For many people cellulite can be an unsightly and embarrassing condition. Lots of women I know have avoided beaches and pools for years because they were too embarrassed to show their legs in public. Others have gone to great lengths to reduce the appearance of cellulite and have still come up short.
In hopes of eliminating the lack of confidence I’ve seen in one too many loved ones, I’ve decided to devote a whole post to natural remedies for cellulite reduction. There are a plethora of cellulite remedies on the internet but I wanted to pick out the best of.
I do want to get one thing clear before we begin. If you have cellulite it does not necessarily mean you are overweight. The scales will tell you that. I had a friend who spent way too many hours in front of her mirror thinking she was too fat, when in fact she was just genetically predisposed to cellulite.
We all come in different shapes and sizes; that is the beauty of the human race. This means some of us might be more bumpy than others – and that’s okay.
By the time you are done reading this post today I want you to fully understand what cellulite is, how it forms and what you can do to decrease its appearance. Cellulite doesn’t have to have such a negative effect on your life, I’ll show you how!
What is Cellulite?
Celllulite is an extremely common condition that appears as lumps or bumps on the skin of your hips, thighs, butt and even arms.To be honest, cellulite is more of an embarrassment than anything. It can cause decreased confidence, especially in women since we tend to bare our skin a bit more than our male counterparts.
Most people believe cellulite occurs when you are carrying too much extra weight, but as I mentioned this isn’t always the case. Even thin people can experience cellulite. But why?
What Causes Cellulite?
Cellulite is caused by the protrusion of fat that lies just below your skin. As this subcutaneous fat pushes up against your connective tissue it can cause a lumpy, dimpled appearance.
Cellulite affects people of all shapes and sizes, though it is unfortunately more prevalent in women. Lucky us, right? You also might be at higher risk of developing cellulite if it runs in your family. That’s why even thin and fit women or men can be plagued with this frustrating condition as well.
As mentioned, l want you to remember that having cellulite is not always an indicator of being overweight. It’s an indicator that the connective tissue lying under your skin might be laid out a bit differently than other people you know.
This means that your web of connective tissue might encourage fat to build up through the web instead distributing itself evenly. It’s unfortunate but it’s true. Even healthy, fitness coaches with 6-packs deal with cellulite.
The good news is that natural cellulite reduction is a possibility. You don’t need any crazy pills or treatments to help cellulite go away. You can reduce the appearance of cellulite and sometimes even eliminate it completely with my tips below.
11 Natural Remedies for Cellulite
1. Exercise
Exercise is the key to general health and longevity. This the case when it comes to your skin too! Exercise has been proven to increase smooth muscle tissue and reduce the appearance of cellulite.
According to the creator of the Cellulite Solution Exercise Plan, “With the right exercise plan, you can reduce cellulite and make your lower body look smoother and firmer.”
To prove this Wayne L. Westcott, PhD and Prevention Advisor, conducted an 8 week study that showed fat reduction and increased muscle volume along with reports of decreased cellulite in subjects’ lower bodies. 70% of participants reported “a lot less” cellulite. Pretty exciting!
To get similar results you’ll want to instate your own exercise program. You can do an internet search for cellulite-blasting workouts on YouTube.
2. Clean Eating
Eating a healthy diet is integral to reducing body fat and, in turn, cellulite. With our busy schedules and the easy access we have to large volumes of processed foods, it’s very easy for our diets to get overloaded with salt and sugar.
To minimize cellulite, start by avoiding processed foods and decreasing your salt and sugar intake. According to Dr. Oz, you should consume no more than 6 teaspoons of sugar per day and stay away from foods that contain over 200 mg of sodium. Ingesting too much sodium can cause fluid retention which will make cellulite appear even worse.
If you are new to “clean eating,” here’s my best tip: stick to the perimeter of the grocery store when shopping. This will help you avoid all the temptation that lies in the center of the store. Think of everything you find in the center aisles of the grocery store: chips, cookies, boxes of macaroni and cheese, sugary cereals, sodas, etc.
Working the outside of the store will guarantee you are getting a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables and proteins. These things will get you well on your way to making cellulite disappear.
3. Weight Loss
If you think your weight might biggest cause of your cellulite, then implementing the 2 steps above (exercise and clean eating) will be a great help.
According to WebMD weight gain can make your fat cells bigger and therefore make your legs look lumpier. Losing weight will reduce the severity of your cellulite, especially if you have quite a few extra pounds to lose.
When people I know want to jumpstart their weight loss, I usually suggest they start with a juice cleanse. This is a great way to get the ball rolling and to flush your body with a robust amount of vitamins and nutrients. If you’ve never tried juicing before, have no fear, I’ve written plenty of posts on that topic!
4. Seaweed Treatments
Seaweed has long been known as a natural exfoliant. Huffington Post states that seaweed and kelp have been used in Asian cuisine because of their high dose of concentrated nutrients.
Asian culture has taken this a step further and started using them in skin-care treatments as well. When seaweed is applied to your body it will act as a natural exfoliant and help remove dead skin cells.
When it comes to cellulite specifically, this Dr. Oz article explains that seaweed can “help stimulate circulation and flush toxins, which helps to reduce the appearance of cellulite.”
The article goes on to say that powdered seaweed is a great ingredient to use in an homemade body scrub. Check out their cellulite-busting body scrub recipe here.
5. Tomato Paste
Tomato paste is an odd solution to cellulite but apparently it’s a good one. If you’re like me, you usually always have a can or two in your pantry anyway. Tomato paste contains high amounts of the antioxidant lycopene.
Studies have shown that lycopene can help prevent the breakdown of collagen. According to Dr. Oz’s website, “By preserving collagen in your skin you are keeping a healthy thick top layer of skin overlying your fat layer, which reduces out-pouching of underlying fat cells, making cellulite less visible.”
Sounds like a good reason to add some tomato paste to your next homemade Italian dish.
6. Hydration
Hydration is key when it comes to smooth, healthy skin. If you aren’t properly hydrated your skin will show the effects. I know my skin looks bloated and blotchy when I don’t get enough water each day.
Hydrating regularly will help your body function better as a whole. A good rule of thumb is to make sure you drink at least half your bodyweight in ounces each day. If you have trouble chugging that much water, try adding some mint leaves or lemon juice for a better flavor.
In this Women’s Health Magazine article, Dermatologist Rachel Nazarian explains that water certainly makes a huge difference in the health of your skin. She states, “Without adequate water intake, skin appears duller, and wrinkles and pores more prominent.”
Another physician went on to say that “a variety of structures in the skin that support collagen require water to work effectively.”
Long story short, H20 should be your new best friend. Start guzzling now in order to keep your skin healthy, strong and perfectly elastic.
7. Dry Brushing
Dry brushing is something I haven’t tried yet but have heard great things about. It’s basically brushing your dry skin with a dry scratchy brush. This helps with exfoliation.
According to Dermatologist Francesca Fusco, “Gentle dry brushing will slough off dead, dry skin, improving its appearance and allowing it to hydrate more efficiently when moisturizer is applied afterward.”
Of course, well-hydrated skin is happy skin, especially when it comes cellulite.
8. Quit Smoking
Hopefully you don’t have this terribly fatal habit but if you do, it’s definitely not helping your cellulite. Smoking is known to halt the formation of collagen. Collagen is an important structural part of your skin and interfering with the formation of it can make your cellulite more visible.
Put down the cigarettes and pick up something healthier! Of course I know that is harder than I’m making it sound so always be sure to reach out for help if you need it.
9. Eat Flaxseed
According to Shape Magazine, your collagen stores actually decrease by the year. Aside from quitting nicotine, you can also boost collagen by incorporating flaxseeds into your diet. According to Dr. Oz, incorporating flaxseed will help boost collagen growth.
Collagen is important because it helps keep your skin strong. When you have strong skin it looks tighter. This is of course helpful when it comes to reducing the appearance of cellulite! Add flaxseed to your next breakfast smoothie to start reaping the benefits.
10. Massage
Massage is a great way to help reduce cellulite. While it’s not a forever fix, it will help temporarily. Unfortunately for you, the more intense the massage, the better it is for blasting cellulite. According to dermatologist Jeannette Graf, “Deep-tissue massage drains bloated lymph nodes, making your skin appear smoother for two or three days.”
Since its effects don’t last forever, the more often you make an appointment the better. If you plan to bare all in a dress or bathing suit for an upcoming vacation, plan for a few massages the week prior. Your wallet may not thank you, but your body will.
If money is tight or massage is just not an option, you can try using a sea salt scrub at home. According to Dr. Graf, “Sea salt scrubs contain minerals that are detoxifying, and really rubbing them over your skin will give you a glow and help make your legs appear at least a little smoother.”
11. Self-Tanner
Unfortunately, cellulite is more noticeable on light skin than dark skin. If you are one of us fair-skinned folks, try using a self-tanner to help minimize the appearance of bumps.
Apply the tanner directly to your problem areas and then do an all-over mist to help even out coverage. This is one of my favorite quick fixes. You can try it today and start feeling better about your cellulite by tonight!
Wrapping Up
It’s pretty amazing that there are so many natural things you can do to start reducing the appearance of your cellulite today. We learned 11 things that can help with natural cellulite reduction. They include:
- Clean eating, exercise, weight loss
- Seaweed treatments, dry brushing, massage, self-tanning application
- Eating tomato paste, flaxseeds and drinking water
- Not smoking
What are some of your favorite approaches? No one thing will magically cure cellulite. Combining several of these tips together will give you the greatest chance for success. The great news is that you can do it naturally without having to inject or ingest anything toxic or harmful.
Feel free to share which all-natural solutions have worked for you in the comments below!
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