Nivea Good-Bye Cellulite Gel Cream

After using the Neutrogena Anti-Cellulite cream that didn’t work, I moved on to the Nivea cellulite cream and patches after hearing all the hype about the Tyra Banks show putting it to the test. I hoped it would work, but was seriously skeptical. Nivea Good-bye Cellulite Gel Cream costs about $15 per bottle depending on where you buy it. You can sometimes find coupons on eBay. The patches cost another $15 or so. You get 6 patches per box. It’s cheaper if you get the 2-packs for about $25 or so. Plus, if you order from sites like Amazon.com, you get free shipping for anything $25 or more.

The deal is, you put the cellulite cream on twice per day (for the standard 6-8 weeks) and you also wear the patches 2 – 3 times per week. You can put them on under your pants or wear them while sleeping. I’ve done both successfully.

Pros

My legs after 10 weeks of using Nivea Good-Bye Cellulite Cream & Patches

I must say, while it didn’t reduce all the cellulite, it did get rid of most of it. It was still a little noticeable, but you can see from the pictures that it made a big impact. I’d say it reduced the cellulite by more than 2/3.  You can see the before picture here.

Cons

The gel is a little sticky and, if you put too much, it doesn’t want to absorb all the way so your legs will feel rather tacky all day. You have to experiment to find the right amount so you cover your legs (or tummy or behind or arms) well without overdoing it.

The patches don’t stay stuck very well. If you get up and sit down a lot, the edges will begin to roll up as your pants or skirt brush over them. At night, as you change positions in your sleep, the same thing… the patches roll up and come off. I solved this problem by getting a $2.00 roll of clear first aid tape and putting one piece of tape at the top and bottom of each patch.

Special Considerations

As I said, I had a lot of cellulite. If my case hadn’t have been so severe, I think it might have done the job all the way. This would be a great product for someone with mild to moderate cellulite.

Recommended? Yes

Cellulite Massage

I decided, after reading accounts from people who’d had success with simply doing cellulite massage using a loofah, that I’d give that a try. Cellulite massage is supposed to stimulate collagen production as well as smooth out the thin, lumpy layer of fat just underneath the skin.

It certainly was cheep enough. Loofah sponges cost about $4 – $5 each and last for weeks even with constant use.

Again, another 6-week ritual. For cellulite massage, you’re supposed wet the loofah (I used warm water) then semi-vigorous rub the loofah back and forth and also up and down on the affected areas for 5 minutes per day, per leg. Some people also added coarse salt to the loofah, but I didn’t do this.

Pros

It was cheep and easy enough to do. I’d usually do the cellulite massage while I was watching TV or immediately after I got out of the shower. The exfoliation affect made my thighs very soft.

Cons

Even though it’s just 5 minutes per leg, that was 10 minutes I had to make room for in my schedule. On really busy days, I just didn’t feel like doing it. I’d have to make myself fit the time in.

The results? Not bad. I did notice a difference. Not a significant one, but a positive difference.

I don’t think I’d use this method by itself, but I can see how it would be helpful when used with some other type of treatment.

Recommended? Yes for mild cellulite or in conjunction with cellulite cream, but not alone.

Related posts:

1. Nivea My Silhouette Cream Review
2. Neutrogena Anti-cellulite Treatment – Caffeine, Seaweed, Retinol Formula Review
3. Shea It Isn’t So Foot Cream Review (Bath & Body Works)

My legs before any cellulite treatments were used.

Cellulite Creams & Treatments: What I’ve Tried. What Worked. What Didn’t.

I started noticing it years ago. More like mild ripples rather than the cottage cheese dimples most people describe. I ignored it for the longest time hoping it wasn’t what I thought it was. While I was looking the other way, my thighs were turning into mush.

Of course, I wanted to know what was responsible for this mess. Doing some research, I found a bunch of explanations, but what it all boiled down to was that cellulite isn’t an “I’m-too-fat” problem. It’s a “the-collagen-in-my-legs-is-breaking-down” problem. The more the collagen breaks down, the more the layer of fat just below the surface bunches up. Think of crunching up a piece of aluminum foil.

Before we go any further, please remember to keep in mind that mine is one woman’s story. Every body’s situation is different. Some people need to reduce mild cellulite while others have severe cases. I’d venture to say mine was more on the serious side.

Cellulite Exercises

Like many of you, I started out with the simple steps. I exercised and watched what I ate. Then I exercised more. I bought an exercise bike to specifically work my thighs. Not much happened. I love the bike. Still have it as a matter of fact, but it didn’t help to reduce cellulite on my thighs.

I bought DVDs and did weight training as well as cardio (together) and – while I must say my overall body looked better – it did nothing to reduce cellulite.

Cellulite Creams

Neutrogena Anti-Cellulite Cream

Neutrogena Anti-cellulite Treatment – Caffeine, Seaweed, Retinol Formula

I’ve tried a few cellulite creams over the years. I decided to try this cream because I trusted the Neutrogena name. Neutrogena Anti-cellulite Treatment – Caffeine, Seaweed, Retinol Formula costs about $15 per bottle depending on where you get it.

Pros

None.  I’m sorry, but there was nothing I liked about this product.  I got no benefits from it.

Cons

This cellulite cream was supposed to improve the elasticity of my skin so the cellulite became less noticeable. Like most products, it said it would reduce the appearance of cellulite… not that it would actually reduce cellulite. (I think they have to phrase it that way due to FDA regulations.) And, like most products, they want you to use it for 6-8 weeks for maximum results. I did. It didn’t work. No difference at all. I was very disappointed considering that Neutrogena usually makes such great products.

Recommended? No

Read my review of a much better product: Nivea Good-Bye Cellulite Cream & Patches

Related posts:

1. Nivea Good-bye Cellulite Gel Cream and Patches Review
2. Physicians’ Formula StriVectin-SD Review
3. Neutrogena Foot Cream Review