That stubborn cellulite… No matter how hard you try to get rid of it, it always seems to come back. That’s just part of life for many women! But perhaps you should use good products to care for it. Some vegetable oils are particularly popular in an anti-cellulite routine, thanks to their properties, texture and active ingredients. Here is your handy guide: what cellulite is, our pick of nine anti-cellulite vegetable oils and our tips for choosing the right one for you!
What is cellulite?
Cellulite, or superficial lipodystrophy, is an extremely common phenomenon affecting around 9 in 10 women at some point in their lives. It results from an abnormal accumulation of fat and water in the deeper layers of the skin, giving the epidermis a bumpy appearance commonly known as orange peel skin.
It is caused by a combination of factors:
- Hypertrophy (and sometimes multiplication) of adipocytes — the fat cells responsible for storing dietary fats as an energy source.
- Porosity and compression of blood and lymphatic vessels, leading to fluid infiltration in the tissues (the well-known water retention) and poor elimination of metabolic waste.
- Sometimes, connective tissue disruption, resulting in fibrosis.
Cellulite is triggered by various factors — which can combine: hormonal activity, poor lifestyle habits, veno-lymphatic insufficiency, genetics, age, consumption of toxins (alcohol, tobacco) and certain medications.
It is also worth noting that there are different types of cellulite:
- Adipose cellulite, caused by excessive fat storage in adipose lobules (often the result of a sedentary lifestyle combined with a high-calorie diet). It is painless, soft, and more or less visible to the naked eye.
- Aqueous cellulite, often linked to veno-lymphatic insufficiency causing water retention. It has a puffy, oedematous appearance and feels soft to the touch. It is sometimes accompanied by symptoms of heavy legs and unexplained bruising.
- Fibrous cellulite, deeply embedded, results from fibrosis (stiffening of elastic fibres) combined with adipocyte hypertrophy. It is highly visible, tender to the touch and particularly stubborn.
Which vegetable oils should you choose to care for skin with cellulite?
Here is our selection of anti-cellulite vegetable oils: castor, borage, calendula macerated oil, Touloucouna, macadamia, Andiroba, sesame and Chaulmoogra, plus our very own Anti-Cellulite Massage Oil. Each one stands out for its texture, active ingredients and use. Some of the rarer oils appeal because of their origins, others because of their fluid texture, which is ideal for massage. The best oil for cellulite is simply the one that suits you and that you will enjoy using regularly.
Castor oil
A vegetable oil used for centuries in poultices, as well as in traditional body care. Please note: it should never be ingested and is for use on the skin only. Applied to the skin, however, it can be a highly interesting option for cellulite: it can accompany the massage of the areas concerned. Used in massage, it may also bring comfort to the skin. Castor oil may therefore be an interesting option for caring for areas affected by aqueous and fibrous cellulite.
Borage oil
Cold-pressed from borage seeds, this oil is highly regarded in body care. Borage is also known for its many traditional uses. Its well-balanced concentration of omega-6 fatty acids gives it regenerating and repairing properties, helping to maintain the firmness and suppleness of the skin. Borage oil may therefore be recommended for caring for all types of cellulite.
Calendula macerated oil
Strictly speaking, this is a macerated oil rather than a vegetable oil, as calendula is a flower. Traditionally, calendula flowers, prized for their many properties, are macerated in a natural vegetable oil (such as sunflower or sweet almond) to extract their benefits. Rich in soothing actives, calendula has been used in skincare for centuries. Calendula macerated oil is therefore well suited for use on cellulite, helping to soothe and soften the skin. It is suitable for all cellulite types, but is particularly popular for aqueous cellulite.
Touloucouna oil
Pressed from the seeds of the Touloucouna fruit, from a tree native to Africa, this vegetable oil is used in body and hair care. Its soothing and nourishing properties make it a standout choice. It also has a reputation for being particularly interesting for cellulite: it is said to soothe the skin over deeply embedded cellulite while keeping it supple and nourished. A rare find in Europe, it is nonetheless well worth seeking out for your cellulite care routine.
Macadamia oil
Macadamia oil, with its high penetrating power, stability and wealth of beneficial properties, is an interesting option in cellulite care. With its vitamin E content, it helps take good care of the skin. Its unique composition (a synergy of two fatty acids) keeps skin supple and radiant while toning its appearance. It is therefore an excellent choice for cellulite care.
Andiroba oil
A rare and precious vegetable oil, pressed from the nuts of the Andiroba tree, native to the Amazon. This oil is renowned for its high content of triterpenoids, which are antioxidant actives. Traditionally used in sports massage after exercise, it is also an interesting option for cellulite care, as it pairs well with a massage of areas with a dimpled appearance.
Sesame oil
The main advantage of sesame vegetable oil when it comes to cellulite is undoubtedly its texture. Fluid and lightweight, it is particularly well suited to anti-cellulite massages such as the pinch-and-roll technique. It glides effortlessly over the skin while nourishing it, making it easy to perform the characteristic pinching and rolling movements. Its pleasant scent and high antioxidant content make it a true beauty essential!
Chaulmoogra oil
Another rare oil, pressed from the seeds of the Chaulmoogra fruit, from a tree native to Asia. This vegetable oil has traditionally held a special place, and Ayurvedic tradition still regards it as a precious natural skincare ingredient. A truly exceptional oil, it can be used, among other things, to care for all types of cellulite. It lends itself well to massaging dimpled areas, as part of a routine for skin that feels smoother and firmer to the touch.
Our Anti-Cellulite Massage Oil
How could we compile a list of the best anti-cellulite vegetable oils without mentioning our own? A blend of sunflower oil, sweet almond oil, and grapefruit and ivy extracts, our Anti-Cellulite Massage Oil is not only ideal for the pinch-and-roll technique, it has also been designed with dimpled areas in mind. Grapefruit and ivy have been selected to care for areas affected by cellulite, while the oil’s fine, gliding texture makes massage effortless, with or without a cupping tool (like ours!).
The oil that visibly smooths the look of your skin
- Complete formula: 4 powerful actives for a targeted massage of cellulite-prone areas
- Smoother-looking skin: actives designed to complement the palper-rouler technique
- Sensorial massage : rich texture and Monoï scent for a gentle, feel-good ritual
How to choose the right vegetable oil?
A quick clarification, as the two are often confused: a natural vegetable oil is not an essential oil. A vegetable oil is obtained by pressing a seed or kernel, whereas an essential oil is a plant essence extracted through distillation (a process that captures the volatile aromatic compounds of a plant). Another key difference: vegetable oils can be applied directly to the skin, while essential oils cannot. That said, vegetable oils make an excellent carrier for essential oils, which dissolve into them very well.
When choosing a natural vegetable oil, it is best to opt for products that are cold-pressed, 100% natural, and ideally organic and fairly traded, particularly for so-called “rare” oils.
Which oil is best for an anti-cellulite massage?
When it comes to massage, texture matters just as much as composition. A fluid, lightweight oil such as sesame oil glides easily over the skin while nourishing it, making it easy to perform the pinching and rolling movements typical of the pinch-and-roll technique. A massage oil with a fine, gliding texture also makes massage easier, with or without a cupping tool. Choose an oil with a scent you like, too: your massage will be all the more enjoyable.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best oil for cellulite?
There is no single oil that suits everyone. Your choice will mainly come down to personal preference: texture, scent, the oil’s origin and how you plan to use it. Browse our selection of vegetable oils to find the one that suits you best.
What is the best natural, organic oil for cellulite?
Go for a cold-pressed, natural vegetable oil, ideally organic and fairly traded for so-called “rare” oils. These criteria apply to every oil in our selection, from macadamia oil to Andiroba oil.
Which essential oil is good for cellulite?
An essential oil is not a vegetable oil: it should not be applied neat to the skin. It is diluted in a vegetable oil, which acts as a carrier. Grapefruit is one of the essences often associated with anti-cellulite care. If in doubt, ask a healthcare professional for advice.
What is the difference between a vegetable oil and an essential oil?
A vegetable oil is obtained by pressing a seed or kernel and can be applied directly to the skin. An essential oil is a plant essence extracted through distillation, a process that captures a plant’s volatile aromatic compounds. It is used diluted in a vegetable oil.
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Useful categories: Anti-Cellulite Care, Anti-Cellulite Solutions.
