It Works! Defining Gel and Skinny Wraps : To Tighten and Tone
It Works! Defining Gel and Skinny Wraps Review
In the world of skincare and body contouring, It Works! Defining Gel and Skinny Wraps have emerged as popular solutions for individuals seeking firmer, smoother, and more toned-looking skin. Marketed as non-invasive cosmetic products, these treatments combine botanical extracts, antioxidants, and hydrating ingredients designed to enhance the appearance of the body without surgery or extensive procedures. The Defining Gel is a topical formula intended for daily application to target areas, while the Skinny Wrap pairs a botanical-infused cream with a wrap system to temporarily tighten and smooth the skin. Both products have gained attention for their unique way to improve skin texture and contour, offering users a convenient way to support their body care routine.
Breaking Down the Products: What They Are
Body Contouring and Topical Treatment
- It Works! Defining Gel is marketed as a deep‑moisturizing body contouring gel designed to firm, tone, and tighten the skin when applied to targeted areas. It’s often positioned as a complement to body wraps and intended to be part of a beauty regimen focused on improving skin texture and appearance.
- It Works! Skinny Wrap is a “skinny wrap” product — essentially a cloth applicator infused with a cream formula containing botanicals and other ingredients. The idea is that you apply it to problem areas, wrap them to secure the product against the skin, and leave it on for a set period (~45 minutes) to promote tightening and toning.
Both products are sold through multi‑level marketing channels and are positioned as cosmetic body‑contouring aids rather than medical or weight‑loss treatments.
How the Products Are Intended to Be Used
Using Defining Gel
The It Works! Defining Gell is designed for daily application:
- Apply to clean, dry skin on problem areas like the abdomen, arms, legs, or back.
- Massage the gel in a circular motion until fully absorbed — the marketing asserts that massage enhances the gel’s absorption and toning effect.
- It can be used alone as part of a skincare routine or on days between wrap use to help maintain contouring results.
Using the Skinny Wrap
The It Works Skinny Wrap is a single‑use wrap applied as follows:
- Start with clean, dry skin.
- Apply the cream/gel side of the wrap to the skin and smooth it down.
- Secure it with skinny wrap and tight clothing.
- Leave it in place for about 45 minutes.
- Remove the wrap, then massage any remaining product into the skin.
Users are advised to wrap every ~72 hours for progressive results. Hydrating and healthy lifestyle habits (like drinking water) are recommended alongside wrap use.
Important Safety Notes:
- Patch‑test a small area of skin is recommended first to check for irritation.
Active Ingredients and What They Do
Below is a breakdown of some of the key ingredients found in both the Defining Gel and Skinny Wrap — and what research says about their potential effects.
1. Green Tea Leaf Extract (Camellia sinensis)
Found in both products, green tea extract is rich in polyphenols — antioxidants that fight oxidative stress in skin cells. Topically, green tea has been associated with mild anti‑inflammatory and antioxidant effects, which could theoretically improve skin texture and elasticity. However, most robust research on green tea’s benefits relates to oral consumption, and scientific evidence for dramatic effects from topical skincare products remains limited and varied.
Potential benefits:
- Antioxidant protection
- Possible support for elasticity
- Soothing effect on skin
Research remarks: Some smaller studies suggest green tea may slightly improve skin firmness, but high‑quality, large‑scale trials specifically linking topical green tea extract to meaningful contouring or firming are lacking.
2. Horse Chestnut Seed Extract (Aesculus hippocastanum)
Used traditionally in herbal medicine, horse chestnut seed extract appears in both formulas. Orally, it’s been studied for venous health (especially varicose veins), but topical evidence is much more limited. Some research suggests anti‑inflammatory properties, but the data on body contouring and firming specifically is weak.
Potential benefits:
- May support circulation (based on oral usage evidence)
- Anti‑inflammatory qualities
- Potential for smoother‑looking skin
Research remarks: More research is needed to support whether topical use of Horse Chestnut Seed Extract actually tightens or contours skin.
3. Bladderwrack (Fucus vesiculosus)
Bladderwrack is a species of seaweed rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. In skincare, seaweed extracts can offer hydration and a protective film on the skin’s surface. Its proposed benefits include nutritive conditioning and supporting skin texture, but again, research specifically proving body‑contour effects is minimal.
Potential benefits:
- Hydration and conditioning
- Mineral nourishment for the skin
Research remarks: While seaweed extracts are common in cosmetics for their moisturizing properties, scientific claims about contouring or slimming need stronger evidence.
4. Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica) Leaf Extract
Gotu kola appears in both products and is one of the more researched botanical extracts in skincare. Some studies suggest it may help improve skin firmness and wound healing and can support collagen synthesis when applied topically. An older study indicated that terpenoids in gotu kola could stimulate collagen production, potentially reducing the appearance of stretch marks and scars — suggesting some theoretical support for skin‑texture benefits.
Potential benefits:
- Antioxidant activity
- Collagen stimulation
- May improve elasticity and skin texture
Research remarks: Evidence is stronger here than for many other ingredients in these products, but most clinical data still focuses on appearance rather than dimensional body changes.
5. Witch Hazel (Hamamelis virginiana)
Common in many skincare formulas, witch hazel offers astringent and anti‑inflammatory properties. It can help calm irritation and tighten surface skin temporarily, which can contribute to a smoother look.
Potential benefits:
- Astringent (tightens surface skin)
- Soothing and calming
- Helps reduce redness
Research remarks: Witch hazel’s effects are mostly cosmetic — not structural tissue changes.
Other Ingredients
Both products include a range of moisturizers (e.g., glycerin), botanicals (eucalyptus oil, rosemary oil), and compounds like menthol that provide a cooling or tingling sensation. While these can make skin feel refreshed, they aren’t linked to permanent body shaping.
Promises vs. Science: What to Expect
Temporary Appearance Changes
The marketing around these products emphasizes temporary skin tightening and toning — not fat loss or a clinical reduction in inches from the body. These effects are most likely due to:
- Illusionary visual tightening
- Hydration and surface skin smoothing
- Temporary water displacement under the skin
This leads to appearances that may look slightly more toned or contoured shortly after application. However, these effects are usually transient and will diminish without continued use.
No Strong Clinical Evidence for Lasting Fat Loss
There is no strong scientific evidence that applying topical gels or wraps leads to meaningful fat loss or permanent body reshaping. Claims about inch loss often come from anecdotal testimonials rather than peer‑reviewed research. Independent evaluations of these wraps and gels suggest that any apparent results are temporary and appearance‑based rather than structural.
Role of Lifestyle
These products do not replace healthy diet or exercise; they are marketed as cosmetic enhancers. Long‑term physical changes still depend on overall lifestyle — calorie balance, exercise, sleep, and hydration.
What Users Report
User experiences vary widely:
- Some report visible tightening after a wrap session or daily gel application.
- Others find the effects minimal or short‑lived, consistent with temporary cosmetic changes rather than real tissue alteration.
- Online community reviews include strong positive testimonials as well as critiques highlighting little to no effect beyond surface sensations or visual differences in photos.
Conclusion: Beauty Enhancer or Hype?
It Works! Defining Gel and It Works! Skinny Wrap aims to offer users a way to improve the appearance of their skin through tightening, hydration, and temporary contouring. Their ingredient lists include botanicals and compounds commonly found in skincare, some of which have supportive research for minor skin quality improvements (e.g., gotu kola and green tea extract). However:
- There is limited scientific support for lasting body shape changes.
- Most effects are temporary and cosmetic, not structural or metabolic.
- The products may help enhance the look of skin or give a smoother, firmer feel, especially in the short term.
If your goal is long‑term body transformation, traditional approaches — like strength training, healthy nutrition, and overall wellness — remain essential. These products might be useful as supplemental cosmetic treatments, but they shouldn’t be expected to replace foundational health and fitness practices.
