Forskolin, is the extract of the South Asian plant coleus forskohlii / plectranthus barbatus. It has been extensively researched for decades for its lipolytic action and is routinely used in lab experiments when it is needed to stimulate lipolysis in fat cells. (Lipolysis refers to fat release from fat cells, leading to fat cell size reduction and, if sustained, eventual fat cell death.) However, due to its high cost (10x more than the highest quality caffeine) it is rarely used in anti-cellulite creams - although it is way more important than caffeine in this regard…
Forskolin, lipolysis and cellulite creams
What exactly is an anti-cellulite cream?
So this is what makes a cellulite cream: a fast absorbable cream formulation with - ideally a high concentration of) anti-cellulite active ingredients in it. It’s as simple as that. Without anti-cellulite active ingredients - or with very little in the way of active ingredients - we are talking about a simple body moisturiser. I am sorry to break it to you, but 99% of the so-called cellulite creams on the market are exactly that, basically a body moisturiser…
Lipolysis and cellulite
The most important aspect of cellulite is fat accumulation in the hypodermis (deepest skin layer). Everything else (water retention, skin laxity, fibrosis etc) is also important, but secondary. Consequently hypodermal fat reduction is the most important step in reducing cellulite. The process by which fat is broken down in fat cells for subsequent release into the bloodstream is called lipolysis…
Cellulite creams: should emphasis be placed on water retention, fat reduction, skin firming of fibrosis?
The four main visual aspects of cellulite are hypodermal fat accumulation, water retention/puffiness, skin looseness and fibrosis. Hypodermal fat accumulation combined with fibrosis is what makes fat globules protrude from the skin surface. Fat pushes up and fibrotic collagen fibres push down, resulting in the mattress effect. Water retention makes cellulite more visible by increasing volume in the hypodermis and dermis. Likewise, loose skin makes it easier for the fat globules to push up…
Cellulite, thermogenesis and brown fat
Have you ever heard of white fat, beige fat or brown fat? I know it may sound weird, but indeed fat comes in three colours and each of them is different. White fat tissue is known to store fat, making you, well, fat. Could you lose that fat, as well as cellulite, by turning your white fat tissue a few shades darker, i.e turning it into "beige fat" or perhaps even “brown fat”?