Cellulite can end up being the bane of many women’s lives. The dreaded orange peel effect can leave us feeling self conscious and embarrassed, even though it is a hugely commonly problem for women all over the world. Cellulite can be treated, and there are plenty of (non-pricey) steps you ca take to help reduce the appearance of it, but in order to treat cellulite, we firstly need to understand it.

Cellulite is a hugely common issue, and effects the vast majority of women, so you’re certainly not alone. Normally appearing in fatty areas such as the thighs, buttocks and hips, cellulite can leave us feeling less attractive and sometimes even quite sluggish! Since these areas are zones that are normally hard to tone up, cellulite seems to sit here and rarely budges.  

Cellulite is the term used for collections of persistent fat found in the subcutaneous layer of the skin, which start to push against the connective tissue of the skin which in turn causes the surface of the skin to dimple or pucker, and look lumpy. Scientifically speaking, this is called the Anatomical Hypothesis.

Cellulite effects 90% of adult women or teens going through puberty. Pre-pubescent children do not normally suffer with cellulite, although occasionally some men do. Cellulite is also not related to diet, and although cellulite is normally more obvious in overweight women, it is not related to weight either.

To keep cellulite to a minimum, it is important you drink plenty of water to refresh the skin, and to help remove toxins and other waste materials from within the body which can highlight it’s appearance. By drinking at least 2litres of water a day, you will flush away these toxins, which will increase skin elasticity, suppleness and general health. The health benefits to the rest of your body is enormous too!

Massage has been proven to have a similar effect, too, as it helps to remove toxins and waste matters that can build up in the skin, at the same time as breaking down the fat nodules that create that bumpy appearance.

By combining massage with a good quality, scientifically proven anti-cellulite lotion, you can help reduce the appearance of orange peel quite drastically. It can also help you to loose inches! You should make sure that the cream you go for contains active ingredients, that have been proven to have effective results, and you simply aren‘t being sucked into the latest gimmick. Look at products that have been around for a while, or ask friends what they use, as recommendation is always a big plus! You don’t always have to pay above the odds either, some cheaper products have just as good an effect as some of the pricier options.

Massage your chosen lotion into your skin for about five minutes, twice daily, and within a matter of weeks you should start seeing a marked improvement! Combine this with plenty of water, and a cardiovascular workout such as aerobics, and the results will be even better.

Our Top Five Hot Picks!

1) Bio Oil

A long established favourite, Bio Oil is the original skin treatment oil! Designed to help with scarring, acne, dehydration, stretch marks and cellulite, this oil is a fantastic all rounder for your skin’s health. It is hypoallergenic, contains no preservatives and is suitable for all skin types! Vitamins A and E, and the natural plant oils Calendula, Lavender, Rosemary and Chamomile, all work together to deliver fantastic, proven results.

2) Nivea My Silhouette Body Cream

Enriched with numerous active natural ingredients, this hydrating gel-cream formula not only provides intense moisture, but also firms and reshapes your body for a sleeker, slimmer silhouette. Infused with white tea to slim down fat cells and prevent reoccurrence, this refreshing, cooling lotion promises an improvement in just a matter of weeks.

3) Fake Bake Lipo Bronze Self Tan Lotion

What else could possibly be more appropriate at this time of year? A full strength faux tan, with a built in anti-cellulite treatment that helps to combat the dreaded orange peel, thanks to it’s highly concentrated Lipocare and Rigin complex’s. These accelerate lipid release, combating the appearance of cellulite, while firming and improving elasticity for sensational summer skin.

4) Weleda Birch Cellulite Oil

Weleda Birch Cellulite Oil is a unique combination of plant extracts and natural plant oils and which visibly improves the skin’s texture and smoothness by stimulating the body’s own regenerating process. Infused with Birch leaves, rosemary and jojoba oil to name a few, this organic oil encourages healthy, radiant, and cellulite-free skin.

  5) Johnson’s Firming Holiday Skin  

Smoother, firmer, bronzer skin all from just one product? Johnson’s Firming Holiday Skin provides a gradual, golden and natural tan while helping to tone your physique and hydrating the skin, to leave your body looking and feeling in tip top condition this summer!

Live The Lie!

If you've got it, flaunt it! If you haven't, fake it!

We all know UV rays are harmful to your skin, and now it’s time to start thinking of dusting off the bikinis, shorts and strappy vest tops, we believe that faking it isn't all that bad! Why spend forever basking under harmful rays with no sun protection? Why visit the tanning salon five times per week? Why not just learn how to fake it and to fake it well?! And who better to fake it with than the UK’s leading number 1, Fake Bake.

Fake Bake have a massive range of lotions, mousses and mists with moisturisers and exfoliants to make sure you get the most out of your tan. Not only this, but as the nation's favourite, Fake Bake are constantly upping the ante, with new innovative lotions being launched regularly to not only provide you with a healthy wash of colour, but to help treat certain skin complaints, such as cellulite or dry skin.

Follow this step by step guide to get that summer glow all year round!

Start with a good prep routine. If you don't prep the skin sufficiently, the tan may become uneven, patchy or streaky. Like with most things, planning equals perfection, so don't skip this stage thinking it wont make a difference because this is probably the most important step in applying your tan! Make sure you have shaved or waxed at least 24hours before tan application! If you do not leave enough time between hair removal and tan application, you could end up with the dreaded "plucked chicken" effect, as the tan will melt into your open follicles and leave that dotted appearance once it has developed. Make sure you thoroughly exfoliate before application, too, as the tan will only develop on the top layer of the skin, where the dead skin cells have accumulated. If you do not exfoliate, the tan will last for a much shorter period of time, as the dead skin cells are constantly shedding and renewing themselves. By exfoliating before application, you make sure the tan is applied to fresh layers of skin thus meaning the tan will not only last much longer, but will also go on much more evenly. Try Fake Bake Passion Fruit Body Polish for a fresh, fruity treat, and make sure to pay particular attention to commonly dry areas such as the knees or elbows. 

 Apply a generous amount of self tan lotion in gentle circular movements all over the body. Many professionals apply tan using long, light stroking movements going in the same direction as the blood flow, so it's worth experimenting to find what suits you best. After all, everyone is different and there really is no wrong or right way, so long as it suits you. For best results on the legs, bend the knee when applying to the front and then straighten when applying to the back as this avoids any tan sitting in the creases, and you can use this method when applying to the elbows too. To get the right colour consistency for hard to tan areas such as feet, ankles, hands and wrists use only a small amount of tanning lotion mixed with moisturising cream. You’ll find half a pump is far more than enough for these areas. This gives a natural look and ensures the tan won’t stain in hard to remove places such as nail edges and cuticles. You should also use only one part tanning lotion mixed with one part moisturiser when tanning the face, ears and neck. This is becasue the face is much more delicate than the rest of the body, and doesn't tend to tan as easily as the rest of the skin, and since you don't want to suffer a fake tan faux pas on your face, you will find using 50/50 is more than enough to sufficiently tan your face.

Gently pat all over the body once the tan has been applied to ensure all tanning product has blended in. This will guarantee no streaks! If you still feel some areas seem to have a tan build up, or other areas seem lighter, don't panic! Just reach for the professional mitts! This is any good taners secret to gorgeously golden skin with no streaks, no stains and no patches! Simply buff over the entire body once the lotion is mainly set, and pay particular attention to those pesky areas again, such as the knees, elbows, ankles and face. This will garantee even coverage and takes just minutes to do!

For a subtle top up, mix one part Fake Bake tanning lotion with one part moisturising cream. This gives a slightly more delicate appearance to the tan and makes application easier, so if you make mistake, it won't be noticeable. This is a great tip for maintaining your tan between professional applications, or to extend the life of your tan after holidays or self tan application.

Make sure you wash hands immediately and thoroughly after any contact with the tanning lotion, aside from deliberate application.

To prolong your tan, apply plenty of Fake Bake Tan Enhancing Lotion after every shower. Avoid other brands, as they can leave the skin alkaline, which can then strip the skin of colour. Fake Bake Tan Enhancing Lotion has been specially formulated not to do this to give you an even, glowing tan day after day.

Our personal fave? The NEW Flawless Self Tanning Lotion, which comes with a professional mit and gloves to ensure your tan looks professional and even! Fake Bake Flawless Self Tan Liquid & Professional Mit make it easier than ever before to achieve a flawless, golden tan in minutes. With application gloves and professional mitt included with the liquid, this light weight spritz is perfect for tanning first timers who are concerned about streaks, or for those who want a professional application finish.
 

We have some fantasic news! The brillaint Bodi Tek Ab Toner was featured on ITV’s This Morning today under their "How to Get The Perfect Summer Abs" feature with Louie Spence!

If you missed it a video clip of the segment can be viewed on the This Morning website, along with their thoughts about the product.

Just click HERE to view the segment – the Bodi Tek Ab Builder is featured at 3 minutes and 24 seconds!

What Louie Spence thought about the product: This allows you to target those hard-to-isolate, individual muscles, putting the power directly where you want it. The conductive pads provided with the Ab Builder are self-adhesive and can be positioned to achieve maximum stimulation of your abdominal muscles.

The exercise: Simply put the pads on where your abs are / should be, and turn on - simple!

To buy the Bodi Tek Ab Builder click on the link below:

Bodi Tek Ab Builder - £22.99