Many women would love to know the best cellulite cream to try. As it turns out, the best creams are the ones that contain one or more ingredients that are actually proven to work by reducing the appearance of cellulite.
Cellulite is caused by an unevenly distributed layer of fat cells beneath the surface of the skin. It appears on the thighs, buttocks, abdomen, or arms of about 85% of all post-adolescent women. The result is skin that looks bumpy or dimpled.
While there is no cellulite treatment cream that completely removes cellulite, some ingredients produce effects that reduce its appearance for some women. In theory, this can be done in two ways. One way is to shrink or smooth the fatty deposits beneath the skin. The other way is to thicken the skin’s top layer, which helps to hide the bumps underneath. Three types of ingredients that show up in cellulite reduction cream are thought to produce these effects.
Caffeine and Other Methylxanthines
Ingredients like caffeine, theophylline, and aminophylline are all classified as methylxanthines. They are commonly cited as some of the most effective ingredients for diminishing the appearance of cellulite. The theory is that they pull moisture away from skin and fat cells. This is thought to firm the skin and induce fat cells to dissolve. Some research of these ingredients has produced positive results when they are used in a topical cellulite removal cream.
Retinoids
Other cellulite creams contain retinoids as their main ingredients. Chemically, retinoids are closely related to Vitamin A and have similar effects on the skin. Some common forms of retinoids include retinol, tretinoin, and several other compounds.
Research has shown that topical application of retinoid creams does increase the thickness of the skin over time. In theory, an anti cellulite cream that contains a retinoid, when applied regularly, will thicken the skin and reduce the appearance of cellulite. It will not remove the cellulite, but it should help to hide it.
Imagine a floor covered with baseballs. If you throw a thin sheet over them, you will still see the bumps from the balls through the sheet. If you throw a thick quilt over them, however, the bumpy appearance will be minimized. The same effect is at work with retinoid creams used for cellulite.
Dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE)
Another common ingredient in cellulite cream is dimethylaminoethanol, or DMAE. This is an antioxidant that is often included as a key ingredient of anti-wrinkle creams due to its ability to firm the skin. This is thought to work by stimulating muscles, causing them to contract and to become more toned. In theory, this tightening effect can also work to reduce the appearance of cellulite.
When it comes down to it, the best cellulite cream ingredients are the ones that produce results. More research is needed in this area, but these three ingredients seem to be the most effective ones on the market today. If a topical treatment for cellulite contains methylxanthines, retinoids, or DMAE, then it may be worth trying.
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