We Tested and Trust These 6 Cellulite Creams for Tighter, Toned Skin

Best Overall

Biossance Squalane and Caffeine Toning Body Cream

$29 at Amazon $29 at Sephora

$30

$23 at Biossance.com

Key Ingredients: Caffeine, niacinamide, squalane | Size: 6 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Formulated with caffeine from green coffee beans as well as niacinamide and sugarcane-derived squalane, this rich body cream is a great choice for anyone looking for a hydrating cream that has toning benefits to target cellulite and dimpled skin. Caffeine helps to firm, niacinamide works to improve skin texture, and squalane delivers a healthy dose of moisture.

While the results were gradual, and it took about four weeks to notice changes, Byrdie tester Kristin was able to detect a visible reduction in her cellulite by the end of the testing period. She noted that her skin feels tighter overall, and the dimples on her thighs are less deep than before using the cream. She loved that it had a soft and soothing consistency that had a cooling effect when applied, and it never left a sticky feel behind. It left her skin overall more hydrated and soft, and she said that applying it daily became a part of her self-care evening ritual.

Kristen, tester: “I did notice a reduction in my cellulite, and at the end of the test, I felt like my skin looked overall tighter. The dimples in my skin looked less deep than before.”

Best Scent

Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Body Cream

$24 at Amazon $24 at Sephora $24 at Ulta

Key Ingredients: Guarana extract, cupuaçu butter, coconut oil | Size: 2.5, 8.1 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

There’s a good reason this firming formula has a huge following. Inspired by Brazilian-style itty-bitty bikinis, the cream relies on ingredients native to Brazil, including guaraná, an Amazonian plant packed with caffeine (it contains four times the amount of caffeine in coffee). Paired with hydrating cupuaçu butter, coconut oil, and antioxidant-rich acai, you’ve got a cream that’s ideal to use all over, not just on your derriere. The best part, however, is its delectable fragrance, which has notes of pistachio, caramel, and vanilla.

Our tester was obsessed with the results when she tried out the formula for herself—it immediately brightened and tightened, and her dimpled areas looked smoother after applying it. It has a rich (but not heavy) consistency that deeply hydrates, leaving the skin radiant and glowing. She especially loved that the hydration was long-lasting, so her skin felt just as soft and smooth in the morning.  It is important to note that the cream can’t technically reduce or prevent cellulite (meaning the results are temporary). Still, it’s a great pick for when you want your skin to look a little firmer and more luminous before a pool day or during sundress season.

Mellanie, tester: “This cream firms and tightens the skin, which reduces the appearance of cellulite because the skin is just tighter and smoother. I noticed that immediately after application. My dimples looked reduced almost immediately, and my skin just looked more radiant.”

Best Budget

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Firming Butter Skin Lotion

$9

$7 at Amazon $7 at Target

$28

$23 at Onebioshop.com

Key Ingredients: Vitamin E, cocoa butter, shea butter | Size: 10.6 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Despite its relatively affordable price, this formula boasts many of the same star ingredients as its much pricier counterparts. Moisturizing collagen and elastin help firm and tone, along with antioxidant-rich CoQ10 and vitamin E, to soften and smooth the skin. It’s even effective at reducing the appearance of stretch marks, which often appear alongside cellulite.

Our tester noticed a slight reduction in her cellulite while using this formula, saying that it did a good job of toning and improving the overall elasticity of her skin. She also noted that the dimples on the side of her thighs were noticeably reduced. She was a huge fan of the texture—it’s buttery and spreads around evenly, and it felt very lightweight on the skin. The result? Ultra-hydrated skin that felt and looked firm. Another plus is the delicious, hot-chocolate-like scent, courtesy of the cocoa butter in the formula.

Kaylene, tester: “I think it would be a great tool to take into spring and summer for shorts season to help feel firmer. I feel slightly more toned after using it, and my side dimples aren’t as present.”

Best Plumping

Paula's Choice Retinol Body Treatment

$37 at Amazon $32 at Dermstore

$32

$26 at Paulaschoice.com

Key Ingredients: Retinol, vitamin C, glycerin | Size: 4 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

While it’s more commonly found in products for the face rather than the body, Dr. Shah says seeking out retinol in a cellulite cream is a good move, noting that a study published back in 2000 showed it improved skin elasticity by 10.5% when used topically to address cellulite.  Along with boosting firmness, it also helps stimulate cell turnover to improve the overall look of skin, he says. Here, it’s paired with protective antioxidants plus hydrating plant butters and oils—such as shea butter and grapeseed oil.

Our tester, Hilary, found that it temporarily plumped and smoothed her skin immediately after application, so her cellulite looked less noticeable. While the consistency of the lotion was slightly thick, it never felt heavy on the skin or left a residue. Her skin looked much firmer and moisturized, and she noticed that it even helped to fade some stretch marks that she had. While it contains multiple active ingredients like retinol and vitamin C, she said that it never irritated her skin—even though retinol has caused her irritation in the past.

Hilary, tester: “It did a great job of hydrating, and I do think it faded some stretch marks I had in the application areas. My skin never felt irritated, even with daily use, which surprised me because retinol has irritated my skin in the past.”

Best Preventative

Caudalie Vinosculpt Lift & Firm Body Cream

$45 at Amazon $45 at Sephora $45 at Nordstrom

Key Ingredients: Grape polyphenols, iris extract, shea butter | Size: 8.4 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

Filled with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory ingredients like organic grape water and iris extract, this cream from Caudalie keeps the skin hydrated and firm. While using it, our tester felt that it deeply nourished her dry winter skin and loved that the consistency was silky without residue. Since she only tested for eight weeks, she noted that cellulite wasn’t visibly reduced—but she wants to continue using it since it made her skin look so healthy and glowy.

We think this is a great pick for pregnant women who want to prevent stretch marks from coming in, as it keeps the skin lifted, soft, and supple. Because it has a pleasant scent and lightweight consistency, it’s easy to apply daily.

Wendy, tester: “I like the consistency of the cream. It went on nicely without leaving a heavy or greasy feel. It was easy to spread over my target areas, and a little went a long way.”

Best Sculpting

Revision Skincare BodiFirm Body Contouring Lotion

$296 at Amazon $162 at Dermstore View on Revisionskincare.com

Key Ingredients: Peptides, caffeine, glucosamine | Size: 3.8 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

The star ingredient in this formula is the brand’s iFirm technology, a powerful combo of peptides, antioxidants, botanical extracts, and prebiotics. The result is a lightweight lotion that, yes, firms and tightens for more toned skin but also improves the look of crepiness, sun damage, and dehydration.

Our tester used the lotion on her thighs, butt, and arms, and she loved that it had a silky consistency that felt very high quality and sank into the skin easily. It was also lightweight and didn’t feel at all sticky. About halfway through the testing period, she noticed that her thighs looked smoother and tighter, and her skin felt softer and looked healthier overall. The formula was very hydrating, smoothing out rough skin texture and reducing the appearance of dimples. It is expensive, but given the formula’s active ingredients and our results, we think the price is justified.

Kelly, tester: “At first I didn’t notice much of a difference, but in comparing the before with the end photos, I do think my thighs in particular look tighter and smoother. My skin also definitely feels softer, so I would say I’m happy with the results even if there wasn’t a huge reduction in the appearance of cellulite.”