These Top Cellulite Creams Can Help Smooth Skin and Improve the Appearance of Dimples (2024)

Yes, Alastin's cream is pricey, but Dr. Henry is a big fan of the treatment, which contains peptides that help with skin firming, and botanicals that work synergistically with hyaluronic acid to hydrate and plump skin. While it's super effective on its own, the cream also complements any in-office procedures and can make them even more effective, with results seen after eight to 12 weeks of use.

"I love the smart technology it uses to target the fat layers of the skin, which helps the body produce new collagen to firm the skin's texture," said Dr. Henry.

Thanks to collagen peptides and elastin, Jergens' super-affordable cream claims to firm skin while deeply nourishing it. And it works fast — users are hooked pretty quickly.

"I have only been using this product for a week and I already love it," one Target user said. "My skin is so much smoother than before." The jury is still out on the fragrance — some love it, while others dislike it.

Clarins' botanical-based formula contains eight plant extracts, including organic quince leaf, which work synergistically to help firm and tighten skin. The cream-gel texture feels refreshing and sinks into the skin immediately. The product has a loyal following, with many reviewers sharing they've been using it for 10 to 20 years and keep coming back.

"I have used this product for more than 10 years, and it’s one of the body products that I always keep in my daily body care routine," said one Nordstrom user. "The body lotion is lightweight, easy to absorb and really does the job." Not all reviewers feel the same; a few didn't notice much difference in their skin after using consistently.

In addition to its namesake ingredients, this top-selling cellulite cream at Walmart contains a laundry list of hydrators including shea, cocoa and kokum butters, argan, avocado oil and rosehip oil, among others.

"This coffee caffeine firming cream really works and is very moisturizing," said one Walmart user. "My body tingles a bit after use and feels so soft." Some reviewers noted that the jar wasn't full of product.

While many cellulite creams tend to be thick and rich, Body Merry's formula is a lightweight gel-cream that spreads super easily and (unlike many gels) doesn't leave skin sticky. Plus, it has a slight cooling and tingling effect while it works to tighten and firm skin.

"I use it in the morning and at night and have seen a noticeable difference," said one reviewer from the brand's site. "My cellulite is not all gone but this cream has improved it a lot." Many others agreed but a few noted didn't notice the same results.

Luxury meets technology in this splurge-worthy rich body cream from Augustinus Bader. The unique blend of ingredients includes TFC8 (the brand's proprietary complex that helps trigger the body’s natural process of repair and renewal), bisabolol and shea butter, all of which work together to smooth, brighten and transform skin.

"I've been using it for a few weeks now on targeted areas of my body and it has tightened and softened so incredibly well, it feels like satin," said one Sephora user. "I've never had skin like this before."

If you are looking for an unscented product that absorbs instantly and softens skin, Nivea's lotion is for you. Designed to be used twice daily, the formula includes a blend of Q10, L-carnitine and lotus extract to firm and smooth skin.

It claims to have an effect in as little as two weeks and reviewers stand by this: "My legs look so much better," said one Amazon user. "It only took two weeks to see the difference!" A few reviewers noted that the gel can be sticky when applying but the stickiness does fade away.

With over 45,000 ratings on Amazon, this sweet-smelling cream from Brazilian brand Sol de Janeiro is a top-seller for good reason: It utilizes Amazon-sourced guaraná extract, which has five times more caffeine than coffee, to help stimulate micro-circulation in the skin. The brand recommends massaging it onto the skin in a circular motion for best results.

"It not only smells phenomenal and keeps my skin feeling hydrated, but it also contains light reflecting particles that creates a sheen on skin, temporarily blurring the appearance of cellulite, especially when I am in the sun and the light shines just right," said Danusia Wnek, a Senior Chemist at GH's Beauty Lab. Plus, "it perked my skin up a bit especially on the sides of my butt," shared one Amazon reviewer. While most love the fragrance, a few reviewers felt it was too strong.

Think of an anti-aging face lotion — but for your body. Paula's Choice's treatment includes retinol, the derm-loved and all-star ingredient for reducing wrinkles and evening out skin tone, to help smooth and tighten skin from the neck down. In addition to treating cellulite, it helps with stretch marks too. While users love the results, they don't all love the scent of the formula.

One Amazon reviewer shared: "I have purchased three bottles of this over the past year and I have seen a difference in the appearance in cellulite on the back of my legs." Another said, "My stretch marks have lightened and they aren’t as deep anymore." Talk about a multitasker!

In addition to the yummy coffee and caramel smell, Advanced Clinicals firming cream hydrates, tones and tightens with green coffee bean oil, which (according to the brand) is known to help break down fat, due to its high level of antioxidants.

Amazon users love the creamy texture and how it blends right into skin, along with the scent. A few also share that if you use it consistently, you will see a difference in just a few weeks, although some reported problems getting all of the product out due to the short pump.

Tighten up with this lotion from SkinMedica, which was shown in a clinical test (performed by the brand) to improve the visible signs of aging in skin and enhance its smoothness overall. It contains a combination of powerful ingredients including green microalgae, shitake mushroom extract, lemon balm extract, coffee seed oil and caffeine.

"It feels light and silky on my skin, rubs in easily with no residue and has a light grapefruit scent," said Chiara Butler, GH's Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab Reviews Analyst. Albeit pricey, multiple reviewers recommend it for the arm area. "I am amazed at how much firmer my upper arm skin looks since using this product," said one Dermstore user.

While not an actual cellulite treatment cream, Sally Hansen's Airbrush Legs, a Good Housekeeping Beauty Award winner, is the perfect concealer to temporarily camouflage or blur cellulite. It is subtly shimmery and has a unique rollerball applicator that glides onto legs, arms and more with “zero effort or mess,” plus color that "doesn't transfer," shared a Beauty Awards tester. FYI: Some reviewers found the roll-on applicator hard to use.

The Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab is constantly testing the newest skincare products, including cellulite creams, body lotions, face creams and day creams.

When testing moisturizers in the Lab, we use a Corneometer device to gauge hydration capabilities, and we also send moisturizers out to a panel of consumer testers to get feedback on absorption, texture and scent. Products are masked or placed in unmarked containers to remove any brand biases.

Our experts' product expertise and knowledge of the market, along with dermatologist and beauty expert recommendations, was used to formulate this comprehensive list.

When shopping for a cream, our experts recommend looking for certain active ingredients:

✔️ Caffeine is known to help improve the skin's microcirculation and dehydrate skin, which can have a tightening effect, though more research is still needed to confirm the lasting effects.

✔️ "Retinol boosts collagen production, which can help make the skin appear tighter and smoother," explained Marisa Garshick, M.D., a dermatologist in New York City and clinical assistant professor of dermatology at New York-Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center. "Although it is not thickening the collagen enough to eliminate the dimples, it can make the skin on the surface appear improved."

✔️ Peptides help strengthen the skin and "may help the skin appear firmer and tighter, which can improve the overall appearance of cellulite," Dr. Garshick said.

"Consistency and patience are key when applying a cellulite treatment," said Dr. Henry. "Results will vary depending on the active ingredients; it can be anytime from four to 12 weeks." She does warn, however, that while at-home treatments can help improve microcirculation and the appearance of cellulite, they are temporary and only provide minimal improvement.

Dr. Garshick explains that "most at-home treatments are temporary in that they improve the overall appearance of the skin and diminish the appearance temporarily, but don’t necessarily address the underlying cause." Because cellulite results from changes deeper in the skin, topical treatments are limited in what they can do. Wnek agrees, and explains that "because of how deep these fat cells lie, it may be hard for caffeine in topical products to reach the target site to work."

"Some benefits may be immediate, resulting from a temporary vasoconstriction of blood vessels, such as what occurs with caffeine, in which case using a cream in the days prior to a vacation may provide some instant benefit," said Dr. Garshick. Other changes that rely on stimulating collagen production such as tightening and firming — like those with retinol — can take more time to see the results, requiring consistent use for at least three to six months.

As another more permanent option, Wnek suggests consulting a dermatologist about in-office procedures, like the FDA-approved Cellfina, a Good Housekeeping Beauty Award winner, which targets cellulite more long-term. "Besides Cellfina, other treatments for cellulite are laser therapy, radiofrequency and ultrasound treatments, according to this review," adds Butler.

Between in-office procedures and more budget-friendly creams, there are options for anyone who wants to treat cellulite.

A contributing beauty editor at Good Housekeeping, Dori Price wrote this guide based on advice, tips and product suggestions from top dermatologists and GH's own Beauty Lab experts. Dori has over 15 years of experience researching and writing skincare stories, combining her knowledge with the expertise of top industry professionals including dermatologists and aestheticians.

Dori consulted Chiara Butler, Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab Reviews Analyst at Good Housekeeping Institute, for product picks and details about cellulite creams. In the Lab, Chiara conducts hands-on testing of health and beauty products. She earned her bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Columbia University. Before joining GH in 2022, she worked as a cosmetic chemist, formulating skincare products for a variety of brands and learning to decode ingredient lists, evaluate ingredient efficacy and scrutinize product claims.

Danusia Wnek, a senior chemist in GH's Beauty Lab, also contributed her expertise about cellulite to this article. She has been testing skincare products including but not limited to eye creams, serums, night creams, neck creams, facial oils and moisturizing creams for over seven years at the Good Housekeeping Institute. Danusia has experience in using specialized skin evaluation lab equipment to gauge changes in skin moisturization, firmness and facial features like wrinkles and texture before and after product use. She also regularly polls our consumer panel on their purchasing and product use habits as well as weighs in on the benefits of skincare ingredients like vitamin C, retinol and niacinamide.