Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council Refers Urban Retreat Claims to the Federal Trade Commission and the Illinois Attorney General’s Office
McLean, VA – December 2, 2025 – The Direct Selling Self-Regulatory Council (DSSRC) of BBB National Programs referred direct selling company Acti-Labs Ltd. d/b/a Urban Retreat by Acti-Labs to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Illinois Attorney General after Urban Retreat failed to confirm its intent to comply with DSSRC recommendations to discontinue unsubstantiated earnings and health-related product performance claims made on Facebook and Instagram by Urban Retreat salesforce members.
DSSRC is an independent national advertising self-regulation program that monitors advertising and marketing claims in the direct selling industry. Urban Retreat is a direct selling company that markets a range of products including skincare, body care, wellness, cosmetics, and haircare.
The earnings claims at issue include, but are not limited to:
The product performance claims include, but are not limited to:
DSSRC expressed concern that the earnings-related claims conveyed the message that prospective members of Urban Retreat salesforce could achieve substantial income from the Urban Retreat business opportunity — with references to terms such as “incredible income” and “financial freedom.” Additionally, DSSRC observed product-related statements that it concluded could reasonably be interpreted as implying that Urban Retreat’s products are capable of treating or alleviating serious health-related conditions.
In response to DSSRC’s inquiry, Urban Retreat did not provide substantiation for the earnings claims and did not provide evidence to support two of the health-related claims. As a result, DSSRC recommended that Urban Retreat have the posts removed from social media, even if the posts are from individuals who are no longer Urban Retreat salesforce members.
Though Urban Retreat directed DSSRC to their public website for evidence that “using the Urban Retreat Detox & Slim Bundle leads to users losing 8 pounds and 8 inches in two weeks,” and that these results were “clinically proven,” among other claims, no such evidence is available on the website. Based on these findings, DSSRC recommended that Urban Retreat make a good-faith effort to have the posts removed.
Regarding the final challenged product performance claim, DSSRC reviewed the two studies cited by Urban Retreat in support of its weight-loss claims and concluded that the referenced testing was not conducted by an independent third-party, had methodological flaws, and did not sufficiently substantiate claims regarding the combined use of the Detox & Slim Bundle and the UR Lipo Sculpting Fluid.
As such, DSSRC determined that the testing was insufficient to support the salesforce member’s claim of “8 pounds GONE … 8 inches GONE” as a result of “Two weeks on this Sip n’ Slim Bundle, One week of Lipo Sculpting Fluid…” or that the results were “CLINICALLY PROVEN.”
In the absence of any evidence to support the claims at issue in this inquiry, DSSRC recommended Urban Retreat discontinue or significantly modify the claims.
Urban Retreat failed to provide a statement to DSSRC indicating that it would either adhere to DSSRC’s recommendations or appeal the case to the DSSRC Appellate Board, thus, pursuant to its procedures, DSSRC referred Urban Retreat to the FTC and the Illinois Attorney General..
All BBB National Programs case decision summaries can be found in the case decision library. For the full text of DSSRC decisions, visit the DSSRC Cases and Closures webpage.
DSSRC is an independent national advertising self-regulation program that monitors advertising and marketing claims in the direct selling industry. Urban Retreat is a direct selling company that markets a range of products including skincare, body care, wellness, cosmetics, and haircare.
The earnings claims at issue include, but are not limited to:
- “Well fast forward to today and this business has changed my life! It’s enabled me to watch my boys grow up and be there for them every day. I’ve had beautiful cars, luxury holidays, spa days, jewellery, crazy bonuses and have built an incredible income all whilst working at home! Annndddddd the best bit is yet to come...... in just 3 weeks we’re about to change this industry and do something that’s NEVER been seen before and I couldn’t be more proud to be at the forefront of it all!”
- “And have now found my home at Urban Retreat by Acti Labs. I absolutely love and have a passion for Natural Health and Wellness and enjoy helping others with their goals and Financial Freedom too.”
- “I had no money left over after bills, I went to bed worrying about money and woke up worrying, I had no confidence, I was doubting myself, I was depressed (I tried taking my own life 3 times), and I wasn't living I was just existing. And as for what I have gained? Well... I've gained financial freedom. I've gained clinically proven products that I love and believe in.
- “This business isn't just about having financial freedom. It's about building relationships, making friends, helping others and helping yourself to be the person you're truly meant to be!!”
- “I have a stable and secure income and earn more monthly than I was ever able to, even while working full time in a professional career AND running my own restaurant. And I get to work from home, choose my own schedule, travel, visit family and friends and really ENJOY my free time…. More Time Freedom. More Financial Freedom. FREEDOM...... from whatever is stopping you being the happiest, best version of yourself!”
- “Having multiple streams of income is so important now a days! I definitely have landed something BIG! I have partnered with 6/7/8 figure $ earners and I'm so excited for this new adventure!”
The product performance claims include, but are not limited to:
- “Our amazing Balance Capsules that are 100% natural, not only help to balance out your hormones naturally but they also help with: Energy, Weight-loss, Skin problems (acne, eczema, rosacea), Stress/ Anxiety / depression, Aches & Pains, Mood swings, Sleep, PMS, Peri/Menopause, Digestion, Endometriosis, And much more ”
- “Why suffer with Menopausal Symptoms, even whilst on HRT when these can help for less than 65p a day!! … #menopause #perimenopausehealth #womenshealth #menopausesymptoms #menopausesucks #hotflashes #menofog #brainfog #pmtslife #hormones #hrt #moodswings #nightsweats #weightgain #jointpain #palpatations #insomnia #thinninghairsolution #dryskin #lossoflibido #brittlenails #depression #anxiety #irregularperiods”
- “Going into this part of my Urban Retreat journey, weight loss and inch loss, I did not know how I would be able to share my results. Fear… Embarrassment… Vulnerability… putting yourself out there can be really hard. But, YALL…. I’m posting these results… MY results because I am SOO EXCITED and SOOO PROUD! Two weeks on this Sip n Slim Bundle, One week of Lipo Sculpting Fluid… 8 pounds GONE!! 8 inches GONE!! FIRMER! WHAT CELLULITE??? I cannot WAIT to see what the next two weeks bring!! CLINICALLY PROVEN RESULTS!” (February 2023)
DSSRC expressed concern that the earnings-related claims conveyed the message that prospective members of Urban Retreat salesforce could achieve substantial income from the Urban Retreat business opportunity — with references to terms such as “incredible income” and “financial freedom.” Additionally, DSSRC observed product-related statements that it concluded could reasonably be interpreted as implying that Urban Retreat’s products are capable of treating or alleviating serious health-related conditions.
In response to DSSRC’s inquiry, Urban Retreat did not provide substantiation for the earnings claims and did not provide evidence to support two of the health-related claims. As a result, DSSRC recommended that Urban Retreat have the posts removed from social media, even if the posts are from individuals who are no longer Urban Retreat salesforce members.
Though Urban Retreat directed DSSRC to their public website for evidence that “using the Urban Retreat Detox & Slim Bundle leads to users losing 8 pounds and 8 inches in two weeks,” and that these results were “clinically proven,” among other claims, no such evidence is available on the website. Based on these findings, DSSRC recommended that Urban Retreat make a good-faith effort to have the posts removed.
Regarding the final challenged product performance claim, DSSRC reviewed the two studies cited by Urban Retreat in support of its weight-loss claims and concluded that the referenced testing was not conducted by an independent third-party, had methodological flaws, and did not sufficiently substantiate claims regarding the combined use of the Detox & Slim Bundle and the UR Lipo Sculpting Fluid.
As such, DSSRC determined that the testing was insufficient to support the salesforce member’s claim of “8 pounds GONE … 8 inches GONE” as a result of “Two weeks on this Sip n’ Slim Bundle, One week of Lipo Sculpting Fluid…” or that the results were “CLINICALLY PROVEN.”
In the absence of any evidence to support the claims at issue in this inquiry, DSSRC recommended Urban Retreat discontinue or significantly modify the claims.
Urban Retreat failed to provide a statement to DSSRC indicating that it would either adhere to DSSRC’s recommendations or appeal the case to the DSSRC Appellate Board, thus, pursuant to its procedures, DSSRC referred Urban Retreat to the FTC and the Illinois Attorney General..
All BBB National Programs case decision summaries can be found in the case decision library. For the full text of DSSRC decisions, visit the DSSRC Cases and Closures webpage.