The Best Essential Oils for Treating Cellulite

Cellulite is the dimples that most women and some men have on the skin of their buttocks and thighs. It happens when fibrous connective tissue pushes fat cells outward, so that lumps of it protrude instead of being evenly distributed under the skin.

I’ve already written about natural ways to combat cellulite and in this article I am going to explain how to use essential oils to get rid of cellulite.

At this stage researchers do not quite understand what causes it. Since approximately 90 per cent of women have it, hormones obviously play a role. It is also genetically inherited, and is thought to be partly caused by stress, the deposition of toxins, poor blood circulation, chronic low-level inflammation, and excessive water retention.

Exercising daily, drinking water regularly, following a healthy diet, refraining from yo-yo fad diets, boosting your metabolism, and managing your stress are probably the more important steps to deal with it.

But essential oils and massaging can make a contribution to your cellulite-busting plan if they increase blood flow to and from the affected area, reduce your stress, build collagen, help to excrete toxins, boost your metabolism, decrease inflammation, and prevent the storage of excess water.

Essential Oils for Cellulite

Juniper oil – Juniper oil is better known as hair and scalp tonic, but it also contains chemicals that can decrease inflammation, increase urination, and increase blood flow, thereby addressing three causes of cellulite.¹ It also contains calcium, potassium, and zinc, three minerals that some medical treatments deposit under the skin to help break up cellulite fat.

Fennel oil – Many essential oil users believe that fennel oil is a powerful detoxing agent that can remove toxins either by cleaning your intestines, or by pulling them towards your skin for excretion. Others believe that it can increase estrogen which, in turn, boosts the production of collagen under your skin that strengthens its connective tissue to carry the weight of fat cells properly.

Citrus oils – Any citrus oil with its abundant levels of vitamin C can make a contribution. Vitamin C helps to build collagen to strengthen the connective tissue under your skin to prevent it from buckling under the weight of fat cells.² Citrus oils can also improve blood circulation. These oils include grapefruit, lemon, orange, lime and tangerine. Citrus oils are also some of the best essential oils for wrinkles.

Rosemary oil – This oil can remove toxins and improve blood circulation to the area where the cellulite appears.

Clary sage oil – This oil is believed to balance your hormones, to combat your stress by improving relaxation, to reduce inflammation, and to give your skin a smoother and softer texture, thereby tackling several causes of cellulite. Clary sage oil is also one of the best essential oils for wrinkles.

Cypress oil – Cypress oil is one of the best essential oils for skincare: it improves blood circulation, promotes the excretion of toxins, flushes out excess water, and promotes relaxation, and is therefore a promising cellulite treatment.

Geranium oil – This oil often appears in cellulite creams because it is believed to balance hormones and improve skin tone. You can also use Geranium for treating acne and eczema.

Cinnamon bark oil – This oil reinforces your connective tissue by building collagen, tightens your skin, increases your circulation, removes impurities from your body, and provides your skin with magnesium and calcium that even some medical treatments use to melt cellulite. You can easily make cinnamon bark oil at home to enjoy its many health benefits.

Peppermint oil – This oil boosts your metabolism and increases your blood circulation. It is very versatile oil and you can read more about it in my article about top 10 uses for peppermint essential oil.

Other Natural Substances to Reduce Cellulite

Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)

Apple cider vinegar contains minerals like calcium, potassium, and magnesium that many believe can aid with weight loss and fat metabolism.

Cayenne Pepper

Cayenne pepper can be used as a natural medicine and it may also speed up your metabolism.

Epson Salt and Seaweed

Epsom salt removes toxin build-up in your skin, and seaweed seems to increase blood flow and improve skin texture.

An Exfoliating Massage Oil for Cellulite

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 3 tablespoons dried ground seaweed
• 3 tablespoons coarse sea salt
• 10 drops grapefruit essential oil

Massage it into the area for 10 minutes before you shower. After the shower, apply a moisturizer of your choice (or use this DIY non greasy moisturizing lotion). This blend will not only increase blood circulation to the area, but will also open the pores to ensure proper excretion of toxins.

The Simplest Oil Blend for Cellulite

• 1/4 cup of sweet almond or olive oil
• 15 drops cinnamon bark oil

Massage this blend into the affected area for 10 minutes twice a day. As your blood circulation improves and your new collagen starts to form, your skin will become firmer and reduce the cellulite.

A Relaxing, Cellulite-Busting Bath Oil

• 4 drops geranium oil for hormone regulation
• 4 drops juniper oil for increased circulation and urination and reduced inflammation
• 4 drops clary sage oil for relaxation, hormone regulation, and reduced inflammation
• 4 drops of any citrus oil for collagen production

Add the blend to a tablespoon or two of a carrier oil of your choice (such as sweet almond or jojoba oil) and add it to your bathwater after running it, mixing it properly. Soak in the bath with a good novel and some relaxing music after which you retire to bed to sleep.

A Balanced Blend for Cellulite

This combination of citrus, clary sage, juniper, and geranium oils is also a perfect blend to keep in a bottle and apply to your cellulite two or three times a day. Mix it as follows:

• Half a cup of sweet almond, coconut or olive oil
• 10 drops geranium oil
• 10 drops juniper oil
• 10 drops clary sage oil
• 10 drops of any citrus oil

If you want to put it on before you go into the sun, replace the citrus oil with cinnamon bark oil for the same effect but without the sun damage.

Massage to Fight Cellulite

A firm massage is the key, as it increases blood flow to and from the affected area.

Mix a few drops of one of the essential oils I’ve mentioned with a tablespoon of carrier oil (such as coconut oil or jojoba oil).

Massage in half circles on and around your cellulite, ending the half-circle with a stroke towards your heart to lead blood, toxins, and fat away from the area. Do this for at least 10 minutes every day, and more if you are able. You can also combine the cellulite message with this brushing technique which tightens the skin and reduces cellulite.

If you are interested to learn more about essential oils you can find useful information in my e-book Magical Aromatherapy. This e-book will help you to discover the power of essential oils and the most effective ways to use them.

Read my other related articles:

• The Best Natural Ways to Get Rid Of Cellulite
• Homemade DIY Body Wraps to Lose Weight, Detox and Reduce Cellulite