re spending time in the water or sweating a lot.
Prioritize Hydration
In addition to wearing sunscreen, it’s also important to hydrate throughout the day.
Aim to drink at least eight cups of water per day. You can also boost hydration with fruits and vegetables that have a high water content, such as cucumbers and watermelon.
You may also benefit from adding electrolytes to your water if you sweat a lot. Electrolytes are minerals that aid in hydration and help to move water into the cells.
Choose the Right Moisturizer
Look for a moisturizer that contains lubricating and plumping ingredients.
Examples of beneficial ingredients include salicylic acid, lactic acid, and glycolic acid. Hyaluronic is another effective ingredient that helps to plump up the skin and restore/retain moisture.
Consume More Antioxidants
Antioxidants combat cell damage (including damage to the skin cells caused by sun exposure).
Adding more antioxidants to your diet can help you improve your skin health. As a bonus, they also support your immune system and reduce inflammation throughout the body.
Good sources of antioxidants include fruits and vegetables, as well as herbs and spices, tea leaves, dark chocolate, and legumes. Strive for a varied, nutrient-dense diet to get as many different antioxidants as possible.
Avoid the Sun During Peak Hours
You don’t have to stay out of the sun altogether, but if possible, avoid going out during the peak hours.
The sun is generally the most intense between 10 am and 4 pm. Stay indoors or relax in the shade during this period.
How to Treat Crepey Skin
Maybe you’re already struggling with crepey skin caused by sun damage. If that’s the case, you can still combat it with the proper health and beauty routine. Here are some strategies to treat crepey skin:
Apply Crepey Skin Repair Cream
Many products are specifically made to address crepey skin. Look for a high-quality crepey skin repair cream that includes the following ingredients, which are known for promoting moisture and improving skin health:
- Hyaluronic Acid: Gives the skin structure and helps it look plump and hydrated
- Retinol: A form of vitamin A with anti-aging effects
- Glycolic Acid: Removes the top layer of dead skin cells and reverses sun damage
- Vitamin E: A fat-soluble nutrient, antioxidant, and moisturizer
- Idebenone: Hydrates and plumps the skin
- Collagen: Provides structure to the skin and helps it look smoother and younger
- L-Lysine: An amino acid that supports and may speed up skin healing
- L-Ornithine: An amino acid that plumps the skin
- L-Glutamine: Increases collagen production to slow down or reverse skin aging
It also helps if the product uses liposomal absorption technology. Liposomes merge with the cell membranes and allow for better absorption, meaning you’ll enjoy more benefits from the cream.
Exfoliate Regularly
Exfoliation will slough off the top layer of dead skin cells and reveal fresh, healthy skin underneath. Regular exfoliation (a couple of times per week) will help with your skin’s natural healing processes and may cause your skin to look healthier and younger.
Try Dermarolling
Dermarolling is also known as micro-needling. It involves rolling a tool covered in tiny needles over the skin.
This process causes micro-wounds, which stimulate collagen and elastin production. Stimulating the production of these proteins can help the skin look smoother and healthier.
Dermarolling sounds a bit scary at first, but it’s actually a straightforward procedure that causes minimal pain or discomfort. It doesn’t require any downtime after treatment, either.
Combat Crepey Skin Today
Whether you currently struggle with crepey skin or you want to avoid it in the future, the guidelines discussed above can help you improve your skin’s health and appearance.
If you’re looking for a product that can repair crepey skin, check out our Crepey Skin Liposomal Repair Cream.
This cream contains beneficial ingredients like hyaluronic acid, retinol, and vitamin E, delivered in a liposomal system to address every layer of the skin and works at the cellular level.