Post Last Updated: 05/06/2023
None of us want it, but cellulite is something that seems to occur no matter what measures we take to keep it at bay. We are looking at some of the best cellulite treatments around to banish the dreaded "orange peel" and leave skin looking smooth, healthy and ready to take on summer in a bikini.
What Causes Cellulite?
Cellulite is a condition which makes the skin appear dimpled like the peel of an orange, which is why it's often called the "orange peel effect." It can occur in areas of the body where there is a high fat deposit, such as the stomach, thighs and arms, but occasionally is found in other areas too.
It occurs when fatty deposits deep within your body push through your cells connective tissue, causing it to become uneven and textured in appearance. Although it can be caused by an unhealthy lifestyle, poor diet and lack of exercise, sometimes it does all come down to genetics unfortunately. Luckily though, there are lots of cellulite treatments and habits you can adopt to reduce its appearance.
What are the Best Cellulite Treatments?
- Dry body brushing
- Cellulite serums
- Coffee scrubs
- Epsom salts
- Massages
Dry body brushing
Dry body brushing is one of the best (and most natural) ways to banish cellulite. The natural bristles of the brush work by deeply massaging the skin and softening fatty deposits so that they are distributed more evenly over the body. As a result, skin appears more even and less dimpled. Although it won't get rid of fat, it does help the skin to look smoother and without the dreaded "orange peel" effect.
It also helps to encourage the removal of toxins by getting your blood moving, so that you feel full of energy and less sluggish. It's one of the best all-rounder summer cellulite treatments we have tried, and it's also one of the cheapest. Invest in ESPA's Skin Brush and dry body brush to your heart's content. We recommend starting at the feet and moving upwards towards the heart in long even strokes.
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Cellulite serums
Paired with dry body brushing, cellulite serums work even harder. They are absorbed much more easily into the skin and penetrate deeper to work on a cellular level. There is a huge selection of cellulite creams and serums on the market, but these are some of our favourites by skin type:
- Best for everyday use: Mio Skincare Shrink to Fit Cellulite Smoother is free from all chemical nasties (like all Mio products), and yet packs a serious punch when it comes to firming up the skin and banishing cellulite. Rich in ingredients like rosemary extract, green tea and caffeine, the cream works brilliantly as one of the best cellulite treatments, especially when paired with exercise and a healthy diet.
- Best for active beauties: If you love to exercise and just want a little boost to help you in the fight against cellulite, you will love the ELEMIS Cellutox Active Body Oil. We all know that cellulite isn't simply dependant on diet or lifestyle, so no matter how healthy a life you lead, you might still be prone to it. This lightweight oil melts into the skin to stimulate circulation and remove the build-up of toxins in your system. Plus, it smells of citrus; perfect for energising.
- Best for intense cellulite: One of the best cellulite treatments if you have a heavy "orange peel" effect is the AHAVA Mineral Body Shaper Cellulite Control. It's a unique body sculpting gel that contains a host of potent ingredients which is applied with a massage-action rollerball applicator to target seriously stubborn areas of cellulite on the body, such as the arms, thighs and stomach.
Coffee scrubs
With coffee as their main ingredient, coffee scrubs are naturally rich in caffeine, which help to drain the lymphatic system and get toxins moved out of your system. In addition, the scrub element is what works to reduce the appearance of cellulite by exfoliating the skin and getting the blood moving.
We love the Bean Body Vanilla Coffee Bean Scrub, which not only contains high-quality coffee beans, but also organic cacao and Vitamin E to repair and restore damaged areas. To help the ground coffee exfoliate effectively, Himalayan pink sea salt and demerera sugar are added for a gentle yet powerful scrub.
To see results, we recommend using every morning to really get your lymphatic system working.
Epsom salts
On their own, it's unlikely epsom salts will give you as good a result at reducing cellulite as dry body brushing or a targeted cellulite serum, but when paired with exercise and the above, they can be really effective.
Epsom salts work by pulling toxins from the skin and reducing fluid retention and bloating. For cellulite, this means that the minerals are redistributed in the cells and skin appears smoother and softer.
We recommend taking an epsom salt twice a week for best results. Use Westlab's Epsom Salts which are made from magnesium and sulphate to banish toxins and excess fluids in the system.
Massages
Massages are one of the best treatments for cellulite as much like dry body brushing, they stimulate the redistribution of fat cells around the body for a smoother appearance. In addition, they're a great way to soothe tired and aching muscles and promote an overall good level of well-being, making them of our favourite ways to tackle the dreaded "orange peel" effect.
When combined with a cellulite treatment, massages are enhanced even further. Freezeframe's Liposlim for example works by distributing a cellulite cream through massaging nodules. This means that as the massager works to soften hard, fatty deposits, the cream breaks them down and assists their passage out of your body. In fact, Liposlim has been proven to work within just 10 minutes and leaves skin feeling and looking smoother after just 6 weeks.
