Cellulite doesn’t discriminate: Anyone, no matter their age, weight, diet, body type, or fitness level can experience cellulite. It’s so common that up to 98% of women have cellulite. Seriously ... it's not just you! Cellulite creams are your best at-home treatment for minimizing the orange-peel appearance associated with this skin condition.
To help demystify some of your concerns, we chatted with a few medical experts for the real story on cellulite. The doctors share details on what causes cellulite, what to look for in a cellulite cream, and their go-to product recommendations.
Best Cellulite Creams and Treatments
What Causes Cellulite?
According to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Jason Emer, M.D., there are a few factors contributing to cellulite. “This is often genetic — and frankly, bad luck — as nobody truly knows the exact cause,” he says. “We do know, however, that often with skin sagging and weight loss, cellulite becomes more visible."
As far as what cellulite actually is, Ember says, “Cellulite involves fibrous connective cords that tether the skin down, creating dimples between the skin, fat, and muscle. This creates an uneven surface or dimpling and waves.”
How Effective Are Cellulite Creams?
Cellulite creams improve collagen production for firmer, smoother, and thicker skin, according to board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Jaimie DeRosa, M.D. “Although these creams are not actually ridding the body of cellulite, they may help decrease the visibility of the underlying cellulite,” she explains.
Cellulite creams are effective against mild cellulite, but it'll take you several months before you notice visible results, notes DeRosa. She advises you to slather on these creams up to twice a day — in the morning and evening — for best results.
How to Treat Cellulite at Home
Though there are many in-office treatments available to tackle cellulite, they can be pricey. So, why not try and firm your skin at home?
Best Ingredients
All of the medical experts we consulted view caffeine as the ultimate powerhouse ingredient for tackling cellulite. Caffeine creates a tightening effect by dehydrating the skin and increasing blood flow. It also improves overall circulation, altering the water content of the fat cells in your skin, explains board-certified cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Michele Green, M.D.
So, what are other effective ingredients to look out for in a cellulite cream? Green and fellow board-certified dermatologists Dr. Nava Greenfield, M.D., of Schweiger Dermatology Group and Dr. Azadeh Shirazi, M.D., share the best ones.
Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs):
- Glycolic acid
- Lactic acid
- Mandelic acid
Emollients:
Collagen-boosting:
Hydrate and brighten:
Firm and improve your skin’s elasticity:
How We Chose
Of course, you want expert results: So, we asked doctors to share some of their favorite at-home cellulite blasters. We also added a few of our own essential cellulite creams and treatments, which also have rave reviews on retailers like Amazon, Walmart, Ulta, and more. All of these recommendations include derm-approved ingredients to ensure their efficacy.
These are the best cellulite creams on the market right now.
1
Best Overall
Cellulite Defense Cream
- Price
- Derm-approved ingredients
- Lightweight feel
- Leaping Bunny-certified
- Made in America
Key Specs
- Key Ingredients: Caffeine, retinol, and seaweed
- Size: 4 ounces
This standout cellulite cream is infused with not one, but three types of antioxidant-rich seaweed to help support collagen production and hydrate your body. Plus, it features an innovative, gel-like cream formula that absorbs quickly.
We love that it's infused with essential cellulite blasting ingredients — including caffeine and retinol — to help thicken your skin and mask the orange peel look.
More: Our Favorite Bubble Bath Essentials You Need to Try RN
2
Caffeine-Filled Formula
Fabgirl Firm Body Cream
- Absorbs nicely
- Safe for sensitive skin
Key Specs
- Key Ingredients: Caffeine and botanicals
- Size: 5.8 ounces
The Fabgirl Firm cream is formulated with a stimulating mega-blend of botanicals and caffeine, which visibly tightens and tones your skin for improved body contour. It's the perfect companion for your bikini!
It's also incredibly hydrating, thanks to a potent blend of moisturizers like shea butter, squalane, and vitamin B5.
Bliss suggests massaging this cellulite cream into your skin for 30 seconds in the morning and evening for best results.
3
Fast-Acting
Skin Firming & Toning Gel-Cream
- Most affordable option
- Dermatologist tested
- Dry skin types might need a thicker cream
Key Specs
- Key Ingredients: CoQ10, L-carnitine, and lotus extract
- Size: 6.7 ounces
The ideal product for a speedy toning solution prior to a wedding or last-minute vacation, Nivea's fast-acting formula combines natural lotus and L-carnitine to significantly reduce signs of cellulite in just two weeks.
There's also CoQ10, an antioxidant-rich coenzyme naturally found in our bodies. Plus, it promises to help smooth your skin and have an anti-aging effect.
4
Tingling Effect
Sit Tight Super Intense 4-D
- Not for sensitive or irritated skin
Key Specs
- Key Ingredients: Pink pepperslim-lipo-FB and pressocapsular-firm
- Size: 4.2 ounces
Don't let these tongue-twisting active ingredients leave you confused: It's just marketing jargon from the brand that highlights slow-release ingredients like pink pepper berry oil and a caffeine-derived proprietary blend.
This gem from Soap & Glory is designed to firm your hips, bum, and thighs. It'll also hydrate your skin, thanks to a blend of glycerin and olive oil.
5
Warm and Sweet Gourmand Scent
Brazilian Bum Bum Cream
- Award-winning
- Fast-absorbing
- Leaves behind a shimmer
Key Specs
- Key Ingredients: Guaraná extract, cupuaçu butter, açaí oil, and coconut oil
- Size: 8.1 ounces
At first glance, you’d assume (and rightfully so) that Sol de Janeiro’s firming cream was booty-exclusive. But the cream works to tighten any area you desire — which is why it’s one of Shirazi’s favorite picks.
What's the secret? Guaraná, a native Amazonian plant comprised of the most potent form of caffeine on Earth, harmonizes with a blend of cupuaçu butter, antioxidant powerhouse açaí, and coconut oil to form this fast-acting cream that smooths the look of skin.
She's also impressed with its very nourishing blend of cupuaçu butter, açaí oil, and coconut oil.
6
Evens Skin Tone
Green Apple Firming Body Moisturizer
- Organic ingredents
- Paraben-free
- Crisp apple scent
Key Specs
- Key Ingredients: Green apple
- Size: 8 ounces
Derived from a complex blend of green apple, lemon, and grape juices, along with an essential combination of fatty acids and anti-aging peptides, this skin-firming lotion can actually reduce dark spots and discoloration, too.
It's also formulated with a blend of jojoba, shea butter, and essential oils to help boost your skin's elasticity.
7
Non-Greasy Feel
Body Fit Anti-Cellulite Contouring Expert
Key Specs
- Key Ingredients: Caffeine, organic quince leaf, celosia, and blue button flower
- Size: 6.9 ounces
Put cellulite on pause with this correcting formula that works to refine and visibly reduce the appearance of cellulite. It'll keep those hard-to-tone body parts like the hips, buttocks, and thighs looking smooth.
Shirazi loves this cream because it's formulated with caffeine to reduce cellulite and has a light, fast-absorbing texture. There's also a blend of organic quince leaf, celosia, and blue button flower to visibly contour your body.
8
Budget-Friendly
Cocoa Butter Formula Daily Skin Therapy Body Lotion
- Cheapest option
- 24-hour hydration
Key Specs
- Key Ingredients: Cocoa butter and vitamin E
- Size: 13.5 ounces
For less than $5, this body lotion works wonders with its cocoa butter formula. This lotion is also enriched with vitamin E, which helps to improve the appearance of scars, stretch marks, and imperfections on the skin. So, your skin will look smoother, tighter, and more even in tone.
9
Lifts and Hydrates
Body Lotion Uradin10
- Derm-approved
- Long-lasting hydration
- Tackles dryness and flaking
Key Specs
- Key Ingredients: Avocado oil, glycerin, and lactic acid
- Size: 13.5 ounces
This favorite from Emer not only lifts and firms very dry skin, but it also contains moisturizing ingredients like avocado oil and glycerin to hydrate and plump skin.
It's even infused with lactic acid to help exfoliate dead skin cells and thicken your skin. The results: a smoother, softer, and tighter look.
10
Works on Chest, Too
The Sculptor Cellulite Smoothing Body Cream
Key Specs
- Key Ingredients: Sea algae, aloe vera, and organic green tea oil
- Size: 6 ounces
This collagen-boosting, skin-smoothing cream is formulated with proprietary LipoCare technology that works to break down fatty acids. It helps to reduce any unwanted dimpling and give the appearance of firm, cashmere-smooth skin.
There's also a blend of soothing ingredients like aloe vera and organic green tea oil, plus sea algae to help minimize the look of cellulite.
11
Splurgeworthy
Body Tightening Concentrate
- Derm-approved
- Skin-tightening
Key Specs
- Key Ingredients: 2% hydrolyzed rice protein
- Size: 5 ounces
SkinCeuticals is one of the most dermatologist-recommended skincare brands on the market, so it's no wonder Emer suggested this tightening treatment.
This firming concentrate is packed with revitalizing peptides, hydrolyzed rice protein, and yeast extract to instantly tighten and lift your skin. Plus, it has an instant cooling effect that will keep you chill during the summer months.
Nicole Saunders
Beauty Editor
Nicole Saunders is the Beauty Editor at BestProducts.com, where she oversees coverage on all things beauty.
Jennifer Hussein
Beauty Editor
Jennifer is the Beauty Editor for BestProducts.com, where she’s testing out everything from the latest lip gloss to the craziest skincare trend sweeping the online beauty-verse.
Katie McBroom
Beauty Editor
Katie McBroom is an award-winning content creator and beauty/grooming expert.
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