Tone and Sculpt With the 10 Best Cellulite Creams, Tested & Approved by Byrdie Editors (2024)

TL;DR

The Biossance Squalane + Caffeine Toning Body Cream is our top pick for cellulite creams. It was able to visibly reduce 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.

Our Top Picks

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.

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.

Key Ingredients: Guarana seed extract, shea butter, pink pepperslim | Size: 4.2 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes

While this cream technically doesn’t target cellulite, it’s able to smooth, firm, and hydrate—which can help reduce the appearance of textured skin. It does this with guarana extract—an ingredient high in caffeine—and pink pepperslim to smooth the skin texture. During the testing period, our tester Diana loved that the product had a creamy and soft texture that spread easily and sank into the skin quickly. After applying, her skin was soft, hydrated, and glowy—and looked a little bit firmer with continued use. Because it’s so lightweight and has a lovely scent, it’s easy to apply every day as a nice treat for your skin.

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.

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, tester Wendy felt that it deeply nourished her dry, winter skin and loved that the consistency was silky without leaving a 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 those who are pregnant and 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 every single day.

Key Ingredients: Caffeine, shiitake mushroom extract, pro-vitamin B5 | Size: 5.8 oz. | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you’re on a weight loss journey and looking for something that can tighten the loose skin that comes with it, we recommend giving this cream a try. It has caffeine to stimulate circulation, shiitake mushroom extract for firming, and a blend of botanical extracts to keep the skin hydrated and smooth—the perfect formula for a cellulite cream. It’s also rich in other skin-beneficial ingredients like shea butter, sodium hyaluronate, squalane, and more.

Our tester, Chelsea, lost about 10 pounds during the testing period, and she found that the cream was great at keeping the loose skin at bay. She also noticed that her dimpled areas looked slightly smoother with continued use. While it has a thicker consistency, it was easy to spread onto the skin, and she only needed a little bit for each area. It had long-lasting hydration—but didn’t feel greasy or heavy. Chelsea also loved that her skin became softer and smoother while using.

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.

Key Ingredients: Guarana extract, cupuaçu butter, coconut oil | Size: 2.5, 8.1 fl 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 and coconut oil, plus 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 just after applying. 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), but 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.

Key Ingredients: Caffeine, retinol, peppermint oil | Size: | Cruelty-Free:

“This product mixes some of the best ingredients out there for improving circulation and firmness and smoothing the skin,” says Dr. Shah. “Seaweed, cayenne, and retinol are all included in the formulation, which is paired with caffeine to address dimpled skin around the thighs or buttocks,” he adds. It contains peppermint oil for a pleasingly refreshing sensation, although it can make the scent quite strong. The consistency of the formula helps it soak in lightning fast, so you can slip on your skinny jeans right after using it.

Key Ingredients: Tri-peptides | Size: 5 oz. | Cruelty-Free: No

In-office body tightening and contouring treatments are always going to work faster and be more effective at addressing cellulite than any topical product out there. That being said, if you do opt to take the in-office route, using the right products afterward, like this option, can maximize the results. Peptides and hydrolyzed rice protein help tighten, lift, and firm, and the formula is also innately cooling and refreshing. While it’s ideal to use post-procedure, it also works well on its own. One con, however, is that it contains mineral oil, which can sometimes exacerbate body acne.

FAQ

• Do cellulite creams actually work?

  As Dr. Shah noted, it can be difficult to treat cellulite topically since it happens in the deep tissue of the skin, and in-clinic treatments can be more effective in reducing them. However, cellulite creams can work to minimize their appearance, utilizing ingredients to make the skin look more hydrated, smooth, and toned.

• Does cellulite go away with weight loss?

  While cellulite tends to appear where we store the most fat on our bodies (i.e. hips, thighs, and butt), it won’t necessarily disappear when weight is lost. In some cases, however, weight loss can make it less noticeable—but it’s not guaranteed.