Why Sugar Accelerates Skin Aging After 50 (and What Actually Helps Crepey Skin)
Why Does My Skin Look Crepey as I Age?
As my client gently points to her upper arm, she asks,
“How do I get rid of this crepey skin?”
And I want you to know, this isn’t just one client.
I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve been asked this exact question. That’s the reason I’m writing this blog. If so many women are asking me privately, I know there are many more wondering the same thing quietly.
So let’s talk about what’s actually happening under and within our skin as we age, and how we can support ourselves to look and feel our best.
Before we dive in, I want to offer a gentle reminder:
We’re not trying to look like our 30-year-old daughters. That would be a little weird.
Aging is a natural process. Instead of fighting it, we can learn how to work with our bodies and get into a healthier flow. At almost 59 years old, I can honestly say I feel strong, healthy, and beautiful, and it took me years to say that.
I’ve done the internal work. I’ve stopped beating myself up over wrinkles, cellulite, and not looking like a Sports Illustrated model. (Spoiler alert: most of the world doesn’t, and that’s okay.)
What’s Really Happening to Our Skin After 50?
As we age, we naturally lose collagen, elastin, and estrogen. These are the very things that once kept our skin thick, springy, and hydrated. Years of sun exposure speed this up, and the skin on areas like the arms, thighs, and neck becomes thinner, drier, and more fragile — often described as “crepey.”
There is nothing wrong with you.
This is a normal midlife change.
The good news? There are absolutely ways to support your skin from the inside out.
Balanced Blood Sugar = Calmer, Healthier Skin
This is one of the most overlooked pieces of skin health after 50.
When blood sugar spikes often, sugar molecules attach to collagen and elastin fibers in a process called glycation. This makes those fibers stiff, brittle, and harder to repair (which accelerates wrinkles and loss of firmness.)
Steadier blood sugar helps protect collagen and slows visible skin aging, especially in midlife.
This is one of the reasons I created STEADY: The Missing Piece for Energy, Weight Loss & Sleep After 50. When blood sugar is more stable, women often notice:
fewer cravings
steadier energy
easier weight loss
and improvements in skin tone and texture
STEADY is a short, simple mini-course designed to help your body respond differently to food — without restriction or perfection.
You can learn more about STEADY here.
Collagen: Helpful — But Only Part of the Picture
Collagen supplements can absolutely be supportive, especially after 50.
I personally recommend Thorne’s Collagen Fit, which is rich in the amino acids needed to support:
skin elasticity
connective tissue
muscles, tendons, and ligaments
You can find it through my Thorne dispensary here.
But here’s the important part:
If blood sugar is constantly spiking, sugars attach to collagen fibers, making them less effective. This is why we always take an integrative approach.
Collagen works best when:
blood sugar is supported
protein intake is adequate
strength training is present
MELT & Connective Tissue Support
Another beautiful, gentle way to support aging skin is through connective tissue hydration.
The MELT Method® has been shown to help rehydrate fascia and reduce stiffness, supporting tissue quality and comfort. While it’s not a medical treatment, many women notice their bodies and skin feel more supple and resilient when MELT is practiced consistently.
This is why MELT is one of the pillars inside my 6 Pillars of Wellness approach — because how your connective tissue feels affects how your body functions.
Dry Brushing & Skin Rituals
Dry brushing is another supportive practice, not as a detox cure, but as a ritual.
Dry brushing:
gently exfoliates
wakes up circulation
supports healthy lymph movement
Think of it as a feel-good habit, not a medical necessity.
Essential Oils for Comfort & Glow
Geranium essential oil has long been used in skincare for its antioxidant and soothing properties. When diluted properly and patch-tested, it can support dry, aging skin and help create a more balanced, glowy appearance.
Again — supportive, not magic.
Consistency and care always matter more than any single product.
Strength Training: One of the Most Powerful Skin Tools We Have
Here’s something many women don’t realize:
Strength training doesn’t just shape muscles, it supports skin health.
Research shows resistance training can:
improve skin elasticity
increase dermal thickness
counteract age-related thinning
This is one of the reasons I created Strong After 50 — a simple, at-home program that teaches you how to build strength safely, starting with stability and form.
Strong muscles support:
skin
joints
bones
metabolism
and confidence
Learn more about Strong After 50 here.
Sleep: Where Skin Repair Actually Happens
At night, your body runs its repair programs.
This is when:
growth hormone peaks
collagen is rebuilt
skin clears daily damage
Poor sleep is linked with duller skin, slower repair, and weaker barrier function.
This is why sleep support is woven throughout my work, because beauty, energy, and resilience all begin with rest.
A Gentle, Integrated Invitation
If crepey skin has been on your mind, I hope this blog helped you see the bigger picture.
Skin health after 50 isn’t about fixing yourself.
It’s about supporting your body in the ways it now needs.
If you’re ready to take a simple, affordable first step, STEADY is a beautiful place to begin.
If you want to go deeper, building strength, stability, and long-term resilience. Strong After 50 and my 6 Pillars of Wellness approach are designed to support you fully.
You don’t need to do everything at once.
You just need to start somewhere and do it with intention.
