Crepe Skin: An Honest (and Slightly Funny) Love Letter to Our Changing Skin

Let's talk about crepe skin — that delicately crinkled texture that starts showing up on our arms, décolletage, and knees like an uninvited party guest who arrives exactly when collagen production decides to clock out early.

What's Actually Happening As estrogen declines through perimenopause and beyond, our skin loses collagen and elastin at a much faster rate — up to 30% in the first five years after menopause alone. So no, you didn't do anything wrong. Your skin is just having a moment.

The Places It Loves to Show Up Upper arms, décolletage, backs of the hands, knees and elbows, under the eyes.

What Can Actually Help - Retinol/retinoids — the gold standard for stimulating collagen production - Peptides — help signal your skin to produce more collagen - Vitamin C — supports collagen synthesis and brightens overall tone - Hyaluronic acid — plumps and hydrates, softening the crepey look - Broad-spectrum SPF, daily, non-negotiable — sun damage is the single biggest accelerant of crepey skin - Dry brushing or gentle body exfoliation — improves circulation and skin texture over time - A rich, occlusive body moisturiser applied to slightly damp skin locks in hydration far better than lotion on dry skin

The Bit Nobody Tells You Crepe skin isn't a flaw to fix — it's proof of a life fully lived. That said, there's nothing wrong with wanting your skin to feel firmer, softer, and more hydrated. You can hold both: loving the skin you're in, and still reaching for the good retinol.