Cindy Crawford untouched pic flooded with online praise

The untouched image of Cindy Crawford in Marie Claire magazine.

Cindy Crawford has been flooded with messages of praise after an unretouched lingerie shot of the supermodel from 2013 surfaced online.

The supermodel and mother of two posed for a photoshoot for Marie Claire's Mexico and Latin America publication two years ago, but one image, showing Crawford with a less-than-smooth stomach and slight cellulite on her thighs, made waves over the weekend as fans hailed the leak for showing a real woman in her natural state.

The untouched image of Cindy Crawford in Marie Claire magazine.

Initial reports suggested the snap would be used in the April edition of the magazine, but editors have since clarified the claims, insisting it was just an outtake from their December 2013 cover story.

Confirming the authenticity of the photo, Marie Claire bosses write, "It is real, it is honest, and it is gorgeous.

"No matter where the photo came from, it's an enlightenment - we've always known Crawford was beautiful, but seeing her like this only makes us love her more."

And fans seemed to approve - they flocked to social media to celebrate 48-year-old Crawford's beauty, flaws and all.

How amazing does Cindy Crawford look untouched?? My fave model EVER!!! xx

— Denise Welch (@RealDeniseWelch) February 14, 2015

I've always loved Cindy Crawford but to let an untouched image of her be used in a magazine makes me adore her even more. #respect

— Katie Portman (@KateLPortman) February 10, 2015

One Twitter user wrote, "She looks even more beautiful than ever", while another tweeted, "I hope I look like this at 48 after 2 kids!".

Another simply cheered, "Yes!!! My respect for her is on another level."

Crawford has yet to comment on the leaked snap, but she previously revealed the importance of self-acceptance and self-confidence, saying, "I really think - at any age - it's learning to be comfortable in your own skin. If women would treat themselves with the same kind of love they give to their friends, that would be such a great gift we could give ourselves. What makes you the most attractive is self-confidence. That's what people see."

Her husband, Rande Gerber, shared his own bikini photo of Crawford on Saturday to celebrate Valentine's Day.

In the sweet, timely Instagram snap, he wrote, "She got flowers and I got her. Happy Valentines Day".

It is not clear when the sexy picture of the stunner was taken, but her skin looked flawless as she reclined on a sunbed.

- WENN