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Let me just start this particular article off by saying that approximately 98 percent of women have cellulite somewhere on their body (men? Only around 10 percent of them do). While that might make some of you want to give me the cynical "gee, thanks" (or quite possibly, even the finger), I actually said that so you could let yourself off the hook a bit. Because, while I don't know too many women who are thrilled at the thought of having cellulite on their body, since it is so common, it's definitely nothing to feel ashamed of or insecure about. After all, cellulite are simply fat deposits (that sometimes look like lumps or dimples) that are underneath the top layers of our skin. And while some are more genetically prone to have more of it than others, factors including body fat percentage and even age play a role in it too.


And just where does cellulite tend to show up the most? Thighs, buttocks and abdomen area are pretty typical. So are underneath and behind our arms. And is there nothing that you can do? Well, that's where today's topic comes in. While in extreme and excessive cases, there are things like laser therapy and other relatively safe procedures that doctors will sometimes recommend, there are also all-natural at-home remedies that can significantly soften the appearance of cellulite too. I've got 10 of 'em right here.

1. Dry Brushing

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A very popular way to reduce the appearance of cellulite is a process known as dry brushing. It's a fan favorite because it is a fairly simple way to stimulate blood circulation (which helps to keep fat from accumulating) as it exfoliates dead skin cells too. If you add 3-5 drops of an essential oil like fennel, lavender or rosemary to a carrier oil like coconut, jojoba or sweet almond and then rub the combo into the areas where you'd like to see less cellulite before brushing your skin, the oils will help to soften the appearance of those stubborn fatty areas over time. Byrdie has a list of some of the best dry brushes that are currently on the market; you can check those out here. I also found a video that features some dry brushing hacks that you can watch by going here.

2. Coffee Scrubs

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Body scrubs are pretty dope, period, because they are such a great way to exfoliate your skin in order to give it a natural glow.

The reason why coffee scrubs are a good idea when it comes to reducing cellulite is 1) the caffeine in coffee can actually help to tighten up your skin and 2) massaging the scrub into certain areas of your body will increase blood flow which releases toxins which can decrease the amount of cellulite that you have in certain areas of your body.

If you combine a cup of fresh coffee grounds with one-third cup of brown sugar (it's a gentle exfoliant) and ½ cup of grapefruit oil (it helps to detoxify your skin) and apply it while you're in the shower, making sure to focus on the parts of your body where cellulite is, it will help to reduce fat cells and increase the production of collagen. Do this 1-2 times a week for the absolute best results.

3. Body Massages

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If you want to go the pampering route in order to get rid of some cellulite, you absolutely can't go wrong with setting up a massage appointment. In fact, if you add dry cupping to your request, that can help to aggressively pull toxins out of your system. While it's not a "cure" for cellulite (unfortunately, nothing can full-on cure it), it is a surefire way to significantly reduce the appearance of it; at the very least, temporarily so.

4. More Potassium and Protein

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Potassium is a very necessary mineral; one that, as far as cellulite goes, helps to flush out unnecessary bodily fluids and waste that cells can sometimes accumulate. As far as protein goes, did you know that it helps to keep your metabolism running just as it should? Not only that, collagen and elastin (skin tighteners) are proteins, so, of course, a diet that consists of protein made this list. I put these two things together because a meal that is rich in both potassium and protein can be a delicious way to get rid of stubborn cellulite. Potassium-rich foods include spinach, broccoli, sweet potatoes, mushrooms, cucumbers, peas and potatoes. Foods that are rich in protein include beef, poultry, fish, eggs, quinoa, lentils and Brussels sprouts.

5. Less Sugar and Salt

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When it comes to overdoing it on the sugar and salt, it's underneath my arms where I will see some signs that I need to hold myself more accountable. Makes sense too since sugar triggers inflammation as it stores up more body fat and salt causes water retention (bloating). Y'all, it doesn't make sense to eat all of the right foods if you're going to continue to eat a lot of what isn't good for you too. If you're noticing more cellulite than usual, stop to consider if you're spending too much time in fast food drive-thru lines. If so, pulling back from those could cause you to see a noticeable difference.

6. Omega 3s

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Some fats are actually really good for you. One of those would be omega-3s. They are a kind of fatty acid that can reduce the risk of heart disease, fight bodily inflammation, decrease the amount of fat that is in your liver, improve bone and joint discomfort and yes, help to dissolve some of the "bad fat" that could be leading to the appearance of cellulite. Foods that are loaded with omega-3s include salmon, trout, sardines, chia seeds, kidney beans, walnuts and flaxseeds.

7. Fiber

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I'm thinking that you can probably guess why adding more fiber to your diet is an awesome way to decrease the amount of cellulite that is in your body. Fiber helps to keep us regular and the less toxins that are in your system, the easier it is for stubborn fat deposits to be eliminated. Not only that but fiber can also boost your metabolism levels too. So, if you know you're not consuming as much fiber as you should, be sure to pick up some dark leafy greens, berries, avocados, carrots, oats, chickpeas and almonds the next time you're at the grocery store.

8.  Chemical-Free Moisturizers

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Oftentimes, when we discuss toxins and how they work against our system, the things that we eat are typically what gets brought up.

Yet it needs to go on record that what we put on our skin can play a direct role too. This is why a lot of holistic experts live by the motto that if you can't eat it, you shouldn't put it on your skin; after all, we've all got around five million pores on our body and many studies support the fact that 60 percent of what we put onto our pores goes directly into our bloodstream (another reason to rethink chemical relaxers; that's another message for another time, tho). For this reason, it really is best to go with chemical-free moisturizers. They're toxin-free and, if you add an essential oil like chamomile, lemongrass, rose, geranium or patchouli to a carrier oil such as argan or avocado, the combo will help to boost collagen while tightening your skin in the process.

Plus, your skin will feel really soft and smooth after applying which is always a bonus.

9. Water

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Between 60-65 percent of our body is made up of water. That alone should be more than enough reason to drink as much of it as you can throughout the day. On the cellulite tip, though, it's beneficial because water flushes toxins, increases blood circulation and helps to keep your lymphatic system (it consists of your lymph, lymph nodes and vessels) working properly. On the outside, allowing cold water to hit the areas where any cellulite is for a few minutes every day can trigger blood circulation as well. So, if you don't do anything else on this list, get that water going. It's something that cellulite loathes. And that's a good thing.

10. Exercise

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C'mon. Don't act like you didn't see this one coming. All throughout this article, I've talked about how increasing blood circulation and removing toxins can help to get rid of cellulite; well, exercise certainly does both of these things. It also helps to tighten your skin which is always a bonus. Cardio, squats and lunges are super effective ways to make cellulite less of an issue. This is why you should commit to exercising 30-45 minutes a day, 2-3 times a week. Your thighs, buttocks and tummy area will be so grateful. You will be too.

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Featured image by Getty Images

 

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