You’re here asking “is Rodan + Fields a scam?” because either you’re just curious about it or you’re being invited to join their consultant program.

You’ve seen Rodan + Fields consultants posting about their recent achievements, some may even have become an executive or most of them have received something from someone above them. They seem very happy and sociable with all the social media interactions they have. 

And one day they invited you in and you became curious. Now you’re at that point considering the offer and opportunities but you’re also hearing the alarm bells in your brain. 

In this Rodan + Fields review, let me help you decide. I’ll give you 4 reasons later in this article and you decide from there, no pressure. 

Is Rodan + Fields a pyramid scheme? What is the truth behind all that you see online? 

 

Is Rodan + Fields A Scam Review Summary

Product: Rodan + Fields Skin Care Products

Price to join: Minimum of $75

Best For: Maybe for those who regularly use their skin products for the discount

Recommendation: Not recommended

Overall Rating: 9/100

Summary: Rodan + Fields Skin Care Line offers a great discount for their consultants. The MLM part of their consultancy program had a warning from FTC last 2020 in my opinion is not profitable for everyone so it’s best to only try it out if you have the time, connections and sure customers. It would also be wise to always check for unauthorized card activity if ever you linked yours to their services.

What Is Rodan + Fields About?

Rodan & Fields LLC, (or R+F) is an Multi-Level Marketing company established in 2002 by Katie Rodan and Katie Fields. These two dermatologists also established Proactiv which then discontinued its distribution in the UK. Since it is backed and founded by two dermatologists from Stanford, it has gained patronage and trust through the years.

Since we’re going to look at the Consultant Program of Rodan + Fields, here is a video from their Youtube Channel about it:

While the promises of the products and their advertisement resources claim that their products are top of the line, it seems like their customers are saying otherwise. But it did have customers who were satisfied and claimed that their products work, but this is just typical of skin care products. It’s typical that there would be people who would not be compatible with products.

For this Rodan + Fields review we’ll have to evaluate their independent consultant program and the profitability of their products so we can have an idea if trying the earning opportunity offer of their MLM company is worth it. 

But just a heads up, it seems like the Federal Trade Commission is not impressed with them. I’ll tell you why in the next section.

Is Rodan + Fields A Pyramid Scheme?

Truth is, we can’t call it a pyramid scheme since they are registered as a business and have long been recognized as an MLM company.  But just because it has legal groundwork doesn’t stray it from the fact that a multi-level marketing company is just a legalized pyramid profiting business. 

You could be thinking “why is Rodan + Fields a pyramid scheme?” The hard truth is, only those at the top of the pyramid are bound to profit best when they avail of their independent consultancy program. Let’s just say that you can actually find success in being a consultant but only if you’re able to recruit or sell a lot of your inventory to people. 

The problem with their MLM and almost as with every MLM is how they masquerade their upsells as a business opportunity rather than being upfront that not everyone who enrolls in their program is bound to have stable ROI.

This could be the exact reason why the FTC warned Rodan + Fields in 2020 about the misleading claims of their consultants at the height of the pandemic last year. Here’s what the FTC wrote:

But before we go further into why Rodan + Fields is not a profitable venture, here’s a quick overview of what a pyramid scheme is just so we can fully understand if Rodan + Fields truly works in this fashion.

What is a Pyramid Scheme?

A Pyramid scheme is an illegal business structure that focuses on recruitment rather than selling products. By promising guaranteed success on their program, those on top of the pyramid schemes are the only ones who profit since they basically make money from those in the bottom (or new recruits). 

So basically, if you’re at the bottom of a pyramid, you may find it hard to really profit from it, unless you are able to recruit other people. What happens is that when the pyramid collapses, either the business caves in or there is a lack of new recruits, you can’t really maximize your investment in the program. 

Imagine paying to join a program where people above you make money from your sales. No matter how hard working you are, unless at some point you recruit and form your own pyramid of downlines, then that’s the only time that you could truly profit from it. 

The reason why people fail to become top of the pyramid is because of the following reasons:

1. They don’t make enough repeat sales
2. They fail to recruit other people
3. There is no retention in their recruits

An MLM is just a legalized and regulated pyramid scheme. They basically operate on the same premise but the only thing is, the business is registered and they pay taxes. 

You’ll find out in this Rodan + Fields review how they operate and how their pyramid framework creates a disadvantage if you’re looking into trying it out. But being an unbiased Rodan + Fields review, I’ll also let you in on a few advice on how you can actually make it work if you’re in the program. 

How Does The Rodan + Fields Consultant Program Work?

Well here’s an overview of their program from their actual Policies and Procedures:

1. You need to sign-up first for a minimum Business Starter Kit ($75)
2. You need a “sponsor” who’s an active R + F Consultant
3. You get a 25% discount on any subsequent orders that you get after signing up.
4. Thing is before you get to savor any revenue from selling (or simply get commissions) you need to become an Active Consultant first, which requires an SV or sales of a minimum of 100 products in a Commission period.

5. To be eligible for commissions, you need to maintain a minimum of 100 orders per month.

Imagine being baited into a program where they claimed that it’s a “no risk” and “immediately profitable” program where you need to invest a minimum of $75 only to realize that you need 100 sales per month to get commissions… 

So is Rodan + Fields a scam? It’s a legitimate MLM company and while there’s nothing wrong with that, it’s not something that’s right for everyone. Before we go into Rodan + Fields Compensation Plan let’s have a look first on their products so we can understand if it’s truly worth the penny. 

What Are Rodan + Fields Products?

Rodan + Fields has quite an extensive line of skin care products to help different skin care concerns like:

• Fine Lines & Wrinkles
• Lifting & Firming
• Dull & Tired Skin
• Acne & Breakouts
• Uneven Tone & Dark Marks
• Sensitivity & Visible Redness
• Pores & Blackheads 
• Dry Skin

Here are some of their bestsellers:

• REDEFINE Regimen $220.00
• Total RF Serum $175.00 
• R + F Lash Boost $155.00
• Active Hydration Bright Eye Complex $72.00
• Active Hydration Serum $112.00 
• REDEFINE Multi-Function Eye Cream $70.00 
• Rodan + Fields Active Hydration Body Replenish $66.00 
• Rodan + Fields Enhancements Micro-Dermabrasion Paste $83.00
• REVERSE Regimen $195.00
• UNBLEMISH Regimen $190.00

Rodan + Fields Complaints

Since Rodan + Fields is an established company it’s natural that there would be complaints about their company but let’s have a look at some of them. Here is the most recent Rodan + Fields complaints on their Better Business Bureau (BBB) Profile:

When you go through their BBB profile you’ll realize that most Rodan + Fields complaints are about unauthorized credit card charging. Here’s a quite alarming case they had:

How To Make Money With Rodan + Fields

Rodan + Fields offers an Independent Consultant program for those who are looking for earning opportunities with their products. Independent Consultant gets discounted prices for their orders which they can sell for retail.

But here’s where the upsell comes in, while you can do retail selling on your own they will then present to you an opportunity to earn a minimum of 10% commission. But you have to first hit a minimum of 100 sales per commission period (usually a month). 

It sounds hard but it’s actually easy as long as you have other downlines, because those under you now order from you and it’s counted as your sale. Truth is you can actually earn and increase your commissions up to 60% if you can continue to recruit and help your downlines retain their active membership so they can continue ordering from you.

Later in this article I’ll show you the actual compensation plan they have. 

Can You Really Make Money Selling Rodan + Fields?

Truth is yes you can make money selling Rodan + Fields, you can even get rich from this as long as:

1. You continue recruiting downlines
2. You help ensure your downline’s retention
3. You have a pool of customers that regularly orders and uses Rodan + Fields products.

But as with every pyramid and MLM business, there is no guarantee of income, you can even read this small income disclaimer not in one of their pages:

Here is a part of their Income Disclosure:

How Much Does It Cost To Join Rodan + Fields Independent Consultant Program?

To join the Rodan + Fields Consultant Program, here’s a step-by-step procesS, requirements and membership level of their program:

Requirements

• You must be 18 years of old or older when you submit the Application
• You can be authorized to run a business and have an address in United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or Guam
• You have a valid Social Security Number; 
• You’re not in jail or prison or in a correctional institution;
• You have no history of being convicted or has plead no contest to a felony within the past 7 years; 
• You’re not a current employee, officer, or director, a spouse or domestic partner of anyone from GuthyRenker LLC, Nestlé Skin Health S.A. and/or their affiliates, or the spouse;
• You’re not a current employee, officer, or director of R+F, or the spouse or registered domestic partner of the above;
• Submission of a complete Application form that is accepted by R+F;
• Purchase of a Business Starter Pack ($75);
• A valid email address
• Valid credit card. 

Process

• Download Application form and follow prompts via their enrollment page
• Choose a Sponsor (either a Consultant you know or someone from their list)

• Purchase a Business Starter pack with the following inclusions:

• Choose from a Basic (free) or Pro ($24.95) Tool platform
• Enter Card Details and Checkout
  

Membership Levels

• Independent Consultant (with discount and retail selling only)
• Active Consultant (with 10% commission, discount and retail profit)
• Executive Consultant (Perks of Active Consultant + 5% Commission from Team)
• Level 1 Executive (Perks of EC + 5% Commission from the first downline of EC)
• Level 2 Executive (Perks of L1E + 5% Commission from the first downline of L1E)
• Level  3 Executive (Perks of L2E + 5% Commission from the first downline of L2E)
• Level 4 Executive (Perks of L3E + 5% Commission from the first downline of L3E)
• Level 5 Executive (Perks of L4E + 5% Commission from the first downline of L4E)
• Premier Executive (Perks of L5E + 5% Commission from the first downline of L5E)
• Elite Executive (Perks of PE + 5% Commission from the first downline of PE)
• R+F Executive (Perks of EE + 5% Commission from the first downline of EE)

Rodan + Fields Compensation Plan

So far unlike other MLMs, Rodan + Fields Compensation Plan was easy to find. Here you’ll understand the membership level perks that were written above. Here’s an overview of the whole compensation plan file:

Imagine this, the only way that you can ensure the stability of your Executive Consultant Position is if you can ensure 700 sales per commission period, which could mean that either you handle and recruit a lot of active consultants or retailers under you or you have a steady supply of orders to suffice the quota. 

Is Rodan + Fields A Scam?

The Federal Trade Commission has warned Rodan + Fields consultants who post false, misleading and unsubstantiated claims in their vain to recruit more in hopes of getting more sales and commissions. 

Truth is, their policies and procedures includes clauses about how a consultant should not make Lifestyle claims and a guide on how to do it properly here’s a part of it which can be found on page 10-11 of the Policies and Procedures Document:
 

FTC’s warning to Rodan + Fields’ consultants also takes into account the dire situation last year because any misleading claims of “ no risk and guaranteed income” is very inappropriate and quite a sensitive topic for such a shaky economic state.

Just to be fully transparent with you, I am not a consultant of Rodan + Fields myself and I do not endorse it in any way.

I have researched the website, testimonials, and information on the Internet to get to the bottom of what Rodan + Fields genuinely does. This is because I have been burnt from programs just like this in the past and I want to prevent others from making the same mistakes. If you’d like to learn Ways to Avoid Online Scams then click the highlighted text. 

If you’ll read into other review sites you may also find that their products are not compatible with everyone and some even have claims that their products have harmful chemicals in them. But almost all other beauty products also have harmful ingredients so we take those claims with a grain of salt since most likely they are compliant with FDA regulations on chemical amounts

But it would be worth noting too that Rodan Fields products have been banned in Europe due to the presence of some chemicals that are banned in the EU like DMDM Hydantoin.

How To Quit Rodan + Fields Program

If you then had a change of mind and decided that the program is not for you, here is what you should do and the consequences of that decision:

1. According to Section 5 of their Policies and Procedures, a Consultant may return the Business Starter pack that they availed within one year after activation to get a complete refund of the purchase price ($75) but it is not inclusive of the shipping fee.

2. But if you have decided to quit the consultancy application early you must notify them within:

• at least 3 business days of application date
• 5 days for Alaska residents
• 15 days for Montana and,
• 15 days for those from North Dakota who are aged 65+

3. Mail, fax or email:

• Your Name
• Consultant Identification number
• Should include a statement “I HEREBY CANCEL THIS APPLICATION”
• Send to: Rodan & Fields, LLC, 60 Spear Street, Suite 600, San Francisco, CA 94105, Fax (415) 273-8039 or [email protected] 
• With your Signature
• Don’t forget the date
• Make sure to mention that you’re asking for a refund in your letter

4.Then you need to have your Business Starter Pack, ready for pick up in your residence, and most important it should be in a good condition as you have received it.

5. In your letter to [email protected], mention that you’re scheduling the pack for pick-up. If they fail to retrieve it in 20 days (from the day you requested product return) then you may opt to dispose of it or retain it.

A Story of an Upline: Rodan + Fields Former Consultant

Here is a story from a former consultant. I cropped this later part of her story because this can help you realize that what i’m taking early on in this article is quite correct:

You can read the full version here. But see, I was right that you can actually make money with R+ F as long as you have the time, connections, repeat orders and downlines!

Pros And Cons Of Rodan + Fields Consultant Program

Every business has its share of Pros and Cons. Here are the Pros and Cons of the Rodan + Fields Consultant Program

Pros

• Has an established customer base and branding
• Has a termination procedure
• Extensive line of products

Cons

• Recurring complaints of unauthorized card transactions
• Investment returns is not guaranteed
• Competitive product price
• You need a sponsor or upline to join
• Maintenance of sales volume is needed to retain commission eligibility

What I Like About Rodan + Fields Consultant Program

Well, with everything I’ve read about it and all the videos I watched on Youtube, I would say there’s nothing about it to like for me.

What I Don’t Like About Rodan + Fields Consultant Program

Hidden Upsells. The cost of membership is $75 + optional upgrade of tool $24.95 monthly (for website and free shipping perks) + membership renewal fee ($25)

Recurring complaints on BBB. Rodan + Fields seems to have the same recurring complaints about unauthorized card charges and uncalled for package charging.

Is Rodan + Fields A Pyramid Scheme In Disguise?

It has a financial pyramid type of earning structure but it is a regulated company and a legal business. This means that it abides with the financial regulations of the government and they need to adhere to policies like preventing misleading claims and providing a transparent income disclosure. They can go bankrupt and be subjected to legal proceeding if probed. They may not vanish with your investment in time, but they are also prone to toppling off it ecosystem if the pyramid stops growing.

Final Verdict- Rodan + Fields Consultant Program

Rodan + Fields is a legal version of a pyramid financial structure. While it does have its earning potential, MLMs are not for everyone. Usually it’s for those who:

• Have time to expand their network for recruitment
• Sociable enough to help create sales
• Has the financial means to help ensure retention of downlines

4 Reasons Why Only 2% Gets Rich Here

1. You need downlines to maximize profit through repeat orders
2. You need a minimum of 100 sales volume before you can get commissions
3. In order to maintain your membership level, you need to hit a consistent quota
4. You need to ensure retention of your downlines to ensure sales

A Better Way To Start A Home-Based Business

If you’re looking for a business opportunity where you won’t have the pressure of having a sales quota or number of recruits, you should know that MLMs are not for you. Even if it’s a known brand.

The problem with MLMs is that it’s not sustainable and your sales are only good for a certain time. But what if you have a business that could help you earn year-round, and even years after one output? Yes that’s possible! As with every legitimate business opportunity, it would need hard work, dedication and time to learn the trade.

Let me introduce you to affiliate marketing:

You won’t need downlines, no quota to hit, you can even work whenever you want. You can partner with a brand that you like, create content for the things you love doing and learning from, no scripts to learn.

I know a good community that can guide you towards learning about affiliate marketing. It’s even free to start so you can explore it first! Here’s a comprehensive review about it.

And when you feel like you’re finally ready to do it full time and get extra tools, help, and guidance, you can always upgrade to a Premium that goes for just $49 a month! Check it out by clicking below!

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