I get asked from time to time about different health trends. I was recently asked my opinion concerning the product line by It Works. I was specifically asked about Skinny Pack and the Skinny Wrap. I looked for information on the web, and specifically I was interested in the ingredients.
I have had a body wrap before. My massage therapist asked me if I had ever done one, and I had not. I liked the idea that herbs could help my body detoxify, and I was using herbs already, so why not. I went to her office and she told me that she had been working with the herbs over night, and had the formula melding overnight for me. The ingredients were fresh, and they were warm. I let her apply the herbs and then wrap me like a mummy. I lay on the table for approximately 45 minutes. When the procedure was over, I was indeed, several inches thinner. The transformation lasted about a week.
Now, I was not into health the way I am now, and I do not remember that I was eating organic, or even fresh foods. However, I was pleased with the results, even though they were short-lived.
With this product, called the Skinny Pack and the Skinny Wrap, I cannot find any information about the ingredients. What are the active ingredients? Are they herbs? Are they chemicals? Are they as combination of both? I cannot find any print information. I can find testimonials. I can find tutorials. I cannot find an ingredients list. I cannot find that there is a certified, third-party certificate that states what they claim is in the wraps is actually what is in the wraps.
So…. How can I have an opinion on a mystery product….. What I do know is that it is a multi-level marketing company. I don’t like these types of companies in general, although, I do use a few myself from time to time. I find that because they have to pay their ‘downline,’ often times the price is artificially high so that everyone gets their cut of the sales price. For the product to be affordable and for everyone to have a slice of the pie, the companies often will compromise on the integrity of the product. I am not saying that this happens EVERY time, but it does happen.
As I said, I have used detox wraps before. Mine have been specially prepared by a licensed therapist, and the ingredients were fresh, organic, and did their job. If you are looking for this type of product, I suggest you research your local spas and find a qualified therapist who can assist you.
Until next time,
Dr. Polly
In a follow-up to the original post, I received a list of ingredients for the Skinny Wrap. Some of the ingredients are good, but some are not so good. I would not buy this product. Here are a few reasons why:
These notes are from the Environmental Working Group http://www.ewg.org
Ingredient Function Concerns High Concerns
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate Absorbent; Anticaking Agent; Opacifying Agent; Slip Modifier; Viscosity Increasing Agent -Aqueous; VISCOSITY CONTROLLING
Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)
Tocopheryl acetate Synthetic Vitamin E Two words: cheaper, and longer lasting. Adding the acid to vitamin E makes it last longer on the shelves. That makes it easier for manufacturers to process, ship, store, and sell their products.
potentially irritating to skin, causing redness, rashes, and potential allergic reactions. Produced skin sensitizing or skin irritating effects in one animal study. A 1991 study detailed four cases of contact dermatitis caused by cosmetic creams that contained tocopheryl acetate
Glyceryl Stearate Surfactant – Emulsifying Agent
Ecotoxicology Contamination, Organ system toxicity
Triethanolamine a strongly alkaline substance used as surfactant and pH adjusting chemical.
Fragrance Ingredient; pH Adjuster; Surfactant – Emulsifying Agent; BUFFERING; MASKING
Contamination Organ system toxicity
Carbomer a large polymeric chemical composed of acrylic acid monomers.
Emulsion Stabilizer; Viscosity Increasing Agent – Aqueous; emulsion, stabilizing, gel forming, viscosity controlling
CANCER Developmental and Reproductive toxicity, Allergies and immunotoxicity
Biochemical or cellular level changes
Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A Palmitate): Retinyl palmitate is an ingredient composed of palmitic acid and retinol (Vitamin A). When exposed to UV light, retinol compounds break down and produce toxic free radicals that can damage DNA.
Skin-Conditioning Agent – Miscellaneous; SKIN CONDITIONING Ecotoxicology, Occupational hazards Irritation of skin, eyes and lungs
Limonene: Limonene is a scent ingredient and solvent naturally occurring in the rind of citrus fruit. Upon storage and exposure to sunlight and air, limonene degrades to various oxidation products.
perfuming Immunotoxicity and allergies
I know several people involved in this particular company. I haven’t tried it, and am not tempted to do so after your report. If I were to decide to have this service done, however, I would most likely go with one from a MLM company. I buy very few products from grocery, drug, discount or health food stores.because their marketing claims are generally deceptive and their prices aren’t attractive. Many people share your opinion about the pricing structure of MLM companies, but retail establishments have to inflate their prices also because of the middle men involved in getting their product to market. For instance, it may cost the widget designer five cents to make a widget. He sells it to the store for 25 cents. The store has to pay for transportation, employees, overhead, marketing, loss prevention and other related costs. To make a profit, the store owner sells the five cent widget for $5.00. I’m not so concerned about whether a middle man or someone in a MLM downline gets a piece of the pie. They’re all working for it. My concern in the quality of the product. Before investing my money in a product, due diligence is a priority, whether it be at a retail location or through a MLM company. But, as they say, everybody’s entitled to their own opinion. 🙂