If you’ve noticed your skin starting to look thin, wrinkled, or finely textured—especially on your arms or legs - you’re not alone. Crepey skin is incredibly common, and while it’s often associated with aging, there are several factors that contribute to why skin takes on this appearance.

Understanding what causes crepey skin is the first step toward improving how it looks and feels.

What Is Crepey Skin?

Crepey skin gets its name from its resemblance to crepe paper. It often appears:

• thin

• loose

• finely wrinkled

• dry or fragile-looking

It’s most noticeable on areas where skin is naturally thinner or frequently exposed, such as:

• upper arms

• forearms

• thighs

• knees

• lower legs

Unlike deeper wrinkles, crepey skin is more about skin texture and elasticity than lines alone.

If you’d like a deeper breakdown of what crepey skin is and how to improve its appearance, we cover that in detail in our post on what crepey skin is and how to fix it.

What Causes Crepey Skin?

Crepey skin doesn’t have just one cause - it’s usually the result of several factors working together over time.

1. Loss of Moisture

One of the biggest contributors to crepey skin is chronic dryness. When skin lacks moisture, it loses its plump, smooth appearance and begins to look thin and crinkled.

As we age, our skin produces less natural oil, making it harder to retain hydration - especially on the body.

2. Decreased Elasticity

Collagen and elastin are what help skin bounce back and stay firm. Over time, production naturally slows, which can cause skin to loosen and appear crepey, particularly on arms and legs.

3. Sun Exposure

Long-term sun exposure can weaken the skin’s structure, accelerating moisture loss and elasticity breakdown. Areas like arms and legs often receive more sun than we realize, especially over many years. (If you grew up Gen X like I did, your days of sun worshipping without an SPF sunscreen helped contribute to it.)

4. Weight Fluctuations

Significant weight loss or repeated weight changes can stretch the skin. When elasticity is already reduced, skin may not fully rebound, leading to a crepey appearance.

5. Aging Skin Barrier

As skin matures, its barrier becomes less efficient at holding in moisture. Even if you apply lotion, petroleum-based formulas do not properly nourish and soften the skin.

Why Crepey Skin Shows Up on Arms and Legs First

Arms and legs are often the first places people notice crepey skin because:

• the skin is thinner than on the face

• oil glands are fewer

• these areas are often neglected in daily skincare routines

Many people focus on facial care while using minimal hydration on the body, which allows dryness and texture changes to sneak up over time.

What Helps Improve the Look of Crepey Skin?

While crepey skin is normal, the good news is that consistent, targeted hydration can dramatically improve how it looks and feels.

The goal is to support the skin barrier with ingredients that:

• deeply moisturize

• soften texture

• help skin appear smoother and more supple

Why Texture Matters for Crepey-Looking Skin

When skin looks crepey, hydration alone isn’t enough - the way moisture is delivered matters. Many lightweight lotions absorb quickly but evaporate just as fast, leaving skin feeling dry again within hours.

That’s why formulas that are whipped and air-infused can be especially helpful. Whipped lotions provide deep nourishment while maintaining a weightless, fast-absorbing feel, making them ideal for daily use on arms and legs without heaviness or residue.

At A Girl’s Gotta Spa!, our body lotions are whipped to create a silky texture that melts into the skin - delivering lasting moisture while still feeling light, breathable, and comfortable throughout the day.

Our body lotions are made with thoughtfully chosen ingredients designed to deeply hydrate without feeling greasy. The whipped texture melts in instantly, feeling light and silky as it spreads; within minutes, skin feels smooth, comfortable, and hydrated with a soft, breathable finish - never sticky or weighed down.

Ingredients That Support Crepey-Looking Skin

Our body lotions feature skin-loving ingredients such as:

• Whipped shea butter – deeply moisturizing and known for helping skin feel softer and more supple

• Cocoa butter – helps smooth the look of dry, textured skin

• Olive oil (featured in our Energizing Citrus and Naturally Scented body lotions) – rich in nourishing fatty acids that support moisture retention

• Sunflower seed oil (featured in our Synergy body lotion) – lightweight yet deeply conditioning, helping skin feel balanced and comfortable

These ingredients work together to support the skin’s moisture barrier - an essential step in improving the appearance of crepey skin over time.

You can explore our crepey skin body lotion collection to find the formula that best fits your skin’s needs and scent preferences.

Consistency Is Key

When it comes to crepey skin, results don’t come from a one-time application. Daily use - especially after showering when skin is slightly damp - helps lock in moisture and improve skin texture gradually.

Pairing a nourishing lotion with a simple routine can make a noticeable difference in how your arms and legs look and feel.

Putting It All Together

Crepey-looking skin on arms and legs is often the result of dryness, changes in elasticity, and a skin barrier that needs more support than it once did. While these changes are common, how your skin looks and feels can improve with consistent, thoughtful care.

Daily hydration with a lotion that absorbs easily - but still delivers lasting nourishment - can make a noticeable difference over time. That’s where texture and ingredients matter most.

At A Girl’s Gotta Spa!, our whipped body lotions are formulated to feel light on the skin while providing meaningful moisture using ingredients like whipped shea butter, cocoa butter, olive oil, and sunflower seed oil. They’re designed for everyday use on arms and legs, without the heaviness that often discourages consistency.

If crepey-looking skin has been bothering you, explore our crepey skin lotion collection to find a formula that fits seamlessly into your daily routine.