Cellulite: Why does it happen, and can you do anything about it?

Uneven skin on the thighs, hips or buttocks that resembles the skin of an orange is something most women know, regardless of weight and fitness level. There are many myths about cellulite, and the industry often promises more than there is real evidence for. This guide gives you an honest explanation of why cellulite appears, and what skincare can actually contribute.

What is cellulite?

Cellulite (also called "orange peel skin") is an uneven, dimpled surface in the skin, most often on the thighs, hips and buttocks. It occurs because the skin is built up in layers: fat tissue under the skin is divided by thin strands of connective tissue that connect the skin to the deeper muscle layer. When the fat cells press upward between these strands, while the strands themselves pull the skin down in certain spots, the characteristic, uneven pattern appears.

Is it inflammation in the skin?

It is a widespread misconception that cellulite is mainly caused by inflammation in the skin. It is not. The cause is structural, the skin's build-up of fat and connective tissue, not a skin reaction or a condition that needs treatment. Some researchers point out that a mild, low-grade inflammatory element may play a minor role in more pronounced cases, but that is not the underlying cause, and it is neither contagious, dangerous, nor a sign of illness.

Why do you get cellulite?

Several factors play a part, and most of them you cannot control yourself:

• Sex: Women's connective tissue is structured differently from men's (the strands run vertically rather than in a criss-cross pattern), which makes it far more common in women.
• Heredity: The structure of the skin and connective tissue is largely genetically determined.
• Hormones: Oestrogen affects fat distribution and can make it more visible, among other times during puberty and pregnancy.
• Age: The skin loses firmness over time, which can make it more visible, even without weight gain.
• Weight and muscle tone: Can make it more or less visible, but far from everyone who has it is overweight, and slim women can easily have it too.

Can you prevent or remove cellulite?

Honest answer: There is no cream, oil or supplement that removes it permanently, no matter what the packaging promises. Because the cause is structural (fat and connective tissue beneath the skin), a product that only works on the skin's surface cannot change the underlying structure. On the other hand, a good skincare routine can make the skin softer, more supple and give it a nicer, more even appearance, without promising more than that.

Caring for skin where you have cellulite

Even though skincare does not remove cellulite, there is still good reason to give the skin some attention:

• Massage with oil. Organic rosehip seed oil or raspberry seed oil can be massaged in with circular movements. It gives the skin moisture and a soft feel, and the massage itself can feel pleasant, whether or not it changes the structure.
• Moisturise daily. ByLykke Skin Lotion for larger areas of skin keeps the skin supple and soft.
• A warm bath with [Magnesium Bath Salt](/product/magnesium-badesalt-1-kg) can be a pleasant, relaxing part of the routine after a busy day.

Three myths about cellulite

Myth 1: "Only overweight people get cellulite."
Wrong. Most women get it at some point, regardless of weight, because it is about the structure of the skin and connective tissue, not just about the amount of fat.

Myth 2: "The right cream can remove it permanently."
No. No cosmetic cream changes the structure of the connective tissue beneath the skin. Creams can provide moisture and a softer feel, but they do not remove cellulite.

Myth 3: "It is caused by inflammation, and you can treat it away."
The cause is structural, not a skin disease, and there is no cosmetic treatment that removes it.

Frequently asked questions

Can you remove cellulite completely?
No, not with skincare. Cellulite is a structural feature of the skin, not something cosmetic products can remove permanently.

Is cellulite dangerous or a sign of illness?
No, it is a completely normal, harmless variation in the skin's appearance that most women experience.

Does weight loss help with cellulite?
It can make it more or less visible for some, but it rarely disappears completely, as the cause is also genetic and hormonal.

Why do slim women also get cellulite?
Because it is mainly caused by the structure of the skin and connective tissue, not the amount of fat alone.

Note: ByLykke's care products are cosmetic skincare, not medicines, and do not remove cellulite. They are not intended to treat, relieve or prevent disease.