For many of us, cellulite is a fact of life. We’ve tried everything from buzzy creams and body contouring treatments to skin-tightening formulas, but still can’t seem to make it go away. We’re all about embracing and loving ourselves just the way we are (and we do), but the truth is, some days we wish cellulite would peace out forever.
So, what exactly causes your skin to take on those dimples and bumps? According to board-certified dermatologist and plastic surgeon, Dr. Nakra, “Cellulite is caused by the loss of the skin's deeper molecular scaffolding that then allows portions of the deeper fat layer to pop through. Genetics, hormonal imbalance, and a sedentary lifestyle all contribute to the development of cellulite.” In short, it’s when fat pushes against the connective tissue in your skin, causing a dimpled appearance.
When it comes to treating cellulite, Dr. Nakra notes there’s no magic topical cure as cellulite begins deep within your tissue, not on your skin’s surface. If you’re not into injectables, laser treatments, or other in-office treatment options like radiofrequency, there are easy alternatives that can help with their visible appearance. “Cellulite creams may—at best—slightly mask some fluid retention in the fat layer and thicken the skin with dermal hydrators. [Ingredients such as] caffeine may reduce blood vessel leakiness that can cause the deeper fat layer to swell, and ceramides may thicken the top layer of skin and perhaps camouflage the deeper structural causes of cellulite.”
If you’re ready to find a formula that will help hydrate, smooth, and improve the appearance of cellulite, we’ve rounded up some of the best cellulite treatments you can find. Continue reading and let us know your favorites @IPSY!
Meet the Expert
Tanuj Nakra, MD, FCAS is a board-certified dermatologist and plastic surgeon, and co-founder of AYVA SKINCARE.
1. CLARINS Body Fit Anti-Cellulite Contouring Expert
This best-selling cream targets cellulite by helping visibly firm, lift, contour, and smooth your skin using 8 plant extracts, including organic quince leaf, blue button flower, and plant caffeine. The lightweight-yet-highly-moisturizing formula absorbs into skin quickly with no sticky feel (perfect for any time of year) and helps improve the look of cellulite with every use.
2. SOL DE JANEIRO Brazilian Bum Bum Cream
There’s a reason the buzzy body cream tops every cellulite cream list—it’s made with powerful ingredients like guarana, which has five times more caffeine than regular coffee to help visibly smooth and tighten skin. According to Dr. Nakra, “Caffeine reduces puffiness by constructing leaky blood vessels, [so] some feel topical caffeine may help for cellulite.” It also features a healthy dose of cupuacu butter that’s full of fatty acids, coconut oil to condition and moisturize, and antioxidant-rich acai oil that helps protect skin from environmental aggressors. Another reason to love? Its salty, beachy, caramel-y scent is absolutely addictive.
3. NIVEA Skin Firming & Toning Gel-Cream with Q10 Enriched Formula
We’ve been NIVEA fans for as long as we can remember—from their original creams to firming body lotions. This lightweight gel-cream formula is made with powerful antioxidant Q10 that helps defend skin from free radicals and supports the production of collagen, and helps firm and tone skin with regular use. It also absorbs quickly, so you can apply it all over and never feel greasy or heavy.
4. MAËLYS B-Tight Lift & Firm Booty Mask
This leave-on booty mask has been getting lots of attention for its firming and skin-smoothing benefits—and it’s got the clinical results to back it up. After panels of testing, it's been shown to significantly help improve smoothness, firmness, elasticity, roughness, and give skin a firmer-looking appearance.
5. BLISS Fabgirl Firm Body Firming & Contouring Cream
Infused with caffeine, squalane, and a blend of botanicals, this skin-smoothing all-over body cream helps improve skin tone and skin texture for a more firm, contoured appearance. Caffeine stimulates skin, while shea butter absorbs quickly to moisturize skin, and it’s also made with squalane which according to Dr. Nakra, “helps to deeply hydrate the epidermis and adds to the barrier function of skin. In turn, this may thicken the skin and may help camouflage deeper visible cellulite.”
6. WELEDA Birch Cellulite Body Oil
Weleda’s site explains cellulite as, “a natural occurrence that happens when skin’s detoxification process slows.” The birch oil in this cellulite treatment oil promises to help diminish its appearance by helping boost skin’s metabolic system. Additionally, wheat germ and jojoba oil deliver skin-healthy vitamins. Massage your skin with it daily to help smooth, firm, and tone, while enjoying its super fresh, invigorating scent.
7. SISLEY PARIS Intensive Contouring Care
It has a unique gel-oil formula that acts on your skin both day and night. During the day, pink berry oil, caffeine, white ginger extract to help define and firm both the look and feel of skin. At night, mandarin extract, andiroba oil, and plankton-derived exopolysaccharide help minimize the appearance of cellulite for smoother skin.
8. M3 NATURALS Anti-Cellulite Massage Oil Infused with Collagen and Stem Cell
The perfect product for your next DIY spa day? This hydrating massage oil that helps visibly improve cellulite while tightening loose skin, toning, and boosting your skin’s natural collagen production. Smooth it on after your shower to lock in the ingredients like grapefruit, eucalyptus, and lemon citrus essential oils that help fight unwanted fat cells and cellulite.
9. STRIVECTIN Crepe Control™ Tightening Body Cream
This transformative treatment is a favorite for a reason—it’s packed with ingredients that do more than target cellulite, they lift and brighten skin too. The lightweight formula also features potent peptides. According to Dr. Nakra, “Peptides are the building blocks for skin regeneration, and so they have been touted to help increase collagen and elastin in the skin to help camouflage cellulite.
10. AUGUSTINUS BADER The Body Cream
This award-winning cream from the celeb and beauty editor fave brand has earned its claim to fame. It helps reduce the appearance of imperfections for smooth, youthful-looking skin, and helps hydrate, firm, tone, and improve the appearance of cellulite and stretch marks. If you’re looking for a true multitasker, this one’s it, as it also helps soften and promote better skin barrier function for healthier, more resilient skin now and over time.
11. PAULA’S CHOICE Retinol Skin-Smoothing Body Treatment
Dr. Nakra says, “Retinol is a powerful skin turnover agent, and boosts the metabolic activity of skin. This produces tauter skin, which in turn may help camouflage cellulite.” You’ll find it in this body lotion that uses pure retinol, antioxidants, natural butters, and plant oils to help even skin tone, soften, and firm skin.
12. ELEMIS Body Toning Cellulite Program
Want to tackle cellulite two-fold? This two-step cellulite “program” by ELEMIS uses dry brushing and a cream to address cellulite by improving circulation and toning up skin. Use the Body Detox Skin Brush to exfoliate dead skin cells, and follow with the Targeted Toning Moisturizer, which helps reduce cellulite’s appearance when you massage your skin with it daily.
13. HONEYDEW Hot Cream Ultra Moisturizing
Made with vitamins, minerals, essentials herbs, menthol crystals, ginger lily, and more, this botanical-rich cream helps get your skin smooth, toned, and hydrated for the long haul to help visibly improve cellulite and soften skin.
14. LIFE’S BUTTER for Smoother Firmer Skin
This innovative cream is made with L-carnitine (an amino acid used in cellulite creams for its fat-burning properties), enzyme Q10 (a powerful antioxidant), and nelumbo nucifera leaf extract (an anti-inflammatory that has anti-wrinkle effects). Use it daily and after 4-6 weeks, your skin will be smooth and glowing.
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