Why do arms get crepey before other body parts?

Arms get significant sun exposure but minimal skincare attention. The combination of UV damage, natural collagen loss with age, and neglect makes upper arms particularly prone to developing crepey texture earlier than protected areas.

Can exercise help crepey arm skin?

Building muscle tone can improve how arm skin looks by providing structure underneath. However, exercise doesn't address the skin itself—you still need topical treatments like retinol to improve skin texture and stimulate collagen.

How to Fix Crepey Skin on Arms: The Complete Guide

Upper arm crepiness is one of the most common body skin complaints—that loose, crinkly texture that makes you self-conscious about…

A woman confidently showcasing her smooth, toned arms after using the best body lotion for crepey skin. Discover the Glownetics difference today!

Upper arm crepiness is one of the most common body skin complaints—that loose, crinkly texture that makes you self-conscious about sleeveless tops. The good news? It’s very treatable. Here’s your complete guide.

Why Arms Get Crepey

Your upper arms are particularly vulnerable for several reasons:

Sun exposure: Arms get UV exposure year-round, but rarely get sunscreen

Neglect: Face gets active skincare; arms get basic (or no) lotion

Thin skin: Upper inner arms have relatively thin, delicate skin

Movement: Constant arm movement creates wear on the skin

Gravity: The underside of upper arms fights gravity constantly

Add normal collagen loss with age, and you get the classic crepey arm texture that many people develop in their 40s, 50s, and beyond.

💡Not Just Age

Crepey arms aren’t inevitable with age—they’re largely the result of sun damage and skincare neglect. People who protect their arms and use active ingredients often maintain smooth arm skin much longer.

The Three-Pronged Approach

Effectively treating crepey arms requires addressing three factors:

1. Stimulate Collagen Production

You need to rebuild the structural support that’s been lost. This means:

Retinol body lotion: Daily application of Body Budder or similar active body products

Microneedling: Weekly sessions on upper arms trigger collagen production

2. Deep Hydration

Dehydrated skin looks more crepey. Proper hydration involves ceramides that restore the moisture barrier, hyaluronic acid that plumps and hydrates, and rich moisturizers that seal in hydration.

3. Protection

Stop making it worse with daily SPF on exposed arms, gentle cleansing (no harsh soaps), and avoiding excessive sun exposure.

Approach	What It Does	Products/Methods
Collagen stimulation	Rebuilds skin structure	Retinol body lotion; microneedling
Deep hydration	Plumps and smooths texture	Ceramide lotion; hyaluronic acid
Protection	Prevents further damage	SPF; gentle cleansing; sun avoidance

Your Daily Arm Care Routine

Morning:

In the shower, use gentle body wash on arms. After shower, apply Body Budder to damp skin. If wearing short sleeves, apply SPF 30+ to arms.

Evening:

Apply Body Budder again to clean arm skin. Massage in well, focusing on crepey areas.

Weekly:

Microneedle upper arms with hydrating serum, then apply Body Budder.

How long until I see improvement in crepey arms?+

Hydration improvements are visible within 1-2 weeks. Texture smoothing typically appears at 4-6 weeks. Significant firming from collagen building takes 3-6 months of consistent treatment. Take photos monthly to track progress.

Microneedling Protocol for Arms

Arms respond particularly well to microneedling. Here’s the specific protocol:

Needle depth: 0.5-1.0mm (arms can handle longer needles)

Area: Focus on upper arms, both inner and outer surfaces

Technique: Roll or stamp in all directions—horizontal, vertical, diagonal

Serum: Use hyaluronic acid or peptide serum during treatment

After: Apply Body Budder to treated area

Frequency: Once per week

✨Arm Microneedling Tip

The inner upper arm is more sensitive than the outer. Start with the outer arm to get comfortable with the technique, then move to the inner arm with slightly less pressure.

Supporting Treatments

Dry Brushing

Dry brushing before showering can improve circulation and help with lymphatic drainage. It won’t fix crepey skin directly, but supports overall skin health and may enhance product absorption.

Exercise

Building muscle tone in your arms provides structure under the skin, improving overall appearance. Toned arms look better even with some crepiness. Strength training 2-3x weekly makes a visible difference.

However, exercise builds muscle—it doesn’t fix skin. You need topical treatments for the skin itself.

Hydration

Drinking adequate water supports skin hydration from the inside. It’s not a cure, but dehydration worsens crepey appearance.

What Won’t Work

Basic moisturizers: Hydration alone won’t rebuild collagen or firm skin

“Firming” creams without actives: Marketing claims without retinol/peptides are empty

Quick fixes: No cream will transform crepey arms overnight

Spot treatment: Occasional attention won’t produce results—consistency matters

Realistic Timeline

Week 1-2: Better hydration, skin feels softer

Week 3-4: Texture beginning to smooth

Week 6-8: Visible improvement in crepey appearance

Month 3-4: Noticeable firming from collagen building

Month 6+: Significant improvement with continued treatment

Arms that have been crepey for years won’t transform in weeks. Commit to the routine for at least 3 months before judging results.

Prevention for the Future

Once you’ve improved your arm skin, maintain it with continued daily retinol body lotion, sun protection whenever arms are exposed, monthly maintenance microneedling, and ongoing attention (don’t go back to neglect).

The Bottom Line

Crepey arms are frustrating but very treatable. The combination of daily retinol body lotion, weekly microneedling, sun protection, and patience will produce real improvement.

Give your arms the active skincare attention they’ve been missing. In a few months, you might actually look forward to sleeveless season.

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