It Works Review (2026): Body Wraps, Supplements, and the Truth Behind "That Crazy Wrap Thing"
By Matt Hall · Been in 8+ MLM companies since 2004
Affiliate Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products I've personally vetted and believe in. See my full affiliate disclosure for details.
Income Disclaimer: The income figures referenced in this review are based on the company's income disclosure statement and do not guarantee results. The majority of MLM participants earn little to no income. Your results will vary based on your effort, skills, and market conditions. See our full income disclaimer for details.
Health Disclaimer: The information in this review is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Individual results may vary. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement or wellness product. See our full health disclaimer for details.
If you've spent any time on social media in the last decade, you've probably seen someone post about "that crazy wrap thing." Maybe it was a before-and-after photo of someone's stomach. Maybe it was a friend-of-a-friend sliding into your DMs asking if you wanted to "try something amazing." Either way, It Works has been one of the most visible (and most polarizing) MLM brands in the wellness space for years.
I've been inside 8+ network marketing companies over the years, and I've watched It Works from a distance for a long time. The body wraps made them famous. The supplements are where they've been trying to grow. And the controversy around whether any of it actually works has followed them every step of the way.
So I did what I always do: I dug in. I looked at the products, the compensation plan, the income disclosures, the BBB complaints, and the real story behind the brand.
If you want to see how It Works stacks up against others, check out all of our company reviews.
Here's what I found.
What Is It Works?
It Works! Global is a direct selling company that markets body wraps, supplements, skincare, and wellness products. The company is headquartered in Palmetto, Florida, and operates in multiple countries including the US, Canada, and several European markets.
It Works was founded in 2001 by Mark Pentecost, who was a network marketer before launching the company. The original product was the "Ultimate Body Applicator," a body wrap infused with a botanical formula that the company claimed could tighten, tone, and firm the skin. That body wrap became the company's signature product and earned the viral nickname "that crazy wrap thing."
At its peak, It Works was generating estimated annual revenues in the hundreds of millions, with over 70,000 active distributors (called "Distributors" or "It Works Independent Distributors"). The company has gone through significant changes over the years, including leadership transitions, product line expansions, and shifts in their business model. More recently, It Works has been pivoting away from the body wraps that made them famous and pushing harder into the supplement and wellness space.
It Works is a member of the Direct Selling Association (DSA), which requires member companies to follow a code of ethics. That's worth noting, though DSA membership alone doesn't guarantee anything about product quality or business viability.
Who's Behind It Works?
Mark Pentecost founded the company and served as CEO for many years. His background was in network marketing before launching It Works, which means the company was built by someone who understood the MLM distribution model from the inside. That's a double-edged sword. On one hand, it means the comp plan and team culture were designed by someone who knew what distributors wanted. On the other hand, it raises the question of whether the business was built around the products or around the opportunity.
It Works has gone through some leadership changes in recent years. The company brought in new executives and restructured parts of the business as they shifted from being "the body wrap company" to positioning themselves as a broader wellness brand. These kinds of transitions are common in the MLM space, and they can go either way. Sometimes they breathe new life into a company. Sometimes they signal that the original model is losing steam.
One thing worth flagging: It Works has had a notable number of BBB complaints over the years. The company has a profile with the Better Business Bureau, and if you look at the complaints, many center around billing issues, autoship problems, and difficulty canceling orders or memberships. That's not unique to It Works (a lot of MLMs deal with similar complaints), but the volume is something to be aware of.
It Works Products: What They Actually Sell
Let me break down the main product categories, because It Works has changed a lot from the body wrap days.
Ultimate Body Applicator (Body Wraps): This is the product that put It Works on the map. It's a cloth wrap infused with a botanical formula that you apply to areas of your body (stomach, thighs, arms) for 45 minutes. The company claims it tightens, tones, and firms the skin. Users report temporary results, often appearing slimmer immediately after removal. The key word there is "temporary." Most independent reviews and dermatologists note that any visible change is likely due to water loss and compression, not actual fat reduction or lasting skin change.
Skinny Brew: A coffee product marketed for energy and appetite control. It contains caffeine, green coffee bean extract, and other ingredients commonly found in weight management products.
It Works! Slimming Gummies (Skinny Gummies): This has become one of their more popular products in recent years. These are gummy supplements marketed for appetite control and weight management. They contain ingredients like apple cider vinegar and other plant-based compounds. The gummy format is trendy and easier to sell than pills or powders.
Keto Products: It Works jumped on the keto trend with products like Keto Coffee and other keto-branded supplements. These are marketed to people following or interested in ketogenic diets.
Supplements and Greens: The company sells a range of nutritional supplements, including their "It Works! Greens" powder (a fruit and vegetable blend), probiotics, and other general wellness products.
Skincare: A smaller part of the product line, including creams, serums, and other topical products.
Here's my honest take on the products: the body wraps are the elephant in the room. They're what made It Works famous, but they're also the most controversial product in the lineup. The scientific consensus is pretty clear that topical wraps do not produce lasting fat loss or body contouring results. Any immediate visual change is temporary. That doesn't mean people don't enjoy using them or feel good about the experience, but the marketing claims have always walked a fine line.
The supplement side of the business is more defensible. Products like greens powders, gummies, and keto supplements are legitimate product categories with real consumer demand. The question is always whether the quality and price justify buying through an MLM versus picking up comparable products elsewhere.
How the It Works Compensation Plan Works
The It Works compensation plan follows a fairly standard MLM structure. Here's how distributors earn money:
Retail Commissions: Distributors earn a percentage on personal retail sales to customers. The commission rates increase as you advance in rank.
Wraps and Product Bonuses: Historically, It Works offered specific bonuses tied to selling body wraps and getting new customers on autoship (called "Loyal Customer" orders). Getting customers to commit to a 3-month autoship cycle was a big focus of the business model.
Team Building Commissions: As you recruit other distributors and they build their own sales volume, you earn commissions on multiple levels of your downline. Higher ranks unlock deeper levels and larger percentages.
Rank Advancement Bonuses: It Works offers one-time bonuses when distributors hit new ranks. These can range from a few hundred dollars at lower levels to significant payouts at the top.
Startup Cost: Getting started as an It Works distributor typically costs between $99 and $199, depending on the starter kit you choose. This gets you product samples and access to your replicated website.
Monthly Requirements: To stay active and qualify for commissions, distributors need to maintain a minimum monthly volume. This is where things get tricky for a lot of people, because if you're not selling enough to customers, you end up buying products yourself to meet the minimums.
The Loyal Customer program has been a central part of the business model. It Works pushed distributors hard to get customers signed up for recurring monthly autoship orders. While autoship programs are common across MLM, the emphasis It Works placed on this was notable. Many BBB complaints specifically reference difficulty canceling autoship orders.
Can You Actually Make Money with It Works?
Let me give you the honest answer based on available income disclosure data.
Like virtually every MLM I've reviewed, the income numbers at It Works follow a predictable pattern:
- The majority of distributors earn very little. Most people at the base ranks earn a few hundred dollars per year, if that.
- Mid-level ranks see earnings that are better but still unlikely to replace a job.
- The top ranks earn significant income, but represent a tiny fraction of the total distributor base.
One thing that's worth calling out specifically with It Works: the company has faced declining distributor numbers in recent years. When a company is growing, new distributors at least have momentum on their side. When the distributor base is shrinking, it gets harder for everyone because there are fewer new people entering the system.
The body wrap era created a lot of excitement and viral social media moments, which helped with recruitment. As the company has shifted toward supplements (a much more crowded market), that built-in viral factor has faded. Selling gummies and greens powder is a harder pitch than "look at this crazy wrap transformation" with a before-and-after photo.
If you're considering joining It Works for the income opportunity, you need to be realistic about where the company is in its lifecycle. It Works is no longer the hot new thing. That doesn't mean it's impossible to make money, but it does mean the environment is different from what it was five or ten years ago.
Is It Works a Pyramid Scheme?
This is one of the most common questions I see, and the Glassdoor reviews for It Works specifically mention "pyramid scheme," so let's address it directly.
No, It Works is not technically a pyramid scheme. The company sells real products to real customers. There is retail activity happening. It Works is a member of the DSA and has not been shut down by the FTC or any regulatory body.
However, the business model has always leaned heavily on recruitment. The emphasis on getting Loyal Customers signed up for autoship, combined with the pressure on distributors to maintain monthly volume minimums, created a dynamic where a lot of the product was being consumed by people inside the business rather than outside customers buying purely because they wanted the product.
That's the gray area that a lot of MLMs operate in. It's not a pyramid scheme in the legal sense, but the structure rewards recruitment and building a downline more than it rewards simply selling products.
The anti-MLM community (r/antiMLM on Reddit, in particular) has been very vocal about It Works. If you search for It Works reviews online, you'll find a lot of former distributors sharing negative experiences. Those experiences are real and worth considering, but they also represent one perspective. Not everyone has a bad experience, and the product line has evolved significantly.
As a marketing professional looking at this compensation plan, I'd say the opportunity is weighted toward the top. If you're not comfortable with recruiting and team building, the retail-only path with It Works is a tough road.
Why Are It Works Products So Expensive?
This is a fair question, and the answer is pretty straightforward: MLM pricing.
It Works products carry a significant markup compared to similar products available through retail channels. Here's a general comparison:
- It Works greens powder costs significantly more per serving than comparable greens powders on Amazon
- The body wraps are priced at a premium for what is essentially a topical treatment with temporary results
- Supplement gummies and keto products are priced well above mass-market equivalents with similar ingredient profiles
The markup covers distributor commissions, upline bonuses, and the multi-level payout structure. That's how every MLM works. The product has to be priced high enough to support commissions across multiple levels.
Some It Works distributors argue that the quality justifies the price. And to be fair, some of the products use decent ingredient profiles. But when you can get comparable greens powders, gummy supplements, or keto products from established supplement brands at a fraction of the price, the value proposition gets harder to defend.
The body wraps are in a category of their own. There's no direct "alternative" because the entire concept of a topical body wrap for fat loss is questionable to begin with. If you're interested in body contouring, there are legitimate medical and cosmetic procedures available, but those are a completely different conversation (and price range).
Pros and Cons
What I Like:
- Brand recognition. "That crazy wrap thing" gave It Works a level of brand awareness that most MLMs would kill for. People know the name.
- Product line expansion. The shift from wraps to a broader supplement and wellness lineup shows the company is trying to evolve rather than ride a single product into the ground.
- Low startup cost. Getting in for $99-199 is manageable if you're exploring the opportunity.
- DSA membership. Signals at least a baseline commitment to ethical practices.
- Gummy supplements are on trend. Products like Skinny Gummies align with current consumer preferences for gummy-format supplements.
What Could Be Better:
- Body wrap claims are questionable. The flagship product that built the brand has always been controversial, and the science doesn't support lasting results from topical wraps.
- High product pricing. Comparable supplements and wellness products are available for significantly less through retail channels.
- BBB complaint volume. Billing issues, autoship cancellation difficulties, and customer service complaints are well-documented.
- Declining distributor base. The company's growth trajectory has shifted, which makes the business opportunity harder to pitch.
- Heavy autoship focus. The Loyal Customer program and monthly minimums create pressure to buy inventory even when sales are slow.
- Crowded supplement market. Now that It Works is competing primarily in supplements rather than wraps, they're up against thousands of brands, many with better pricing and distribution.
Product Alternatives
If you're interested in the types of products It Works sells but want to compare prices or skip the MLM model entirely, here are some solid alternatives:
Body Sculpting Alternatives
| Product | It Works Price | Alternative | Est. Price | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ultimate Body Applicator (wraps) | ~$25-30 per application | Brazilian Bum Bum Cream (firming) | ~$20-48 | Amazon |
| Ultimate Body Applicator | ~$25-30 per application | Hot Cream Body Sculpting Gel | ~$10-15 | Amazon |
| Ultimate Body Applicator | ~$25-30 per application | Spa/clinic body wrap treatment | ~$75-150 per session | Local spas |
Note: No topical wrap or cream produces lasting fat loss. If you're looking for real body contouring results, consult with a dermatologist or cosmetic professional about options like CoolSculpting or laser treatments. Those are medical procedures with documented results, unlike at-home wraps.
Supplements on Amazon
| Product | It Works Price | Alternative | Est. Price | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| It Works! Greens | ~$45-55 | AG1 Athletic Greens (premium) | ~$79/month | Amazon |
| It Works! Greens | ~$45-55 | Amazing Grass Green Superfood | ~$20-30 | Amazon |
| Skinny Gummies (ACV) | ~$35-45 | Goli Apple Cider Vinegar Gummies | ~$15-20 | Amazon |
| Keto Coffee | ~$40-50 | Rapid Fire Keto Coffee Pods | ~$12-15 | Amazon |
| Keto Coffee | ~$40-50 | Perfect Keto Instant Coffee | ~$25-30 | Amazon |
| It Works! Probiotics | ~$35-45 | Culturelle Daily Probiotic | ~$15-25 | Amazon |
Note: The supplements on Amazon offer similar ingredient profiles at a fraction of the price. You lose the It Works branding, but you gain the ability to buy when you want, cancel when you want, and avoid any autoship commitments. If specific ingredients matter to you, compare labels directly.
My Final Verdict
It Works is a company at a crossroads. The body wraps that made them famous are increasingly hard to defend, and the supplement market they're pivoting into is brutally competitive. The brand recognition is still there, but recognition isn't the same as momentum.
If you genuinely like It Works products and you've tried them and want to keep buying them, that's your call. Some people swear by the gummies and the greens. Personal preference matters.
But if you're looking at It Works as a business opportunity in 2026, I'd want you to go in with your eyes wide open. The distributor base has been declining. The product pricing is high compared to retail alternatives. The body wrap controversy has followed the brand for years. And the compensation plan, like most MLMs, rewards the top builders while the majority of distributors earn very little.
The consultants who do well in any MLM aren't the ones copy-pasting social media scripts their upline gave them. They're the ones who've figured out how to attract people to them through content, branding, and real marketing skills.
If you want the products, buy the products. You don't need to join the business to use a greens powder or try a body wrap.
And if you want to actually build a sustainable business, whether it's with It Works or any other company, you need more than a starter kit and a list of friends to message. You need a system for attracting people to you instead of chasing them down.
One More Thing...
Here's the thing most people miss about It Works: even if the products were perfect and the pricing was competitive, the business model only works if you know how to market. And that's not something most uplines teach. They hand you a script, tell you to message 100 people, and hope for the best.
That's what we teach inside The Sponsoring System. How to build an audience, create content that converts, and grow any network marketing business using real digital marketing strategies instead of the "message everyone you know" approach.
If you want to see the training platform I recommend for learning these skills, the right training system. It's one of the best places to learn digital marketing that applies to any business.
If you're serious about building something real in 2026, that's where I'd start.
Have questions about It Works or the wellness MLM space? Drop a comment below and I'll do my best to help you out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do It Works wraps actually work?
The short answer: temporarily, maybe. The It Works Ultimate Body Applicator can produce a temporary visual change in the area where it's applied, typically appearing slightly slimmer or smoother for a few hours to a few days. This effect is generally attributed to water loss and compression rather than actual fat reduction. Dermatologists and independent reviewers consistently note that no topical wrap can produce lasting fat loss or permanent body contouring. If the wraps made you feel good and you enjoyed the experience, that's valid. But if you're expecting measurable, lasting physical changes, the science doesn't support that. For real body contouring, consult a medical professional about options like CoolSculpting or other FDA-cleared procedures.
Is It Works a pyramid scheme?
No, It Works is not a pyramid scheme in the legal sense. The company sells real products (supplements, body wraps, skincare) to real customers and is a member of the Direct Selling Association. However, the business model does emphasize recruitment and team building, and the compensation plan rewards building a downline more than retail sales alone. Critics point to the heavy autoship focus, the pressure on distributors to maintain monthly volume, and the fact that many distributors end up purchasing products themselves to stay qualified. It's a legitimate MLM, but one where the structure favors the top of the organization.
Is It Works going out of business?
As of 2026, It Works is still operating, but the company has gone through significant changes in recent years. The distributor base has declined from its peak, and the company has been restructuring and pivoting its product focus from body wraps to supplements and wellness products. Leadership changes and declining social media buzz have fueled speculation about the company's future. It Works is not going out of business at this time, but it is clearly in a different phase than its rapid growth years. If you're considering joining, pay attention to the company's current trajectory, not its past peak.
Can you make money selling It Works?
Technically, yes. Practically, most people don't earn significant income. Like virtually every MLM, the income disclosure data shows that the majority of It Works distributors earn very little, with the top earners representing a small percentage of the total distributor base. Your results will depend on your sales skills, your network, your willingness to recruit, and your ability to market effectively. The most successful distributors treat it like a real business, invest in learning marketing skills, and build systems for lead generation rather than relying on personal contacts.
How much does it cost to join It Works?
Getting started as an It Works distributor typically costs between $99 and $199, depending on the starter kit you choose. This includes product samples and access to a replicated website. Beyond the startup cost, you'll need to maintain a minimum monthly volume to stay active and qualify for commissions. If you're not generating enough customer sales to meet minimums, that means purchasing products out of pocket. Factor in the ongoing costs, not just the initial investment, when evaluating the opportunity.
What happened to It Works body wraps?
The Ultimate Body Applicator (body wrap) is still available, but it's no longer the centerpiece of the It Works product line. The company has shifted its marketing focus toward supplements like Skinny Gummies, greens powders, and keto products. This pivot makes sense from a business standpoint: the body wrap category attracted significant criticism over efficacy claims, and the supplement market offers more sustainable repeat purchase potential. The wraps still exist as a product, but the "crazy wrap thing" era that defined It Works during its peak growth years has largely passed.
Matt Hall
Founder, The Sponsoring System · Lansing, Michigan
I am a marketing, software, and AI entrepreneur who got into network marketing in 2004 and has been a distributor across eight companies since. I have sat in the meetings, bought the products, and worked the comp plans firsthand. I write these reviews from the inside out, for people trying to decide whether to join, or how to leave, an MLM. No recruiting pitch, no pile on. Just what I actually found.
More about me →More from Company Reviews
World Ventures Review (2026): What Happened to the Travel MLM?
By Matt Hall · Apr 8, 2026
Honest World Ventures review from someone who's been inside the MLM industry. Covering DreamTrips, the compensation plan, why the travel MLM collapsed, and what it means for you.
ViSalus Review (2026): The Rise and Fall of Body by Vi
By Matt Hall · Apr 8, 2026
Honest ViSalus review covering the Body by Vi craze, what went wrong, and lessons from one of MLM's biggest boom-and-bust stories. From someone who's been inside the industry.
Avon Review (2026): Is the Iconic Beauty MLM Still Worth Joining?
By Matt Hall · Apr 8, 2026
Honest Avon review from someone who's been inside the MLM industry. Covering the Natura &Co acquisition, declining sales, compensation plan, and whether Avon is still a viable opportunity in 2026.