98% of women have cellulite, but it doesn’t affect just women, nearly 10% of men develop cellulite at some point or another, as well. While many people feel self-conscious of cellulite and look for ways to get rid of it, it’s a completely natural thing that has more to do with genetics than it does weight.
Cellulite is often thought of as being unhealthy, and with so many creams and treatments for it, it’s perceived as something that needs to be “cured.” These fixes for cellulite can and do work, but it’s important you have realistic expectations about them and understand what cellulite is before you begin buying creams or scheduling cosmetic procedures.
In this guide, we’ll discuss cellulite, what it is and how it develops, whether or not it can really be treated, and the best options for reducing its appearance.
What is Cellulite?
Cellulite is the appearance of lumpy, dimpled skin; many people describe cellulite as looking sponge or cottage cheese-like, and some even refer to very severe cellulite as the “mattress phenomena” because it resembles the surface of a tufted bed. Cellulite can affect people of all genders, ages, and body types, and it most commonly occurs in the thighs, buttocks, belly, hips, and sometimes in the arms and breasts.
In addition to being very common, cellulite is also completely harmless. While many people feel the pressure to get rid of it, cellulite is normal and healthy.
Cellulite occurs from an interaction between the connective tissue in your epidermis and the fat cells directly below. When fat protrudes through the fibrous connective tissue, you see lumps and bumps in the skin. Although, these dimples can also form when your skin thins and loses elasticity, causing it to sag. Poor circulation and reduced collagen production play a role, as well.
As you might be able to guess, genetics can also cause cellulite to form. Some people are just more prone to developing cellulite than others—this may explain why even thin people can have cellulite.
Cellulite can come and go throughout life, it can develop in people during adolescence, but it’s more noticeable as you age because your skin thins, making those lumps and bumps right below the surface visible. Eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly are two ways to prevent cellulite, but it can still occur in those with the healthiest lifestyles.
Can You Get Rid of Cellulite?
When a healthy lifestyle isn’t enough to eliminate the appearance of cellulite, many turn to over-the-counter creams and cosmetic treatment options to burn away pesky, unwanted fat. With so many people trying different methods to kick cellulite for good, we’ve had a lot of time to look at what works and what doesn’t. The conclusion of these findings—nothing actually cures cellulite.
Creams and treatments can help reduce the appearance of cellulite, but they only really work when you have realistic expectations about them. They’re not a magic bullet for weight loss or fat reduction, they should be viewed as a supplement to a healthy lifestyle. And most importantly, they’re not permanent. Even the most expensive treatment options require multiple sessions to maintain your desired appearance.
Cellulite creams can help you achieve smoother, firmer skin for a short period, with many creams lasting 12 to 24 hours. Some creams can help reduce the overall appearance of cellulite with continued use, but it’s important to mention those results won’t last if you don’t keep up with it.
For those with more severe cellulite (more than 10 lumps or bumps in a particular trouble spot), these creams probably won’t do the trick; but when used regularly and supplemented with a training routine and healthy diet, can help you achieve your desired results over time.
Concerns with Cellulite Creams
There are hundreds of cellulite creams on the market, so it’s only normal to be skeptical of them. Plus, many of these creams are expensive, costing around $100 for a single tube—and nobody wants to spend an arm and a leg on creams that don’t produce results.
The biggest criticism of cellulite creams is that they don’t work—but it depends on how you’re using them and your expectations of them. Dermatologists and doctors will tell you creams aren’t the cure for cellulite, and that’s because they’re not. Studies have found creams cannot permanently erase the appearance of cellulite, and with that, they’re not a cure.
Another concern with these creams is that they cannot permeate the fat cells. Any cream that absorbs through the epidermis into the fat cells would require a prescription, so there’s no over-the-counter cream that can truly zap fat.
What these creams can do, though, is reduce the appearance of cellulite—they’re perfect for days by the pool and date nights to help you achieve firmer, smoother looking skin for a limited time. When you incorporate these creams into your daily beauty routine, you can enjoy cellulite-free skin day after day.
Best Creams for Cellulite
Now that we have an understanding of how cellulite develops and how it can be managed, let’s talk about our favorite cellulite creams. Each of these can be bought online and they don’t require a prescription. Plus, they all cost less than $100, so you can enjoy beautiful skin without breaking the bank.
Editors’ Choice: Adonia Organics LegTone
Our favorite cellulite cream is Adonia LegTone, made by Adonia Organics. We recommend this cream because it uses plant stem cells to soften the look of lines and wrinkles and encourage smoother, firmer skin. Adonia LegTone is so well-loved, it was even featured on The Doctors as one of the best anti-cellulite creams you can buy.
In addition to using plant stem cells, the Adonia LegTone serum is also made with 23 organic botanicals, including lemon, neroli, carrot seed oil, and cypress oil. This completely natural serum is safe for people of all ages. Unlike many thick cellulite creams, this cream also has a very pleasant scent, so you can head out for the day without worrying about smelling like chemicals (you know, the odor that’s commonly associated with self-tanners).
One of the most unbelievable things about this serum is that it can reduce the appearance of cellulite in under 20 minutes—which is exactly what Dr. Ordon put to the test on The Doctors. And just as Adonia Organics claims, users of this serum can actually see the appearance of their cellulite reduce by nearly 50 percent in only 9 minutes.
Another great thing about this serum? With continued use, clinical studies have found it can reduce the overall appearance of cellulite in only six weeks. Like with all cellulite creams, though, Adonia LegTone serum should be supplemented with a healthy diet and exercise regimen to see long-lasting results.
We also love this serum because it’s not greasy, it glides on your skin easily and absorbs in seconds. Plus, it’s paraben-free, gluten-free, and cruelty-free, too!
You can find the Adonia Legtone serum on the Adonia Organics website, it costs $79 per tube and comes with free shipping!
Other Treatment Methods
Cellulite creams, combined with a healthy diet and exercise routine, are usually all one needs to reduce the appearance of bumps and lines in the skin. That said, they don’t work for every case of cellulite. If you’ve tried numerous creams without luck and are interested in exploring more advanced treatment options, we suggest talking with your doctor first to hear their recommendations.
Some of the most popular treatments for cellulite are Cellfina™ and Cellulaze®; they are very similar in how they reduce cellulite, but Cellulaze® uses lasers to zap fat whereas Cellfina™ involves needles, instead.
There are also many highly-effective non-invasive treatment methods to reduce the appearance of cellulite, such as Endermologie®, Thermage®, and Vaser™ — but just like creams, these treatments aren’t permanent, often requiring several sessions to maintain desired results.
FAQs
What is the best cream for cellulite?
As we mentioned above, our favorite cream for cellulite is Adonia LegTone by Adonia Organics. We love this cream for a multitude of reasons, but primarily because it was developed by doctors and has clinical backing. We should reiterate, though, Adonia Organics isn’t claiming to fix your cellulite for good with their serum, but their serum is one of the best for reducing the appearance of lumps, bumps, lines, and saggy skin.
How long does cellulite cream take to work?
With continued use, many cellulite creams can reduce the appearance of lumps and wrinkles within six to eight weeks. These also have a temporary effect, helping your skin appear firmer for a short period. Many of these creams take about an hour to smoothen your skin; but others, such as Adonia LegTone, can help you see temporary results in only a few minutes.
Can you really get rid of cellulite?
There is no “cure” for cellulite, but there are ways to reduce its appearance. That said, cellulite is a completely normal condition, affecting millions of people of all different body types. If the appearance of your cellulite doesn’t bother you, then you should not feel inclined to get rid of it.
However, if you are looking to improve the appearance of your skin, there are creams and treatment options to help you achieve your desired look.
How can I get rid of cellulite fast?
There is no “quick fix” for cellulite, but you can buy fast-acting creams to reduce its appearance in under an hour. If you’re in a pinch and don’t have any creams available to you, you can also try home remedies to firm and smoothen your skin. Just be aware these home remedies are only temporary (just like creams), so the results will only last 12 to 24 hours.
One at-home remedy you can use for cellulite involves coffee and olive oil, two things most people should have in their kitchen. To make your anti-cellulite paste, mix a half a cup of ground coffee beans with just a little bit of olive oil, then microwave your paste for about 20 seconds.
Once your paste is warm, take about a palmful of it and apply it to your trouble area, using circular motions to rub the paste onto your skin. We suggest rubbing this paste in for about 5 minutes. Then, tightly wrap cling wrap around the trouble area and hang out for about 30 minutes.
After the time is up, remove the cling wrap, use warm water to wash off the paste, and your skin should look smoother and firmer. This at-home remedy is also one you can do each day to reduce cellulite’s overall appearance in a few weeks—however, while is method is certainly cost-effective, it’s not the most convenient or easy to stick to, which is why many opt to just buy creams, instead.
Are Cellulite Creams Worth It?
If you have mild to moderate cellulite, eat a healthy diet, and exercise regularly, cellulite creams are most certainly worth it. These creams can help you achieve smoother, firmer-looking skin for a couple of hours, or when used consistently, lump-free skin each and every day.
When you set your expectations of cellulite cream too high, you’ll be disappointed. They’re designed to help, but they’re not a quick fix or a magic cure.
Take your body type and lifestyle into consideration when choosing the best cellulite cream for your needs—there are countless options out there, but with a little research, you should be able to find one to help with your unique skin troubles.
If you’re concerned about the appearance of your cellulite or considering more advanced treatment options, we suggest talking with your doctor or dermatologist first. They may be able to help you devise a treatment plan to zap cellulite without the need for costly procedures.
