SLEEKLY SMOOTH
When it comes to cellulite reduction, we’re fed a diet of pills, potions and procedures. We can be squeezed, sucked, injected, brushed, chilled, vacuumed, worked out and worked over. But one of the most common beauty responses to cellulite — the dimply fat and fibrous connective tissue underneath the skin — is the ingredient, caffeine.
When ingested, caffeine helps speed up the metabolism. On the skin, it drains excess fluid from fat tissue, reducing the appearance of lumps and bumps. But it’s temporary. Take Shiseido’s Advanced Body Creator Aromatic Sculpting Gel ($ 99), which employs aromatherapeutic essences such as caffeine, grapefruit and menthol to get its results. Used consistently ( like every day), it will help your skin look more tightened. Stop using it and — as is the case with every anti- cellulite product — the orange- peel dimples will return.
Another brand well regarded for its body treatments is Clarins. Clarins’ Body Fit Anti- Cellulite Contouring Expert ($ 110) is gorgeously decadent, with quince leaf extract and a host of other botanicals to smooth, firm and lift the skin. Ditto Dr. Hauschka’s Lemon Lemongrass Vitalising Body Oil ($ 78), which combines ingredients such as mistletoe, horsetail and lemongrass to fortify connective tissue. And it smells like sun- ripened citrus. Anti- cellulite products won’t rid you of cellulite; neither will they replace proper nutrition and exercise. But if you have a generous beauty budget, they can’t hurt. If you don’t, a scrub with an inexpensive body- buffing mitt and an expert fake tan, such as Joyce Blok’s Auto Bronzing Cream ($ 45), will get you similar results.