Try health supplements. There are many health supplements that are believed to have an effect on
cellulite. These include coenzyme Q10, amino acid l-carnitine, and gotu kola (Centella Asiatica),
which improve connective tissue activity, and Indian chestnut, ginkgo biloba, and rutin, which boost
microcirculation. None of them have proved to be a miracle cellulite pill, but you may find them
useful as part of a holistic cellulite plan. Consult your doctor before adding any health supplements to
your diet.
Use a body oil. Improve the skin’s elasticity and strengthen its cells with a nutritious, tightening
body oil that can be combined with a massage. Here’s a recipe that worked well on my stubborn
wobbly bits.
Green Skin Toning Oil
1 ounce evening primrose oil
½ ounce rose hip oil
15,000 IU vitamin E (from capsules)
5 mg horse chestnut extract
5 drops grapefruit essential oil
3 drops ylang-ylang essential oil
Yield:
4 ouncesThis potent blend of moisturizers and nutrients allows the skin to breathe and helps heal any
stretch marks you may have on your tummy and thighs.
Premix horse chestnut extract with a teaspoon of any of the oils to completely dissolve it.
Combine all oils and other ingredients in a glass bottle and shake vigorously. Use it twice daily.
None of these steps will make a difference in your fight against dimpled skin if used separately
from the rest. Just like acne, cellulite cannot be cured with a single magic potion. It requires
consistent efforts that benefit your whole body. I usually begin my anticellulite regimen in February,
allowing twenty-eight days for the skin renewal cycle to complete. Since cellulite has to be attacked
both from inside and outside, I start with a gentle detox and continue drinking the skin-cleansing, fat-
melting cocktail Green Detox Drink (see recipe in Chapter 16) during the whole month. Every day I
dry brush my whole body and massage my thighs, arms, and belly with my own Green Skin Toning
Oil or Weleda Birch Cellulite Oil, using a simple wood rolling massager. In total, I spend four
intensive hours in February keeping cellulite at bay, with five-minute daily upkeep during the rest of
the year. And so far, I haven’t had to bring any heavy artillery, such as Ender-mologie or a similarly
expensive procedure, into play.
“Here’s my beauty secret: use organic skin care; eat mostly organic foods, such as whole grains, vegetables, fruits,
and organic salmon; exercise aerobically; practice yoga or strength training; get plenty of sleep; and drink lots of
water.”
—Karen Behnke,
founder of Juice Beauty