The present invention relates to a composition comprising sarsasapogenin or a plant extract containing it in order to improve the g neral state of the skin and in particular to improve and/or embellish any part of the body showing a deficit in lipids. More particularly, the invention is directed to a cosmetic method to improve the figure, comprising the step of topically applying to the skin a cosmetic or dermopharmaceutical composition comprising sarsasapogenin to favour the expansion and/or the formation of the subcutaneous adipose tissue, and/or to favour the lipid synthesis in the epidermis.