For feminist empowerment, there’s no better story than Dr. Katie Rodan and Dr. Kathy Fields.
Breaking out of a male-dominated field, they turned the skincare industry on its head, now boasting the #1 skincare line in the US.
They’re breaking every glass ceiling they hit…
But are their consultants seeing as much success? That’s the question.
Rodan + Fields is a billion-dollar skincare MLM brand based in San Francisco and founded by two dermatologist entrepreneurs who call themselves “wrinkle warriors.”
Drs. Fields and Rodan are hardly strangers to the money-making game when it comes to skincare.
In fact, they’re basically dermatology celebrities, heroes to every awkward, acne-ridden pre-teen who was ever called “pizza face.” Ever heard of Proactiv? That’s them. Keep reading to learn how Proactiv transformed into Rodan + Fields and became the top skincare in the country.
FAQ
1. What does Rodan + Fields sell? R+F sells skincare, cosmetic solutions, and skincare support such as vitamins, supplements, and sunscreens.
2. What are Rodan + Fields’s most popular products? R+F’s flagship product focused on acne, but they sold the rights to Proactiv to Guthy-Renker, so they no longer sell that formula. When creating Rodan + Fields, they turned their attention to antiaging. The Redefine line of skincare promises noticeably smoother, younger-looking skin in three simple steps. That said, they sell skincare that solves other major skin issues as well: Redefine, Unblemish, and Soothe.
3. How much does it cost to join Rodan + Fields? To become a consultant, the only purchase that’s required is the $45 Business Portfolio.
4. Is Rodan + Fields a scam? No, Rodan + Fields is a legitimate business selling high-quality skincare formulated by Stanford-trained dermatologists. They’re #16 on DSN’s 2018 Global 100 list of the top revenue-generating direct selling companies in the world. It’s also been featured in PopSugar, Essence, Forbes, and Bazaar. In 2017 and 2018, R+F was ranked the No. 1 skincare brand in North America by Euromonitor.
5. What is Rodan + Fields’s BBB rating? A+
6. How long has Rodan + Fields been in business? The brand was created in 2002. In 2007, frustrated with the low sales in department stores, they chose social commerce as their business model.
7. What is Rodan + Fields’s revenue? $1.5 billion
8. How many Rodan + Fields distributors are there? 200,000+
9. What lawsuits have been filed? In 2018, a class-action lawsuit was filed against Rodan + Fields for violating state consumer protection laws and engaging in fraudulent and unfair marketing of its Lash Boost eye serum, which didn’t disclose its use of an eye medication or its side effects. [1] In 2018, R+F sued Proctor and Gamble for attempting to stifle its truthful advertising of a product. [2] In 2014, R+F filed a claim against Ebay for information on sellers of their products without a contractual relationship with Rodan + Fields. [3]
10. Comparable companies: Mary Kay, Nu Skin
So should you get involved?
As far as products go, this company is definitely solid. But as far as the income opportunity goes, there are still better options out there…
Click here for my #1 recommendation
Either way, here’s the full review on Rodan + Fields.
Overview
Before launching the wildly successful skincare MLM, Rodan + Fields, in 2002, the founders created Proactiv in 1995.
Yep, that Proactiv… the acne-busting product you saw on television all the time, but also the product that actually worked. It became one of the best-selling informercial products of all time. [4]
But that was only their first billion-dollar company. Their latest venture into MLM has been arguably just as successful — and it’s well on its way to hitting the big bill in revenue. [5]
Their net revenue in 2017 was $1.5 billion, and they’re projecting double-digit growth for the next five years. [6] They’re now considered the #1 skincare brand in the U.S. [7]
In 2015, R+F began their global expansion plans, with their first international launch into Canada. It may seem a little late in the game to finally start opening up international operations after they’ve been in business for over a decade, but I like that they’re moving slowly and thoughtfully.
They created a sustainable empire in the U.S. before branching out. Too many MLMs jump the gun and expand into 20 different countries in their first 5 years before they’ve even achieved any revenue to support their growth. [8]
A big reason for their success is their expertise. Lots of MLMs claim to be backed or started by “doctors,” but a little research into their history shows that these “doctors” aren’t fully licensed. These women are no quacks. Not only are they legitimate dermatologists who trained at Stanford, they still maintain their practice, spending two days a week treating patients. They are so good at what they do, they’ve got a waitlist that’s two years long. [9]
Products
Unlike so many successful MLMs that rely on distributor membership fees and autoship orders to create their revenue (hint: Monat and Neways), Rodan + Fields clearly has a product that does well and supports most of their income.
These dermatologist-created skincare products come in a variety of different formats, ranging from products that help with wrinkles to sun damage to acne to irritation. A lot of their products are fragrance-free, and none include toxic chemicals. Much like their Proactiv products, the Rodan + Fields product lines tend to come in three-step processes, so you buy a package kit with all three steps.
Redefine
Redefine is their line of preventative anti-aging skincare products formulated to reduce the appearance of lines, pores, and loss of firmness.
Reverse
Reverse is their line of age reversal skincare products formulated to reduce brown spots, dullness, and discoloration.
Unblemish
Unblemish is their skincare regimen for acne treatment. It includes 4 steps – the wash, the toner, the treatment, and the lotion.
Soothe
Soothe is their skincare line designed for sensitive skin. It helps you cleanse your skin and maintain an even complexion, but it uses ingredients that are specifically developed for people with sensitive and irritated skin.
Overall, their three-step kits range from $190 to around $350, depending on how many products you want to include. That’s not cheap, especially since these kits tend to last around 60-days if you use them as directed.
The price may be a little steep for someone just looking to develop a skincare routine, but if it actually cures serious acne, I know a lot of people with very bad skin would be willing to pay that much.
Compensation Plan
It’s pretty cheap to join up as a consultant, and there are no inventory requirements, so it’s a pretty low-risk investment if joining Rodan + Fields is something that interests you.
You’ll need to purchase a business portfolio, which costs $45. You get your own consultant website, business tools, training, marketing materials, and product information. You can also purchase a business kit complete with lots of product and samples, but it’s not required. The lower tier kit costs $695, and the higher tier kit costs $995.
Rodan + Fields has a hybrid compensation plan that offers 25% commission on personal sales. That’s not a great commission rate, but you can also earn up to 15% on the sales of your personal recruits, as well as 5% commission on sales of your downline, up to five generations deep.
While it’s not the best compensation plan in the game, it’s decent, and you are selling a product from a trusted and established company. They’ve also got various fast-start bonuses, car bonuses, and exotic trips.
Recap
Rodan + Fields have definitely made a name for themselves, and it doesn’t sound like they’re stopping anytime soon. If you want stability in MLM, this is about as close as you’ll get outside of direct sales legends like Avon or Mary Kay.
That being said, their compensation plan is nothing impressive. The earning power just isn’t there for most people, even if the products are great.
In 2015, the average consultant made only $3,182 in annual income according to their company disclosure statement. For newer consultants, that figure was as low as $790. In an entire year. A babysitter can make more money than that in a few weeks. [10]
It may be a respectable company, and the founders may be some of the hottest in the direct sales game right now, but that doesn’t mean you’re going to be hitting it big.
Look, I’ve been involved with network marketing for over ten years so I know what to look for when you consider a new opportunity.
After reviewing 200+ business opportunities and systems out there, here is the one I would recommend:
