You’ve probably seen the posts. Maybe a friend from high school reached out about a "life-changing" skincare routine, or you saw a flashy TikTok about "lash boosts" and "side hustles." For years, the name Rodan and Fields was basically synonymous with the term MLM. It was the titan of the industry, the one that turned your Facebook feed into a digital storefront.
But things look a lot different right now.
If you’re looking for the old-school mlm rodan and fields experience where you build a massive "downline" and earn a percentage of everything your recruits sell, you're actually a few years late. In a move that shocked a lot of industry insiders—and left thousands of longtime "Huns" scrambling—the company fundamentally broke its own mold.
The Day the MLM Died
In late 2024, Rodan and Fields did something most people thought was impossible for a company of its size. They killed the multi-level aspect of their business.
Starting September 1, 2024, the brand officially transitioned to what they call an "affiliate-powered" model. Honestly, it was a survival move. Revenue had been sliding from a peak of around $1.6 billion in 2018 down to an estimated $600 million by the time the pivot happened. They were facing debt defaults, credit downgrades, and a changing world where people would rather buy from a TikTok Shop than their neighbor's living room.
So, is it still an MLM? Technically, no.
The "multi-level" part—the structure where you earn money from people who earn money from people—is gone. They cut about 100 corporate jobs, settled some nasty class-action lawsuits regarding consultant classification, and simplified the whole thing.
How the New System Actually Works
If you want to sell the products in 2026, the barrier to entry is way lower, which is kinda nice. You aren't pressured to buy a $1,000 "Big Business Launch Kit" anymore. Instead, it’s basically an affiliate program on steroids.
- The Buy-In: It’s about $9.99 a year now for the renewal fee in the US. That’s it.
- The Payday: You get a flat 30% commission on everything you sell. No sliding scales based on your rank, no "Executive Consultant" hoops to jump through.
- No Recruitment: This is the big one. You don't get a check because you convinced your cousin to join. You only get paid when a customer actually buys a bottle of toner or a tube of lash serum.
It's a much cleaner system. It’s also much harder to get rich. In the old mlm rodan and fields days, the "dream" was passive income from your team. Now, if you don't sell, you don't eat. It’s a straight-up sales job.
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Why the Pivot Happened (The Real Tea)
The FTC has been breathing down the necks of MLMs for years. By 2025 and 2026, new rules regarding "Earnings Claims" made it nearly impossible for these companies to promise "financial freedom" without a mountain of legal disclaimers.
The founders, Dr. Katie Rodan and Dr. Kathy Fields, are legendary dermatologists. They created Proactiv. They know skincare. But the MLM model was becoming a reputation anchor. People were tired of the "hey girl!" messages. The brand was losing its prestige.
By moving to an affiliate model, they can finally sell on Amazon and TikTok Shop without their consultants revolting. They’re trying to meet customers where they actually shop. You can even find some of their stuff popping up in retail spaces like Ulta, which was a huge "no-no" under the old MLM rules.
Does the Skincare Actually Work?
Despite the business drama, the products have always had a cult following. The "Lash Boost" serum is still a massive seller, even after all the lawsuits about its ingredients and side effects. Their core regimens—Redefine, Reverse, Soothe, and Unblemish—are still the backbone of the company.
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But here’s the thing: the market is crowded now. In 2026, you can get high-quality retinols and vitamin C serums from brands like The Ordinary or CeraVe for a fraction of the price. Rodan and Fields is "premium," meaning you’re paying for the brand and the consultant’s 30% cut.
The Verdict on Joining in 2026
If you’re thinking about becoming a "Brand Consultant" today, you need to treat it like a side gig, not a career.
Most people—over 90% in the old model—made less than $200 a month. While the 30% commission is actually quite high for an affiliate program (most beauty brands offer 10-15%), you still have to find the customers. And since the products are expensive, that's not always easy.
What you should do next:
- Check the Ingredients: Before you sell or buy, look at the active ingredients. If you can find the same concentration of proprietary blends in a $20 bottle at the drugstore, your customers will eventually find it too.
- Audit Your Network: Do you actually know people who will drop $200 on a skincare regimen every two months? If not, the 30% commission doesn't matter.
- Read the Fine Print: Even though it’s not an MLM anymore, you’re still an independent contractor. You pay your own taxes, and there are no benefits.
- Compare the Competition: Look at other affiliate programs like Sephora or specialized skincare brands. See if their terms are better for your specific audience.
The era of the mlm rodan and fields pyramid is over. What’s left is a standard skincare company trying to find its footing in a world that’s moved on from the "boss babe" culture of the 2010s. It’s a more honest business now, but the "get rich quick" ship has definitely sailed.