Close Banner Beauty A Cosmetic Dermatologist Shares 3 Natural Tips To Smooth Cellulite Author: Jamie Schneider March 10, 2026 Former Senior Beauty & Lifestyle Editor By Jamie Schneider Former Senior Beauty & Lifestyle Editor Jamie Schneider is the former Senior Beauty Editor at mindbodygreen. She has a B.A. in Organizational Studies and English from the University of Michigan, and her work has appeared in Coveteur, The Chill Times, and Wyld Skincare. Image by Delmaine Donson / iStock March 10, 2026 We carefully vet all products and services featured on mindbodygreen using our commerce guidelines. Our selections are never influenced by the commissions earned from our links. Let's just say this upfront: No treatment will completely get rid of cellulite. It's a deeper skin concern that will require more invasive skin procedures to actually eliminate. And even if you do invest in the in-office route, there's a good chance that cellulite will start to reappear over time 1 .  See, "Cellulite is caused by herniation of fat bulges between fibrous bands that connect your skin to the underlying tissue," explains board-certified dermatologist Anna Guanche, M.D ., founder and director of Bella Skin Institute . "This tethering pulls down on your skin, causing the normal layer of fat beneath the skin to push upward. The result is a puckering appearance to the skin or skin dimpling."  And despite its dreaded reputation, hear us loud and clear when we say cellulite is not a bad thing. It's incredibly common, affecting up to 98% of women , and it can be genetic—so you can have cellulite no matter what products you use on your skin, how old you are, or how much you weigh.  That said, it's also very common to feel insecure about the dimples and divots, which is where Guanche comes in: "There is no way to completely eliminate cellulite, but there are ways that you can reduce its appearance through a combination of treatments, diet, and exercise," she says. Ahead, find her top three tips:  1 . Smart topicals It's the million-dollar question (or, well, billion, considering skin care is a billion-dollar industry): Do "tightening" and "toning" creams really work for cellulite? According to Guanche, the answer is a resounding it depends. "Contrary to popular opinion, there are some products on the market that can help with the appearance of cellulite," she notes.  Not every "firming cream" on the market will yield the same results, but she praises formulas specifically with caffeine, which can help tighten the skin superficially 2 , and pink pepperslim, which has some pre-lipolytic properties (aka, reducing the size of fat deposits) and activates microcirculation. "A great product that I recommend to my patients is MAELYS B-TIGHT , which features both of these ingredients," she shares. "It's also clinically tested, showing incredible results when it comes to the appearance of cellulite."  Again, completely eliminating or preventing cellulite is nearly impossible 3 ; that said, these topicals can help the uneven appearance, but the effects won't last forever. Says Guanche, "Supporting the skin's elasticity is key in making cellulite less apparent." Less apparent doesn't mean totally gone— it's important to be realistic here.  2 . A nutrient-rich diet beauty & gut collagen+ Our collagen gets you glowing, inside and out.* ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ (312) Shop now Shop now "A diet high in sugar, [unhealthy] fat, or salt can make cellulite more apparent," Guanche states.  On the other hand, a protein-rich diet has been associated with a reduction in cellulite on the thighs: In one study , researchers split 43 women into three groups: One group followed a low-carb diet, the second group ate a high-protein diet, and the third group ate a control diet with a standard amount of macronutrients. The results? Women in group 2 had a lower amount of cellulite on the glutes compared to groups 1 and 3.  Take it as your sign to load up on high-protein foods . Bonus points if your meals are also rich in collagen , which Guanche notes can "help strengthen skin tissue."  Research also backs up this claim: In one double-blind, placebo-controlled study 4 , women who had moderate cellulite took a daily dose of 2½ grams of bioactive collagen peptides, which led to an enhanced skin appearance, with fewer signs of waves and dimples. The theory is that the improved elasticity helps the appearance of cellulite because the fibrous bands are able to stretch more. If you'd like a more targeted dose of collagen, see here for our favorite, high-quality collagen supplements .  3 . Lymphatic drainage The lymphatic system is a network of vessels and other organs that keeps body fluid in balance. And getting this system moving—be it through exercise or manual massage —can improve circulation and flush out excess fluid, both of which can reduce the appearance of cellulite.  "Lymphatic massage, done on