Marie Claire

March 2008 | Beauty
Beauty Bites

by: Ning Chao

BEAUTY BITES
Marie Claire
Can a pill really zip acne or smooth cellulite? NYC dietitian Keri Glass- Man evaluates new supplements and sort the brilliant from the bogus, while brave MC editors test the pills to see what really works.

THE PILL
Santica CelluScience Anti-Cellulite Beaute Intensive
THE CLAIM: Bladderwrack and polyunsaturated fatty acids increase metabolism and burn fat to reduce the appearance of cellulite and the circumference of the hips, abdomen, thighs, and ankles. COST: $67.99 for a 30 day supply.

GLASSMAN SAYS
"This one sounds crazy, like a wacky diet pill. It's supposed to draw out Toxins and flush you out, but what does that mean? Bladderwrack is high in iodine, so it can simulate the thyroid gland and your metabolism. But the thyroid is very sensitive, and once you start messing with it, you can cause damage."

MC EDITORS' VERDICT
Fewer dimples were seen after just two weeks, but our tester experienced A day of "severe cramping that felt like a colon cleansing." Since she didn't Change her diet or lifestyle (besides cutting back on anti-cellulite creams), She attributes the cramping to the pills. BOTTOM LINE * *