Hello! Welcome to my "Is Rodan and Fields A Pyramid Scheme?" review! (Updated 2022)
Chances are, you were looking for ways to earn money from home and you encountered Rodan + Fields. It is not only a skincare company, but you found out that there is actually a business opportunity behind it!
However, you are sketchy about it and wants to know if it is a scam. Well, the short answer is no. However, that is not the only concern that you should worry about. Is Rodan + Fields a pyramid scheme? That is the big question you need to be answered.
Well, this honest and unbiased Rodan + Fields review of mine will provide you with all the information you need to decide whether it is worth it or not! Ready? Well, let's get started.
Is Rodan and Fields a Pyramid Scheme : Quick Summary
Name: Rodan + Fields
Website: https://www.rodanandfields.com/
Founders: Dr. Katie Rodan & Dr. Kathy Fields
Type: Skincare MLM company
Price to join: $45 to start and a $395-$995 starter kit
Rating: 2/5
Recommended? No
What is Rodan + Fields?
Let's start this Rodan + Fields Review by getting some brief background information about it. Rodan + Fields is an Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) company centered in the skincare industry.
It was founded by best friends who are qualified and professional dermatologists, Katie Rodan and Kathy Fields in 2002, hence the name, Rodan + Fields.
They started the company with the aim to help people get rid of their acne and make their skin healthy.
Apart from providing skincare products and services, Rodan + Fields also has a business opportunity for you! You can become one of their "consultants" to earn money! Continue reading to learn more.
How does it work?
Since Rodan + Fields is an MLM company, it works pretty much the same as the other MLM companies.
In order for them to save money on advertising and marketing, they provide a business opportunity to people and call them "consultants". These consultants sell their products. Whenever they make a sale, they are given a commission by Rodan + Fields.
Seeing it like that, it is a win-win situation for both parties.
No selling or recruiting!
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Is Rodan and Fields a Pyramid Scheme : Products
Learning about the products of an MLM company is important if you are considering joining them. Rodan + Fields, have the following categories of products.
Just by this information, we know that Rodan + Fields has several skincare products. Moreover, this industry has a lot of companies, which means that Rodan + Fields has a huge number of competition.
This includes Arbonne, Farmasi and Is It Works.
Rodan and Fields Horror Stories
I have found a reddit thread in the r/antiMLM subreddit about people sharing their horrifying experiences with Rodan and Fields. One person shared that the Redefine product burned their skin; furthermore, the consultant who sold them the product told them that it is normal. And when another problem appeared, the consultant simply told them to buy another product.
Pretty crazy right? However, I guess those are the things the consultants must do to be able to sell their products. You can find the reddit thread here.
There are also complaints from customers in the website Pissed Consumer where it received 1.9 out of 5 ratings based on 379 reviews. Complaints ranges from their Lash boost serum causing clumps of lashes falling out to bad customer support.
Rodan and Fields Cancer Warning
Some Rodan and Fields products contain a chemical called Benzophenone which is a trace chemical that can be found in Octocrylene. This chemical has been found to be a carcinogenic agent at high concentration.
Rodan and Fields has said that their products are safe to use since there are only small traces of Benzophenone in their products. However, Energy and Commerce Ranking Member Frank Palone urges the FDA to investigate Rodan and Fields for misleading marketing efforts for their statement about Benzophenone. You can read more about it here.
Rodan and Fields responded by putting a warning on its products to avoid litigation from people who might sue them for not doing so. However, this does make selling their products a little bit more challenging if people see that it has a carcinogenic warning since people can be quite conscious about their health.
How to earn money with Rodan + Fields?
In MLMs, there are two ways to earn money. This goes the same to Rodan + Fields. With that being said, here are the ways to earn money with the company.
- Sell Rodan + Fields products and earn commissions
- Recruit people to become consultants and earn bonuses from their sales
How much does it cost to join Rodan + Fields?
In order to join Rodan + Fields and start earning money, you need to become one of their consultants. To do that, you need to purchase the "Business Portfolio" which costs $45.
Afterwards, you will be asked to buy a business kit, whose price varies: $395, $695, $995.
Each kind of Business Kit have different tools, regimens and samples that you can use personally or for you to sell.
You can learn more about these business kits right here. However, the costs does not stop there. You need to worry about your monthly costs!
Rodan + Fields Cost Per Month
You see, in MLMs, there is a catch. For you to earn money from your sales, some companies require you to achieve the "Active" status. In Rodan + Fields' case, you need to meet at least 100 SV (Sales Volume) which is basically $100.
That means that you must sell at least $100 worth of products every month. Failing to do this will result to you paying for it. With this, we can add up your total costs for the first year when you start.
- $45 for the Business Portfolio
- $395, $695, $995 for the Business Kits
- $100 for 12 months
Total Cost for the 1st year = $1,640 to $2,240
Yes. That is a lot. And remember, MLMs require effort and actions. Your earnings will really depend on how great you are at selling!
Rodan + Fields Compensation Plan
Another thing I noticed about MLMs is that their compensation plans are quite challenging to understand. Rodan + Fields is no exception. However, allow me to do my best to explain it to you.
Based on Rodan + Fields' compensation plan, there are 5 ways for a consultant to earn money.
- Profit from your sales (16% to 25% commissions)
- Commissions from your consultant recruits (10% commission from your direct recruits)
- Personal team commissions (5% commission on CV built by your team)
- Generation commissions (additional bonuses from your team)
- Performance bonuses
Below, you can see the compensation plan.
I know, it kinda looks confusing. However, to put it simply, you can earn money by selling or recruiting.
Moreover, if you didn't notice, 4 out of 5 ways to earn money with Rodan + Fields involve recruiting people, which can resemble a pyramid scheme in disguise. I will explain further later on.
However, you can also learn about the compensation plan more by watching this video. Check out its full compensation plan here too.
Is Rodan + Fields a scam?
No, Rodan + Fields is not a scam. This MLM company provides legit products and really do pay their consultants. Moreover, it was founded by two professional dermatologists.
However, this does not mean that it is the best work from home opportunity for you! I shall explain to you in the next section.
Is Rodan and Fields a Pyramid Scheme?
What is a pyramid scheme?
Before anything else, let me define what a pyramid scheme is. MLMs is a business model wherein the ways to earn money is to sell products and recruit people.
However, a pyramid scheme only claims to pay you when you recruit people only. Furthermore, no products or selling is involved. In addition, this business model is unsustainable and only the people at the top can actually earn money!
What about Rodan + Fields?
Fortunately, Rodan + Fields is not a pyramid scheme. It pays you money whenever you make a sale, or recruit people. However, there are certain MLM companies, who are actually pyramid schemes in disguise!
They do this by hiding the fact that they focus more on recruiting people. Like I said earlier, 4 out of 5 ways of earning money with Roda + Fields involve recruitment. So, that means that there is a huge chance that the company is actually a pyramid scheme in disguise!
It can be difficult to be successful with this company
I hate to break it up to you, but it is difficult to be successful with most MLM companies. In fact, studies say that between 73% and 99% of all MLM representatives lose money instead of earning.
Moreover, based on Rodan + Fields' 2019 Income Disclosure Statement, 55% of the consultants earned money, while the rest did not! Top 50% of the consultants who earned, only got paid more $466 annually. Now, let's compare that to your monthly cost. See the point now?
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Is Rodan and Fields a Pyramid Scheme : Pros
#1 The founders are professionals
The founders are professionals and qualified dermatologists. This says that they know what they are doing.
Rodan + Fields is built under a foundation of professionalism.
#2 Rodan + Fields has been around for years
Most MLM companies do not even last long. However, Rodan + Fields defies that and shocks everyone with its longevity.
The company has been around since 2002. Here is its long history.
#3 Product positive reviews
Based on Consumer Affairs, a lot of customers are actually satisfied with Rodan + Fields products!
Here is the rating and some of the positive reviews about the products.
Is Rodan and Fields a Pyramid Scheme : Cons
#1 Pyramid scheme in disguise?
I have already emphasized this earlier. There is a huge chance that Rodan + Fields is a pyramid scheme in disguise.
Just take a look at their compensation plan and the pyramid scheme model below.
#2 Most of the consultants fail to earn money
This is no surprise since Rodan + Fields is an MLM company. And people rarely find success in MLMs.
The 2019 Income Disclosure Statement of Rodan + Fields even says it!
#3 Expensive products
I did some comparison between Rodan + Fields products and Amazon products, and I learned that R+F products cost 25% to 1500% more!
Look at the images above. Rodan + Fields cleansing mask costs $10.48 per ounce. While Amazon cleansing masks cost $0.62 to $7.84 per ounce!
In my research, I also found a well-established comparison. This is between Rodan + Fields flagship products and Amazon highly rated products.
If you add them all up, the total costs of the Amazon products is $115.11. While for the Rodan + Fields is $256 or $230 with PC perks.
Can you see the huge difference? Maybe some of you may say that their effects play a role. However, these products just share the same ingredients.
In fact, some people have complained regarding this. Rodan + Fields products cost 120% more compared to similar products.
#4 Hidden monthly costs
There are costs that are not disclosed to you. One of these is the 100 SV monthly! Which means that you must make a sale of products worth at least $100 per month to earn money.
If you fail, then you are the one who is going to pay for it! Do you smell something fishy right there ? Because I do. This is a huge red flag and can support that it is a pyramid scheme in disguise.
Because consultants are forced to recruit more people in order to not lose money paying for these products.
#5 It is under a downward trend
MLM companies have their early momentum phase wherein they are still getting to make a name for themselves. Usually during these times, they make a lot of money.
Consultants or representatives who joined MLMs during this phase tend to earn more. However, based on Google trends, Rodan + Fields is under a downward trend. That makes sense since it has been around for quite some time already.
Is Rodan and Fields a Pyramid Scheme : Verdict
To conclude this Rodan + Fields review, it is time for me to give my final verdict and opinion.
Let me be honest as much as possible. This work form home opportunity is bad for everyone. It is too much expensive and the chances of you earning money is so low! You are looking to earn money in the first place,right? Then I suggest that you steer away from it. If you want skincare products, sure, you can try its products.
But for earning money, no. It operates as a pyramid scheme in disguise and is already in a downward trend. There are better opportunities for you out there. I will give you one in the next section.
Thank you so much for reading my "Is Rodan + Fields A Pyramid Scheme?" review! If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below in the comments section!
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Thanks Anis
In my opinion, anything with a starter kit, joining fee, autoship and compensation plan is a pyramid scheme.
Pyramid Schemes exist to support business models or products that would not have been able to survive on their own.
The main reason being that products are being sold whose benefits are non existent or hard to quantify/percieve. I am not saying the products do not work. They do, but its very hard to make them work properly.
I was once part of an MLM, I know the pain of trying to convince people that the product works.
The joining fees are used to pay people higher up the pyramid. The starter kits are used to sell products that are hard to sell. Most people dont consider the product quality when getting the starter kit as they want to get into the program at all costs – that psychological trick is was gets the product off the shelf and into your starter pack
This is a pyramid scheme all the way.
Exactly, thanks for dropping by Carl! 🙂