Do cellulite creams work?
An estimated 90 percent of all women have cellulite. It is completely normal, and people of all shapes and sizes have cellulite. Cellulite is purely cosmetic, and doesn’t have an underlying medical issue. Cellulite refers to the ‘orange peel’ appearance of skin, when fatty tissues push through the fibrous bands that connect skin to muscle. These bands pull down on the skin, which is what leads to the dimpled appearance of cellulite. Cellulite can appear due to hormones, genetics and poor blood circulation. Ageing and skin damage can also exacerbate the appearance of cellulite.
While cellulite is a naturally occurring skin condition, some people may want to try and minimise its appearance.
Like a lot of moisturisers, anti-cellulite creams can improve the look of the skin by plumping it up, experts agree no topical skincare can get rid of cellulite completely, or permanently as cellulite is caused by structural changes deep within the tissue.
However, there are ingredients that can minimise the appearance of cellulite, and can help tighten and firm the skin. Many creams temporarily decrease the bloating of tissue, and smooth the outer layer of the skin.
Ingredient snapshot:
Retinol:
Look for body creams containing retinoids, which promote collagen growth. These will contribute to smoother skin.
Caffeine:
Creams containing caffeine cause the blood vessels to constrict and the fat cells to temporarily shrink.
Peptides and amino acids:
This power duo of ingredients increases elasticity and firms the skin.
SPF:
Don’t forget sun protection! The best way to prevent the skin losing elasticity, and making the connective tissue weaker and cellulite more obvious, is to protect your skin from UV radiation. Wear broad spectrum sunscreen every day, as UV rays are present even when the sun isn’t.