The 7 best firming body lotions for crepey-looking skin

Key takeaways

• Crepey skin is thin, finely wrinkled skin, usually from sun exposure breaking down elastin over time. Retinol, exfoliating acids and daily sunscreen are the ingredients and habits dermatologists point to most.

• Our top pick is Revision Skincare BodiContour, a peptide and caffeine cream made for the arms, abdomen, buttocks and thighs.

• For the upper arms specifically, The SCULPT Arm Compound from U Beauty combines Caffeine, Retinol and Superoxide Dismutase in one arm treatment.

• On a budget, Naturium Skin-Renewing Retinol Body Lotion is fragrance-free and $26 for 8 fl oz.

• Firming lotions work on the look of the skin’s surface. They take weeks of consistent use, and sunscreen on exposed skin matters as much as the lotion.

How to choose a firming body lotion

Cleveland Clinic says crepey skin “typically can be traced to sun damage,” because UV rays break down elastin, the fibers that let skin stretch and bounce back. It notes a dermatologist who recommends retinol creams to help reduce the crepey look, and moisturizers with alpha or beta hydroxy acids or hyaluronic acid.

The main ingredient types you’ll see:

• Retinol. A 2022 review in *Advances in Therapy* covers the clinical evidence for topical retinoids on visible signs of aging. Our guide to retinal vs retinol explains the different forms.

• AHAs, like glycolic acid, which exfoliate rough, dry-looking skin. Our guide to AHA vs BHA covers how they work.

• Peptides and caffeine, which several firming creams use to support smoother, tighter-looking skin.

• Rich moisturizers, which help dry, crepey skin look plumper for a while even without an active ingredient.

The AAD quotes a dermatologist who advises starting with the least intense retinoid you can find every other night, and notes that over-the-counter products don’t have to disclose their retinol percentage.

We compared each product on its published ingredient list, not on hands-on testing. We looked at the key ingredients and their strengths where the brand states them, whether fragrance is listed, where on the body the brand says to use it, any published study figures and the price.

1. Revision Skincare BodiContour: best overall

Revision Skincare BodiContour is a body cream built around peptides, including palmitoyl tripeptide-38, plus caffeine, glucosamine, squalane, a vitamin C derivative and ceramide NG. Revision says it’s designed to visibly firm, tighten and lift sagging or crepey skin on the arms, abdomen, buttocks and thighs.

Key features:

• Peptides and caffeine. It combines several peptides with caffeine in one cream.

• Published study figures. In a 12-week clinical study using it twice daily, Revision reports that 97% of subjects showed an improvement in skin crepiness and smoothness, though it doesn’t say how many people took part.

• Two sizes. It comes in a 3.8 oz pump and an 8 oz tube.

Tradeoff: at $166 for 3.8 oz it’s the most expensive pick here, it’s meant to be used twice a day, and it contains fragrance.

Best for: people who want one firming cream for several areas of the body.

Price: $166 for 3.8 oz, or $299 for 8 oz.

2. U Beauty The SCULPT Arm Compound: best for the arms

U Beauty describes The SCULPT Arm Compound as a gravity-defying arm treatment. It’s specifically designed for the unique skin on the arms, combining Caffeine, Retinol, Superoxide Dismutase, Marine Bacillus Extract and Hyaluronic Acid, all powered by proprietary SIREN Capsule Technology™. U Beauty says it’s designed for a visibly contoured, sculpted-looking appearance and visibly smoother, firmer-looking skin on loose, crepey-looking arms.

Key features:

• Caffeine, Retinol and Superoxide Dismutase in 1 step. It goes on clean, dry skin, morning, night or both.

• Published study figures. In an independent 30-volunteer instrumental study, 96% saw an improvement in skin elasticity after 30 days of consistent use, according to U Beauty.

• Part of a body routine. U Beauty suggests applying it over the Resurfacing Body Compound and beneath The SUPER Body Hydrator, and says it can also be used on the neck, chest and backs of the hands.

Tradeoff: at $98 for 120 ml it’s made for the arms rather than all-over use, and it contains a fragrance ingredient, methyldihydrojasmonate. Since it contains Retinol, sunscreen on exposed arms is especially important.

Best for: people who want a dedicated treatment for crepey-looking upper arms.

Price: $98 for 120 ml.

3. Nécessaire The Body Retinol: best body retinol

Nécessaire The Body Retinol is a serum-in-balm with 0.1% encapsulated retinol, niacinamide, glycolic and mandelic acids, and peptides. It’s sold as fragrance-free with no synthetic fragrance added, though Nécessaire notes the rose water it adds to improve the scent contributes citronellol and geraniol.

Key features:

• Stated retinol strength. It’s the only retinol pick here that lists its percentage.

• Published study figures. In a four-week study of 30 or more panelists, 85% reported less crepiness, according to Nécessaire. The results were self-reported.

• Gradual start. Nécessaire suggests once a week at first, building to every other night.

Tradeoff: it’s for night use only, and Nécessaire recommends sunscreen on treated areas before sun exposure and a patch test if you’re new to retinol.

Best for: people who want a measured retinol dose for the body.

Price: $65 for 150 ml.

4. Paula’s Choice Skin Revealing Body Lotion 10% AHA: best exfoliating lotion

Paula’s Choice Skin Revealing Body Lotion 10% AHA has 10% glycolic acid at a stated pH of 3.5 to 3.9, plus shea butter, green tea and vitamin C. There’s no fragrance in its ingredient list.

Key features:

• 10% glycolic acid. Paula’s Choice says it exfoliates dry, rough, crepey skin so it looks smoother and feels softer.

• Daily or spot use. It can be used all over or on rough areas.

• Mid-range price. It’s $35 for 7 fl oz.

Tradeoff: it’s an exfoliant rather than a dedicated firming treatment, Paula’s Choice says not to apply it to just-shaved skin, and glycolic acid can increase sun sensitivity, so SPF 30 or higher is needed during the day.

Best for: rough, crepey-looking skin that also feels dry and bumpy.

Price: $35 for 7 fl oz.

5. StriVectin Crepe Control Tightening Body Cream: best peptide cream

StriVectin Crepe Control Tightening Body Cream combines palmitoyl tripeptide-38, caffeine and a turmeric-derived ingredient with shea, murumuru and cupuaçu butters.

Key features:

• Published study figures. In an expert-graded study of 35 people over four weeks, 94% showed an improvement in the appearance of crepey skin, according to StriVectin.

• Rich texture. The plant butters make it a heavier cream for dry skin.

• Twice-daily use. StriVectin says to massage it onto clean, dry skin morning and night.

Tradeoff: it contains fragrance, and StriVectin’s study tested the cream together with its Crepe Control Exfoliating Scrub.

Best for: dry, crepey-looking skin that wants a rich cream.

Price: $59 for 6.7 oz.

6. Naturium Skin-Renewing Retinol Body Lotion: best budget retinol

Naturium Skin-Renewing Retinol Body Lotion has encapsulated retinol and allantoin in a non-greasy body lotion. Naturium labels it fragrance-free.

Key features:

• Retinol at a low price. It’s $26 for 8 fl oz.

• Fragrance-free. Naturium says so on the product page.

• Large size available. A 14 fl oz jumbo is $40.

Tradeoff: Naturium doesn’t state the retinol percentage or publish study figures, and it suggests nighttime use and a patch test first.

Best for: trying a body retinol without spending much.

Price: $26 for 8 fl oz.

7. Gold Bond Age Renew Crepe Corrector Body Lotion: best drugstore pick

Gold Bond Age Renew Crepe Corrector Body Lotion is a rich moisturizer with hydroxyethyl urea, glycerin, jojoba esters, vitamin E and petrolatum. Gold Bond says it’s hypoallergenic and fragrance-free.

Key features:

• Published study figures. Gold Bond says 82% of users had a visible improvement in crepey skin on the backs of hands and arms in two days, though it doesn’t say how many people were tested.

• Heavy hydration. It’s built around moisturizers rather than a retinoid or acid.

• Widely available. Gold Bond lists Amazon, Walmart and Target among its sellers.

Tradeoff: it has no retinoid, peptides or exfoliating acid, so it works mainly by moisturizing.

Best for: very dry, crepey-looking skin on a drugstore budget.

Price: about $12 for 8 oz at major retailers.

How to use a firming body lotion

• Apply to clean, dry skin. Most of these go on after a shower. Our list of body exfoliators covers what to use first if your skin is rough.

• Start retinol slowly. Use it every other night at first and build up slowly as your skin adjusts.

• Wear sunscreen on exposed skin. The AAD recommends a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher on skin not covered by clothing. Our list of mineral sunscreens has options.

• Moisturize daily. A rich body lotion helps crepey skin look plumper between treatments. Our list of body lotions for dry skin has more picks.

• Be consistent. Most of the studies here ran for four to 12 weeks.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best lotion for crepey skin?

A lotion with retinol, an AHA or peptides tends to help most. Revision Skincare BodiContour and Nécessaire The Body Retinol are two strong options, and The SCULPT Arm Compound from U Beauty is made specifically for the arms.

Can crepey skin be reversed?

Its look can often be improved. Cleveland Clinic points to retinol creams and moisturizers with hydroxy acids or hyaluronic acid, along with daily sun protection.

Does retinol help crepey skin?

Many dermatologists recommend it. Cleveland Clinic quotes a dermatologist who suggests retinol creams to help reduce the crepey look. Start slowly and wear sunscreen.

What causes crepey skin?

Cleveland Clinic says crepey skin typically can be traced to sun damage, because UV rays break down elastin over time.

How long do firming lotions take to work?

Usually several weeks. Most of the studies behind the products on this list ran from four to 12 weeks.