“And I said to my body softly, ‘I want to be your friend.’ It took a long breath and replied, ‘I’ve been waiting my whole life for this.’” – Nayyirah Waheed
I love this quote!
I think you’ll agree that we all want our body to be a friend. For women (and some men), we tend to be hyper-critical of our bodies and pick apart every little perceived flaw.
I often hear women speak critically about their bodies and appearance in my therapy practice. They tell me: “I’m overweight.” My legs and hips are too big.” I have dimples on my thighs.” “I look frumpy!” “Why do I look this way!”
Body dissatisfaction can trigger a wide range of negative emotions, including anxiety, depression, and self-loathing, as well as physical conditions such as life-threatening eating disorders, substance abuse, relationship violence, self-harm, and suicide.
Whenever I hear such things, I cannot help but feel an immense amount of compassion. The messages from their inner critic are strong, seemingly valid, and incredibly impactful in how they feel about themselves.
I am passionate about promoting resilience by teaching people practical skills to support themselves. Befriending the body is essential for anyone looking for a loving way to heal the relationship with the body. It is one of the most loving intentions you can empower.
In this blog post, I will discuss a self-care strategy that involves using Fleur CelluCleanse Body Oil and Garshana dry brushing technique to gently detoxify the body to reduce the appearance of cellulite. This alchemical wellness approach can help you achieve healthy and vibrant skin; with a little effort, you can start feeling good about yourself again.
But First, A Fun Fact
Did you know that the word February originates from the Latin word Februa, which means “to cleanse?”
The month was named after Februalia, the Roman god of purification. The month-long festival of purification and atonement, known as the Festival of Purification, occurred during this time of year.
While February is the second month in our Gregorian calendar today, it was initially the last month added to the Roman calendar (c. 713 BC)!
It seems fitting, then, that February is a good month to begin preparing our bodies for Spring through cleansing and purifying ourselves and rejuvenating our winter skin.
Spring is on the way!
Although we are still technically in Winter here, where I live along the Southern California coast, I see the season changing already. The last wave of rain has left the world sparkling with life!
The birds are singing, sharing their joy with the world. The purple blooms of trailing rosemary bring beautiful color to gardens, and along the roadsides, orange California poppies are in full color, delighting my eyes. I feel a quickening of happiness in my heart as I witness the seasonal change happening in nature all around me.
Seasonal Skin Care
Caring for skin during Winter takes a little extra time and effort because the conditions are extreme for our tender protective barrier.
Because we cover our skin to protect us from the elements: cold air, wind, and rain, low humidity is expected as we heat our homes, stealing moisture from our skin. It’s no wonder our skin often ends up dry, flaky, and itchy. And once dryness starts, it’s a visible sign of dehydration.
During the Holidays, we tend to “overindulge” in processed and junk food, and before we notice, some of these foods become a habit.
We all know the saying, “You are what you eat,” but there’s no better example of this than when it comes to cellulite. Foods high in sugar, unhealthy saturated fats, salt, chocolate, and processed grains such as white bread and pasta can worsen cellulite.
With some extra care, you can achieve soft, smooth, and radiant skin while reducing toxins that contribute to cellulite.
Cellulite: The Bane of Women
Understanding the causes and treatments of cellulite is essential since cellulite can affect confidence and body satisfaction significantly.
Adipose tissue, also known as fat tissue, is a connective tissue mainly composed of fat cells called adipocytes. Adipocytes are energy-storing cells that contain large globules of fat known as lipid droplets surrounded by a structural network of fibers. The most relevant hallmark of cellulite is a buildup of superficial adipose tissue in the dermis, giving the skin a dimpled orange peel look.
While no magical panacea can eradicate cellulite completely, several variables should be considered when exploring the reason for cellulite.
Hormones
Hormones like estrogen, insulin, thyroid hormones, and prolactin all play a massive role in the development of cellulite. As women enter puberty, prepare for childbirth, or enter menopause, the levels of estrogen in the body fluctuate. Depending on age and stage, this can lead to more stored fat and collagen depletion.
Either way, the fluctuation of female hormones can do a number on her body and cause cellulite to become more visible as it pushes against the outer layers of the skin.
Age
While age affects the appearance of cellulite, it can appear as early as puberty. However, our skin loses elasticity and collagen as we age, meaning it’s thinner. Age also leads to muscle loss and tone and dryer skin; this gives cellulite more freedom to develop.
Distribution of Fat
There is a known link between fat distribution and the connective tissues beneath the skin. Fatty cellulite is caused by excessive fat storage, which causes the skin to stretch. This is the most common type of cellulite.
Women have connective tissues arranged vertically, which causes cellulite fat cells to more easily protrude through and push against the outer layer of skin.
Cellulite is more common in women due to their thinner skin and tendency to store fat on their thighs and buttocks. This is another reason women with a low body mass index and a fit physique can also be concerned about cellulite.
Dehydration
Water cellulite is associated with disturbances in the body’s water balance. Water cellulite is often experienced by slim people with extremely dry skin. Circulating cellulite is the combination of water and fat cellulite.
Regular alcohol consumption stimulates fat production and causes body dehydration, resulting in the excessive and improper storage of fat.
Toxins
Today, we’re exposed to a greater volume of toxins than our bodies are naturally equipped to handle. From the air we breathe to the food we eat and the water we drink. Our daily exposure has increased exponentially. This has pushed our natural detox systems to their limits, making it harder for our bodies to cleanse themselves effectively on their own.
Many toxins are fat soluble, meaning they dissolve in fat and are stored in our fat cells. Normal, healthy fat cells are a nice round shape, allowing the skin above them to lay smooth, indicating healthy circulation and minimal toxicity. But, when toxins become trapped in the fat cells, they also trap fluid in the adipose tissue and begin to bulge. This bulging, honeycomb-shaped fat cell causes the bumpy appearance of cellulite on the outside of the skin.
Smoking and vaping may also be a contributing factor in cellulite. It significantly greater amounts of free radicals in the body and the contraction of small blood vessels responsible for local micro-circulatory impairments, leading to both dehydration and toxic overload.
Skin Rejuvenating Carrier Oils in CelluCleanse Body Oil
I firmly believe using quality skincare ingredients is the best way to benefit from their skin-loving properties. CelluCleanse Body Oil’s alchemical synergy blend is formulated in a base of Jojoba, cold-pressed sea buckthorn fruit oil, and helio carrot oil, all GMO-free.
Base oils are known as Carrier Oils (such as vegetable, fixed, or base oils). They are typically pressed from plants, nuts, or seeds. Each of them has its own distinct advantages and its essential fatty acid profiles.
Carrier oils offer various health benefits when used in aromatherapy. They can help with issues such as large pores and uneven skin tone and maintain skin hydration.
Sea Buckthorn Oil
Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) fruit oil is one of those miracle ingredients you probably didn’t know existed. The oil is extracted from the berries of the thorny sea buckthorn shrub. These berries are said to be the single highest vegetal source of Vitamin C, Vitamin E, unsaturated fatty acids, essential amino acids, and beta-carotene, which gives the oil its bright orange color.
This beautiful Fruit Oil contains omega-6 and the highly sought-after omega-7, brilliant for aiding in skin repair and regeneration, making this oil ideal for problem skin.
Due to its free radical scavenging and tissue regeneration properties, Sea Buckthorn Oil helps combat cellulite and soothe dry, irritated skin. Studies have shown that the Sea Buckthorn Oil can improve skin metabolism and retard skin maturation. It is fast absorbing and will help to soothe inflammation and reduce redness.
Helio Carrot Root Oil
Carrot Root Oil (Daucus carota L.) is ideally suited for a wide array of nourishing and moisturizing formulations intended for mature, dry, itchy, damaged, or severely problematic skin. Its detoxifying and powerful antioxidative effects improve skin tone and reduce the appearance of cellulite.
The rejuvenating properties of Carrot Root oil promote the development of new skin cells to maintain suppleness, even reversing skin damage caused by UV radiation.
Jojoba Oil
Jojoba Oil (Simmondsia chinensis) is an excellent carrier for essential oils. It can penetrate deep into the layers of the skin where cell regeneration and synthesisation occur, providing similar moisturizing properties to our skin’s natural oils. For this reason, Jojoba oil is the basis of Fleur Body Oils.
Did you know that the wax esters found in Jojoba are identical to the natural sebum produced by our skin? This oil rejuvenates and revitalizes the skin, improves skin tone, promoting skin radiance. Smoothing and firming, this oil can also improve skin elasticity and boost circulation.
Essential Oils in CelluCleanse Body Oil
Essential oils need to be diluted before applying them to the skin. Research has indicated that the addition of essential oils to a base oil can have a positive effect on the appearance of cellulite and can aid in repairing the skin’s texture. Blending essential oils synergistically can provide a natural solution to improve the appearance of cellulite.
Below is the list of beneficial organic essential oils that I’ve formulated in CelluClease Body Oil:
Rosemary
Rosemary (Salvia rosemarius) essential oil is known for its stimulating, energizing, and circulation-boosting properties. This essential oil decreases cellular fat accumulation in the fascia and boosts microcirculation.
A clinical study showed that rosemary reduced the appearance of cellulite by 52.9% while also improving skin firmness and elasticity by 57.9%. This study involved 40 women aged 18 to 59 years. It indicated that rosemary reduced cellulite in a wide range of age groups.
Juniper Berry
Juniper Berry (Juniperus communis) essential oil is a natural diuretic. It is a powerhouse for detoxifying and soothing irritated skin while reducing the appearance of uneven scars and cellulite. This essential oil aids in reducing fluid retention and flushing toxins from the fascia. Its stimulating action encourages blood to move more freely and can restore injured skin from within.
Grapefruit
Grapefruit (Citrus paradisi) essential oil is another powerhouse traditionally used to target cellulite. It is packed with enzymes and antioxidants that have been shown to break down fatty deposits in the fascia. The essential oil helps to remove waste and toxins from the body by stimulating the lymphatic system. Grapefruit essential oil increases blood flow to the area and delivers nutrients and oxygen to the skin, promoting healthy skin cell growth and improving skin texture.
Sweet Fennel
Sweet Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) is an essential oil traditionally used in aromatherapy for anti-cellulite treatment. This essential oil effectively breaks down fat in the body and flushes it away. It’s especially beneficial for promoting hormone balance in women during menopause.
Blue Cypress
Blue Cypress (Callitris intratropica) essential oil is a beautiful support for skin health. One of the most commonly used oils to treat cellulitis, this essential oil soothes reddened, irritated, or inflamed skin conditions. Well-known for its astringent properties, it is beneficial for cellulite because it constricts and tightens skin, balancing sebum production.
Birch
Birch (Betula lenta) essential oil has a firming effect on the connective tissue due to its astringent properties. It helps to relieve water retention, transport excess fluid accumulations from the tissue, and smooth and tighten the skin. Medicinally, the essential oil has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties and is, thus, an excellent pain reliever.
Black Pepper
Black Pepper (Piper nigrum) essential oil has powerful antioxidant properties that can help enhance skin by fighting free radicals that cause aging and other skin damage. It boosts circulation and improves blood flow, flushing away toxins and excess fluids and reducing the look of cellulite.
May Chang
May Chang (Litsea cubeba) essential oil is made from the fruit of the wild shrub growing in India. The essential oil has several skin-protective factors that make it ideal for reducing the appearance of cellulite. It helps the skin achieve a rejuvenated appearance thanks to its antioxidant content. Soothing and hydrating, it has a skin-purifying effect due to its citrus-like composition promoting and regulating sebum production.
Geranium
Geranium (Pelargonium graveolen) essential oil is a natural diuretic, helping to remove excess fluid and reduce tissue puffiness by stimulating the lymph. It also has anti-inflammatory and hormone-balancing abilities.
The alchemical synergy of these powerful essential oils is a healing gift from nature. The slightly smoky, spicy, and tangy lemon aroma in CelluCleanse Body Oil invigorates the senses.
With daily application, you can give your skin the nourishment it needs to replenish itself and enhance its detoxification pathways. Make it a consistent part of your routine and let your skin thank you for the healthy glow it will radiate.
Self-Massage with CelluCleanse
Your body deserves the best care possible, and that’s why a daily ritual of massaging and hydrating your skin is essential. Regular self-massage is one of the most effective ways to reduce the appearance of cellulite.
You can break down those stubborn fat cells and aid skin hydration by targeting those specific areas to revitalize your skin and reduce the appearance of cellulite through consistent daily self-massage.
Research shows that massage can significantly improve your skin’s appearance and health. Cellulite massage is a treatment that stimulates the body’s lymphatic and circulatory systems.
Anti-cellulite massages involve various techniques, including pounding, circular motions, kneading, and skin-rolling. Apply slow, deep strokes with sustained pressure to target muscles and connective tissues with CelluCleanse Body Oil to increase penetration into the skin’s layers.
Combining self-massage with all the unique skin-loving benefits of CelluCleanse Body Oil will improve the appearance of cellulite and begin to move toxins out of the body.
This invigorating body oil helps reduce the appearance of cellulite by boosting circulation, combating fluid retention, and stimulating skin regeneration. If you want to achieve the desired results, include self-massage as an integral part of your self-care.
Dry Brushing for Cellulite
Other techniques can be combined to enhance the effectiveness of essential oil massage. Dry brushing, for example, is an excellent addition to your beauty regimen to help further diminish the appearance of cellulite.
Dry brushing—known as Garshana—is the Ayurvedic practice of massaging dry skin with raw silk. Garshana means “friction by rubbing.” The friction and static electricity created during the dry massage stimulate metabolism and refresh the body.
Dry brushing can help dissolve cellulite by breaking up fat deposits and preventing new cellulite from forming. This massage technique gently cleans and exfoliates your skin, removing impurities from the surface. At the same time, it helps eliminate subcutaneous congestion, aiding healthy detoxification pathways that flush out inflammation and the toxins causing it.
This simple technique not only exfoliates dead skin but also polishes and detoxes your skin, leaving you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.
One of the most effective ways to reduce the appearance of cellulite is through regular massage with CelluCleanse Body Oil and Dry Brushing using Fleur Garshana silk gloves. Combining these two strategies will help you achieve healthy and radiant skin. Together, they combat fluid retention for deep skin rejuvenation.
Try it today and see the difference for yourself!
Treating Cellulite with Alchemical Wellness Ritual
It’s never too late to start a self-care routine. Taking care of yourself is one of the best investments you can make, and establishing a habitual routine is the perfect way to love yourself.
A daily ritual of stimulating the skin, fascia, and lymph system is an ideal combo to treat cellulite. You can achieve the beautiful, glowing skin you’ve always wanted with a little effort and dedication.
Shifting your beauty routine into a conscious daily self-care ritual has tremendous benefits for reducing cellulite and long-term emotional and physical well-being.
The way to transform your routine into a ritual is to set your intention for your routine actions with purpose and then practice it with presence. If you want to see results, commit to your beauty ritual to see improvements inside and out.
When it Comes to Cellulite, Lifestyle is as Important as Genes
Here’s the secret: You can have excellent genes and still develop cellulite because of a poor lifestyle. You can have very poor genes and still maintain a great figure and smooth thighs with an excellent lifestyle. What does this mean?
- If you are generally slim and can eat what you want without developing cellulite, do not become complacent. Good genes can only protect you for so long.
- If you tend to put on weight/develop cellulite easily, all is not lost: take great care of your nutrition, exercise a lot, avoid smoking, etc, and you can minimize/avoid cellulite for decades.
Diet
I know I’ve said it before: If you live a sedentary lifestyle and don’t watch what you eat, chances are you’re dealing with cellulite and, most likely, other health issues, too.
Even though a woman’s metabolism largely depends on hormones, it’s crucial to maintain a healthy “clean” diet (preferably organic) of protein, healthy carbohydrates and fats, and plenty of fiber to help control or reduce body fat.
Hydration
Most people understand the relationship between hydration and well-being: 60% of our body weight is water, and 90% of our blood is water. Our bodies need plenty of water to enable fat cells to release the toxins they hold so that they can be flushed out of the body through the urine.
Hydrated skin is supple and elastic. If you’re looking to prevent or reverse the appearance of cellulite, hydration is your secret weapon. Keeping your body properly hydrated is key to reducing the visibility of cellulite.
Strength Exercises
Certain leg and glute exercises may help tone muscles and tighten the skin around the hips and thigh region. Using muscle-strengthening exercises like squats and lunges can reduce cellulite appearance and burn fat. By increasing circulation and lymphatic flow, the body eliminates toxins from the adipose tissue beneath the skin.
Reduce Stress
Ultimately, reducing stress and restoring a healthy metabolism are the keys to reducing cellulite and keeping it off. With some lifestyle modifications and a regular detoxification routine by adding Flower Essence Aromatherapy Alchemical Wellness, you may establish a foundation for lasting health, smooth skin, and a beautiful body.
Love Your Body, Love Yourself
Cellulite is a common problem that doesn’t discriminate. You can empower yourself by recognizing the fact that cellulite is common, normal, and scientifically impossible to get rid of completely. But, It can be reduced with anti-cellulite essential oils, daily self-care rituals, and a healthy lifestyle.
However, cellulite can also help us become more self-aware and better understand the choices we make. The nature of the relationship we have with our bodies is significant. Your body is your constant companion throughout your life, and treating it with kindness and care is crucial for your overall well-being.
Lovingly accepting your unique self is the best way to overcome insecurities like cellulite. Daily self-care routines are closely intertwined with self-esteem. Caring for your body and pampering your skin sends a strong message to your mind: “I’m worthy!”
So take a breath. Sigh it out.
Mindfully acknowledge any negative self-talk that arises without any judgment or anger and respond with kindness. You can cultivate a more positive and compassionate attitude toward yourself. Remember, the way you talk to yourself matters.
“I am a friend to my body nurturing myself with loving kindness and attention.”
By practicing self-compassion, developing an attuned relationship with the body, cultivating sustainable self-care behaviors, building positive connections with others, and utilizing Alchemical Wellness Care, you can achieve a loving relationship with yourself and your body today.
With a healthy body and mind, you are empowered to live a life you love!
All my aromatic Love,
Vidya
