How to Get Rid of Cellulite, According to Science

Sometimes, it can be hard not to focus on your own imperfections.

Dwelling on one problem area can really bring you down, especially when you are unsure of how to even begin going about finding a solution.

Cellulite is common source of insecurity in women but with a few safe tips and tricks, it can easily become a thing of the past.

1.Understand The Underlying Causes of Cellulite

One of the most important steps to tackling any challenge is to understand why the issue is even occurring in the first place.

Cellulite is a buildup of fat deposits just below the skin in the pelvis, thighs, abdomen, and other areas of the body.

Cellulite appears for a variety of reasons, the most common being poor diet, poor lifestyle choices (like not exercising, spending an excessive amount of time lazing about, high stress, etc), age, and genetic predisposition.

2. Understand the Overall Root of the Problem

As previously stated, cellulite can begin to form for many different reasons.

A uniting facet of all of those reasons is that they share an underlying cause: a hefty accumulation of toxins in the body.

Think about it! All of your life you have had access and consumed processed foods.

Processed foods are absolutely full of refined sugar, refined salt, processed starch, preservatives, artificial colorants, pesticides, and a host of other chemicals that are not exactly excellent to consume regularly, like many of us do.

We also experience environmental pollution from cars, aerosol, and other chemical interactions.

Smoking cigarettes and consuming alcohol can have the same damaging effects.

Your body stores toxins in your fat to help prevent it from damaging your organs.

Cellulite is just pockets of fat your body is using to store toxins.

Since cellulite is fat, it is harder to get rid of and requires a lot of work, starting with removing those toxins, where possible, from your lifestyle.

3. Eat More Fruits and Veggies

This sounds like a no brainer in getting rid of fat but eating fruits and veggies more frequently is an excellent cellulite killer!

Fruits and vegetables should make up most of your diet due to their incredibly high nutritional values and low fat content.

With cellulite, it is also key to consume alkaline foods to help break down the pockets of toxin holding fat.

Alkaline foods draw out the toxins in fat, making it pass through your body. Your body can then begin to break down the actual fat, thus removing the cellulite.

This can be a long process and other steps are necessary to get stellar results but a small dietary change is an excellent place to start!

4. Hydration is Key

A current trend with social media influencers is posing with cute water bottles.

Follow in their footsteps and treat yourself, too!

Staying hydrated is a critical step in melting away cellulite and making it stay gone forever.

Hydrating plumps the skin in a good way, making it look alive and healthy. Water flushes out toxins in the body and helps regulate basically every single part of you, from head to toe.

If you do not like plain water, add some fruit to a bottle and pop it in the fridge overnight. The next morning you will have a tasty infusion that is still way healthier than a fizzy, sugary soda or caffeine laden coffee.

Drink water all through the day, as an adult should consume around two liters of water within a twenty four hour period.

Within a few days of hitting this water goal consistently, you will see changes in your skin. Within weeks you may notice your cellulite becoming less apparent.

It cannot be stressed enough just how important proper hydration is.

5. Stop with the Salt

Any good chef knows that salt is the master of all ingredients.

A single pinch can liven up any dish, brightening and enhancing any flavors that typically would fall flat.

This is all good and well, but that pinch of salt is likely contributing to your cellulite problem.

Iodized salt, also known as table salt, is incredibly dehydrating.

No brainer, right? It is salt, after all. Dehydrating is kind of what salt does.

Place some stress on the word, “incredibly”. Table salt sucks out moisture at an astounding rate when you compare it to sea salt or kosher salt.

Cutting back on salt in general is a good idea for your overall health but just making the switch from iodzied to a different, healthier variety will show some rapid changes in the severity of your cellulite.

Plus, it non-iodized salts have a much better flavor than their altered counterpart.

6. Try Skin Brushing

Your lymphatic system plays a massive role in removing toxins from your body.

The lymph nodes contain fluid that helps fight infections and other negative afflictions that may end up inside of your body, including acquired toxins from your food, drinks, and environment.

Simulating your lymph nodes through skin brushing and massaging the areas where they are located can jumpstart them, which, in turn, helps make cellulite go away much more easily.

Using a dry, preferably natural fiber brush, make small circles over areas with cellulite for several minutes. Repeat this a few times per week, as often as you comfortably can. Massage the same areas as well.

For the first few weeks, only brush for a minute or so, as too much can leave the areas sensitive and irritated which is not at all our goal; skin brushing should be a gentle way to break down the fatty deposits and help alleviate dimpling.

7. Work Out

If you are not one of those people who live in the gym already, you may turn your nose up at this one but hear me out.

Working out can make or break removing cellulite. It can be the tipping point of your success.

Not only does working out burn fat, it also makes you sweat.

Sweating removes toxins through your pores, allowing cellulite to be broken down easily.

On top of these benefits, you will also get an endorphin rush and feel better in general with a bit of exercise regularly.

The exercise will tighten and tone your entire body, helping remove the cellulite from the inside out and giving a smooth, youthful appearance to the skin.

If you are too busy to go to the gym, tons of at home workouts can be found online. I promise there is one somewhere that will work for you!

8. Limit Skin Thinning

Some medications can really predispose you to cellulite build up.

Check into anything you take, especially medicines like steroids, if your cellulite seems to be continually worsening and becoming more obvious.

Talk to your doctor if you catch skin thinning or skin damage in any of your side effects. You do not need to quit your medications (especially if they are helping you) just for your appearance but sometimes there are other alternatives with the same benefits sans the skin thinning side effects.

9. Treat Your Skin

Find a nice, rich moisturizer.

Coconut oil, jojoba oil, or olive oil all work amazingly but a regular, thick lotion will do in a pinch.

Moisturize your skin regularly, if you can swing it try to find something with collagen in it, as this improves skin elasticity.

Stick with your moisturizing routine and you will definitely see results, as moisturized skin is happy, healthy skin.

Dry skin is detrimental to any attempts to squash cellulite issues, so be proactive!

10. Do Not Feel Bad:

Over ninety three percent of women report currently believing that they have cellulite.

You are not alone and you certainly are not the only one trying to find answers and solutions.

Take a deep breath, it can be frustrating to not like a part of your body, but this too shall pass and you are still absolutely fabulous.

Even celebrities have cellulite. Many, like the absolutely stunning Ashley Graham, have spoken out about it, attempting to normalize it.

Cellulite is natural and if you dislike it you can always work to remove it. In the meantime, love every inch of yourself and be kind to your body. You are worth it.

11. Whole Grains are Your Friends:

Fiber can do a lot of good things for the body. This includes regulating the gastrointestinal tract and helping push toxins from your gut.

Rolled oats make excellent breakfasts, especially when paired with chopped banana, blueberries, or peanut butter. The fruit or healthy protein boost will help expedite the toxin removal process, giving you faster results. Plus it is whole body healthy and tasty too!

Lunch and dinner can be fortified with brown rice too!

Fiber and whole grains are amazing for your body. Carbs can be scary because of the ties with weight gain but within moderation are fine, even pasta.

12. Exfoliate!

Exfoliating body scrubs help encourage lymphatic draining so they are an excellent way to get results!

Simply choose a scrub (one with caffeine would be a good call, as it tightens skin temporarily) and use it in circular motions in the desired area.

Not only will your skin be baby soft and silky smooth, but it will also begin to slowly show signs of cellulite regression.

Small, baby steps are truly the way to handle cellulite safely and comfortably. Plus a new scrub will make you feel luxurious and pampered.

13. Use a Serum

Serums absorb into the skin really quickly, making them a good option if you are on the go or about to hop into bed for the night.

Topical creams and serums are not an absolute answer to destroying cellulite but they will certainly help.

Often times, they will gradually strengthen the skin and temporarily tighten it (which makes cellulite less apparent).

Some even contain ingredients, like marine algae, which will actually help to break down fat cells beneath the skin.

Serums can really help ward off cellulite in small ways, making the whole removal process easier.

14. Wear Clothes Designed to be Slimming

Cellulite can really damage your confidence and self esteem.

This can be made worse when you slip into your workout gear and realize your dimples are visible through the fabric of your leggings.

Stretchy fabric, like Spandex, can really emphasize and highlight cellulite, making a trip to the gym feel like a chore and perhaps even a little embarrassing.

Try some compression style workout bottoms to help hide the uneven texture of cellulite. These types of pants hold tight against your body, giving you a more streamlined and smooth look.

Compression pants are also good at wicking away moisture which is always welcome while working out and will be a comfy even after your cellulite is long gone.

Plus they exist at basically every imaginable price point and are fairly easy to get your hands on.

15. Try Self Tanner

If you have an event and really want to wear a sexy short dress or plan on spending some time in a swimsuit but do not feel comfortable with your cellulite, maybe try applying a self tanner.

Many on the market now look natural and not at all like the cheeto dust horrors of years past.

Cellulite does not show up as well on darker skintones so applying a fake tanner is an excellent way to disguise the dimples until you can tone them away.

Fake tanning is also much safer than laying in the direct sun or a UV tanning bed due to the risk of skin cancer and sunburns so it is considered the best option in this sort of scenario.

Also, a bit of excellent advice is to always wear sunscreen when outdoors, especially if you are trying to rid yourself of cellulite. Any bit of hydration is your friend and a nasty sunburn can really set your progress back.

16. See a Doctor

If you do not have the time or do not wish to put in the effort to rid yourself of cellulite on your own, seeing a dermatologist is your next best choice.

In office treatments are going to be a lot more expensive than doing it all yourself but will show immediate results, making it the best bet if you are on a definite time crunch.

Procedures exist that literally blast away the fat deposits.

Cellutone, for example, is a very popular option right now. It implements shockwaves at a rate of over six thousand shocks per minute over the course of seven minutes to break apart fibrous areas of the skin and give a more even, smooth overall texture. The best part? It is not excruciatingly painful like one may assume, it feels like the slight sting of being popped with a rubber band, making it a manageable and realistic cosmetic procedural option for many.

Procedures like Cellutone are FDA approved and will run you around two hundred and fifty dollars per session with five sessions at one thousand and two hundred dollars total being the average amount needed for cellulite to be entirely removed.

With results in just one session, it very well may be worth the investment, especially if you plan to make the necessary lifestyle changes to keep the cellulite from returning after the procedure.

17. Break Out the Cardio

We have discussed workouts on this list already but intense cardio deserves a space all its own.

High intensity cardio workouts can burn off fat faster than anything else.

If you really want results, find one that works for you and use it to tone your body.

Running, zumba, dance class, or any other form of non stop movement based workout will do wonders for your progress.

Many group classes, such as spin class, are super fun too and allow you to be encouraged by a clique of people also working towards fitness goals.

18. Up Your Lecithin Levels

We all have heard about the magical benefits of antioxidants.

What if I told you they would help rid your body of cellulite on top of the acne fighting, depression squelching, world saving upsides they are already purported to have?

Getting a lot of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, selenium, manganese, zinc, and copper can prevent the cell damage that leads to the creation of more cellulite and help to actively remove the existing dimples.

You can find these vitamins in most fruits and veggies plus foods like tofu and eggs.

Just simply adding a bit more into your diet can make a massive change in not only your cellulite but also your body’s overall appearance.

19. Protein!

It seems like almost every beauty lotion and potion nowadays contains some sort of collagen booster or filler and for good reason!

Collagen is what keeps our skin looking youthful and supple.

Protein, especially lean ones like chicken, fish, eggs, turkey, nuts, and soy, all help bolster the production of collagen and elastin in the body, actively working against the aging process and the residual high levels of toxins beneath your skin.

Protein is all in all an excellent way to help strengthen your muscles and keep your skin healthy and smooth so go grab a spoon of peanut butter and get to work!

20. Try a Cellulite Cream

Unlike serums, cellulite creams are designed specifically to get fast, permanent results.

Cellulite creams work with varying active ingredients to smooth skin down to an even texture.

When used alone, you will see some results but when used in tandem with other steps on this list, the cream will actively move along your progress.

Even the most expensive, fanciest products with the rarest ingredients cannot work to remove fat alone, that is up to you, but they certainly can put a dent in the damage and get you started.

21. Try Small Changes

It can be really hard to force yourself into the gym just before or right after a long shift at work.

If you find yourself struggling, try making small changes instead as a series of baby steps before you fully commit to a workout regiment. 

Try walking on the treadmill or elliptical for just 20 minutes a day.

Take the stairs instead of the elevator everyday, this alone will help tone and lift your buttocks and thighs, burning off the lumpy bumps of cellulite.

Park further away from your work or store entrance if you feel safe doing so and walk the extra bit.

Go for a stroll in the park to unwind instead of planting yourself in front of the television.

Little things will make all the difference in the world and often lead to bigger, more impactful changes.

22. Omega-3

Consuming omega-3s really helps your body in a plethora of ways.

From memory support to heart health, you really cannot go wrong with pursuing a higher intake.

Omega-3 fatty acids are often found in oily fish like tuna, salmon, mackerel, and sardines.

These acids can really help with cellulite in a roundabout way.

Eating oily fish can decrease your cholesterol levels which, in turn, increases your blood flow.

An increase in circulation helps with cell regeneration which helps push toxins out of your body, gives you a burst of energy, bumps up your immune system, and helps burn fat.

Eating more omega-3s is another excellent dietary change that can really have a lasting impact in the long run.

23. Dodge Unhealthy Fats

We all know fast food is bad for you. Everyone has heard the horror stories of listeria and pink slime a million times over.

Despite that, we still often consume it without even thinking.

Fast food has been found to be a direct cause of cellulite due to its high levels of processing.

It is almost guaranteed that over time, you will develop cellulite from regular usage of such foods.

The same goes for full fat dairy products like butter and whole milk.

While great for toddlers, whole milk can really pack on the pounds in adults. Find healthier ways to get your calcium intake up and skip out on the heavy dairy products when you can.

High saturated fat levels in both are incredibly difficult for the body to break down so avoiding these types of foods is really key to dropping cellulite and keeping it off.

24. Tackle it as Soon as Possible

It can be tempting to put off addressing your cellulite when you first notice it.

I mean, who wants to focus on something that does not make them feel great?

This is a common mistake that makes things much harder in the removal process but not impossible.

Cellulite is much easier to remove if caught early on. Aging often worsens it and makes it much more prevalent so time is of the essence.

It is never impossible to remove but addressing it and being proactive is key to a simple solution.

25. Do You Like Cayenne Pepper?

If so, great!

It may sound crazy but scientifically, cayenne pepper has a lasting impact on removing the lumps and bumps of cellulite.

Cayenne pepper is known as a fat burning food.

As you eat it, it heats up your body and gets your blood pumping. The increased circulation swoops out toxins and bumps up your fat burning metabolism.

It also helps with skin cell regeneration and directly eliminates toxins due to making you sweat, reducing the appearance of cellulite by proxy.

Though detox drinks are generally not recommended, a cayenne one is safe as long as you still eat a normal, healthy diet along with it and do not use it in excess, as too much can damage your stomach lining.

Mix together one or two teaspoons of cayenne (depending on how much spice you can personally handle), one teaspoon of freshly grated ginger (not powdered or dried, it has to be fresh, as the nutritional value changes as the product is dried and ground), and the juice of one lemon into a glass of warm water.

Down the mixture twice a day for a few months and you will begin to see results.

26. Pick Up Some Juniper Oil

Juniper oil is derived from the female seeds of the cones of a juniper plant.

It also contains powerful detoxifying properties and can improve circulation and helps to reduce fluid retention which, in turn, drastically reduces the appearance of stretch marks and cellulite.

To use it, mix in ten to fifteen drops of juniper oil with one fourth cups of a carrier oil such a jojoba oil, olive oil, or sweet almond oil. Massage the mixture into the desired area for ten minutes with your fingers, pressing firmly but gently and really working the product into the skin well. Do this twice daily and within a month you will notice softer, firmer skin in the areas where the product was applied. Continue use until desired results are achieved or indefinitely if you enjoy the procedure.

27. Try Some Seaweed

Seaweed is a natural exfoliant that promotes good blood flow, flushes harmful toxins from the body, and improves your overall skin texture.

These effects work together to disguise and improve the appearance of cellulite.

If you can get your hands on some ground up seaweed, try making this scrub:

Mix together three tablespoons of ground seaweed, one-fourth cup of sea salt, one-fourth cup of olive oil (or any other carrier oil, sweet almond would work really well here), and a few drops of any essential oil (lavender would be nice or even a bit of juniper oil to have some doubled up cellulite fighting power happening). Scrub with it in circular motions for ten minutes then apply a heavy moisturizer, as salt can be drying.

Alternatively, you can do a seaweed soak. This is a favorite in spas worldwide, just add four sheets of seaweed to a hot bath and soak for twenty minutes two to three times a week.

This soak is a great way to go about seeking treatment if you prefer natural, gentle methods.

28. Apple Cider Vinegar is on Your Side

Pinterest boards everywhere hail the amazing effects of apple cider vinegar.

It can add shine to your hair and remove build up, help with eczema, act as an antacid, and actively reduce the appearance of cellulite!

How?

Apple cider vinegar is loaded with beneficial minerals, including potassium, magnesium, and calcium. 

All of these ingredients actively flush out toxins from the stomach and thighs, as well as alleviate bloating and cellulite by helping you lose weight.

To use it, make a drink.

Mix together two tablespoons apple cider vinegar and one teaspoon of honey. Drink it two times a day until you see results. It may not taste great but it certainly works according to most users!

Alternatively, you can use it topically.

Mix two parts apple cider vinegar and one part water. Add a bit of honey if you wish for a thicker texture. Rub the mix on the affected areas and leave for thirty minutes before rinsing off with lukewarm water and patting dry. Repeat this twice daily and results should appear within a month.

You can also do a similar process with wrapping methods.

Mix equal amounts of warm water and apple cider vinegar and apply it to the affected areas. Wrap the area in plastic wrap then cover with a towel. Leave it for an hour then rinse. Repeat once a day until your cellulite is entirely gone.

29. Give Green Clay a Go

Green clay is a popular ingredient in face masks due to its detoxifying properties. It reportedly pulls impurities directly from your pores and evens texture in as little time as five to ten minutes.

This works because green clay stimulates the lymphatic system and increases circulation due to it drying down. It also strengthens tissue, absorbs impurities, and removes dead skin cells to make room for fresh, soft skin.

Due to the myriad of benefits, it is believed that green clay helps to alleviate and remove cellulite bumps.

To use, mix one half cup of clay with one and a half tablespoons of water, one eighth cup of lime juice, and one half tablespoon of honey to form a thick paste. Alternatively, you can double the liquid components and also add a half cup of seaweed for a double acting product.

Rub it on in a circular motion then cover with plastic wrap and leave it on for one hour before rinsing thoroughly.

Repeat once a week as needed until you reach your desired results. You will notice the skin feeling temporarily firmer after as little as one use.

30. Try Tangerine Oil

Tangerine oil is a lesser known option in cellulite treatment due to it being a bit of a hit or miss attempt. For some people, this essential oil shows stellar results but for others it can be irritating due to the prevalence of citric acid.

Tangerine oil detoxifies the body and works to improve circulation and boost metabolism while destroying fat pockets from the inside out.

There are two different ways to use it.

For topical purposes, mix five to ten drops of tangerine oil into a carrier oil. Massage the mix onto the affected area for fifteen minutes twice daily until you see results. If irritation occurs, discontinue use.

Orally, drink a mix of two to three drops of oil poured into a glass of warm water to boost your metabolism. This works best before or after a meal to prevent an upset stomach and with exercise.

31. Do Some Squats

Strong muscles often make cellulite appear less obvious or disappear completely due to tension.

An excellent way to target areas where cellulite usually pops up is to do squats.

To do this exercise, stand with your feet shoulder width apart and your back straight. Look straight ahead as you bend your knees to a sitting position. Hold this for two seconds then come back up and repeat. Add weights if you feel the need to challenge yourself further.

32. Contour it Away

If you need to wear a short dress or shorts, try contouring to hide the cellulite.

In lieu of traditional body contouring, use a shimmery bronzer and a fluffy brush to lightly dust the product down the front of your legs. The shimmer will help to catch light and attract attention away from any bumps.

If you a have medium or dark skin tone, try using a body oil in place of a bronzer.

33. A Surgical Option

This one is mildly invasive so it likely is not an option for everyone. It also only works if your cellulite is mild and not heavily dimpled.

You can request that a doctor make a small incision and insert a laser under your skin. The laser will work to melt the fat away and even out the texture under your skin.

It also warms the skin which enhances elastin and collagen production.

With this option you will see instant results but will also have to undergo recovery time that could affect your everyday life. Speak to a doctor for further details before deciding if this is the right course of action for your personal needs.

34. Cellfina

If you suffer from deep, persistent dimples, Cellfina may be the way to go.

Another surgical option, Cellfina may not be right for everyone but is a viable and popular option due to its less invasive nature and lesser recovery time.

For a Cellfina treatment, your dimples are marked. Then, powerful suction is placed over the marked area, pulling it up and lessening the depth.

After one treatment you will see results though more than one is likely needed for full transformation.

The recovery time and discomfort levels are significantly lower than many other options involving medical intervention, making this one a little more viable for the everyday person.

35. Endermologie

Endermologie is a favorite among celebrities before red carpet events.

The decades old practice is a type of deep tissue massage that opens and drains the lymphatic system quickly and safely, reducing swelling and the appearance of uneven texture by using a roller massage machine.

The results are immediate but very temporary, making this option good for special events but not long term changs.

36. Yoga

Yoga is an excellent and versatile way to tone and tighten the body.

Though the practice is often associated with only flexibility and relaxation, yoga can easily become a powerful full body workout.

Many YouTube channels do free sessions and teach you how to work each area of your body.

Due to it being a low impact workout, yoga is popular among those with busy lifestyles to avoid the intense soreness that can come with zumba or fast paced cardio.

Yoga is also completely personalizable and can be done in multiple daily sessions to suit your schedule instead of one lump time frame.

37. Cut Out Soda

Every doctor tells almost every patient to cut back on soda as soon as any weight related concerns are mentioned. This happens for a very good reason.

Soda is awful for your body.

Packed full of sugar, soda loads on the calories with no real nutritional value.

With those calories, fat is born which often turns into cellulite.

Avoiding more than the occasional soda could completely turn your health around, as it has been cited that once you stop drinking the carbonated beverage that your blood sugar and heart rate both improve, along with general and oral health.

Scientifically, this one tip could save you a lot of hassle.

38. Do Not Give Up

Fighting against cellulite can be hard and incredibly frustrating.

If you want to rid your body of the lumps and bumps forever, it is critical that you turn that frustration into motivation and do not give up.

Anything worth doing will be challenging and you can achieve amazing results.

You deserve smooth, even skin and with a bit of work, you will get it.

Good luck!