How To Use Coconut Oil To Reduce Cellulite

Cellulite is the result of excess fat buildup in your connective tissues, leading to those wavy dimpling of skin appearance. While there are many treatment options, creams, and lotions are commercially available to help get rid of it, have you tried using coconut oil for cellulite? Yes, you got it right! The simple, nutrient-rich coconut oil is all you need to get rid of those stubborn fats. Read on to know how coconut oil can help you achieve that silky smooth skin without any bumps or marks of cellulite!

Know Your Ingredient: Coconut oil

What Is It?
Coconut oil is a type of edible oil that is extracted from the wick, meat, and milk of the coconut palm fruit.

What Are Its Benefits?
Coconut oil helps moisturize the skin and reduces the appearance of cellulite.

Who Can Use It?
Anyone facing cellulite and dryness related issues can use it.

How Often?
You can apply the oil twice a day.

Caution
If you have sensitive skin, coconut oil can cause skin bumps.

What Is Cellulite?

Cellulite is formed when fat accumulates around our thighs, hips, butt, and abdomen. This results in the dimpling of your skin (resembling cottage cheese). It looks really unattractive and makes you very conscious of what you wear. This skin condition becomes highly visible when the connective tissues holding the skin and muscles underneath produce a distinct fat layer in between, making a sandwich. The dimpling is caused due to the pushing of the excess fat onto the skin (1).

Cellulite isn’t very uncommon. A lot of women, especially those who are in their teens and middle age, are prone to it. It might sound a bit surprising, but genetics play an important part in the formation of cellulite. And it goes without saying that overweight people are more prone to it as compared to the healthier ones.

So, what makes coconut so useful in treating cellulite? What is the relation between coconut oil and cellulite? Let’s take a look.

Ways To Use Coconut Oil For Cellulite Removal

1. Consuming Coconut Oil
2. Application On Cellulite-Affected Areas
3. Dry Brushing With Coconut Oil
4. Coconut Oil And Coffee Scrub
5. Coconut Oil And Essential Oil Mix

How To Use Coconut Oil For Cellulitis

Coconut oil can be your best ally in reducing the appearance of accumulated fat on your skin! Here’s how to get rid of cellulite using various coconut oil concoctions.

1. Consuming Coconut Oil

The benefits of topically using coconut oil for skin care are extensive. But, another way to avail those benefits is to consume it daily. You can either have two tablespoons of coconut oil daily before your workout or use it in your cooking.

While everyone may not be comfortable with the idea of ingesting coconut oil, it is not so difficult either. You can use coconut oil for cooking. Besides, you can also mix coconut oil with beverages and foods.

Having coconut oil will boost your body’s natural fat-burning process and help burn cellulite as well (2), (3), (4), (5). Taking two to three spoons of the oil with food should be adequate.

Did You Know?

The Philippines is the world’s largest coconut oil producer, followed by Indonesia and India.

2. Application On Cellulite-Affected Areas

The topical application of coconut oil is the easiest way to get rid of cellulite.

Massage virgin coconut oil every day on the cellulite-affected parts of your body. This oil gets absorbed by the human skin easily, and it breaks the fatty deposits in cells. It also nourishes the skin and makes it softer, smoother, and younger-looking (2), (6), (7).

3. Dry Brush and Coconut Oil For Cellulite

This is a very popular method to remove cellulite.

In this method, coconut oil is applied to the cellulite-affected skin areas. Then, the areas are massaged with a dry brush. For best results, choose a natural, preferably vegetable-based brush. Avoid using the ones made with artificial fibers. Applying coconut oil immediately after a hot shower and then rubbing your skin with a brush stimulates your body’s lymphatic system (8).

This method further helps in eliminating toxins and fats accumulated in the cells by opening up the pores, making it a must-have in your beauty and wellness routine. Dry brushing also helps to get rid of dry skin on the kneecaps, elbows, and ankles. This ensures tighter skin, proper lymphatic drainage, and improved blood flow to all the organs (8).

The Perfect Way To Dry Brush

Slather your body well with coconut oil. Now, brush your body in circular motions, starting from the feet and then to the legs, chest, abdomen, and arms. Make sure you brush counterclockwise on your stomach. Brush in long sweeps and totally avoid going all back and forth. Try not to scrub too hard as it may cause redness and burns. The best time for a dry brush is just before taking a shower. This way, you can easily wash off the excess oil. You can make use of this technique twice a day.

4. Coffee and Coconut Oil For Cellulite

Another method to reduce cellulite is to make a homemade coffee and coconut oil scrub. This scrub will also make your skin soft and smooth.

Mix coconut oil with sugar and coffee beans to make a natural scrub that will help reduce cellulite (9). The rough and raw texture of coffee and sugar will work as an exfoliant, opening up the clogged pores while coconut oil will ensure proper hydration in the skin. This mixture also stimulates proper lymph/blood flow in the body. Using warm coconut oil to make this mix is a good idea.

What You Need

• Coffee grounds – 1/4 cup
• Normal/brown sugar – 3 tablespoons
• Hot melted coconut oil – 2-3 tablespoons

What You Need To Do

Mix the ingredients to form a paste. Store it in a glass jar, and heat it just before using. The rough and raw texture of coffee and sugar will work as an exfoliant, opening up the clogged pores and improving circulation, while the coconut oil will ensure proper hydration of the skin. The smell of coffee also has an invigorating effect.

Massage this scrub effectively on the affected areas applying firm pressure. Wash it off after 15 minutes. You can use this scrub two to three times a week for best results. You will be able to witness positive results within one or two weeks.

Victoria, a YouTuber, talks about her experience of how she got rid of cellulite. She used a coffee and green tea scrub to exfoliate the area, and said, “The reason why I used this, is because it is high in caffeine and it boosts the circulation in that area and helps to make that area look more supple (i).”

5. Coconut And Essential Oil Mix

We all know the concept of carrier oils and essential oils, but did you know that mixing them can help us get rid of cellulite?

Well, that’s true. You may mix pure coconut oil with essential oils like pine or limonene and apply it on the cellulite-affected skin parts (10). Animal studies suggest that essential oil blends work wonders in dissolving excess fat stored under the skin layers (11).

6. Apple Cider Vinegar And Coconut Oil For Cellulite

What You Need

• ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar
• ¾ cup of coconut oil

What You Need To Do

1. Combine ¼ cup of apple cider vinegar with ¾ cup of coconut oil and make sure both ingredients are mixed well.
2. Before applying, take a shower to open skin pores, which allows for better absorption of the mixture.
3. Take a small amount of the mixture and massage it into the affected areas in circular motions for about 10–15 minutes.
4. Leave it on your skin for about 30 minutes to 1 hour and rinse off.

How It Works

Anecdotal evidence suggests that apple cider vinegar may break down fat beneath the skin and improve skin texture, which may reduce the appearance of cellulite. However, more research is needed in this aspect.

Fun Fact

Coconut got its name from Portuguese sailors who called the fruit “coco” which means “grinning look” because of the three holes on it that made it look like a cheeky grinning face.

Ways To Augment Cellulite Removal

Consuming and applying coconut oil topically will help reduce cellulite to an extent. However, you should not think that these methods alone will suffice in removing it entirely. It is important that you undertake measures to get rid of cellulite and prevent its recurrence. There are various ways to do that. Take a look.

1. Go Alkaline – Include alkaline foods like green leafy vegetables and fresh fruits in your diet. These foods help prevent the formation of acidic atmosphere in the body that paves way for cellulite formation.
2. Fluids Are The Best – Drink plenty of water and fresh fruit juices. This helps discard toxins from the body cells. You also need to stop the intake of caffeine-laced drinks and OTC energy drinks.
3. Sweat Your Fat Out – Working out is very important if you want to eradicate cellulite. If you cannot hit the gym daily, resort to biking or running. Aerobic exercises are also helpful in this regard. Try to do workouts that target your legs, abdominal muscles, and the pelvic region in particular.
4. Ask Your Doctor – You may also take medical help to create a suitable diet plan that helps in cellulite removal. For people who have cellulite running in their genes, getting rid of it may require multiple approaches.

A Word Of Caution

Now that we know how to utilize coconut oil to reduce cellulite, we should also be aware of the risks involved in using this oil. Take a look.

• People with super sensitive skin need to test the oil on the underside of their wrist or feet to look for any allergic reactions. If your skin becomes red, patchy, and scaly, it is better to skip using these methods altogether.

• Having more than the desired quantity of coconut oil can lead to loose motions and high levels of cholesterol. So, don’t overdo it.

• Scrubbing too harshly can lead to a broken epidermal layer and dryness. So, be gentle with your skin even while scrubbing.

Infographic: 5 Effective Ways To Use Coconut Oil For Cellulite

Coconut oil, especially the unprocessed and virgin variant, has a soothing and healing effect on the skin. It moisturizes the skin and may help promote collagen development, which has a tightening effect on the skin. That’s why it is often considered an alternative remedy for minimizing the appearance of cellulite. You can mix it with different oils for topical application or consume it. The infographic below summarizes the best ways to use this wonderful oil for managing cellulite. Check it out!

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for coconut oil to work on cellulite?

It depends on how you use it. For example, using coconut oil and coffee scrub on the affected areas may help improve the condition in one or two weeks.

What is the quickest way to get rid of cellulite?

Using DIY coffee scrub, drinking lemon water, and dry brushing are a few simple hacks to get rid of cellulite.

How can I get rid of cellulite on my thighs?

You can get rid of cellulite on your thighs by staying hydrated, maintaining a healthy weight and lifestyle, doing squats and lunges, and taking collagen peptides.

Illustration: How To Use Coconut Oil For Cellulite Removal

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Uncover the potential of coconut oil for combating cellulite in this enlightening video. Discover the benefits and techniques for using this natural remedy in your skincare routine.

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Dr. Henok MaledeBS, MPH-D, RYT

   

Dr. Henok Leake Malede has 10 years of experience in naturopathy. He began his career in Atlanta, Georgia and moved to New Orleans, Louisiana after completing his undergraduate studies. He studied at Tulane School of Tropical Medicine and Public Health.

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Tanya ChoudharyHealth & Wellness Writer

 

Tanya is an ISSA certified Specialist in Fitness & Nutrition. She specializes in writing articles on ingredients that benefit skin, hair, and health. She believes in the right health and lifestyle practices and strives to promote the same to everyone around her.

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