The best cellulite cream is one that tightens the skin without breaking the bank. Here’s our pick of the anti-cellulite creams as well as oils, scrubs, and even leggings to help you get rid of ‘orange peel’
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Best cellulite cream, oil and scrubs
Best anti-cellulite treatments
Most of us are very familiar with what cellulite looks like.
Most of us only need to look at our bums, thighs, or stomach to see the dreaded “orange peel” staring back at us yet when it comes to cellulite treatment, it can be tricky to know which really is the best cellulite cream, leggings, oils and brushes.
As you can read in our What is cellulite guide, it’s totally normal and extremely common with approximately 80-90% of women having cellulite, regardless of their weight.
While there’s no miracle cure to get rid of cellulite completely, you can significantly reduce its appearance with anti-cellulite treatments that smooth, firm, and tighten your skin.
But which is the best cellulite cream? And would a cellulite treatment like anti-cellulite leggings, or massage be a better alternative?
Below we’ve listed what we consider to be the best cellulite treatments for a range of budgets, and we explain what ingredients to look for when choosing a cellulite cream, versus simply using a body firming cream.
FURTHER READING: The best body firming creams, lotions and oils that *actually* work | Maelys Cosmetics UK: Before and after photos reveal if the firming creams actually work
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£21 | Buy now
Why we love it: Not only does its cheeky name (pun intended!) bring a smile to your face, but the results of this anti-cellulite cream will also have you beaming when you see how effective it is at firming your skin. Don’t just take our word for it, this cellulite treatment has got thousands of five-star reviews on Sephora.
The cream is formulated with a variety of nourishing ingredients, including cupuaçu butter, acai, coconut oil, and guarana (a native Amazonian plant whose fruit contains one of the most potent forms of caffeine in the world.) All of which are native to Brazil.
These ingredients are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and fatty acids that help to nourish and protect the skin.
The cream has a rich and creamy texture and is absorbed quickly by the skin.
Brazilian Bum Bum Cream has gained a cult following among beauty enthusiasts and while it was originally created to target the bum and thigh area, it can be used on other areas of the body as well. This is largely because it smells great. If you’re a fan of the scent, you can also pick up a hand cream, sunscreen, and an illuminating glow oil, all from the same range.
Just be aware that if you’re using it on your face, some of its ingredients (including coconut oil) have been known to cause clogged pores. It doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use it on your face, just make sure you’re exfoliating well.
To maximise the impact of the Bum Bum cream for cellulite, pair it with the Sol De Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Body Scrub.
The scrub brings the scent and all the nourishment of the cream but it adds an exfoliating element. Scrubbing your skin with this product helps increase circulation to your thighs and bum, which helps increase cell turnover and works to get rid of cellulite.
The only downside is that buying the two will set you back around £80 – not cheap, but worth it in our view.
£42 | Buy now
Why we love it: There’s a reason Clarins body creams are so well-loved and this anti-cellulite cream is no different. Not only does it feel luxurious, but it also dries super quickly, meaning you can get dressed minutes after applying it.
The magic behind this cellulite cream is the Quince Leaf, which helps to reduce fat storage and leaves your skin feeling velvety. It also features caffeine and horse chestnut, which work together to boost circulation, reduce inflammation, and firm the skin. This effect is then boosted by the cream’s minty scent which helps energize the skin.
The cream has a lightweight texture that is easily absorbed and suitable for use on all skin types. While it is a pricier option compared to some other anti-cellulite creams, it definitely makes a difference when used regularly.
Like with most cellulite treatments, though, you need to use it daily to get the best results.
FURTHER READING: Clarins Double Serum review
£13.99 | Buy now
Why we love it: This cheap cellulite cream is not only affordable (relatively speaking) but it makes a noticeable difference to your skin.
Our own experience with this cream, as well as vast numbers of other customer reviews, backs this up, with many women opting to replace their more expensive cellulite cream with this alternative.
We saw an improvement in firmness, a reduction in cellulite, and better skin tone overall after using this cellulite cream for just three weeks.
This is particularly great if you’re on a budget, or if you’ve got large areas to cover.
If you’ve got cellulite on your thighs, bum, and stomach, this is a cellulite removal cream that’s not going to smooth the skin without bankrupting you in the process.
£13.95 | Buy now
Why we love it: Frank Body Booty Drops contain a blend of nourishing ingredients, including coffee seed oil, jojoba oil, and grapeseed oil, that work together to nourish and moisturise the skin.
This cellulite oil is also formulated with bakuchiol, a plant-based alternative to retinol that is known for its anti-ageing and skin-firming properties.
You can apply the drops directly to your skin, or you can add them to your existing moisturiser. As with a lot of Frank Body’s products, these Booty Drops have a sweet, coffee-like scent and are easily absorbed by the skin.
£27.95 | Buy now
Why we love it: If you’re looking for a cellulite oil but want something more natural (or smelling less like coffee than Frank Body’s Booty Drops) we recommend the Weleda Birch Cellulite Oil.
It’s a natural and effective oil that’s designed to reduce the appearance of cellulite and promote smoother, firmer skin thanks to a blend of natural ingredients, including birch leaf extract, rosemary oil, and jojoba oil. All of which work together to nourish and tone the skin.
Read our Weleda Skin Food review here
£23 | Buy now
Why we love it: We’re borderline obsessed with how clean and refreshed the Solar Illuminating Body Scrub from Mio Skincare leaves our skin, not to mention how it smoothes our cellulite.
It uses caster sugar to gently buff the skin and then a blend of Indian fig extract and Monk’s Pepper Berry, alongside a blend of myrtle and olive oil, bring antioxidant benefits to the skin while leaving it hydrated.
If you don’t fancy using a harsh exfoliating brush on your skin, this body scrub does a similar job while adding moisture and a lovely orange scent to the skin!
When choosing a cellulite cream, look out for ingredients such as caffeine, retinol, and Vitamin C.
Dermatologists swear by using caffeine to get rid of cellulite because it causes your blood vessels to constrict and the fat cells to temporarily shrink.
Retinol works well with caffeine and thickens the epidermis (the top three layers of your skin), improving its texture and reducing cellulite.
Then, Vitamin C helps to repair red blood cells, as well as being an antioxidant, keeping your skin cells safe from damage.
Cellulite creams typically contain a combination of active ingredients that work together to improve the texture and tone of the skin.
They do this in a number of ways:
It’s worth noting that the effectiveness of cellulite creams can vary and they may not work for everyone. In addition to using a cellulite cream, a healthy diet, and regular exercise can also help to reduce the appearance of cellulite. Yet even thin people get cellulite so this isn’t a given!
In short, cellulite creams and anti-cellulite treatments can also help the issue, but they’re unlikely to get rid of the problem on their own. You can read more in our Cellulite: What is cellulite and how to get rid of the dreaded orange peel
Victoria is founder and editor-in-chief of mamabella, freelance journalist and Mum. She has a passion for empowering people to feel beautiful whatever their age, size, skin type and budget