The disclosure 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 PalmitoyI Transferase-I (CPT -I) modulators, optionally with other anti- lipid agents. Also described are 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.