As far as skin-care products for the body are concerned, the litany of options is mesmerizing. Yet there is almost no uniformity between formulas. It would appear, if the claims are to be believed, that a wide variety of unrelated plant extracts can deflate or break down fat and/or restructure skin. Looking at the research, however, most articles suggest there is little hope that anything rubbed on the skin can change fat deposits or radically improve the appearance of cellulite.
The hope that botanicals have the answer is odd, since not a single study points to what concentration of an ingredient needs to be in a formulation, what physiochemical characteristics particular to each active ingredient need to be present, or whether these ingredients can retain any standardized properties between batches. (Sources: Dermatologic Surgery, July 2005, pages 866-872; and The European Journal of Dermatology, December 2000, pages 596-603.)
All sorts of ingredients are used in body products that claim they can get rid of cellulite. But if you look at the list of options, or peruse a cosmetics counter with all the products extolling their anti-cellulite prowess, it would be hard to imagine why anyone has one dimple left on their legs! Here are few of the plant extracts that show up in anti-cellulite products: