Arbonne Review: History, Products, & Compensation Plan

In today’s post, I want to give you an independent Arbonne review. I will cover the products, compensation plan, success tips, facts about the company, and much more.

Please know I am not affiliated with the company in any way, nor have I been in the past. All research was conducted independently. All sources I used are cited with a link to the website where I found the information. Please keep in mind that Arbonne is a registered trademark owned by the company.

Company History & Facts

Arbonne is a privately owned multi level marketing business. Do not search for stock on the stock exchange, as there is none available since it is not a public company.

The founder of Arbonne was Petter Mørck of Switzerland. His idea was to develop the highest quality, and safest skin care and cosmetic line in the world. In 1975, Petter’s idea became reality. The Arbonne Institute of Research & Development was established. AIRD began producing formulas that would become the Arbonne products. Even today, AIRD is always testing and developing to provide new products. Sadly, Petter passed away in 2008, but his son Stian is Managing Director of Arbonne International.

In 1980, Arbonne was introduced to the United States. Independent Consultants could now demonstrate and sell the first Arbonne cosmetics and skin care products. The 2014 number of active Arbonne consultants averaged at 242,000 worldwide. Arbonne paid out over $219 million in commissions, bonuses and overrides in 2014. At the end of 2014, preferred clients numbered 530,000. This shows that Arbonne products are highly favored.

Arbonne’s United States headquarters are located at 9400 Jeronimo Road, Irvine, California. They can be reached by dialing the toll-free number: 1-800-ARBONNE. Arbonne is a member of the Direct Selling Association (DSA), and they are also accredited with the Better Business Bureau. When you visit the BBB website, you find that Arbonne has a great reputation.

Arbonne is engulfed in helping to save the environment. They have a mission to use biodegradable products when possible. Paperwork is online instead of mailed. They use products that are recycled and renewable for shipping and packaging purposes. Arbonne is always looking for new and better ways to help save the earth.

Furthermore, Arbonne has become recognized globally. While having their headquarters in California, Arbonne also has offices in:

Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
Northampton, England
St. Marys, Australia
Poland
and soon to open in Taiwan.

Arbonne also gives back. The Arbonne Foundation picks up on many causes and helps through a plethora of ways. The majority of causes involve children. When people purchase Arbonne products, some percentages go to helping in areas that greatly need that help.

Arbonne has a team of scientific advisers to guarantee the products are safe for the consumer and the environment. They include:

M.D. & F.A.C.O.G. Laura Fortner
M.D. Janellen Smith
M.D. Howard Maibach
Christopher Zachary
M.S. & R.N. Carleeta Nelson
M.D. & P.H.D. Nora Zorich who is the Scientific Advisory Board Chair

Arbonne has a parent company. That company’s name is Natural Products Group and the subsidiaries underneath it include Arbonne International LLC and Levlad LLC.

Product Overview

Arbonne has well over 200 products in their line. Whereas other companies offer fewer products for their consultants to sell, Arbonne provides a huge advantage to their consultants by offering a much more diverse line of products. The different categories of products in the Arbonne line are:

Skincare
Bath
Body
Hair
Sun
Cosmetics
Fragrances
Nutritional
And general merchandise that consists of tote bags, charitable foundation necklaces, gift wrap, and more.

The product line consists of inner and outer beauty products. Arbonne features cosmetics, health and wellness products, anti-aging, and skin and body care products. Their products are healthy, dermatologist tested, and botanically based.

More importantly, all products are consumable. This means that customers will order the products, consume them, and then need to reorder more products each month. This creates repeat sales and residual income for Arbonne Consultants.

Some of their signature products include:

Arbonne Intelligence™
RE9 Advanced™
Arbonne Bio-Nutria™
ABC Arbonne Baby Care™
Arbonne Smart Nutritional Hybrids™

All products come with a 45-day, 100% money-back guarantee. You can purchase the products through a toll-free number or from a distributor’s website.

In 2000, Arbonne introduced their baby care line of products that made mothers worldwide quite happy. In 2011, Arbonne stepped into a new playground. They added Arbonne Essentials which is a large line of nutritional products. They carry shakes, energy bars and much more. Arbonne Essentials have been a huge hit especially in weight loss.

Arbonne is all about caring for their consumers. This means that Arbonne’s personal care products do not contain:

PABA, which stands for Aminobenzoic Acid
Animal by-products or products
Petroleum based products
Parabens
Formaldehyde based products

As in the cosmetics and personal care, Arbonne has the same stringent care on their line of nutritional products. Arbonne’s nutritional and weight loss products do not contain:

Artificial colors
Trans fats
Artificial flavors
Saturated fats
Artificial sweeteners
Cholesterol
Animal by-products or products

Top 20 Arbonne Products

I decided to add a list of what I believe are the 20 most popular products the company offers. Putting together this list was a blast. Arbonne makes some really awesome products that are extremely popular. Here’s my breakdown, starting at number twenty.

# 20: Arbonne Essentials Digestion Plus

These powdered sticks added to any beverage can help your digestive system. Using pre and probiotics along with enzymes, it keeps everything flowing smoothly. While Arbonne mainly is in the skincare business, they also do have some nutritional supplements.

# 19: Calm Gentle Daily Moisturizer

This hydrating moisturizer will leave your face feeling smooth and fresh. It absorbs quickly and does not leave a greasy feeling.

This stuff is really great. I purchased this after a serious adverse reaction to a high street product and I have never looked back. My skin, particularly around my eyes, is prone to an eczema type rash. This product stops it completely, it leaves my skin soft and healthy. I can also apply it before makeup without it leaving a greasy residue. Thanks Arbonne!
~ misshutchins

# 18: Smoothing Facial Cleanser

This is a rich cream cleanser that deletes makeup and other impurities in your facial area allowing you to feel fresh. It’s also gluten free.

# 17: Calm Gentle Daily Cleanser

This gentle cleanser can be used on the most sensitive skin. It erases makeup, dirt and other impurities without causing adverse reactions to your skin.

# 16: Exfoliating New Cell Scrub

It is time to peel off the old skin and put on the new. This new cell scrub takes it off and leaves you looking younger and refreshed.

So soft on my face, never caused irritation. Makes me face feel clean and fresh. Love that it’s Sweden based and doesn’t have all the chemicals in it that American products do. It’s vegan and gluten free which i also love ! Makes me face clear and stops breakouts before they happen. A little pricey but you get great quality so 100% worth the price !
~ Kali Z.

# 15: ABC Baby Care Sunscreen SPF 30

A baby’s skin is precious and delicate. The protection this product provides is intensive. It has vitamins and antioxidants along with being water resistant. Protect your baby and have fun in the sun.

# 14: Unwind Massage Oil

This massage oil will awaken your body and bring you into a state of peace and relaxation. Have that special someone give you the massage you deserve.

# 13: Shea Butter Hand & Body Lotion

This moisturizes those rough areas on your skin and leaves the delicious scent of Shea butter. This is a huge selling product.

# 12: Invigorating Body Cleanser

All this body cleanser needs to work is water. Just lather up and feel the deep cleansing this product provides. It doesn’t dry you skin; it leaves it hydrated.

Naturally, when selecting the next Arbonne products to try, it made sense to use the FC5 Invigorating Body Cleanser and the Conditioning Body Moisture together. I really love the scent–I typically stay away from fragrance, but Arbonne’s strict ingredient policy ensures that there are no parabens, phthalates, etc. that are usually found in fragrances. After using these products together for four days straight, I noticed that my skin was super soft and well-hydrated.
~ Mia

# 11: Shea Butter Hand & Body Wash

With the delightful aroma of Shea butter, this hand and body wash lathers beautifully and leaves your hands and body feeling clean and refreshed.

# 10: FC5 Oil-Absorbing Day Lotion SPF 20 Sunscreen

Not only does it take the oil from your skin and hydrate it, this lotion also provides a high degree of protection against the sun’s rays.

I order this for my daughter. She is 11 and has beautiful skin and want to keep it that way! She uses the lotion and the cleanser. Love it b/c it is just a good, mild cleanser that keeps her face looking clean and beautiful!
~ mjthomas31

# 9: Extra Moisture Restorative Day Cream With SPF 20 Sunscreen

This is meant to make your skin look younger and gives extra hydrating effects to take those dry areas away. It also protects your skin with the SPF 20 sunscreen.

# 8: ABC Baby Care Diaper Rash Cream

A baby and diaper rash are not a good combination. This unscented formula relieves that rash and creates a moisture barrier. Thus, it helps treat the rash and prevent it from happening again.

# 7: Calm Soothing Eye Gel

The eyes are a delicate area. This gel hydrates the outer eye areas, and it comes with a roller ball. It will take dry and tired eyes and make them look young again.

# 6: FC5 Skin Conditioning Oil

These botanical oils can hydrate the driest and most chaffed areas of your skin. Elbows are a place that this product comes in quite handy.

Great product! Use on cuticles, elbows, dry feet ~ smells fantastic, works well and can be mixed with other creams to prevent dryness & cracked skin.
~ JojoWeil

# 5: Thermal Fusion Hair and Scalp Revitalizer

The tingling effect gives your hair and scalp the attention it desires. It will provide a new appearance to your hair and scalp that can give you a younger looking glow.

# 4: RE9 Cellular Renewal Masque

Your own home spa treatment in a jar. This masque exfoliates the skin in a gentle fashion leaving your face glowing and minimizing pores and other small facial issues.

I love this Masque. I’m 33 with mostly normal skin. I was introduced to Arbonne in my early 20s. I used the Re9 line but it was too expensive to maintain. I tried many lines from body shop (meh), clinique, loreal and all the other garbage over the years until a friend started selling Arbonne. I was so excited to purchase the Re9 set again and it did exactly what I expected it too. I love love love this masque though. Yes, it will tingle and “burn” (stop freaking out everyone, you’re not dying). Yes, it will leave your skin looking red (don’t leave on for more than the recommended time thinking it will work better). I’ve learned to use it at night only like is recommended because my skin is “red” for a few hours after. The benefits of this masque way outweigh the cons. My skin cysts will surface almost immediately, smaller pores, tighter and more even skin tone. I get compliments all the time about my skin asking what I use and no, I don’t sell Arbonne.
~ cat

# 3: Sea Mud Face and Body Mask

Using marine botanicals, Arbonne developed this wonderful product that draws out all the impurities that have lodged in pores. It also leaves your skin feeling hydrated and clean…oh so clean.

# 2: Daily, Self-Adjusting Shampoo With Tea Tree Oil

This shampoo is a huge favorite of Arbonne customers. It leaves the scalp hydrated and fresh. It is gentle enough to use daily, and it enhances the management and shine of your hair. It is also a wonderful defense against dandruff.

Best shampoo (and conditioner) ever!
I used this shampoo and conditioner when I got it as a sample, not intending to like it and certainly not buy it since its so pricey. My hair was silkier, softer, and less frizzy than it’s ever been in my life. I think it smells nice, just not strongly scented. I bought more and have been using this for a few days now, and have had the best results of any shampoo I’ve ever used. Will definitely buy again.
~ susiemonalongo

# 1: ABC Baby Care Body Lotion

This is a popular product. Mothers love how their baby feels after applying this lotion that has aloe, chamomile and Shea butter. It nourishes the baby and leaves them soft and supple. It comes in at first place thanks to motherly love.

Feel free to leave a comment at the end of this post to share some of your favorite Arbonne products.

How to Get Involved

There are several ways to get involved with Arbonne. Those three options are client, preferred customer, and independent consultant.

The most common way is simply to become a retail customer (client). This is free to do. Even if you are thinking about doing the business side of things, I believe this is the best way to get started. After all, if you don’t enjoy the products, why would you build a business selling those products?

To sign up as a retail customer you can simply find a local Arbonne rep and either buy from them directly or shop on their website.

The second way to join the company is as a preferred client. As a preferred client you can sign up for a $20 registration fee and then pay a $15 yearly renewal fee. By becoming a preferred client, you are eligible to save 20% on your purchases from the company! You can even participate in the Preferred Advantage Program, which can give you additional savings.

The third way to join Arbonne is as an independent consultant. To do so there is a $79 registration fee, plus a $30 yearly renewal fee (these fees may fluctuate year-to-year). When you choose this option you can earn up to 35% commission on retail sales, 15% commission on sales to preferred clients, and overrides and commissions on your team. In addition, you can participate in company’s contests and win cash prizes, trips, jewelry, and more!

Arbonne Compensation Plan

There are several ways to earn money with Arbonne. The first way to make money is through your personal retail sales. This is when you do one-on-one selling at an event, face-to-face, at a home party, or online via social media. When you sell products directly to a customer you can earn up to a 35% wholesale-retail markup. This puts immediate profits in your pocket and is an important way to get your business started.

The second way to earn money with Arbonne is with preferred clients. Whenever you make sales to a preferred client you can earn a 15% commission. Arbonne also offers trips, cash bonuses, a white Mercedes program, and Tiffany jewelry.

Some people earn their money just by retailing products each month. If you can build up a loyal client base of 20 to 100 personal customers, you can earn a very good income just selling the products yourself.

Most of the top earners do a combination of retailing and recruiting. Building a team is where the big money is at, because of the leverage. If you can build up a team of hundreds, even thousands of reps, who each use the products, sell the products, and recruit others, you can earn a substantial income with Arbonne (individual results will vary).

Just keep in mind that you don’t get paid to recruit people. If you recruit 100 people and no one buys or sells the products, you don’t earn anything! Instead, you get paid to create personal sales and to help others do the same.

Here are the different levels in the Arbonne Compensation Plan.

# 1: Independent Consultants – This is the title/rank you are given when you first join the company.

# 2: District Managers – Average monthly income of $240 to $1500. Average time to get there is one to five months.

# 3: Area Managers – Average monthly income of $1200 to $3000. Average time to reach this rank is five to eleven months.

# 4: Regional Vice Presidents – Average monthly income is $5000 to $8000. Average time reach this rank is one to three years.

# 5: National Vice Presidents – Average monthly income is $21,500+. Average time to reach this rank is three to five years.

You can learn more about the company’s compensation plan here.

How to Make Money with Arbonne

What is the key to making money with Arbonne? Building a successful and profitable Arbonne business isn’t much different than building a successful regular business. To succeed, you must build a large customer base of people who buy and consume the products.

This includes wholesale buyers, distributors, and retail customers. Remember, you get paid to generate sales volume in your sales organization. You ultimately get paid a percentage of the total sales volume of your group. The more sales you and your team generate, the more money you will make.

Here are a few of my best tips to make money with Arbonne.

# 1: Personal Use: You should use the Arbonne products frequently, so you are familiar with them. This will help build up your belief in the products and give you a good testimonial to share with others. You will also learn the features and benefits of each product, which gives you detailed product knowledge.

# 2: Build Up a Customer Base: My next tip is to build up a solid customer base BEFORE you start recruiting. A good goal is to develop 10 customers before you start recruiting. This will provide you immediate profits and cover most, if not all your business expenses.

# 3: Work from a Plan: Never wing it. Develop a written marketing and business plan and a daily mode of operations for your Arbonne business, just like a regular entrepreneur would do. Set written goals, have a daily “to-do” list, and be organized so you can work smart and be productive.

# 4: Find & Listen to a Mentor: The beauty of network marketing is that you get a free mentor. Find someone successful in your plugged in upline and seek advice from them. If they’re successful in the business, they can teach you how to be successful. Do not reinvent the wheel if you do not need to.

# 5: Build Up Your Database: Your database will be your most valuable business asset. Develop a simple system that works for you. It could be in Microsoft Excel, index cards, or a software program. Keep the contact information of everyone you ever talk to about the products or business. Over a period of several years, you should easily have a database of several thousand people.

# 6: Provide World-Class Customer Service: Consumers have endless options in today’s marketplace. If you want to find and retain customers, you must go the extra mile and do what most businesses fail to do: over deliver with customer service. Send handwritten notes and gifts, stay in touch frequently, and make people feel appreciated for doing business with you.

# 7: Be Consistent & Persistent: Stopping and starting is the kiss of death in your business. Could you imagine someone starting a restaurant business and only being open one hour a week? Me neither. You must work from your plan and invest minimum one to two hours on income producing activities per day, five to six days a week, if you want to succeed.

# 8: Build a Team: The whole purpose of doing network marketing is to build a team, so you have leverage. If you just sell the products, you are nothing more than an underpaid salesperson. You should do some selling, but you must be recruiting focused if you want to develop a large income and enjoy the leverage our industry offers. Do both, not one or the other.

# 9: Be a Student of Your Business: Learn everything you can about the products, the company, the compensation plan, and the industry. Invest money in your personal development. Seek knowledge. The more you learn, the more you will earn! Of course, you still need to put in the work. Applied knowledge is best.

# 10: Make a Minimum Five-Year Commitment: Building a business of any kind takes time. If you have the mindset “I’ll try it out and see how it goes” you will fail in EVERY business you start. Normally, it takes two to three years to get any type of new business off the ground and profitable. Give yourself time to succeed and take the long-term view with your Arbonne business.

And don’t forget about Arbonne University.

Arbonne provides an extensive training program that will help independent consultants gain success. It is called Arbonne University, and it is provided online. Arbonne University focuses on 7 areas, and it also offers elective courses on public speaking, setting objectives, and goals and other helpful subjects. The 7 focus areas are:

Proper business conduct
Attitude and motivation
Product knowledge
Boundary setting
Basic consultant training for new recruits
Personal development and growth. This delves into budgeting and time management
Management and leadership training

There is always someone to answer any questions an independent consultant may have. Arbonne International understands that by helping their consultants gain success, they have more success themselves.

Arbonne Success Stories

Many women (and men) have changed their lives with Arbonne! Some of the most well-known Arbonne reps include:

Donna Johnson
Jenn and Scott Harbour
Linda Blum Huntington
Lynn Puana
Gosia Moore
Beverly Phelps
Jennifer Jerry
Jennifer Mercier
Dana Collins

Will you be the next success story?

Is Arbonne for Everyone?

No business is for everyone. No product is for everyone. That’s okay. To each their own.

Personally, I believe their company and products offer a great value. I think the opportunity is a good fit for the right person. If you want a business or side hustle with a low-cost of entry, unlimited potential, free training, commission-based pay, and leverage, I would take a seriously look at Arbonne.

This is what I suggest you do. Educate yourself. Ask yourself the tough questions. Do your due diligence. Evaluate the good and bad. Never start ANY business on pure emotion. And whatever you do, start out as a customer first to make sure you like the products. I can’t stress that enough.

And remember, all businesses take time to build. Arbonne is not the lottery or magic dust. You have to put in the work if you want to succeed, just like every business.

Is Arbonne a Scam?

To be quite frank, I’m surprised people even ask this question. No, Arbonne is not a scam. They’ve been in business over 40-years, are a member of the Direct Selling Association and Better Business Bureau, and offer a quality product line. They have hundreds of thousands of happy customers worldwide.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, this is my independent review of Arbonne. Love them or hate them, Arbonne is a proven, reputable network marketing company specializing in skin care, beauty, and nutritional products. They’ve been in business more than forty years now and continue to grow worldwide. If you have experience with Arbonne, as a customer or distributor, I would love to hear your thoughts. Feel free to leave a comment below to share your experience using the products or building a business. Thank you.

Arbonne Overview: The Products, Compensation Plan, & Good to Know Facts