What is Rodan + Fields

In 1984, Dr. Katie Rodan and Dr. Kathy Fields met while completing their medical dermatology residency at Stanford. In 1995, they created the acne skincare protocol called Proactiv, which is now part of the Guthy-Renker and Nestle' corporate structure. In 2000, they started working on the development of a new skincare line focused on creating skincare products that addressed the signs of aging. In 2002, Rodan + Fields hit the market and was sold only in department stores. The very next year after introducing Rodan + Fields to the public, Estée Lauder purchased the Rodan + Fields skincare line.

It wasn't until 2007, that Dr. Fields and Dr. Rodan purchased their skincare line back from Estée Lauder taking their products out of the department stores and promoting their products through a multi-level marketing platform. Rodan + Fields can brag about the fact that since 2016, they have been known as the fastest growing skincare line.

In 2018, Rodan + Fields celebrated 10 years in the skincare industry as the #1 brand in North America. However, soon after on January 17, 2018, EWG reached out to the US Food and Drug Administration, as well as the California Attorney general to stop Rodan + Fields from making false and misleading claims about the safety of benzophenone, an ingredient found in their skincare products. The chemical benzophenone is linked to cancer, endocrine disruption, and organ system toxicity. “It’s simply outrageous that Rodan + Fields is misleading consumers about the risks posed by benzophenone, a chemical linked to cancer,” said Caroline Leary, EWG’s attorney. “Congress should act swiftly to give FDA the tools and resources it needs to crack down on dangerous ingredients and the cosmetic industry’s bogus claims.”

Rodan + Fields is a company that has chosen to market its products as a cosmetic product and, thus is able to fly under the FDA radar facing less regulatory scrutiny. However, in April 2018, Rodan + Fields became the subject of civil litigation in, United States District Court for the Northern District of California, Lewis, et al. v. Rodan & Fields, LLC, Case No. 4:18-cv-02248-P-JH. The class action lawsuit was brought by the firm of Keller Rohrback, LLP on behalf of consumers against Rodan + Fields, LLC for deceptive labeling and unlawful marketing practices. The allegations of this lawsuit include Rodan + Fields' failure to disclose a harmful ingredient (isopropyl cloprostenate) found in their product, Lash Boost. In addition, Lash Boost contains a synthetic ingredient prostaglandin analog, an ingredient which is used for the medical management of glaucoma. Consumers of Lash Boost complained of several serious side effects when using the product, including eyelid drooping, itchy eyes, eyelid discoloration, thinning and loss of eyelashes, eye infections and vision impairment.

According to the lawsuit there is only one FDA approved prescription product for "lash enhancement" -- Allergan's Latisse, which also contains the ingredient prostaglandin analog. The difference between Rodan + Fields' use of this product in their Lash Boost and that of Allergan's Latisse, is that Allergan fully discloses the potential side effects of use of this ingredient in Latisse to its consumers. The case is currently in the discovery phase and Plaintiffs' Motion for Class Certification will be filed November 6, 2019, with the hearing scheduled in February 2020.

For more information about the lawsuit filed against Rodan + Fields, check out the May 5, 2018, article written by Jonathan Berr with Moneywatch, "Rodan + Fields Faces Another Lawsuit Over Lash Boost Eyelash Enhancer."

Take Another Look at Beautycounter

Again, take a closer look at Beautycounter! I totally get that there are concerns with the costs of Beautycounter products. You could easily spend the same amount of money, if not more purchasing skincare products from Nordstrom or other department stores. I recall many years ago when I was looking for makeup for my wedding -- before I left Macy's I had spent over $450 on Lancôme products. When I got home, I tried a few of the products which were in addition to the makeup I actually went there to purchase. However, I could not return the products that I had opened, tried and that I did not like. Beautycounter offers an unconditional 60-day money back guarantee if for any reason you are not happy with the product purchased. Beautycounter even provides the box and a prepaid return shipper to send the product back.

And, the best way to find out if Beautycounter will work for you is to talk with a consultant before you buy. I know when I meet with a new client, I am not there to sell them on a complete regimen or any products they do not want or need. I am actually looking to develop a relationship with that person and focus on replacing one or two items at a time to see if it will work for them. I want their experience with me as their Beautycounter consultant to be a positive one -- an experience that they will share with their friends and family. Since each Beautycounter product is designed to target specific issues, not every product is going to be right for each issue on every face.

As a Beautycounter consultant, I am here to help you select the correct products to get the results you are looking for. The cost of using cleaner skincare products free of ingredients of concern is priceless! Your overall health is important - you are worth it! Consider Beautycounter!