Cellulite can affect each and every one of us. It’s estimated that about 90% of women (and even 10% of men) struggle with this problem [source], so it’s safe to say that if you have cellulite, you’re far from alone.
All sorts of treatments are touted as effective, from caffeine creams to shockwave therapy [source]. And while there doesn’t appear to be a magic cure for cellulite, that’s no excuse to throw our hands in the air with defeat. There are still a few things you can do to reduce its appearance, like using a DIY anti-cellulite oil and giving yourself a soothing honey massage.
But before we get to the how, let’s first talk about the what: what is cellulite anyway?
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What Causes Cellulite?
Contrary to popular belief, there’s more to cellulite than just weight; it also has to do with our genetics, hormones, the architecture of our connective tissue, and how fat is stored in our bodies [source].
According to the Mayo Clinic, “It involves fibrous connective cords that tether the skin to the underlying muscle, with the fat lying between. As fat cells accumulate, they push up against the skin while the long, tough cords pull down. This creates an uneven surface or dimpling [source].”
Cellulite can afflict all ages, body types, and skin colors. But you’ll find it more often in women than men because of how women’s bodies store and break down fat.
In women, the collagen structure (the main building block of connective tissue) appears more like a picket fence, whereas it looks like a chain-link fence in men. Combine that with the fact that testosterone helps break down fat while estrogen encourages fat production.
So, not only do women’s bodies create and store fat more easily, but women’s skin is actually more prone to form dimples (cellulite) than men’s [source].
Unfair? Yes.
A losing battle? Definitely not.
2 Ways to Treat Cellulite at Home
Aside from burning fat, there’s really no surefire way to get rid of cellulite. But there are a couple of things you can do to decrease the appearance of cellulite, should you want to.
DIY Anti-Cellulite Oil with Grapefruit and Rosemary
This nourishing skin oil helps to address cellulite from a few different angles with the help of these essential oils:
Juniper essential oil is an antioxidant [source] and anti-inflammatory [source], helping to rid the body of free radicals that lead to collagen breakdown.
Grapefruit essential oil has well-known lipolytic effects, meaning it helps to break down fat tissue [source].
Rosemary is a potent anti-inflammatory [source] that will also help with edema [source].
Jojoba is a great carrier oil and vitamin-rich emollient that can help repair skin [source].
Ingredients
—½ cup jojoba oil
—15 drops grapefruit essential oil
—15 drops rosemary essential oil
—15 drops juniper essential oil
Combine the oils in a 4-ounce jar or amber bottle. Apply to areas with cellulite once or twice a day and gently massage into the skin for about 5 minutes. For best results, start by exfoliating with a coffee scrub.
Store your oil in a dark glass bottle to keep it fresh and shake before each use.
How To Do A Honey Massage for Cellulite
Honey is a wonderful natural remedy that delivers a healing dose of antioxidants to repair oxidative damage to skin [source].
Bees most definitely know their stuff!
If you find that honey is too messy, you can do this same massage using the DIY anti-cellulite oil above. That’ll save you the extra step of having to rinse off when you’re done!
Step One
Pour about 2 teaspoons of raw honey into clean, dry hands. Rub your hands together to evenly disperse the honey.
Step Two
Spread a thin layer of honey onto the skin. I start at my ankles and work my way up to my thighs (your ankles and calves need some TLC, too!), spending extra time on areas with cellulite. If you find that honey doesn’t spread as well as you would like, add a teaspoon of oil to help your hands glide smoothly over the skin.
Step Three
Using both hands, massage the skin in short, upward strokes. Like with dry brushing, you want to massage in such a way that the lymph moves toward the heart, as this is said to aid detoxification.
Each time it will become more and more difficult to lift your hand away from your body. You may need to apply a little more honey if it gets absorbed too quickly.
Step Four
For particularly dimpled areas, use your fingers to lift and squeeze the skin. This helps to break apart and loosen fat deposits so they can be redistributed more easily.
Step Five
When you reach the upper thighs, go over the area several times in large, circular motions to help increase blood flow and redistribute fat cells.
Step Six
Continue the massage for 5–10 minutes. You can increase pressure throughout the massage, but be aware that if you use intense pressure, bruising might result. You can increase or decrease the amount of time or intensity of the massage to meet your needs. When finished, rinse with soap and warm water, and apply a teaspoon or two of anti-cellulite oil to nourish the skin.
Repeat 2–3 times a week or as often as needed to improve the appearance of cellulite. You can also do this massage with a dry brush, a simple carrier oil, or with the DIY anti-cellulite oil blend we made earlier, to cut down on the mess.
Expect some redness as you’ve just increased blood flow to this area. The blood brings nutrients and oxygen along with it and takes away toxins from the tissues and muscles.
DIY Anti-Cellulite Oil + a Honey Cellulite Massage
Sick of pesky cellulite? We’ll show you how to decrease the appearance of cellulite with this DIY anti-cellulite oil and honey massage.
Yield: 4 ounces
Cost: $5
Instructions
DIY Anti-Cellulite Oil
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Combine the oils in a 4-ounce jar or amber bottle. Once or twice a day, apply to areas with cellulite and gently massage into the skin for about 5 minutes. Store your oil in a dark glass bottle to keep fresh and shake before each use.
Honey Cellulite Massage
-
Pour about 2 teaspoons of raw honey into clean, dry hands. Rub your hands together to evenly disperse the honey.
-
Spread a thin layer of honey onto the skin. I start at my ankles and work my way up to my thighs (your ankles and calves need some TLC, too!), spending extra time on areas with cellulite. If you find that honey doesn’t spread as well as you would like, add a teaspoon of oil to help your hands glide smoothly over skin.
-
Using both hands, massage the skin in short, upward strokes until you reach the upper thighs. Like with dry brushing, you want to massage in such a way that the lymph moves toward the heart as this is said to aid detoxification.
-
For particularly dimpled areas, use your fingers to lift and squeeze the skin. This helps to break apart and loosen fat deposits so they can be redistributed more easily.
-
When you reach the upper thighs, go over the area several times in large, circular motions to help increase blood flow and redistribute fat cells. Repeat the whole process for 5–10 more minutes.
Notes
Repeat this massage 2–3 times a week or as needed to improve the appearance of cellulite. You can also do this massage with a dry brush, a simple carrier oil, or with the DIY anti-cellulite oil blend we made earlier, to cut down on the mess.
Expect some redness as you’ve just forced blood circulation to increase to this area.
This article was medically reviewed by Dr. Gina Jansheski, a licensed, board-certified physician who has been practicing for more than 20 years. Learn more about Hello Glow’s medical reviewers here. As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.
Looking for more ways relax at home with a massage? Here are some more options:
