Can Yoga Help Crepey Skin? 5 Yoga Poses To Reduce Crepey Neck & Old Lady Arms.

Wellness practices like yoga have been used for years to rejuvenate and restore harmony in the body. But can yoga help crepey skin? As it turns out, some yoga poses can make your skin feel smoother and a lot less like crepe paper, especially for women wanting glowy skin over 50.

If you feel unhappy about how your skin looks as you grow older, you are not alone. Most women, especially those in their senior years, are unhappy about the vivid signs of aging on their skin- you know, the wrinkles, facial folds, heavy jowls, and the much dreaded crepey skin on the neck and arms.

Fortunately, it is possible to reduce the appearance of all these skin problems, especially crepey skin, by setting a time every day to practice yoga. Besides yoga, there are other daily routines you can add to your lifestyle to enjoy youthful glowy skin even in old age.

The three main secrets for glowy skin over 50 include;

• Yoga
• A healthy diet
• Skincare routine

Can Yoga Help Crepey Skin?

Which yoga poses can reduce the appearance of crepey skin? The best types of yoga poses are those that target the areas prone to crepey skin.

Crepey skin affects the inner arms (upperside, hence the nickname old lady arms), below the eyes, and around the neck. So when considering yoga poses, choose the ones that target the muscles in these areas.

But why yoga for crepey skin?

Yoga helps with crepey skin by increasing blood flow to the face and arms. The skin gets oxygen and nutrients which nourish the skin cells helping you maintain that youthful glow. Also, yoga itself is a form of exercise that helps strengthen the skin as you put your muscle to work with the various yoga movements.

Yoga uses deep breaths and various body movements to restore harmony and balance in the body and most certainly on your skin. As you practice the various body movements, you;

• Release stress and tension in muscles
• Boost your energy
• Improve flexibility

Four Yoga Poses For Your Face and Arms

The Downward Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana Pose)

Adho Mukha Svanasana or the downward dog is one of the popular yoga poses that can help strengthen your upper body. It strengthens the arm muscles, upper back muscles, and shoulder muscles. Also, the downward dog pose relieves stress and tension on the muscles and improves blood circulation.

The Mountain Pose (Tadasana)

Here is how you perform a mountain pose. Keep your feet together and firmly planted on the ground. Ensure the heels are a little apart, the shoulders pulled back, and the arms hung tightly beside the torso. You can also clasp them together in a prayer position and raise them in front of your chest.

As you inhale, evenly distribute your weight into the balls and arches of your feet. Concentrate on the present moment, lengthen your tailbone, and draw in your stomach. Experiment with deep, slow inhalations and exhalations.

Lift your toes and spread them apart for a deeper stretch. You can also lift your foot arches.

The Standing Forward Fold (Uttanasana Pose)

Another great yoga movement to rejuvenate your facial skin and tighten the arms is the standing forward fold.

Stand straight with both feet together, firmly planted on the ground. Slowly bend forward from the hip, hands pressed to the sides, and exhale as you do so. If you are flexible enough, keep the knees straight as you plant both palms on the ground. If you experience pain in your muscles or joints when practicing this move, bend the knees slightly to get more comfortable.

Allow your head to hang loosely while your palms remain planted on the floor. Inhale to raise and lengthen your torso, hold your breath for a few seconds then exhale. As blood rushes to your head, it carries oxygen and vital nutrients that nourish your skin cells. 

The seated twist pose (Ardha Matsyendrasana) 

Research shows that there is a direct correlation between a healthy gut and glowy skin. Stress, depression, and anxiety can alter the microbiome in the gut which in turn can trigger skin conditions like acne and seborrheic dermatitis which can worsen the appearance of crepey skin.

Fortunately, the seated twist pose is a yoga movement that directly benefits your gut health.  

The seated twist pose increases circulation to the digestive system and helps reduce gut inflammation.

To perform this move, start by sitting upright with the legs stretched forward. Now, raise the right leg and cross it over the left thigh. Sit the right foot flat close to your thigh then twist your upper body towards your right planting your right hand firmly to the ground. Raise the left arm then breathe in and out slowly, and deeply, as you enjoy the stretch. Do the same on the other side.

Diet plays a big role…

Yes, you are what you eat, and it will show on your skin. Diet plays an important role in keeping your body strong and the skin looking healthy.

What foods should you be eating to promote healthy and youthful skin? Eating more proteins is recommended to give the body enough nutrients to synthesize new skin cells. Here is a list of protein foods, meat, and plant-based, that will help tighten your skin.

• Salmon- salmon is a popular skin food that is rich in Omega-3 fatty acids. Omega 3 fatty acids hydrate the skin, reduce premature aging from the sun, and protect against harmful UV rays.
• Almonds- almonds are plant-based proteins that are rich in vitamin E. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that has many benefits for your skin. It breaks down proteins that are absorbed by body cells and help rejuvenate the cell membranes. Also, Vitamin E tightens the skin reducing the appearance of wrinkles.
• Bone broth- bone broth contains plenty of skin-nourishing minerals and amino acids. Broth also contains hyaluronic acid, a key ingredient in quality beauty products for crepey skin.
• Oranges- oranges or any other fruit in the citrus family are rich in vitamin C which helps in synthesizing collagen, the skin-tightening protein.
• Soy- soy is high in proteins and antioxidants to nourish the skin.
• Avocados- like salmon, avocados are rich in Omega 3 healthy fats that help hydrate the skin.

Adopt a good skincare routine

Once you master the yoga moves we recommended and follow a healthy protein-rich diet, the last thing you need is a good skincare routine.

Now, you do not need the most expensive skin care regimen out there to combat crepey skin. It's simpler than you know, and only requires 7 easy steps;

• Washing the face
• Toning
• Applying a facial serum
• Adding an eye cream
• Treating dark spots
• Moisturizing
• Using sunscreen

We explain all these steps in detail in our comprehensive blog on How to build a Skin Care Routine in 7 Easy Steps.

Final Words

So, can yoga help crepey skin? Yes, yoga with a healthy diet and the best skincare regimen can help tighten and hydrate the skin to give you that youthful glow. Also, check out our blog on how to tighten loose skin on arms naturally.