SkinnyFit Detox Tea Review

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What is SkinnyFit Detox Tea?

Skinnyfit Detox tea is marketed with claims that it has “13 powerful metabolism-boosting superfoods” that can “reduce fat” and “fight bloating.”

But what exactly IS Skinnyfit tea anyway? Is it healthy? Is it safe? What do each of the ingredients do? And, most importantly, does it work? Can SkinnyFit really “detox” you, help you fight fat, and reduce bloating?

In this review, I dig deep into SkinnyFit tea’s ingredients and carefully evaluate the marketing claims against what is physiologically plausible and what you can reasonably expect.

If you’re determined to try out a detox tea, then please read this entire article to ensure your safety and well-being.

Other detox reviews on this site

• Skinnytabs Review 
• Skinny Teatox Review 
• Skinny Boost Tea
• Flat Tummy Tea Review
• Fit Tea Review
• SkinnyMint Teatox Review
• Iaso Detox Tea

Interactive health tools:

• Detox decision-making tool
• Interactive health bullshit detector
• Interactive fake news detector
• Health calculators

Disclaimer: No conflicts of interest. This review is 100% independent and has no affiliate links. Ads appearing on this site are autogenerated based on your individual Google search and browsing habits and I do NOT have direct control over them. Revenue generated from ads offset website costs which keep these articles free for you to read.

SkinnyFit Tea ingredients

According to SkinnyFit tea’s ingredients label, each 1.7 gram tea bag contains 10 calories and 17.89 mg of caffeine per serving.

SkinnyFit claims to be laxative-free, all-natural, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, and non-gmo.

The SkinnyFit website claims it has “13 metabolism-boosting superfoods.”

But before we go on, it’s important to understand that each 13 ingredients are mixed/dispersed into a single 1.7g tea bag.

Many of the studies conducted on each isolated ingredient used much higher dosages and were consumed in pill form, not tea. So it is not known if the small amounts of ingredients found in SkinnyFit tea would necessarily provide all the same health benefits.

To my knowledge, I am unaware of any published scientific research on SkinnyFit tea and any associated benefits.

A search of the PubMed database resulted in zero search results.

Matcha Green Tea

Matcha green tea contains caffeine but tends to be a more gentle high compared to coffee. It may also have a mild diuretic effect.

Like other green teas, it contains the antioxidant epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) which may have protective effects against cancer.

Matcha has been marketed as a “fat fighter” but variability in research methodologies has yielded disparate results regarding weight loss and weight maintenance.

Yerba Mate

Yerba mate contains caffeine and other central nervous system stimulants that affect the brain, heart, blood vessels. It may also have a mild diuretic effect.

Sencha Green Tea

Green tea contains caffeine which could give you a feeling of pep and possibly suppress your appetite. It may also have a mild diuretic effect.

Oolong Tea

Oolong tea contains caffeine which might make you feel more alert. It may also have a mild diuretic effect.

Goji Berries

Antioxidant-rich goji berries may offer a variety of health benefits, such as improved blood sugar and insulin control for people with diabetes, improved mood, and eye health.

Milk Thistle

Silymarin, the active ingredient in milk thistle, is high in antioxidants and may help improve blood sugar levels in those with diabetes, aid indigestion, or help ease symptoms in people with liver disease.

Ginseng

Ginseng is known to have a number of health-promoting effects, including improved blood sugar control, mood, and brain function.

Different types of ginseng have different effects, but it’s not known what type is used in SkinnyFit.

Lemongrass

Lemongrass may improve digestive tract spasms and relieve stomach aches.

Nettle Leaf

Antioxidant-rich nettle leaf (urtica dioica) may reduce inflammation, treat enlarged prostate symptoms, lower blood pressure, and improve hay fever symptoms.

Dandelion Leaf

Dandelion leaves may have a mild diuretic and laxative effect. It may also increase appetite.

Guarana

Guarana contains the central nervous system stimulants caffeine, theophylline, and theobromine.

Similar to yerba mate, guarana can increase your heart rate and blood pressure.

Stevia Leaf

Stevia is a plant-based sweetener used in a variety of food and drinks but without the calories.

Peach Powder

Peach powder is presumably used as a flavouring agent. The SkinnyFit website claims it is packed with a variety of vitamins and minerals yet, on the product ingredient label, it debunks itself by stating that there is no vitamin A, C, calcium, or iron (presumably due to the relatively tiny amount of peach powder in each tea bag).

Marketing claims analysis

SkinnyFit makes a number of health claims, but is there any truth to them?

Claim 1: “No laxatives”

SkinnyFit claims that it is not a laxative because it doesn’t contain senna leaves.

While it is true that the product does not contain senna leaves, it does still have ingredients that are known to exert a laxative effect on the body.

SkinnyFit contains dandelion leaf which is known to have a laxative effect.

The product also has five caffeine-containing ingredients (guarana, oolong tea, green tea, matcha tea, yerba mate). Caffeine is a central nervous system stimulant known to increase bowel motility and the urge to defecate (i.e., makes you have to poop).

However, the amount of caffeine found in the product (~18 mg) is not much and so presumably should not have a strong laxative effect.

I would advise you to start off with a small amount of tea (maybe a half a cup) to see how you respond before moving onto a full cup or multiple cups per day.

Claim 2: “Metabolism-boosting superfoods”

The claim that SkinnyFit “boosts metabolism” is misleading.

First, the main “metabolism booster” would be the caffeine. Clinical studies using higher dosages (around 200 mg) have shown only minor increases in the number of calories burned. I covered this topic in greater detail in my Skinnytabs article.

Second, the amount of caffeine found in each SkinnyFit tea bag is only around 18 mg, or a small fraction of the amounts used in research trials.

Third, to my knowledge, no clinical research has been conducted on SkinnyFit tea so there is no way to know what effect, if any, it would have on metabolism.

Fourth, there is no such thing as a “superfood.” This is just a marketing term and common clickbait headline.

While a food may be nutritious relative to other foods, remember that humans live on a varied diet that requires a number of different foods for good health (not just a single high-nutrient food).

Claim 3: “Burn fat”

There is no evidence that SkinnyFit burns fat.

Following on from claim 2 above, the website says “natural metabolism boosters” will help you “get rid of those extra pounds.”

However, as I pointed out earlier, no clinical research on SkinnyFit tea has been conducted to evaluate the effects of the tea on fat metabolism.

At best, this claim is purely speculative and, at worst, is deceptive.

Claim 4: “Fight bloating”

First, SkinnyFit tea contains dandelion and five caffeine-containing ingredients, both of which are known to have a diuretic effect.

Theoretically, peeing more often might help reduce fluid retention. But because each tea bag contains a small amount of ingredients, it’s not known to what extent this would dehydrate you.

Second, also be aware that fluid retention is normal and is not something that you need to “fix.”

Third, it is important to look at your own personal definition of the word “bloating.”

In the diet marketing world, word salad like “bloating” and “weight loss/fat loss” get thrown around and, in consumers’ minds, may be confused with each other.

If your expectation is that the product will cause fat loss, then you will probably be disappointed.

Any reduction in water weight is temporary and will return when you stop using the product.

If you’re looking to lose stored body fat and keep it off, then you’ll need to make long-term lifestyle changes that you can maintain.

Have a look at my article 13 Fat Loss Principles: The “Secret” is No Secret.

Claim 5: “Release toxins”

This claim is misleading.

First, no scientific evidence exists to support the claim that SkinnyFit “releases toxins.”

Second, I challenge the company to specifically name which “toxins” the product is “detoxing.”

Seriously. Name them?

Third, once you take the product, how do you objectively quantify its “detoxing” effects?

To be clear, peeing and pooping are natural processes of waste elimination, but this should not be confused for “detoxification.”

The problem with this claim is that it implies a false narrative that we need “detoxing” and that the product will deliver us from these unnamed “toxins.”

This particular claim is common amongst so-called “detox” products. However, the only real “toxin” you need to be concerned about exposure to misleading marketing claims.

Claim 6: “Reduce stress”

This is another speculative and unsubstantiated claim.

SkinnyFit’s website says that polyphenols and amino acid L-theanine “stop stress in its tracks” and “keep your mind at ease.”

However, while research does show that supplementation of 200-400 mg/day of L-theanine may assist in the reduction of stress and anxiety, the amount of L-theanine in SkinnyFit tea is not known. Therefore, this claim is more of an assumption than anything supported by objective evidence.

To my knowledge, no scientific evidence exists to substantiate the claim that SkinnyFit can reduce stress.

Claim 7: “Boost immunity”

This is another speculative and unsubstantiated claim.

SkinnyFit’s website states “sickness and colds don’t stand a chance against SkinnyFit’s 28 essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients.”

While the ingredients in SkinnyFit do contain vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, the amounts are so small that the ingredient label registers 0% daily value.

In other words, you are getting such a negligible amount of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients in each serving, that it is questionable whether or not it would have any demonstrable effect on your immunity.

To my knowledge, no scientific evidence exists to substantiate the claim that SkinnyFit can reduce boost your immunity.

How to use SkinnyFit

SkinnyFit recommends that you steep 1 tea bag in 8 ounces of hot water for 5-7 minutes. It can be consumed hot or cold.

When to drink it

It likely doesn’t matter if you drink it in the morning or evening. Your main consideration will be the diuretic and/or laxative effect.

If you are going to be commuting and stuck in traffic in the morning then, as a precaution, you might want to wait until you’re near a toilet.

If you’re getting ready to sleep, then you might not want to drink it too close to bedtime (so you’re not getting up to pee).

Is SkinnyFit tea safe?

SkinnyFit tea is likely safe if used as directed. However, the risk of side effects with any health product is never zero. For this reason, you should always start off small to see how your body responds.

How much per day?

SkinnyFit recommends to drink the tea once or twice per day. However, because the product may have a laxative and diuretic effect, I would caution you to start off with a half a cup to see how you respond (i.e., any stomach upset, bloating, etc).

Side effects and warnings

The following is not directed specifically at SkinnyFit, but is just a general discussion to make you aware of possible risks and warnings associated with detox products.

Diarrhea

If you experience diarrhea, stop using the product immediately and seek medical attention. Diarrhea can be very serious and lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. Because SkinnyFit may exert a mild laxative and diuretic effect, it can worsen diarrhea.

Pregnancy / breastfeeding

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, do not use this or any other detox tea. Speak to your doctor first to discuss your situation and decide whether it is safe to proceed with using the product.

Contraceptive use

Ladies beware. The laxative effect of detox products can decrease the effectiveness of your birth control pills, particularly if you take your pill within 4 to 5 hours of using the product.

A woman in the UK became pregnant after using a “detox” product because it interfered with her contraception.

Low blood pressure

If you have any underlying health conditions like high blood pressure for which you are prescribed diuretics, SkinnyFit could have an additive diuretic effect which could plausibly lead to low blood pressure and a feeling of dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting.

Reduction in bowel movements

As a general rule, do not use laxative products long-term.

Overuse of laxative-containing products can lead to a reduction in bowel motility (leading to intestinal paralysis, lazy gut, and irritable bowel syndrome) and make you dependent on the product for normal bowel movements. 

If you’re having problems with your bowel movements after using the product, you should consult your doctor for further evaluation.

To be safe, if you decide to try the product, use it for a month, have a break, and alternate on and off.

Where is it sold?

SkinnyFit tea is available for purchase online via the official website and on Amazon. To the best of my knowledge, it’s only an online product and is not available in brick and mortar retail stores (i.e., Walmart, GNC etc).

How much does it cost?

On the SkinnyFit website, it costs $69.95 USD for a one-off purchase of 28 tea bags (about a month’s supply if used daily).

If you buy it on Amazon, the price is also $69.95 USD.

If you go with a subscription plan, you’ll get a 20% discount and it’ll cost you $55.96 USD per month until you cancel.

You can also subscribe via Amazon, but the discount is only 5% or $66.45 USD.

Cancel subscription

To cancel your SkinnyFit subscription, you must call them at 1-888-862-1758 or email [email protected] at least 24 hours before your next shipment is sent.

Complaints

There are a number of consumer complaints listed on the Better Business Bureau (BBB) website mainly concerning billing practices around subscriptions.

Do your due diligence and read the fine print to ensure that your credit card will not be auto-billed.

To be fair, SkinnyFit was attentive to each complain on the BBB website. So if you’re having trouble, that appears to be an effective way to resolve your dispute.

Refund/return policy

If you are unsatisfied or the product is damaged, you have 90 days from the date the product was shipped to request a refund (minus shipping fees). The shipping costs to return the product are your responsibility.

To initiate your refund, use the phone number or email provided above.

For full details, go to the SkinnyFit terms and conditions.

About the company

So who makes SkinnyFit tea?

According to publicly available business records, SkinnyFit is a San Diego-based California Foreign Limited-Liability Company registered in the state of Delaware. Smashtech LLC appears to be the parent company which manages the brand in downtown San Diego.

SkinnyFit is distributed by Quickbox Fullfillment based in Denver, Colorado. They are also a private label supplier for health products where they create the products on demand based on forecasts. It’s not known if Skinnyfit makes its own products or if it farms out both the production and shipping to QuickBox.

Does SkinnyFit work?

Overall, SkinnyFit is an expensive tea that makes some pretty lofty unsubstantiated marketing claims.

To my knowledge, no independent testing has been conducted on the end product to evaluate what effects it will have on body fat, metabolism, stress, immunity. Moreover, the company does not list any scientific references to support their marketing claims.

The company highlights a few user testimonials, but these are not a substitute for scientific evidence. With testimonials, there is no way to tell if any improvements were due to the product or other lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, quitting smoking, etc.

SkinnyFit’s ingredients may have a mild diuretic and laxative effect which could cause you to “lose weight” on the bathroom scale, but this is just urine and feces and should not be confused with fat loss.

Though it’s marketed as a “detox” tea, SkinnyFit provides no mention of which “toxins” it’s removing, nor any way of knowing it’s working once you drink the tea.

Take home message

Overall, I think SkinnyFit is sold on wishful thinking and public naïveté. It’s your decision to buy whatever you like, but remember that an informed decision is a smart decision.

In closing, the most honest advice I found on the SkinnyFit website was the fine print at the very bottom of the site.

Exercise and proper diet are necessary to achieve and maintain weight loss. Individual results may vary. The statements on this site have not been evaluated by the FDA. Our products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease and do not replace medical advice.

I couldn’t agree more.

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