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The 6 Best Cellulite Creams for Tighter, Toned Skin, Tested & Approved
For your smoothest most sculpted skin yet.
Byrdie
TL;DR
The Biossance Squalane + Caffeine Toning Body Cream is our top pick for cellulite creams. It visibly reduced cellulite in just four weeks, a feat that most creams on the market can’t accomplish. It’s creamy and hydrating and leaves the skin feeling smooth and soft. Byrdie editors (and readers) also love the Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream, which has a delectable fragrance and makes the skin look radiant and smooth.
90% of women have cellulite, a harmless condition that causes skin to look dimply. When the fibrous bands that run from the skin to your muscles start to pull downward, the fat cells in between start to show, creating a wrinkled appearance. Cellulite is natural and part of what makes the human body beautiful—but studies have shown that topical lotions and creams can lessen the appearance of dimples when used regularly (if that’s what you want to do).
Cellulite can increase with ageas the skin’s elasticity and collagen weaken, notes Dr. Manish Shah, M.D.,a board-certified plastic surgeon and skin-aging expert. And because estrogen helps create fat, cellulite tends to accumulate in areas where we have more fat reserves, such as the hips, thighs, butt, and stomach. “Cellulite is a complex structural process that happens deep within the skin’s tissue,” explains Dr. Shah. That means it can be hard to treat topically. However, everyday use of a cellulite cream can help skin appear less dimpled in texture.
To find the best cellulite creams, we put 21 formulas to the test. Our testers used each cellulite cream at home for eight weeks, paying special attention to how well they hydrated and firmed dimpled skin. After collecting the insights and speaking with a board-certified dermatologist, we landed on these top picks to give you the best in show.
Top Picks
Biossance Squalane and Caffeine Toning Body Cream at Amazon$30
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Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Body Cream at Amazon$24
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Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Firming Butter Skin Lotion at Amazon$9$7
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Paula’s Choice Retinol Body Treatment at Amazon$32
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Caudalie Vinosculpt Lift & Firm Body Cream at Amazon$45
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Revision Skincare BodiFirm Body Contouring Lotion at Amazon
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Best Overall
Biossance Squalane and Caffeine Toning Body Cream
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Feels cooling on the skin
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Noticeably reduces dimpled skin
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Very hydrating
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Hydration could last longer
Key Ingredients: Caffeine, niacinamide, squalane | Size: 6 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Formulated with caffeine from green coffee beans as well as niacinamide and sugarcane-derived squalane, this rich body cream is a great choice for anyone looking for a hydrating cream that has toning benefits to target cellulite and dimpled skin. Caffeine helps to firm, niacinamide works to improve skin texture, and squalane delivers a healthy dose of moisture.
While the results were gradual, and it took about four weeks to notice changes, Byrdie tester Kristin was able to detect a visible reduction in her cellulite by the end of the testing period. She noted that her skin feels tighter overall, and the dimples on her thighs are less deep than before using the cream. She loved that it had a soft and soothing consistency that had a cooling effect when applied, and it never left a sticky feel behind. It left her skin overall more hydrated and soft, and she said that applying it daily became a part of her self-care evening ritual.
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Kristen, tester: “I did notice a reduction in my cellulite, and at the end of the test, I felt like my skin looked overall tighter. The dimples in my skin looked less deep than before.”
Best Scent
Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Body Cream
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Pistachio-caramel scent that’s not too overpowering
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Rich, hydrating formula
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Comes in multiple sizes
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Results are temporary
Key Ingredients: Guarana extract, cupuaçu butter, coconut oil | Size: 2.5, 8.1 oz| Cruelty-Free: Yes
There’s a good reason this firming formula has a huge following. Inspired by Brazilian-style itty-bitty bikinis, the cream also relies on ingredients native to Brazil, including guaraná, an Amazonian plant packed with caffeine(it contains four times the amount of caffeine in coffee). Paired with hydrating cupuaçu butter, coconut oil, and antioxidant-rich acai—you’ve got yourself a cream that’s ideal to use all over, not just on your derriere.The best part, however, is its delectable fragrance, which has notes of pistachio, caramel, and vanilla.
Our tester, Mellanie, was obsessed with the results when she tried out the formula for herself—it immediately brightened and tightened, and her dimpled areas looked smoother after applying it. It has a rich (but not heavy) consistency that deeply hydrates, leaving the skin radiant and glowing. She especially loved that the hydration was long-lasting, so her skin felt just as soft and smooth in the morning. It is important to note that the cream can’t technically reduce or prevent cellulite (meaning the results are temporary). Still, it’s a great pick for when you want your skin to look a little more firm and luminous before a pool day or during sundress season.
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Mellanie, tester: “This cream firms and tightens the skin, which reduces the appearance of cellulite because the skin is just brighter and tighter. I noticed that immediately after application. My dimple looked reduced almost immediately, and my skin just looked brighter and more radiant.”
Best Budget
Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Firming Butter Skin Lotion
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Skin feels firmer immediately after application
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Buttery smooth consistency
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Lightweight but hydrating
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Chocolatey fragrance may be too sweet or strong for some
Key Ingredients: Vitamin E, cocoa butter, shea butter| Size: 10.6 oz| Cruelty-Free: No
Despite its relatively affordable price, this formula boasts many of the same star ingredients as its much pricier counterparts. Collagen and elastin help firm and tone, along with antioxidant-rich CoQ10 and vitamin E, to soften and smooth the skin. It’s even effective for reducing the look of stretch marks, which can often appear in conjunction with cellulite.
Our tester, Kaylene, noticed a slight reduction in her cellulite while using this formula, saying that it did a good job of toning and improving the overall elasticity of her skin. She also noted that the dimples on the side of her thighs were noticeably reduced. She was a huge fan of the texture—it’s buttery and spreads around evenly, and it felt very lightweight on the skin. The result? Ultra-hydrated skin that felt and looked firm. Another plus is the delicious hot chocolate-like scent, courtesy of the cocoa butter in the formula.
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Kaylene, tester: “I think it would be a great tool to take into spring and summer for shorts season to help feel firmer. I feel slightly more toned after using it, and my side dimples aren’t as present.”
Best Plumping
Paula’s Choice Retinol Body Treatment
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Has a plumping and smoothing effect
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Evens skin texture
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Nonirritating even with multiple actives
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Results are temporary
Key Ingredients: Retinol, vitamin C, glycerin| Size: 4 oz| Cruelty-Free: Yes
While it’s more commonly found in products for the face rather than the body, Dr. Shah says seeking out retinol in a cellulite cream is a good move, noting that a study published back in 2000 showed it improved skin elasticity by 10.5% when used topically to address cellulite. Along with boosting firmness, it also helps stimulate cell turnover to improve the overall look of skin, he says. Here, it’s paired with protective antioxidants plus hydrating plant butters and oils—such as shea butter and grapeseed oil.
Our tester, Hilary, found that it temporarily plumped and smoothed her skin immediately after application, so her cellulite looked less noticeable. While the consistency of the lotion was slightly thick, it never felt heavy on the skin or left a residue. Her skin looked much firmer and moisturized, and she noticed that it even helped to fade some stretch marks that she had. While it contains multiple active ingredients like retinol and vitamin C, she said that it never irritated her skin—even though retinol has caused her irritation in the past.
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Hilary, tester: “It did a great job of hydrating, and I do think it faded some stretch marks I had in the application areas. My skin never felt irritated, even with daily use, which surprised me because retinol has irritated my skin in the past.”
Best Preventative
Caudalie Vinosculpt Lift & Firm Body Cream
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Antioxidant-rich formula
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Long-lasting hydration
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Feels lightweight on the skin
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Doesn’t actually reduce cellulite
Key Ingredients: Grape polyphenols, iris extract, shea butter| Size: 8.4 oz| Cruelty-Free: No
Filled with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory ingredients like organic grape water and iris extract, this cream from Caudalie keeps the skin hydrated and firm. While using it, our tester, Wendy, felt that it deeply nourished her dry winter skin and loved that the consistency was silky without residue. Since she only tested for eight weeks, she noted that cellulite wasn’t visibly reduced—but she wants to continue using since it made her skin look so healthy and glowy.
We think this is a great pick for pregnant women who want to prevent stretch marks from coming in, as it keeps the skin lifted, soft, and supple. Because it has a pleasant scent and lightweight consistency, it’s easy to apply daily.
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Wendy, tester: “I like the consistency of the cream. It went on nicely without leaving a heavy or greasy feel. It was easy to spread over my target areas, and a little went a long way.”
Best Sculpting
Revision Skincare BodiFirm Body Contouring Lotion
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Contains multiple ingredients to lift and firm the skin
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Hydrates and softens skin texture
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Lightweight feel
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Small amount of product
Key Ingredients: Peptides, caffeine, glucosamine| Size: 3.8 oz| Cruelty-Free: Yes
The star ingredient in this formula is the brand’s iFirm technology, a powerful combo of peptides, antioxidants, botanical extracts, and prebiotics. The result is a lightweight lotion that, yes, firms and tightens for more toned skin but also improves the look of crepiness, sun damage, and dehydration.
We used the lotion on our thighs, butt, and arms, and we loved that it had a silky consistency that felt very high quality and sank into the skin easily. It was also lightweight and didn’t feel at all sticky. About halfway through the testing period, we noticed that our thighs looked smoother and tighter, and our skin felt softer and looked healthier overall. The formula was very hydrating, smoothing out rough skin texture and reducing the appearance of dimples. It is expensive, but given the formula’s active ingredients and our results, we think the price is justified.
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Kelly, tester: “At first I didn’t notice much of a difference, but in comparing the before with the end photos, I do think my thighs in particular look tighter and smoother. My skin also definitely feels softer, so I would say I’m happy with the results even if there wasn’t a huge reduction in the appearance of cellulite.”
What to Look for When Buying Cellulite Creams
A good cellulite cream reduces dimples in areas you’d rather not see them, providing a host of other skin-loving benefits in the process. We recommend the following ingredients to determine which cellulite cream is best for you.
- Retinol: Dr. Shah says there are three key ingredients to look for in a cellulite cream that contribute to skin health and can help reduce the appearance of dimples and bumps when used long-term. The first is retinol. “Retinols are vitamin A derivatives that have been shown to thicken the dermis of the skin and rejuvenate the epidermal layer,” he explains. “This process results in tighter, thicker skin that lays down more smoothly.”
- Caffeine: Another must, according to Dr. Shah, is caffeine, which is helpful due to its circulation-boosting benefits. “Caffeine in cellulite creams acts to reduce local tissue swelling that creates the appearance of classic cellulite,” he says, adding that this, too, helps contribute to smoother-looking skin.
- Vitamin C: Finally, Dr. Shah says vitamin C can be critical for collagen production. “Vitamin C deficiency leads to the creation of weak collagen, which in turn leads to looser connections between the skin and underlying structures,” he says. “These loose connections create the septae that give cellulite its appearance.”
How We Tested Cellulite Creams
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Below are the features our editors and contributors evaluated over the course of eight weeks to determine our top picks.
- Effectiveness: While no cellulite cream will ever fully eliminate your dimples, a good one will reduce and camouflage them. We tracked any noticeable reduction in cellulite when using each cream while identifying other skin benefits, like increased elasticity or radiance. We also considered how long it took to see a difference in our skin’s overall texture.
- Consistency: Though the textures of different cellulite creams may vary, they should generally be lightweight and comfortable. As such, we noted the consistency of each product, awarding points for options that were easy to spread while disqualifying ones that left a greasy or flaky film.
- Hydration: An added benefit of cellulite cream is an increased dose of hydration. We considered if our skin felt more nourished after using each cream (both immediately and over time), identifying if the moisturizing effect was short- or long-term.
- Overall Results: To assess if we were pleased with the overall effect of each cream, we observed if the product lived up to its claims over the testing period and favored those that offered additional benefits (like a pleasant smell or added hydration). We also kept an eye out for adverse side effects, such as irritation or burning.
Meet Our Expert
To write this article, Team Byrdie worked with an expert to better inform their picks:
- Dr. Manish Shah, M.D., is a board-certified plastic surgeon and skin-aging expert in Denver, Colorado.
Why Trust Byrdie
Byrdie writer Shannon Stubbs updated this article with new products based on real-world testing insights. She has over six years of beauty editorial experience and has worked at Byrdie since 2022, where she covers beauty.
Byrdie contributor Melanie Rud has over a decade of experience in the beauty industry, writing for some of the biggest magazines and websites out there. She conducted research and consulted with experts to compile picks for this list.
They also reviewed testing insights from Byrdie’s lab to help create the list of top picks.
Source URL: https://www.byrdie.com/best-cellulite-creams-4800076