With warmer days on the horizon, we’re doubling down on our efforts and determination to tackle the appearance of those stubborn dimples that took full advantage of the winter months to settle on our hips, thighs, buttocks and knees.
Here is an action plan to help you, with a little consistency, take care of skin prone to orange peel: diet, water, plants, creams, swimming, a spa break, caffeine and an anti-cellulite cup.
What is orange peel skin?
Orange peel skin is the term used to describe the dimpled, uneven look that skin can sometimes take on. These dimples most often show up on the hips, thighs, buttocks and knees.
There is no single fix. The tips below cover diet, hydration, exercise, topical care and massage. Followed regularly, they are easier to build into your everyday routine.
Adopt a healthy diet
When it comes to what’s on your plate, a healthy, varied diet is the way to go. Avoid eating overly sugary foods, and overly salty foods as well. To find out more about water retention, have a look at our dedicated article.
In practice, limit your daily sugar intake to the equivalent of 6 teaspoons per day, and cut back on salt as well. To do this, favour whole grain foods such as oat bran and cereals, as well as flaxseeds, which are easy to add to your breakfast.
Tip: sprinkle 2 tablespoons of flaxseeds over your porridge, cereal or yoghurt at breakfast. It’s a simple habit you can gradually build into your routine.
Increase your daily water intake
Water is the drink of choice throughout the day. Remember to drink 8 to 10 glasses of water every day. In short, keep drinking throughout the day!
Plants and orange peel skin: what you need to know
Kelp is a seaweed that contains fucoxanthin. You can buy dried kelp seaweed and add it to your soup or salad. It is also available in capsule form: before consuming kelp in this form, ask a doctor or pharmacist for advice.
Gotu Kola is a caffeine-free Asian herb, available in capsule form among other things. As with any supplement, ask a doctor or pharmacist for advice before adding it to your routine against orange peel skin.
Use creams containing aminophylline and retinol
Aminophylline is an organic compound found in some creams for topical application: ask a pharmacist for advice before using one. In addition, you can make sure there is vitamin C on your plate. Around 75 mg of vitamin C per day is sufficient — the equivalent of one kiwi or a small punnet of strawberries.
Take up swimming
When it comes to exercise, swimming is a physical activity well worth considering. Why? Simply because it combines:
- A complete muscle workout: swimming engages not only every part of the body (arms, back, core and legs) but also activates the deep muscles. To find out more about how to build muscle mass, read our dedicated article.
- An endurance activity: swimming lengths requires you to sustain an effort over time, at your own pace, with consistent practice.
- An activity in the water: water, combined with muscular activity, makes for a pleasant setting in which to keep moving. Swimming regularly allows you to benefit from your time in the water and, in turn, rediscover the simple pleasure of a swim.
Consider a spa or thermal cure
And since we’re on the subject of water-based activities, let’s stay there! Thermal cures and thalassotherapy are often considered in a medical context — relieving rheumatism, treating pulmonary or dermatological conditions. But thermal spas also offer wellness treatments that are well worth exploring.
Hydrotherapy massage, for example, is a treatment offered at thermal spas. It involves a water-based massage technique and a relaxing moment that is all about taking care of yourself. So why not consider a short thalassotherapy break on your next holiday?
Turn to caffeine
You love coffee and can’t get through a day without your espresso or a comforting cappuccino. What if, instead of throwing away your coffee grounds, you put them to good use? A homemade coffee ground body mask can easily find a place in your skincare routine for your thighs, knees or buttocks.
Here’s how — it couldn’t be simpler:
- Collect the coffee grounds from your filters or pods and mix them with a vegetable oil of your choice (as long as it is high quality, cold-pressed).
- Apply this homemade body mask to the areas affected by orange peel skin.
- Wrap the area with cling film, like a wrap, for 20 minutes.
- Rinse off thoroughly in the shower.
- Make this a weekly ritual. To find out more, read our article on caffeine.
Massage your skin with an anti-cellulite cup
An anti-cellulite cup fits naturally into a routine against orange peel skin. Allow 3 minutes of massage per area per day. The Cellublue Anti-Cellulite Cupping Cup simply replicates the renowned pinch-and-roll massage technique. It can be used on all areas of the body affected by cellulite. For smooth gliding, apply a rich massage oil beforehand.
The cupping tool that replicates pinching and rolling, 3 minutes per zone
- The professionals' technique, at home: you lift, glide, and release, and the tool grips the skin fold like a manual pinching and rolling
- Soft silicone that fits thighs, buttocks, stomach, and arms
- 3 minutes per zone, every day, always with a massage oil so the tool glides
Discover before and after photos from users of the Cellublue anti orange peel skin cup:
Photo shared by a user of the Cellublue cup. The appearance of skin varies from person to person.
Before and after orange peel skin: photos from a Cellublue user. The appearance of skin varies from person to person.
Frequently asked questions
Where should I start to tackle the appearance of orange peel skin?
Start with simple habits you can stick to over time. Look at your diet and hydration first (see the first two sections), then add an at-home treatment such as the coffee ground mask or a massage with the cup. Consistency matters more than piling on lots of different steps.
How do I tackle the appearance of orange peel skin on my thighs and legs?
On your thighs, you can apply the homemade coffee ground mask, then wrap the area in cling film for 20 minutes. You can also massage each area for 3 minutes a day with the anti-cellulite cup, using massage oil. Swimming, which works the legs, can round off this routine.
How do I tackle the appearance of orange peel skin on my bum?
The buttocks are one of the areas where orange peel skin shows most often. The coffee ground mask and the anti-cellulite cup can be used there just as on the thighs. Combine them with good hydration and regular exercise, such as swimming.
Can I take herbal supplements?
Kelp and Gotu Kola are both available in capsule form. Before taking any supplement, always ask a doctor or pharmacist for advice, especially if you are taking medication or are pregnant.
Useful categories: Anti-Cellulite Tips.
