Natural remedies for cellulite: the complete guide
Cellulite is an inflammation of the tissues that causes water retention and blemishes. The most affected areas are commonly the legs and buttocks, but we will see how resolving this problem actually involves the entire body. In addition to the aesthetic aspect, water retention makes our legs feel swollen and heavy, with a widespread feeling of malaise. The causes - as well as the remedies - can be numerous: from lifestyle to diet, from clothing to hormonal imbalances.
In this article, we will review all the most effective natural remedies against cellulite and how to use them best.
Summary
Essential oils to fight cellulite
What to use against cellulite
Creams, herbal teas, decoctions: there are many products on the market to fight cellulite. But it happens that the search for the most effective anti-cellulite products leads to bitter disappointments. More and more often, the purchased product is shelved, judged to be substandard.
Unfortunately, the problem does not lie in the effectiveness of the product, but in the erroneous belief that a single product can be a definitive solution. The reduction or elimination of cellulite requires a continuous and holistic approach, which encompasses all aspects of the person.
Effective and fast remedies
In this article, we mention the most effective methods, but certainly not the fastest. The fight against cellulite requires a change of habits and good consistency. Our advice, therefore, is to be wary of miraculous solutions, as they almost always prove disappointing.
Most of the proposed remedies are truly inexpensive and simple to use. The speed with which the problem will be solved depends instead on the severity of the inflammation, consistency, and the peculiar reactivity of one's body.
Eliminate toxins
The accumulation of toxins is one of the main causes of tissue inflammation and lymphatic system overload. To work effectively on cellulite, it is necessary to promote the elimination of toxins and limit the intake of substances such as alcohol, coffee, animal fats, and tobacco.
Hydration is also fundamental: for tissues to be healthy and organs to perform their functions best, it is necessary to drink the right amount of water. Proper hydration will also help us have more energy and face the day better, preventing nervous hunger attacks and fatigue.
The elimination of toxins, in addition to proper nutrition and hydration, occurs mechanically through scrubs, wraps, massages, and physical activity. In the following paragraphs, we will look at some methods and recipes to facilitate venous and lymphatic circulation. Both, in fact, are involved in the elimination of toxins: venous circulation collects used blood from tissues - rich in toxins - and transports it to the liver and lungs for purification. Lymphatic circulation, on the other hand, is a network of channels that transport fluid loaded with waste that needs to be eliminated.
Scrub
Scrubbing is a very ancient technique, belonging to different cultures. Thanks to the significant friction applied to the skin, it is possible to remove dead cells, excess toxins, and allow substances to penetrate better.
The advice is to use circular movements and always work from bottom to top, moving up from the calves to the thighs and buttocks.
Below, a couple of recipes for a DIY anti-cellulite scrub, to be made with what you have available:
Coffee anti-cellulite scrub
One cup of coffee grounds
One tablespoon of coconut or almond oil
5 drops of Bitter Orange essential oil
Salt anti-cellulite scrub
One cup of fine salt
One tablespoon of olive oil
3 drops of Lemon essential oil
2 drops of Peppermint essential oil
Mud and green clay
The slimming wrap with mud is a highly beneficial practice for the skin and tissues. Simply apply the mud to the affected areas until it dries. If you want to further stimulate sweating and the absorption of substances, you can cover the wrap with cling film. Commercial muds typically consist of a clayey material enriched with algae, phytotherapeutic agents, and other trace elements with purifying and circulatory properties. A very positive aspect is that even after the first applications, mud wraps give us more toned and compact skin.
It is possible to make DIY anti-cellulite mud: just a few ingredients are enough to make the mixture effective and active. In particular, you will need green clay, water, and essential oils with purifying, circulatory, and draining properties. Essential oils are concentrated active ingredients and are used precisely to "activate" formulations: just a few drops are enough to achieve amazing results. The advice is not to exceed the recommended doses, as this could cause redness and even inflammation.
Here is a possible recipe:
100 ml of water
6 tablespoons of ventilated green clay
5 drops of Cypress essential oil
3 drops of Lemon essential oil
The properties of clay wraps enriched with essential oils are truly interesting: they increase the resistance of cell walls with a phlebotonic action, stimulate microcirculation, activate sweating and the consequent elimination of toxins, purifying the skin.
Anti-cellulite massages
Massages are one of the simplest and most effective remedies against orange peel skin. It is an economical and pleasant solution that can be implemented daily and provides great benefits.
There is no good reason to forgo a self-massage that helps circulation and fluid drainage. Just a few minutes and the right body oil are enough to improve the tone and quality of tissues day after day.
Below are our tips for performing your anti-cellulite massage best:
Apply the oil to damp skin, after showering or washing
Apply light pressure from bottom (ankles) to top (thighs)
Massage adipose pads with circular movements
Continue massaging until the chosen body oil is completely absorbed.
The practice of massage offers several benefits:
Improves circulation and microcirculation
Facilitates lymphatic circulation
Stimulates lipolysis
Massage oil for Cellulite
In performing the massage to combat cellulite, the choice of the right body oil will be fundamental. In particular, the advice is to use a product enriched with essential oils with circulatory, phlebotonic, lipolytic, and draining action.
In this regard, we have created the Leg Routine Kit: a kit of two body oils with circulatory and draining functions, to improve the functionality of adipose tissue, whose alterations can cause cellulite blemishes.
These are functional mixtures made with phytotherapeutic plants - such as centella and chili pepper - essential oils and organic almond oil, to be used for leg massage.
The two products are complementary, so they can be used alternately. For example, in the morning you can choose to apply the circulatory body oil, while in the evening the draining one, to promote the nocturnal action of the lymphatic system.
These massage oils, if used correctly, have a modeling, slimming, and firming action. The essential oils contained within them purify the tissues, with a toning and antioxidant effect. Below, some of the main ingredients of the two mixtures.
Circulation Body Oil
Sweet almond oil
Centella
Butcher's Broom
Horse Chestnut
Lemon essential oil
Cypress essential oil
Eucalyptus essential oil
Sweet almond oil
Chili pepper
Juniper essential oil
Cinnamon essential oil
Wintergreen essential oil
Rosemary essential oil
Lemon essential oil
Essential oils to fight cellulite
As we have already said, essential oils are among our best allies in contrasting, reducing, or eliminating cellulite. Many of them contain active ingredients that rebalance the natural functionality of tissues and improve the activity of the cardiovascular system.
The main strength of essential oils is that they can be used in multiple remedies. They can be absorbed by the skin through the use of multiple carriers and methods:
Mud packs and wraps
Oil massages
Aromatic baths with coarse salt
Moisturizing creams
In the following paragraphs, we discover the action of some of the main essential oils that are used against cellulite.
Rosemary essential oil
Rosemary is a plant with countless properties, very effective in treating water retention. A powerful lipolytic, it counteracts localized adiposity and promotes tissue oxygenation. Astringent, toning, and purifying, it stimulates both the lymphatic and circulatory systems.
Lemon essential oil: properties
Citrus essential oils have an intense toning action, promote metabolism, and stimulate the lymphatic system thanks to the content of active ingredients such as Limonene, Coumarins, and Geraniol. The properties of lemon essential oil, in particular, make it one of the best oils for draining and purifying massages.
Cypress essential oil
Cypress is an astringent and toning essential oil, particularly indicated in cases of venous dilation and fragile capillaries. Diuretic and tissue draining, it is also indicated for the treatment of tired legs and as a stimulant for peripheral circulation.
Sport, Walking and Exercises
Sports activity is essential for improving body composition, toning muscle mass, and reducing fat mass. However, although movement is one of the key points in fighting cellulite and orange peel skin, some clarifications are needed.
In fact, some sports activities can be counterproductive for cellulite and even lead to increased water retention. Running, for example, risks being harmful for all those who suffer from poor circulation and stagnation. If you decide to run anyway, the advice is to supplement with plenty of stretching, use compression stockings during exercise, and never forget to keep your legs elevated after the cool-down phase. If possible, it is recommended to replace running with brisk walking, swimming, or cycling.
In general, excessive sports activity risks accentuating tissue inflammation. For this reason, a maximum of 3 or 4 training sessions per week are recommended, to which walks of at least 30-40 minutes a day should be added.
The topic of sport is complex, as it involves a series of subjective variables. A good practice to understand whether an activity is right for us or not can be to observe ourselves and listen to our body.
Conclusions
In this article, we wanted to present - albeit quickly - all the natural remedies that help us improve water retention and cellulite, but not only. In fact, if one learns to appreciate small self-care rituals, these measures can even improve the quality of life.
Circulation Body Oil
Functional blend of pure lemon and cypress essential oils and centella and horse chestnut extracts.
Fights the skin imperfections caused by dilated capillaries with a regenerating action. Invigorates and gives vitality, a feeling of lightness and relief to tired legs.
Draining Body Oil
Functional blend of pure juniper and rosemary essential oils and chili pepper extracts.
Fights skin blemishes caused by cellulite with a shaping, slimming and firming action. Regenerates and purifies tissues with a toning and antioxidant effect.
Share
