Effective Cellulite Creams

We’ve all seen pictures of the ads. In the before shot, the model has thighs that look like overgrown sponges. In the after shot, she has been miraculously transformed into an 18-year old with the smoothest skin you’ve ever seen.

But anti-cellulite treatments – skin firming creams – really can’t do that. You're not likely to even achieve that result after liposuction.

It seems that all of us, especially women, develop that loose, spongy skin on at least parts of our bodies as we age. Do the skin firming products on the market really work?

In my article Effective Cellulite Creams I list ten I believe show promise and go into the reasons why I believe so.

Glycation is the process by which glucose links with proteins and causes them to bind together, thus stiffening tissues. As we age this bond loosens, causing cellulite in the buttocks, thighs and upper arms.

It affects the skin’s support system – collagen, elastin and other proteins – and leads to cellulite, wrinkles, sagging, uneven skin tone and loss of youthful contours.

Skin care products containing the ingredient, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-3, have been clinically shown to stop and even reverse glycation damage.

Some creams on the market only offer temporary relief, by basically starching the wrinkle out of your skin, in a process quite similar to starching a shirt.

However, there are other creams that help restore the collagen and elastin that are necessary for smooth supple skin.

Here are my top ten cellulite treatments.

Tags: effective skin care effective cellulite creams cellulite creams

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

What, No Peptides?!

I’ve been talking about Paula Begoun’s recent nine-page special report on cellulite treatments. In it she reviews – and pooh-poohs – 24 of 26 ingredients commonly used in cellulite creams. The only ones Paula believes may have any benefit are retinol and other exfoliants (AHAs and BHAs) which stimulate collagen production.



In addition, she cites Johnson & Johnson research (makers of Neutrogena and RoC) showing that the combination of retinol, caffeine and ruscogenine (butcher’s broom extract) work synergistically to reduce the appearance of cellulite.



Going through the list of 26 ingredients, I find several that would be in my ideal cellulite cream. I'm amazed that Paula doesn’t even mention cosmeceutical peptides.



My ideal cellulite cream would contain at least one peptide, preferably Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 (Tradenames Trylagen and Aldenine). Why? Not as a “cure” for cellulite, but as a cover-up. Cellulite is fat pockets bulging up through the network of connective tissue beneath the skin’s surface.



As skin ages, it thins due to collagen loss and a slowdown in production of new collagen. If collagen production can be revved up again, the thickening skin layer should act like spackle on top of the unattractive bumpy cellulite.



Learn about cosmeceutical peptides which stimulate collagen production here.



Tags: Cosmetics Cop Paula Begoun , cellulite, peptides

The Cosmetic-holic takes on the Cosmetics Cop

I admit it: I’m a cosmetic-holic. I love cosmetics and always have. I love to buy them; I love to try them. I love how they make me feel; and now, with the advent of cosmeceuticals, I love their anti-aging effects. Unlike Cosmetics Cop Paula Begoun, my mind is open to new developments in skin antiaging ingredients.



Paula’s favorite phrase seems to be, “There is no published research that the same effect is achieved when ‘x’ is applied topically.” Variations of this phrase appear no less than 14 times in her review of 26 ingredients commonly used in cellulite creams.



In my opinion, the question of topical effectiveness is becoming less and less of an issue because of nanosphere technology and penetration enhancers used to deliver ingredients below the skin’s surface. As well, the new cosmeceutical peptides are small enough to penetrate the skin’s surface. Interestingly, Paula doesn’t even include peptides in her cellulite ingredient list, though many cellulite creams contain them.



I think the bigger issue today is whether topical products absorbed through the skin penetrate to other organs of the body and have unintended systemic effects. Paula mentions this risk with respect to: the oral bronchodilator, aminophylline; and guarana (paullinia cupana seed extract) and khelia which have several noxious side effects when taken orally.



Next time I’ll share my thoughts on the perfect cellulite cream.



Tags: Cosmetics Cop Paula Begoun, cellulite, peptides

The Cosmetics Cop Does It Again

I read everything I can that Paula Begoun, the Cosmetics Cop, writes. She has some wonderful info on cosmetic ingredients and scientific research. But I sometimes take issue with her attitude.



I just finished her special report on cellulite treatments. She got to me by the second paragraph when she said, “Despite being a completely benign condition, much like wrinkles, cellulite …”



I’ve voiced my opinion on wrinkles before. I disagree that they are a “completely benign condition”. They are a visible sign of the body’s deterioration from free radicals, UV rays, pollutants, the body’s own autoimmune reactions, disease, inflammation and just plain wear and tear.



There isn’t a consensus on the cause of cellulite but, according to Paula, the three leading theories are: 1. women have unique skin structure on their thighs which causes cellulite to easily form; 2. the connective tissues on women’s thighs are too weak or thin; and 3. vascular changes and inflammatory conditions are to blame.



If cause #1 is borne out, some may consider that benign. But if cause #2 and/or #3 are to blame, I would argue that cellulite (like wrinkles) is anything but benign. While cellulite is not a debilitating disease, connective tissue breakdown (cause #2) and out-of-control inflammation (#3) are certainly not signs of health.



Any safe product that can slow or halt such destructive processes prolongs the body’s youthful healthier state.



Tags: Cosmetics Cop, cellulite, Paula Begoun