We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Shopping People Tested The 6 Best Cellulite Creams for Firmer Skin, Tested by Women with Thigh Dimples Including an $8 drugstore option By Jessie Quinn Jessie Quinn Jessie Quinn is a Los Angeles-based contributing shopping writer at PEOPLE with over 10 years of experience covering all things beauty, fashion, and lifestyle. At PEOPLE, she collaborates with the PEOPLE Tested team to share our top recommendations for everything from the best shapewear to the best dark spot correctors. People Editorial Guidelines Published on May 9, 2024 07:45AM EDT In This Article Expand In This Article Our Top Picks ReviewsWhat to Know Behind The Scenes Why Trust PEOPLE? What Is PEOPLE Tested? Photo: People / David Hattan Deal Alert! Don't feel like scrolling? Bliss Fabgirl Firm Body Firming and Contouring Cream is on sale for Memorial Day. Hormones, genetics, diet, aging, pregnancy, lifestyle — all play a role in one of the most common skin conditions: stubborn dimpled skin, also known as cellulite. The More You Know Even the best cellulite cream isn't a miracle worker. Dr. Dendy Engelman says results are typically temporary and consistency is key: “You should apply cellulite cream daily in order to notice a visible difference; if you are inconsistent with the cream, it can’t do its job, and the skin will return to its original appearance." We spent eight weeks testing 20 different formulas, and we’ll be honest: No cellulite cream can make cellulite disappear. However, a few stand-out formulas are worth sharing, each having helped reduce the look of cellulite through hydrating ingredients, improved circulation, and tightening effects. With regular use, we observed some noteworthy improvements to our skin texture, including less cellulite. Benefits of Cellulite Creams Boosts skin hydration Stimulates blood circulation Improves skin elasticity Helps skin appear more supple and firm Our Top Picks Best Overall: Biossance Squalane and Caffeine Toning Body Cream at Amazon ($29) Jump to Review Best Budget: Palmer's Cocoa Butter Firming Butter Skin Lotion at Amazon ($9) Jump to Review Best Tightening: Bliss Fabgirl Firm Body Firming and Contouring Cream at Amazon ($36) Jump to Review Best Instant Effect: Paula's Choice Retinol Body Treatment at Amazon ($29) Jump to Review Best Firming: Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream at Amazon ($48) Jump to Review Best Hydrating: Caudalie Vinosculpt Lift & Firm Body Cream at Nordstrom ($45) Jump to Review Best Overall Biossance Squalane and Caffeine Toning Body Cream PHOTO: Amazon $29 at Amazon $30 at Sephora $30 at kohls.com Star Qualities Noticeably reduces the appearance of cellulite Saw change in skin texture after four weeks Skin became more hydrated Red Flags None! After testing 20 formulas, we were most impressed by how much this toning cream from Biossance reduced the look of cellulite. Although it wasn’t completely gone, we started to see improvement after four weeks of regular use, and by the end of the testing period, our cellulite was a lot less noticeable, especially in photos. On top of that, the cream enhanced skin hydration, resulting in a softer, smoother surface. Key Ingredients: Caffeine, niacinamide, squalane | Size: 6 ounces People People Best Budget Palmer's Cocoa Butter Firming Butter Skin Lotion PHOTO: Amazon $8 at Amazon $9 at Target View on IHerb Star Qualities Improved skin’s hydration after just one use Relatively affordable Made skin look more supple and soft Red Flags Only slight improvement in cellulite If you want a relatively cheap yet luxurious-feeling body butter, our testers are obsessed with this drugstore option. The under-$10 body butter from Palmer’s is enriched with ingredients that provide long-lasting hydration. The cream promotes softer and more supple skin which can improve appearance over time. However, our tester only saw a slight reduction in cellulite, even after eight weeks of testing. Nonetheless, we’re impressed by this formula (especially considering the price) and would purchase it for the delicious chocolatey scent alone. Key Ingredients: Vitamin E, shea butter, cocoa butter, collagen, elastin | Size: 10.6 ounces People People Best Tightening Bliss Fabgirl Firm Body Firming and Contouring Cream PHOTO: Ulta $24 at Amazon View on Walmart View on Blissworld.com Star Qualities Made skin tighter and more supple Saw some improvement in skin dimples Long-lasting (yet lightweight) hydration Red Flags Our tester wasn't fond of the scent For a cellulite cream that tightens, consider this option from Bliss. Enriched with tons of beneficial ingredients like caffeine, shea butter, squalane, and green tea, we saw a noticeable difference in skin texture with regular use. Our tester lost around 10 pounds during the testing period and credits this formula with providing skin with a tightening effect. Although it wasn’t a major difference, they also saw a slight decrease in dimples at the end of eight weeks. Key Ingredients: Caffeine, shiitake mushroom, shea butter, pro-vitamin B5, squalane, and more | Size: 5.8 ounces People Best Instant Effect Paula's Choice Retinol Body Treatment $29 at Amazon $29 at Dermstore $24 at paulaschoice.com Star Qualities Instant tightening effect with each application Includes retinol for anti-aging benefits Healthier- and smoother-looking skin after eight weeks Red Flags Includes retinol so needs to be used with SPF There’s no such thing as a quick fix when it comes to cellulite creams. However, this smoothing formula from Paula’s Choice is as close as it gets. Albeit temporary, our tester notes the anti-aging formula has an instant tightening effect with every application. Thanks to its inclusion of retinol as well as other skin-nourishing formulas like vitamin C and grape seed oil, our tester’s skin looks healthier and feels a lot smoother and firmer at the end of eight weeks. Key Ingredients: Retinol, grape seed oil, vitamin C, glycerin, evening primrose oil, shea butter, pro-vitamin B5, carnosine | Size: 4 ounces People Experts Say “Retinol causes the skin to be more photosensitive, so UV rays will damage your skin more quickly and easily if you don’t adequately protect it." — Dr. Engelman Best Firming Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream PHOTO: Amazon $48 at Amazon $22 at Sephora $48 at Ulta Star Qualities Significantly firmed and tightened skin Brighter and more radiant skin after application Softer and more moisturized skin after regular use Red Flags No cellulite reduction (but the radiant look helped conceal dimples) When it comes to targeting cellulite, firming lotions can help prevent pesky dimples from popping up — which is why they were so blown away by this Sol de Janeiro cream. The formula features a lineup of deep-conditioning ingredients that provide significant firming and tightening benefits during the testing period. While we didn’t see any noticeable cellulite reduction, our skin’s improved radiance helped deflect away from uneven textures. We also experienced softer and more moisturized skin overall. Key Ingredients: Guaranà extract, cupuaçu Butter, coconut oil | Size: 2.5 ounces., 8.5 ounces People Best Hydrating Caudalie Vinosculpt Lift & Firm Body Cream PHOTO: Caudalie $45 at Nordstrom $45 at Sephora View on Caudalie.com Star Qualities Smooth consistency is easy to spread Doesn’t feel heavy and absorbs easily into the skin Long-lasting hydration made skin look more supple Red Flags No reduction in dimples (despite a more supple-looking surface) While this firming body cream from Caudalie didn’t give us the cellulite-minimizing benefits we were looking for, it still provided the skin with a more supple-looking surface thanks to hydrating ingredients. The smooth consistency makes application a breeze, and despite its rich and nourishing ingredients (like shea butter), it’s lightweight and easily absorbs in the skin without leaving a sticky or greasy feeling. Since the moisturizing benefits last overnight, it's an excellent option for those needing long-lasting hydration. Key Ingredients: Organic grape water, iris extract, organic shea butter, antioxidant polyphenols | Size: 8.4 ounces What to Know About Cellulite Creams According to Dr. Dendy Engelman, a good cellulite cream “should also moisturize, stimulate circulation, firm, and tighten areas of concern.” These ingredients contribute to a cellulite cream’s efficacy: Peptides: Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Jeannette Graf recommends a cellulite cream with peptides: “Peptides help to stimulate collagen and improve hydration, helping aging skin look younger." Humectants: Humectants such as glycerin, collagen, aloe vera, and hyaluronic acid “draw in moisture from the atmosphere into your skin, helping with skin’s hydration levels and therefore leaving it firmer and plumper,” says Dr. Graf. Retinol: This anti-aging ingredient stimulates collagen production and can provide a firming effect on the skin. Dr. Engelman says to only use retinol formulas at night and pair with SPF during the day. Caffeine: Dr. Engelman also recommends opting for a formula with caffeine: “Caffeine is a vasoconstrictor, meaning it causes blood vessels to constrict. When applied topically, it helps reduce redness and swelling, brightens the skin, and promotes blood flow.” This ingredient also has anti-inflammatory properties that target skin texture for a smoother surface. Behind The Scenes To find the best cellulite creams, our PEOPLE Tested team spent over eight weeks (1,280 hours, to be exact) with 20 formulas, carefully investigating their performances and making note of their consistency, effectiveness, hydration, and overall results. To be completely transparent, most of the cellulite creams we tested didn’t deliver desired results. However, there were a few worth mentioning for their hydrating, firming, smoothing, and tightening benefits. Consistency: We looked at each formula’s texture and made note of how this impacted the application process, including how well it absorbed into the skin, whether or not it felt sticky or greasy once dry, and its thickness and weight. Effectiveness: While testing, we also considered the efficacy and whether or not each formula delivered on their promises. We looked at how well the formulas targeted cellulite as well as tightened the skin, improved hydration (they are creams, after all), and enhanced radiance. Hydration: In addition to reducing cellulite, these creams need to hydrate the skin. Throughout the testing period, we considered their softening and nourishing effects and how long those benefits lasted. Overall Results: We evaluated our overall results after eight weeks. While we loved some formulas for their hydrating benefits, they didn’t quite cut it in the cellulite-reducing category. Why Trust PEOPLE? Jessie Quinn is a contributing commerce writer for PEOPLE and has written for publications such as Byrdie, InStyle, The Spruce, Nylon, and more. When covering the best cellulite creams, Jessie thoroughly inspected the PEOPLE Tested team’s insights to learn more about their individual experiences and make note of any noteworthy results. She also connected with top skincare experts Dr. Jeannette Graf and Dr. Dendy Engelman to learn more about how cellulite creams work, their benefits, and what to look for in their formulas. Meet Our Experts Dr. Jeannette Graf is a board-certified dermatologist and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Mt Sinai School of Medicine. Dr. Dendy Engelman is a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist and Mohs surgeon at Shafer Clinic, NYC. What Is PEOPLE Tested? We created the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval to help you find the very best products for your life. We use our unique methodology to test products in three labs across the country and with our network of home testers to determine their effectiveness, durability, ease of use, and so much more. Based on the results, we rate and recommend products so you can find the right one for your needs. But we don’t stop there: We also regularly re-review the categories in which we’ve awarded the PEOPLE Tested seal of approval — because the best product of today might not be the best of tomorrow. And by the way, companies can never buy our recommendation: Their products must earn it, fair and square. In short, PEOPLE Tested provides recommendations you can trust — every day, every purchase.