And the Winners are …

What should a cellulite treatment cream contain? My ideal cellulite cream would include, first and foremost, peptide(s) and the best moisturizers available. Then I would add as many as possible of my picks from Paula Begoun’s list of 26 ingredients commonly used in cellulite creams (numbers 3 to 8).



1. At least one peptide, preferably Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 (Tradenames Trylagen and Aldenine). Why: to stimulate collagen production.



2. Complete moisturizers, preferably hyaluronic acid, other glycosaminoglycans or imidazolidinyl/diazolidinyl urea combined with natural moisturizing factors such as silicone, lanoline, mineral or plant oils (shea butter, cocoa butter). Why: moisturize and support the skin’s glycan network to plump the skin.



3. Retinol and/or AHAs/BHAs such as glycolic or salicylic acid. Why: to stimulate collagen production.



4. Caffeine. Why: temporary skin tightener and shown to work synergistically against cellulite with numbers 3 and 5.



5. Ruscogenine. Why: improve function of veins and capillaries which nourish the skin and shown to work synergistically against cellulite with numbers 3 and 4.



6. Escin (derived from horse chestnut), hesperidin or gingko biloba leaf extract. Why: improve circulation and as an antioxidant.



7. Bupleurum falcatum or panax ginseng root extract. Why: anti-inflammatory and antioxidant.



8. Coleus barbatus extract (forskolin or plectranthus barbatus). Why: break down fat and inhibit glucose uptake by fat cells.



Does this ideal cellulite treatment cream exist? No, but several come very close. The most difficult ingredient to find is Tripeptide-1 since it is so new and quite expensive. We’ll keep our eyes out. In the meantime, here are my current Top Ten Cellulite Picks.



Tags: Cosmetics Cop, cellulite, Paula Begoun