The appearance of dimpled, textured skin typically seen around the thighs, buttocks, and the abdominal region is known as cellulite. It is caused by a buildup of fat underneath the skin. The amount of cellulite you have can be a result of high body fat percentage, genes, and aging. For this reason, it’s important for people who want to get rid of it to regularly workout and stick to a proper diet and meal plans to get lean muscle, reduce fat, and thus eliminate cellulite.
There is no way to say goodbye to cellulite forever, but there are a few treatments that can reduce its appearance. One effective method is using cellulite essential oils.
Essential Oils for Cellulite
Cedarwood
When looking for a highly-effective cellulite essential oil, Cedarwood essential oil is on top of the list. It is commonly sourced from the wood of the Cedrus atlantica tree and is extracted using steam distillation. Cedarwood oil is known for its beautifully sweet and woodsy fragrance along with its moderate astringent and toning properties. It not only reduces fat deposits but also improves circulation. Coupled with regular massage, Cedarwood essential oil diminishes the appearance of cellulite and tightens loose skin.
Grapefruit
This essential oil is a citrusy, refreshingly scented oil that is extracted from the Citrus paradisi plant. It is popular for its skin benefits, and it is featured in massage blends, soaps, aromatherapy, and skincare formulations. When applied topically, it can promote healthy-looking skin and can reduce the appearance of cellulite over time. Bromelain enzyme which has anti-inflammatory properties that break down cellulite is found in this essential oil. Grapefruit oil can also aid in weight loss when applied topically. With its uplifting citrus scent, it is also a great natural mood booster.
Lemon
Lemon essential oils have a long history of being used in a diverse range of traditional and alternative applications such as Ayurvedic treatments, but also home, bath, haircare, skincare remedies, and weight loss. They are used to cleanse toxins from the body, to stimulate lymphatic drainage and to purify the skin. Aside from being used as a natural remedy for cellulite, they are also used in dermatology for treating athlete’s foot, blisters, boils, cuts, corns, mouth ulcers, insect bites, rosacea, and oily skin conditions.
However, it is important to know that this oil will increase your skin’s sensitivity to the sun. Therefore, it’s recommended to avoid stepping outside into the sunlight for at least 24 hours after application.
Juniper
Juniper essential oil is extracted from juniper berries, which have long been used for their potent antiseptic and antimicrobial properties. This oil has a delightfully spicy and woody fragrance and may remind you of balsamic vinegar. It minimizes the appearance of cellulite by encouraging proper drainage of water in the lymphatic system. This gets rid of water retention which causes inflammation, and this, in turn, is a risk factor for cellulite.
Juniper berry oil can promote the rejuvenation of your skin tissue as well, thus helping reduce dimples. However, due to its stimulatory effects, it shouldn’t be used by pregnant women or individuals suffering from kidney problems.
Geranium
This oil has a refreshing floral aroma and has a host of impressive health benefits. It contains many powerful components, such as a-pinene, myrcene, limonene, menthone, geranyl acetate, linalool, citronellal, geraniol and geranyl butyrate. All these chemicals have anti-septic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant properties that make Geranium oil useful when it comes to cellulite.
When massaged into the skin, this oil helps remove any excess fluids, thus reducing puffiness which can exacerbate cellulite. Geranium eliminates dead skin cells while encouraging the regeneration of new ones, and with continued use, there’s an increase in the production of collagen. In addition, this leads to firmer skin, less susceptible to pressure by the fat cells beneath.
How Do You Use Oil for Cellulite?
Keep in mind that you should always dilute essential oils for cellulite treatment. Perform a skin patch test prior to using any oil, be informed about the sun effects after use, and buy from a reputable brand.
Take a look at some of the most effective methods for applying essential oils when treating cellulite.
Through Massage
This involves blending an essential oil with a carrier oil of your choice (3 drops of the essential oil with a tablespoon of the carrier oil). Then, massage the mixture into the problem areas.
Dry Brushing
This method involves brushing the blend of essential oil with a carrier oil onto your skin using a dry brush. The brush you use should have natural fibres as they don’t irritate the skin. Apply the oil on your skin with the brush in semi-circular strokes towards the heart. Continue brushing until the oil is entirely absorbed.
In Bath Water
Mix 6 drops of your cellulite massage oil with 1 tablespoon of milk. Pour this mix into a bathtub that’s full of warm water, disperse the oil into the water as much as you can, and soak in it for half an hour. While in the bathtub, massage the oil droplets floating around on your skin.
