Cellulite, that dimpling of the skin and buildup of fat found on your upper thighs, stomach and buttocks that resembles an orange peel. It can be found in both heavier and slender women and is usually caused by lack of exercise, poor diet, or is hereditary. Yet there is also research that hormones are thought to be a cause as well since men seem to be nearly immune to the stuff. No matter what the cause though, one thing is for certain. We all want to get rid of it the fastest way possible and we’ll spend literally hundreds of dollars on products trying. So it really isn’t a surprise that the words body firming creams comes to mind when we think about cellulite. Body firming creams supposedly promise to firm and give us cellulite free thighs with continued use, but do they really deliver on their promise or are the manufacturers just pulling our legs instead of firming them?

Caffeine, Retinol, cayenne pepper and Hyaluronic Acid are just some of the key ingredients contained in body firming creams.

Caffeine is a bitter alkaloid usually found in coffee, tea and chocolate that manufacturers claim, drains the water from the fat cells in your body giving you a more slimming appearance. Although this claim has not been proven, caffeine also has no known harmful effects on the skin and is one of the more safer ingredients found in firming creams.

Retinol, an unsaturated alcohol that occurs in marine fish-liver oils, is actually a derivative of Vitamin A that is a penetration enhancer which is suppose to firm and tone the skin. Studies however have shown Retinol as being linked to but, inconclusive in breast cancer and conflicted with research in lung cancer.

Used to stimulate skin circulation, cayenne pepper has many added benefits as one of mother nature’s herbs.   It has been known to stop heart attacks, help to aid in nerve pain and various skin conditions are among the many beneficial uses it offers. While cayenne may be a part of mother nature however, it is a skin irritant and should be used in minimal amounts.

Manufacturers claim that Hyaluronic Acid helps to super firm the skin, but in reality it is actually a substance found in the body naturally Hyaluronic Acid holds in moisture and helps in the aid of hydrating the skin as well as contributing to cleansing waste from the body.

Out of all of these key ingredients, only retinal and caffeine are actually proven to work even though their effects are only temporarily. And as a result body firming creams can temporarily minify the appearance of cellulite for a mere few hours allowing manufacturers to live up to their claim while gaining a profit from those consumers who are willing to keep up the pricey maintenance. 

Related Articles
	Body Firming Creams Body firming creams are widely advertised as an easy and inexpensive way to smooth out cellulite and tone skin. Many ads even suggest that body firming creams can take inches off your body. These toning treatments and body firming creams vary widely in price and in claims – there are fancy   ...Read more		Cellulite and the Body Types Most Likely to Develop It Most people have heard of cellulite but not many people know that their body type could actually contribute towards whether or not they develop it. It is the bane of most women’s lives and you really cannot open a magazine up without seeing a circled picture of some celebrity with cellulite.   ...Read more