What can you really do about cellulite? By a beauty editor who’s tried everything

It’s a ‘truth’ widely touted that cellulite is a condition that we bring on ourselves, and that we therefore should be able to get rid of it. Cue a giant anti-cellulite industry comprising tools, creams, machines, needles and even scalpels promising to erase the dimples. Only a rare few work, which we’ll get to.

Because cellulite is, more than anything, bad luck. Primarily determined by genetics and hormones (although exacerbated by lifestyle), even skinny people get it. I know, because I’m one of them. I’ve never struggled with my weight, yet there it suddenly was in my late teens, and I hated it instantly.

I’m of a generation that was taught to play up one’s physical strengths and politely cover up less-lovely attributes – and I find my doughy, dimply thighs singularly unfit for display (body positivity be damned). If you love yours, more power to you. But my legs remain under wraps – and have been since I was 17.

Beauty director Inge Van Lotringen (left photo: Mary McCartney). She finally ditched the board shorts after a successful cellulite treatment with Sunekos

And I admit, I’ve been in search of a ‘solution’ for four decades – three of which were spent as a beauty journalist with (admittedly free!) access to literally every ‘anti-cellulite’ treatment in the world. But I still have what looks a lot like my mum’s legs. And my granny’s.

There have been improvements, though, mostly owing a multi-pronged, consistent approach that involves massage, nutrition, exercise, and tissue drainage – but also thanks to a few procedures that do work.

So here’s the truth about cellulite as I see it, and the ways I have learned to minimise it, to the point where I have finally ditched my trusty knee-length board shorts on the beach and reverted to my bikini. In my fifties.

What causes cellulite?

Under your skin is a network of fibrous bands connecting it to muscle tissues, and between them is fat. Fat cells and fluids containing waste products accumulate over time, so the bands can harden and pull down while the fat and fluid push up, creating dimpling.

These factors can make you more prone to it:

• Being female

For women, our under-the-skin tissues are structured like a tufted mattress, while men’s fibrous bands are criss-crossed, making it harder for fat to poke out. Then there’s oestrogen: it may be a cause of cellulite, given the stuff often develops when oestrogen surges, such as in adolescence (that was certainly the case for me) or pregnancy.

• Your genes

Genetics determine your skin structure, skin texture, body type, and lymph function – and therefore how well your system drains toxins and stagnant fluids.

• Movement and nutrition

How much you move about and how well you eat influence both your lymph and your fat stores, so these also play a part in the development of cellulite.

Which home remedies can improve cellulite?

“You want to target lymph congestion around a density of fat cells,” says Kate Shapland, creator of evidence-based ‘leg maintenance’ brand Legology. When the lymph is sluggish, waste isn’t being cleared from the tissues around fat cells, and that’s a major cause of cellulite. To get the cleansing mechanism back into gear, she swears by a combination of body brushing and deeper massage, which, when done consistently, really do bring improvement. Try these:

• Dry brushing your whole body

Body brushing is a maintenance routine for the lymphatic system and should be done daily as a whole-body treatment to activate your de-bloating mechanism. We like Balance Me’s Brush and Brighten set, £40, which combines its Super Firming Body Oil with two vegan body brushes to speed things up. “When done lightly and quickly in the direction of the heart, the bristles give the perfect pressure for a ‘pump action’ that helps drain the lymph, just under the surface of the skin,” says Shapland.

Gua sha stones and nodular massagers, however, “don’t have this ability to lightly massage every pore and crease of the skin,” she says.

• Suction-cup massage

Lymp massage therapists use their fingers to push fluid waste out from around the fat cells. The squeezy Legology Circu-Lite, £9.60 is designed to mimic this by lightly suctioning-in flesh on target areas of dense fat. You then slide the cup in the direction of your lymph nodes. It works deeper than brushing to chase out congestion and waste.

Do creams and lotions work for cellulite?

Back when new anti-cellulite serums were dropped every summer, I tried them all and never noticed a difference. But according to Shapland, high levels of proven diuretic (draining) aromatherapy oils and circulation-boosting botanicals such as caffeine (applied, preferably, year-round and with massage) do work. French women, who love their ‘leg-lightening’ potions, appear to agree.

I can’t vouch for her popular Cellu-Lite Anti-Cellulite Oil £75, because my skin won’t tolerate essential oils, but it gets plenty of five-star reviews. Traditional cellulite gels feature many of the same actives but at remarkably lower levels.

Alternatively, you can opt for body creams with collagen-boosters like retinoids and peptides, such as Murad Retinal Resculpt Body Treatment,  £79: the thicker, firmer skin they promise will make lumpiness look less visible – expect subtle improvements after many months of use.

Also on the market is Eyeam De-bloat Lymphatic Body Glaze, £49: An ultra-light, herbily scented body lotion, that’ll help drain stagnant fluids and de-puff limbs thanks to high levels of bloat-busters green coffee, horse chestnut, fennel, grapefruit and chlorophyll. It doesn’t tingle like other cellulite lotions because it’s free from (useless) alcohol.

Can you ‘break up’ cellulite and fat cells with tools?

While you need some stronger manipulation besides dry body brushing to help shift lumpy areas, anything that causes pain and bruising is counterproductive. “Aggressive fascia manipulation tools may be popular on social media, but the science is lacking,” says regenerative aesthetics specialist Dr Galyna Selezneva.

Physically ‘breaking up’ connective tissues or fat with a handheld tool is just not possible.

Do diet and exercise get rid of cellulite?

They won’t get rid of it – I’ve exercised four hours a week for 35 years and I still have cellulite. But being active (to keep the lymph in motion) and eating right absolutely make a difference and will slow its spread.

Cellulite has nothing to do with weight, so weight loss won’t help. Instead, avoid food and drink that overloads the lymph and cells with toxins such as additives, synthetic chemicals, hydrogenated fats, and tons of sugar. Big culprits are ultra-processed foods (including ‘diet’ foods). I’m certain my Diet Coke habit between the formative ages of 15-20 helped create my cellulite!

Eat as fresh and nutrient-rich as possible to support your lymph (and skin), instead of in a way that forces it to work harder. White carbs and sugar do the latter (pasta and bread encourage your body to hold onto water), while dark green veg, protein and olive oil improve lymph function and nourish your system. Shapland swears by oat bran, which is super cheap and “acts like flypaper, soaking up excess waste.”

Drinking plenty of water is another must as it dilutes the lymph and lightens its toxic load.

You can’t ‘train away’ localised areas of cellulite by doing targeted moves such as thigh presses or tricep dips. Cardio, including walking, is your friend as it’s important to keep the lymph moving. I’ve not been able to run half as much as I normally do in the past year due to injuries, and the effect on the cellulite and fluid retention in my legs is unpleasantly evident.

That said, doing loads of weighted squats and lunges regularly does result in slightly tighter skin over sculpted muscles, which certainly makes my legs look better.

Best professional clinic treatments for cellulite

The below, which range from energy-based machines to injectables, are all good options – with some I personally recommend.

Sculpting body treatments (no needles)

Injectable cellulite smoothers