Dr. Murad's 13 ingredients for cellulite removal

Everlasting
This plant is a natural anti-inflammatory that is often used in aromatherapy oils and topical treatments for all kinds of skin disorders, including cellulite and stretch marks.
Fennel
Fennel is used as both a diuretic and an anti-inflammatory in some cellulite formulations. There has been too little study on it to determine how effective it is.

Ginger
Occasionally you find ginger used in a "cellulite soap" or a stretch mark scrub. While it does have antiseptic properties, its real help regarding cellulite is its anti-inflammatory benefits.

Goji Berries
Goji berries are virtually every method of fighting cellulite rolled into one delicious nugget. They are an excellent source of essential fatty acids, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatories, and they contain eighteen amino acids and twenty-one trace minerals.

Grapefruit
Grapefruit oil and extract have been used for muscle fatigue, stiffness, acne, fluid retention, and skin tightening, and as an antiseptic and astringent. They have also been touted for aiding hair growth and reducing cellulite. Grapefruit increases circulation, stimulates the lymphatic system, and may help to regulate body weight with regular use. It is also a good source of the antioxidant vitamin C.

Green Clay
Green clay is occasionally touted as a cellulite solution. Green clay contains many of the trace minerals that your body needs to metabolize nutrients into new tissue. In theory, these minerals should be effective when applied topically as well as when taken internally, but more study needs to be done on this before we can be sure.

Guarana
The guarana plant is native to the Amazon. It is helpful in cellulite treatments because of its ability to increase blood flow by dilating blood vessels. Studies are also finding that guarana has some antioxidant activity within the body.

Lemongrass
Lemongrass is an ingredient in preparations to treat acne, cellulite, and other skin-related conditions. It has astringent, calmative, antiseptic, anti-infectious, and antifungal properties. It is good for the hair, face, and body. It can improve muscle tone and reduces excessive sweating and enlarged pores. Lemongrass stimulates hydration and lymphatic detoxification, strengthens connective tissue, and may tighten elastin.

Methylxanthines
This is basically a family of diuretics that are often used to treat cellulite. When applied topically, these substances dehydrate the treated area. After repeated use, the area becomes smaller because of the loss of water. This decrease is only temporary-when use is discontinued, any water we ingest is reabsorbed into the area. While methylxanthines have no permanant effect on cellulite, they can temporarily minimize its appearance. Methylxanthines include aminophylline, a synthetic diuretic; caffeine, present in kola nuts, coffee beans, tea, guarana, and more than sixty plant species; theophylline, derived from tea leaves; and theobromine, derived from the seeds of the coca plant, present in chocolate.

Retinoids (Retin-A, Retinol, Retinyl Palmitate)
Topical use of retinoids over an extended period of time has the temporary effect of thickening and strengthening the dermis, making it more difficult for cellulite to push its way through. There is some evidence that retinoids also increase blood flow to the treated area.

Tea (Red, White, Black, Green)
Tea comes from leaves and leaf buds of plants cultivated principally in China, Japan, Ceylon, and other Asian countries. Tea is a mild stimulant, and its tonic properties are due to the caffeine content. Topically, it is used to reduce puffiness in areas affected by cellulite. Green tea also contains polyphenols, powerful antioxidants that function primarily in the skin. It is thought that these antioxidants may be able to inhibit cancer in some cases. For example, the topical administration of green tea has been shown to result in a reduction of tumors that occurred following UVB radiation.

Trace Minerals
Zinc, manganese, copper, selenium, magnesium, boron, chromium, molybdenum, silica, and vanadium are called trace minerals because our bodies need only a very small amount of them in order to function properly. All of the trace minerals are necessary for metabolism of nutrients. Without these, we would not be able to break down and utilize antioxidants and anti-inflammatories. Neither would we be able to convert lecithin and EFAs into our cell membranes, glucosamine into connective tissue, or amino acids into collagen and elastin. Trace minerals are a vital part of any cellulite treatment as well as overall health. Zinc soothes skin and also aids in the healing of wounds, burns, and scars. In the skin, zinc promotes cell division, cell repair, and cell growth.

Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate)
Vitamin C fights a three-pronged battle against cellulite and skin damage. First, it plays an important role in collagen synthesis, which has a firming effect on the skin. Vitamin C breaks down collagenase and elastinase, two naturally occurring substances in the body that attack collagen and elastin. Vitamin C is also a natural anti-inflammatory that helps in reversing some of the effects of sun damage. Finally, Vitamin C is a powerhouse antioxidant that has proved especially effective in battling free-radical damage within the skin.

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