Hilary Duff proud of her 'flaws' after beach body criticism

Hilary Duff is refusing to be shamed by her "flaws" after finding herself publicly criticized for the cellulite on her legs while on vacation.

The Cheaper By The Dozen star was recently caught on camera during a day at the beach in Hawaii, where she was holidaying with her son Luca.

The photos quickly hit headlines as body shamers pointed out how the skin on the back on her thighs appeared dimpled, but Hilary, who wore a one-piece bathing suit for the outing, is now hitting back at the negativity, insisting she couldn't be more "proud" of her "healthy" figure.

"I am posting this on behalf of young girls, women, and mothers of all ages...," she wrote beside an Instagram snap taken from behind, showing Hilary standing in the water, carrying her boy.

"Since websites and magazines love to share 'celeb flaws' - well I have them! My body has given me the greatest gift of my life: Luca, 5 years ago. I'm turning 30 in September and my body is healthy and gets me where I need to go."

Encouraging her fellow females to embrace their bodies, she continued, "Ladies, lets (sic) be proud of what we've got and stop wasting precious time in the day wishing we were different, better, and unflawed (sic)."

Hilary went on to take aim at the paparazzi, tabloid reporters, and bloggers for highlighting what they perceive to be beauty flaws whenever the opportunity arises.

"You guys (you know who you are!) already know how to ruin a good time, and now you are body shamers as well," she concluded, before signing off with a cheeky, "#kissmya**".

Hilary's defiant message of body confidence emerges months after the mother-of-one confessed she was never a fan of the way her legs looked.

"I didn't always love my legs, but as I've grown, I've learned to love and celebrate myself, just as I am," she posted online back in February (17). "I began to realize that my legs are strong, and they carry me every single day."

Little Luca is Hilary's child with her ex-husband Mike Comrie.