2. Almay Body Firming Cream

3. Institut DERMed Body CelluliteRx LipoKit

4. N.V. Perricone M.D. - Neuropeptide Firming Body Mist

5. Clarins Total Body Lift

6. SkinCeuticals Advanced Body Firming Lotion

7. Cellex-C Skin Firming Cream Plus

8. Murad Firm and Tone Serum

9. Derma E Hyaluronic Acid Firming Serum

10. Fake Bake Sunless And Skinny

In July 2004, Good Housekeeping reported a small study of then-available skin-firming or anti-cellulite creams. The Good Housekeeping Institute (If you don’t trust the GHI, you’re probably paranoid!) sent a small group of test subjects to a well-known New York plastic surgeon. The women saw the doctor before starting treatment, after two weeks and after four weeks.

They were instructed to use one of three cellulite creams daily on one thigh only, providing a very reliable control for comparison. For example, if a woman gained or lost ten pounds during the study, the study would still reveal if the cream alone had any effect.

At each appointment, thighs were measured at three points above the knee, photos were taken and dimply skin was graded on a scale from “very noticeable” to “none at all”.

Unfortunately, GHI did not reveal the names of the two losing cellulite creams; but they did report that only Avon Cellu-Sculpt significantly reduced the treated thighs’ circumference.

The average loss – after just one month – was ¾ of an inch. The point is – cellulite firming creams, at least the effective ones, really can have an effect.

Note that "cellulite" creams are not only effective on the thigh and buttock area, but also work to tighten loose skin on the upper arms and neck.

Fast forward three years …

Unfortunately Avon Cellu-Sculpt is no longer available and the company hasn’t introduced a new improved cellulite treatment cream to replace it. [Avon, why are you so fickle?]

The key active ingredients in Cellu-Sculpt were: caffeine and cornstarch for temporary tightening; glycerine and glycosaminoglycans as moisturizers and, most importantly, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-3 which stimulates growth of new elastin and collagen.

In the meantime, the search for cosmetically active polypeptides has progressed by leaps and bounds. With the introduction of tetrapeptides, we finally have an ingredient that addresses sagging, loose skin.

Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-3 has been clinically shown to stop and even reverse glycation damage which causes skin to droop. Glycation is the process by which glucose links with proteins and causes them to bind together, thus stiffening tissues.

Glycation affects the skin’s support system – collagen, elastin and other proteins – and leads to cellulite, wrinkles, sagging, uneven skin tone and loss of youthful contours.

Finally, in a class by themselves, are the neuropeptides. Neuropeptides are polypeptides that act as neuromodulators, neurotransmitters, neurohormones, and hormones.

Probably the best-known proponent for the cosmetic use of neuropeptides is Dr. Nicholas Perricone. His previous anti-aging developments have met with broad acclaim and his three books have been on the New York Times Bestseller list.

Dr. Perricone explains his work with neuropeptides in his third book The Perricone Promise thus:

“In The Wrinkle Cure and The Perricone Prescription, I introduced a major theme of my research: the Inflammation-Disease-Aging Connection.

Because inflammation is a great contributor to accelerated aging, it has been an important focus of my ongoing scientific research. And we now know that neuropeptides and peptides play an important role in mediating inflammation.”

According to Dr. Perricone, neuropeptides provide the benefits of the above polypeptides as well as provide powerful anti-inflammatory (i.e. anti-aging) activity and maximum hydration to the skin.

Read more about the various peptides.

We surveyed the market for cellulite creams that contain effective amounts of some or all of the ingredients you want for maximum firming. Then we ranked them for their firming effectiveness.

The ideal firming cream would contain ingredient(s) from each category explained in part two of Effective Cellulite Treatments.

Check out the current offers promotions at SkinStore.com!

This article is for informational purposes only. It does not purport to offer medical advice.

Consult a qualified physician before taking any of these products.

What to Look For in effective AntiAging Skin Care Products
The most effective ingredients in antiaging skin care products broken down by type.

Effective Sun Screen Ingredients

Effective Moisturizer Cream Ingredients

Effective AntiOxidant Ingredients

Effective Exfoliating Ingredients

Effective Skin Regrowth Ingredients

Effective Clarifying Ingredients

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