The present invention describes methods for improving the appearance of skin, particularly, treating, ameliorating, preventing, delaying, and / or improving one or more signs of excess accumulation and / or production of subcutaneous fat, such as cellulite, and conditions related thereto, by topically applying compositions comprising Carnitine Palmitoyl Transferase-1 (CPT-1) modulators, optionally with other anti-lipid agents; and also describes compositions and methods for treating, preventing and improving the appearance of skin, particularly, treating, preventing, ameliorating, reducing and / or eliminating loss of subcutaneous fat in the skin, wherein the compositions include natural plant constituents that stimulate lipid synthesis.