L-carnitine, an ally against cellulite?

Can topical L-carnitine effectively combat cellulite?

Often perceived as a mere aesthetic nuisance, cellulite results from a relatively complex biological phenomenon involving changes in the structure of the subcutaneous connective tissue. It manifests as localized fat accumulation and/or water retention, potentially accompanied by microcirculatory alterations. These modifications create a “orange-peel” appearance on the thighs, hips, or buttocks, particularly common in women. Contrary to popular belief, the cellulite is not necessarily associated with excess weight or poor lifestyle habits, even though these factors can indeed exacerbate it. It’s quite difficult to completely eliminate the cellulite without resorting to surgery, some cosmetic active ingredients appear to help, including L-carnitine.

The primary function of L-carnitine is to transport long-chain fatty acids into the mitochondria, where they are oxidized to produce energy.

When applied to the skin, L-carnitine is believed to promote lipid breakdown by stimulating the uptake of fatty acids into adipocyte mitochondria. The carnitine–palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT1) enzyme complex, located on the outer mitochondrial membrane, catalyzes the formation of an acyl-carnitine complex, which then crosses the inner membrane via carnitine–acylcarnitine translocase. Once inside the mitochondrion, acyl-carnitine is converted back to acyl-CoA, which enters the β-oxidation cycle, resulting in a reduction of adipocyte volume. This stimulation of lipid catabolism could theoretically help reduce excess fat in areas affected by cellulite.

Furthermore, L-carnitine is involved in the regulation of oxidative stress, often observed in fibrotic and inflamed tissues characteristic of cellulite. It can limit the accumulation of lipid peroxidation products, such as malondialdehyde, and may protect connective structures, particularly collagen and elastin fibers, against free radical–induced degradation.

The efficacy of L-carnitine in reducing cellulite was evaluated in a clinical trial investigating a product containing, among other ingredients, L-carnitine and caffeine. In conjunction with a low-calorie diet and a weekly regimen of 150 minutes of walking, seven participants allocated into two groups applied the treatment or a placebo daily for 28 days. Researchers measuredthigh circumference and local fat mass via dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans. The results, presented in the table below, demonstrate greater reductions in the group receiving the L-carnitine–based product.

Group	Reduction of thigh circumference	Decrease in localized fat mass
L-carnitine group	1.2 cm	100 g
Placebo group	0.8 cm	57.3 g

Thigh circumference and fat mass before and after the study.

Source: RODRIGUEZ J. et al. Effects of a topical lotion containing aminophylline, caffeine, yohimbe, L-carnitine, and gotu kola on thigh circumference, skinfold thickness, and fat mass in sedentary women. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology (2019).

This study suggests that the topical application of L-carnitine, combined with other lipolytic agents, may amplify the effects of a low-calorie diet and moderate physical activity on reducing localized fat deposits.

These encouraging results nevertheless need to be qualified. The participant sample was very small, including only seven individuals, which makes the conclusions hardly generalizable to the broader population. Moreover, the product formulation contains several ingredients recognized for their effects on fat metabolism, such as caffeine. It is therefore impossible to determine with certainty what proportion of the observed effects can be specifically attributed to L-carnitine. Further studies, with larger sample sizes and controlled formulations, would be necessary to accurately assess the efficacy of L-carnitine on cellulite.

Coenzyme Q10 and L-carnitine for cellulite: a winning duo?

The combination of L-carnitine and coenzyme Q10 is frequently promoted in products targeting cellulite. Nevertheless, despite its popularity, this combination is not based on any independent scientific study. As a reminder, coenzyme Q10, or ubiquinone, is a fat-soluble molecule known for its antioxidant properties and its role in mitochondrial energy production via the Krebs cycle. It could theoretically protect skin tissues against oxidative stress, and thereby, to some extent, prevent cellulite. However, in the absence of clinical data, it is impossible to assert that coenzyme Q10, with or without L-carnitine, can reduce cellulite.

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Can L-carnitine supplementation reduce cellulite?

If the topical application of L-carnitine has shown some anti-cellulite potential, oral L-carnitine could also act against this issue. However, it is important to note that oral L-carnitine has been studied more in the context of weight management than specifically against cellulite. That said, in a mouse study, supplementation with L-carnitine (400 mg/kg/day for 8 weeks) allowed to reduce weight gain induced by time-shifted feeding, a model mimicking certain effects of a disorganized lifestyle. Compared with control animals, mice receiving L-carnitine exhibited a significant reduction in adipose tissue weight, better glucose tolerance, and lower plasma triglyceride and cholesterol levels.

Effets protecteurs de la L-carnitine (LF+LC) sur différents paramètres sériques en cas d'alimentation à horaires décalés par rapport aux animaux témoins (LF), avec (Con) les souris contrôle (alimentation à horaires fixes). — Protective effects of L-carnitine (LF+LC) on various serum parameters in mice under time-shifted feeding compared to control animals (LF), with (Con) denoting control mice fed on a fixed schedule.
Source: FU Z. et al. L-carnitine intake prevents irregular feeding-induced obesity and lipid metabolism disorder. Gene (2015).

L-carnitine supplementation may limit fat accumulation by supporting lipid oxidation and curbing specific storage pathways under unfavorable nutritional conditions.

Although these observations are promising, they concern subcutaneous fat but do not specifically target cellulite. Moreover, there is currently no clinical study in humans demonstrating that L-carnitine supplementation can reduce cellulite. Additionally, depending on its type (fatty, aqueous, or fibrous cellulite), this condition may be due to various factors: simple fat mobilization alone will likely be insufficient to visibly correct it.

Thus, although oral L-carnitine may offer potential benefits in the prevention of cellulite adipose, its efficacy remains to be demonstrated in clinical studies. Furthermore, before you begin supplementing, we recommend consulting your physician.

Key points to remember.

L-carnitine could promote the breakdown of lipids by stimulating their transport into the adipocyte mitochondria.
L-carnitine would also have an antioxidant role by protecting collagen and elastin fibers from the effects of free radicals.
A clinical study demonstrated a local fat mass reduction with a topical product containing L-carnitine, but the results should be interpreted with caution due to the small sample size and the variety of active ingredients present in the formulation.
Oral administration of L-carnitine has shown a weight management effect in mice, but no human study confirms its efficacy against cellulite.
Additional studies are needed to confirm the potential benefit of L-carnitine in the management of cellulite.