Cellulite creams a fat lot of good

Special creams claiming to have the power to get rid of cellulite are "at best optimistic and at worst downright nonsense", a new report has concluded.

A survey by the consumer magazine Health Which? found there was little evidence that creams, costing up to pounds 27, had any effect on the dreaded orange-peel skin.

However, the report offers some comfort to the afflicted: it confirms that the condition does exist and rejects suggestions that alcohol and coffee make it worse. It also claims that not even massage, diet or liposuction will eliminate dimply thighs and buttocks completely.Ten different creams, ranging in cost from pounds 1.99 to pounds 27, were tested for the investigation with testers rubbing one thigh with the preparation for six weeks.

The other thigh was rubbed with a control cream, Superdrug's pounds 1.29 Hand and Body Moisturising Lotion. Although many testers said the creams made their skin feel smoother and softer, none reported dramatic differences in the dimples.

"The idea of using a cream or lotion to make cellulite disappear is enormously appealing - but virtually impossible," said a Health Which? spokeswoman.