Orange peel skin: where does it come from and what helps?

In my twenties I hardly dared to go to the beach. Because of a few dimples on my bum and legs. Orange peel skin. I was truly ashamed of it, and I tried absolutely everything to get rid of it.

Now, years later, I know a lot more about orange peel skin. Where it comes from. What does make a difference and what is a waste of your money. And above all: that it's completely normal.

In this blog I'll tell you everything I wish I had known when I was twenty.

What is orange peel skin, actually?

Orange peel skin is another word for cellulite. Your skin looks bumpy in some places, with small dimples and bumps, just like the peel of an orange. You mainly see it on your thighs, bum and hips, sometimes also on your tummy or arms.

It's not a disease and it's not unhealthy. According to a review article from 2023, 80 to 90 percent of all women have it to a greater or lesser extent. So if you look around on the beach, almost everyone has it. Even that woman with the toned legs you secretly look at.

Note: orange peel skin is something different from cellulitis. Cellulitis is a skin infection, and for that you go to your GP. You can read the difference in my blog about cellulite and cellulitis.

What does orange peel skin look like? Do the pinch test

You recognise orange peel skin by small dimples and bumps in your skin, often on the back of your thighs and on your bum. If you gently pinch a bit of skin between thumb and forefinger, the dimples become more clearly visible. That's called the pinch test.

Dermatologists often divide orange peel skin into grades. With the mildest form you only see it when you pinch your skin. Next, you see it when you're standing, but not when you're lying down. And with the most visible form you see it in every position. Most women are somewhere in the middle, and that can differ from period to period.

Do you suddenly see it much more than usual, or is your skin red, warm, painful or swollen? That's not orange peel skin. Then go to your GP.

Why do you get orange peel skin?

Beneath your skin there is fat tissue, divided into small compartments by strands of connective tissue. In women those strands mainly run straight upwards. If the fat pushes against your skin while the strands hold it in place, you get that bumpy effect. In men the strands run more crosswise, and that's why they have it much less.

A few other things also play a part:

Predisposition. How you store fat is largely something you inherited. My body type sits between mesomorph and endomorph and my fat mainly goes to my legs and bum. Then you simply have a higher chance of orange peel skin.

Hormones. Female hormones partly determine where you store fat. That's why orange peel skin is so common in women, including slim women.

Age. Over the years your skin becomes thinner and less firm. As a result you see more easily what's underneath.

Lifestyle. Little exercise, a lot of sitting, poor sleep, stress and water retention can make it more visible. I wrote a blog about that last one: water retention in your legs.

What does help against orange peel skin?

To be honest: there is no treatment that makes orange peel skin disappear permanently. What can happen is that your skin looks smoother and feels firmer. You achieve that mainly through consistency and a combination of things, not with one miracle product. Why that combination is so important, you can read in anti cellulite: why one thing is never enough. Everything about cellulite in one place, you can read in my guide cellulite: what is it, what causes it and what helps?

What makes the difference for me, I've also described in my own story about cellulite. Training. Sleeping well. Eating a varied diet, with for example root vegetables, and eating things like cheese and refined sugars less often. Reducing stress. And cupping every other day, or even daily.

Move your legs and bum. Strength training for your legs and bum gives the muscles underneath more shape. Walking and taking the stairs also help you avoid sitting still all day.

Massage or cup. A firm massage with oil or cups makes your skin look temporarily smoother and feel more supple. How to do that, you can read in how to do a cellulite massage yourself. And which mistakes you're better off avoiding, you can read in using cellulite cups: 5 mistakes.

Look at your diet. There is no anti orange peel skin diet. But eating a varied diet and drinking enough water makes your body happy. More about that in my blog about cellulite and nutrition.

What is a waste of your money?

I've tested the most expensive and craziest things. Some helped a little, others not at all, and some only made it worse. My conclusion after all these years: many expensive treatments are often a waste of your money.

Be critical of creams and devices that promise your orange peel skin will be gone in a few weeks. That simply can't happen. A nice oil or cream can make your skin feel softer and smoother, and that's a nice bonus. But the real work is in what you keep doing every week.

Want to see all the options at home side by side? Then read cellulite treatment at home: what works and what doesn't.

Work on it with love, not with hate

It took me about 25 years to accept my body as it is. I train to be healthy, but I no longer lie awake at night if my cellulite is a bit more visible. That's why I understand so well if you're not there yet.

You're allowed to work on a smoother-looking skin. That's fine. But don't do it because you reject yourself. Also read my struggle and acceptance of cellulite and my big blog about cellulite: what it is and what actually helps.

Orange peel skin is normal. What you do about it, you do for yourself. So I'm going to help you.

Start with the MKBM Cellulite Cups + Cup Oil set with the Cellulite Guide, or take a look at the cellulite collection to see what suits you.

Is your orange peel skin mainly on your bum? Then read cellulite on your bum.

Also read: dry brushing step by step, does cupping help with cellulite? and lymphatic drainage for your legs.

Frequently asked questions about orange peel skin

Is orange peel skin the same as cellulite?

Yes. Orange peel skin is the everyday name for cellulite: a bumpy-looking skin with dimples, mainly on your legs, bum and hips.

Do you get orange peel skin from being overweight?

Not only. Slim women often have orange peel skin too, because predisposition, hormones, age and the structure of your connective tissue play a big role.

How do you recognise orange peel skin?

By small dimples and bumps, especially on your thighs and bum. Gently pinch your skin: if the dimples become more visible, it's orange peel skin.

Can you cup orange peel skin after exercising?

Yes, that's perfectly fine. Your skin is then warm and supple. How to do that, you can read in cupping after exercise.

Can you get rid of orange peel skin completely?

No, no treatment removes it permanently. With exercise, massage or cupping and a healthy lifestyle, your skin can look smoother, though.

How quickly do you see a difference with orange peel skin?

That's different for everyone. Consistency is the most important thing: make it a fixed moment in your week and look back after a few months.