Women mainly, and men increasingly, spend huge amounts of time and money on anti-wrinkle creams, laser hair removal and personal trainers in order to get smooth, flawless skin. But there are some things no miracle cream can fix. Cellulite is one of them.

Why your skin looks lumpy

“Cellulite is fat, water and lymphatic fluid trapped in a webbing of tough collagen fibers under the skin,” says Maria Hatzistefanis, founder beauty brand Rodial. “If this connective tissue becomes weakened, small pockets of fat and fluid can push through towards the surface, becoming more visible.”

How it’s formed

Skin type and hormones —rather than diet or exercise —determine the formation and appearance of cellulite, Julie Cichocki, beauty expert for cult beauty brand Karin Herzog (a favourite of Kate Middleton) tells Metro how it happens.
“Female hormones (estrogen) increase fat stores and dictate the pattern in which the fat is formed. Genetically, women form fat in a different pattern to men; around  her hips and thighs and around the middle are the typical areas for cellulite. This is to make a woman’s body curvy, attractive and fit for childbirth.

Cellulite is formed just under the surface of the skin, in the hypodermis, which is the only layer where hormones govern the laying down of fat cells. If estrogen is high, fat cells will form in the hypodermis. Toxins are then stored in these fat cells and the more toxins we store, the bigger the surface size of the fat cell and the more water it can hold. As the fat cell swells, it becomes enlarged and lumpy.”

What about men?

A woman’s skin is finer and more elastic than a man’s so any cellulite formed will be more visible. Celebrity trainer Justin Gelband states that while cellulite can occasionally be seen on men, they’d have to be really overweight.
“Women produce estrogen, which produces fat whereas men produce testosterone, which eats up fat,” he adds.