In early January Nerium announced it would be rebranding itself as Neora.

The announcement was certainly strange, considering Nerium is an established brand with a seven-year history.

For their part, Nerium claims it rebranded because it is no longer focused on an ingredient in its flagship product.

When Nerium International launched in 2011, the company name was associated with an ingredient (nerium oleandrin extract) in its first product.

Now that the company has expanded internationally to offer a wide range of holistic innovative age-fighting skincare and wellness products that use advanced technology, the name no longer applies.

Although not mentioned in Nerium’s press-release, it probably also has something to do with the Nerium Skincare settlement.

Nerium Skincare, who supplied Nerium International with the nerium oleandrin extract product formulation, sued the company in 2015.

After a long bitter lead up to trial, the two parties reached an eleventh hour settlement last June.

As per the terms of the settlement, Nerium International paid Nerium Skincare ten million dollars.

In exchange, Nerium Skincare agreed to continue to supply Nerium International with nerium oleandrin extract products for ten months.

Seeing as the settlement was reached in June, the ten month transition period ends toward the end of April (might be early May depending on the exact date the settlement agreement was signed off on).

Looking at the product pages on Neora’s website, there’s no mention of nerium oleandrin extract.

It’d be refreshing if Nerium was just upfront about wanting to change its name because they lost their supplier, but I digress.

Following the Neora name-change, a few readers have reached out to us to request a new review.

BehindMLM published its Nerium review back in 2014, so today we’re revisiting the company’s current offering as Neora.

The Company

On the executive side of things Neora is a continuation of Nerium International.

Neora is headed up by Nerium founder and CEO, Jeff Olson. Renee Olson (Olson’s ex-wife) and Amber Olson Rourke (Olson’s daughter), are also credited as Neora co-founders.

Neora doesn’t provide a corporate address on its website but its terms and conditions states it ‘is headquartered in Addison, Texas‘.

Neora Products

Neora markets an updated product range spanning skincare and wellness.

Up until very recently, Nerium was tied to its flagship NeriumAD skincare product.

Neora’s new Age IQ products don’t have nerium oleandrin, but the company provides a slew of “exclusive ingredients” for Age IQ.

  • Sal-14 – “a botanical blend featuring the antioxidants bidens pilosa and mauritia flexuosa fruit oil to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and to help the skin appear firmer and more youthful”
  • Circadiplex Blend – “an exclusive blend of ashwagandha root and leaf extract, gotu kola powder and reishi mushroom powder”
  • ProRenew Plus – “an exclusive blend of the probiotic lactococcus ferment lysate and prebiotic fructooligosaccharides, which supports a healthy skin microbiome and improves skin renewal, barrier function and natural exfoliation”
  • SIG-1273 – ” this patented, age-fighting ingredient includes an organic phytol compound that acts as a super antioxidant and skin protectant, mimicking and boosting the skin’s natural age-fighting mechanism”
  • PhytoLumina – ” a proprietary blend of the plant bioactives alpinia o icinarum root extract, physalis pubescens fruit juice and bidens pilosa, which helps skin look radiant and brighter”
  • IFIL4R – “this exclusive ingredient, derived from white lily and Brazilian ginseng, reduce the appearance of puffiness, fine lines and wrinkles around the eye area”
  • SIG-1191 – “this patent-pending ingredient reduces the signs of aging around the eye, keeping skin supple and smooth”
  • TC3-Armor – “our proprietary blend developed in Brazil … includes active natural ingredients like chia seed extract, as well as trehalose, xylitol and glycerin”
  • Sea3C – “a proprietary blend of Sea Whip extract, Betula Water and Raffinose to moisturize the skin and add botanically based conditioning to the skin”

Specific products in Neora’s skincare range include:

  • Age IQ Night Cream – “next-generation, advanced age-fighting product designed to help revitalize and regulate your skin, so you wake to a younger, healthier-looking reflection”, retails at $120 for a 1 fl. oz. bottle
  • Age IQ Day Cream – “combines natural, proven ingredients with innovative breakthroughs … to target the environmental factors that can lead to signs of aging”, retails at $100 for a 1 fl. oz. bottle
  • Prolistic Skin Balancing Lotion with Probiotic Technology – “helps soothe and support the skin’s natural, healthy state”, retails at $60 for a 5 fl. oz. bottle
  • Age IQ Double-Cleansing Face Wash – “combines the distinct properties of oil with the fresh feeling of a light foam”, retails at $40 for a 4 fl. oz. bottle
  • Age IQ Eye Serum – “provides immediate smoothing, plus age-fighting benefits that increase with continued use”, retails at $80 for a 1.3 fl. oz. bottle
  • Eye-V Moisture Boost Hydrogel Patches – “these innovative patches deliver targeted hydration to the delicate skin around the eyes for the appearance of an instant, refreshing eye lift”, retails at $55 for an undisclosed number of patches
  • IllumaBoost Brightening & Shield – ” amplifies your skincare regimen by adding ingredients to your existing products that help brighten, hydrate and guard against environmental stressors”, retails at $80 for a 0.5 fl. oz. bottle
  • Firm Body Contour Cream – “clinically tested and shown to help firm, tighten and tone problem areas”, retails at $120 for a 6.7 fl. oz. tube

A full catalog of Neora’s wellness products is provided on the company’s website.

The Neora Compensation Plan

Neora’s compensation plan offers robust retail commissions, backed by  mostly generation based residual commissions and bonuses.

Neora Affiliate Ranks

There are eighteen affiliate ranks with Neora’s compensation plan.

Along with their respective qualification criteria, they are as follows:

  • Active Brand Partner – generate 120 PV a month or 80 PV in personal autoship order volume
  • Brand Partner Plus – maintain 120 PV a month or 80 PV in personal autoship order volume, and recruit and maintain at least one Active Brand Partner
  • Senior Brand Partner – maintain 120 PV a month or 80 PV in personal autoship order volume, generate 150 LQV a month, generate 500 GV a month and recruit and maintain at least two Active Brand Partners
  • Elite Brand Partner – generate and maintain 180 PV a month or 80 PV in personal autoship order volume, generate 250 LQV a month, generate 1200 GV a month and recruit and maintain at least three Active Brand Partners
  • Premier Brand Partner – generate and maintain 240 PV a month or 80 PV in personal autoship order volume, generate 500 LQV a month, generate 2000 GV a month and maintain at least three personally recruited Active Brand Partners
  • Director – generate and maintain 320 PV a month or 80 PV in personal autoship order volume, generate 750 LQV a month, generate 3500 GV a month and maintain at least three personally recruited Active Brand Partners
  • Team Director – generate and maintain 400 PV a month or 80 PV in personal autoship order volume, generate 2000 LQV a month, generate 6000 GV a month and maintain at least three personally recruited Active Brand Partners
  • Elite Director – generate and maintain 400 PV a month or 150 PV in personal autoship order volume, generate 7000 LQV a month, generate 11,000 GV a month and maintain at least three personally recruited Active Brand Partners
  • Premier Director – maintain 400 PV a month or 150 PV in personal autoship order volume, generate 12,000 LQV a month, generate 20,000 GV a month and maintain at least three personally recruited Active Brand Partners
  • Area Marketing Director – maintain 400 PV a month or 150 PV in personal autoship order volume, generate 20,000 LQV a month, generate 40,000 GV a month and recruit and maintain at least four Active Brand Partners
  • Regional Marketing Director – maintain 400 PV a month or 150 PV in personal autoship order volume, generate 35,000 LQV a month, generate 70,000 GV a month and maintain at least four personally recruited Active Brand Partners
  • National Marketing Director – maintain 400 PV a month or 150 PV in personal autoship order volume, generate 60,000 LQV a month, generate 125,000 GV a month and maintain at least four personally recruited Active Brand Partners
  • Silver National Marketing Director – maintain 400 PV a month or 150 PV in personal autoship order volume, generate 120,000 LQV a month, generate 255,000 GV a month and recruit and maintain two Elite Directors and two Area Marketing Directors
  • Gold National Marketing Director – maintain 400 PV a month or 150 PV in personal autoship order volume, generate 180,000 LQV a month, generate 637,500 GV a month and recruit and maintain three Elite Directors and two Regional Marketing Directors
  • Platinum National Marketing Director – maintain 400 PV a month or 150 PV in personal autoship order volume, generate 240,000 LQV a month, generate 1,275,500 GV a month and recruit and maintain three Elite Directors and two National Marketing Directors
  • International Marketing Director – maintain 400 PV a month or 150 PV in personal autoship order volume, generate 300,000 LQV a month, generate 3,000,000 GV a month and recruit and maintain three Elite Directors and two Silver National Marketing Directors
  • Silver International Marketing Director – maintain 400 PV a month or 150 PV in personal autoship order volume, generate 600,000 LQV a month, generate 6,000,000 GV a month and recruit and maintain three Elite Directors and two Gold National Marketing Directors
  • Gold International Marketing Director – maintain 400 PV a month or 150 PV in personal autoship order volume, generate 1,200,000 LQV a month, generate 12,000,000 GV a month and recruit and maintain three Elite Directors and two Platinum National Marketing Directors

PV stands for “Personal Volume” and is sales volume generated by retail sales and an affiliate’s own orders (includes autoship).

GV stands for “Group Volume” and is PV generated by an affiliate (capped at 2000 PV) and their downline.

GV is calculated based on a “placement tree”, which lets recruiting affiliates place new recruits within a separate theoretical team to balance volume.

Note that no more than 60% of qualifying GV at any rank can come from any one unilevel leg.

LQV stands for “Leadership Qualifying Volume” and is GV generated by an affiliate’s actual unilevel team.

Note that calculated LQV is subject to the following limits:

  • Senior Brand Partner to Team Director – no more than 50% of qualifying LQV can come from any one unilevel leg
  • Elite Director and Premier Director – no more than 40% of qualifying LQV can come from any one unilevel leg
  • Area Marketing Director to Platinum National Marketing Director – no more than 30% of qualifying LQV can come from any one unilevel leg
  • International Marketing Director and higher – no more than 20% of qualifying LQV can come from any one unilevel leg

Retail Commissions

Neora affiliates earn retail commissions on the sale of products to retail customers.

Retail commissions are paid out as the difference between the wholesale and retail cost of products ordered by retail customers.

Personal Sales Commissions

Personal Sales Commissions is a bonus paid on monthly retail sales volume.

  • generate $300 to $1499 in monthly retail sales and receive a 5% Personal Sales Commission rate
  • generate $1500 to $2999 in monthly retail sales and receive a 10% Personal Sales Commission rate
  • generate $3000 or more in monthly retail sales and receive a 15% Personal Sales Commission rate

Qualifying retail sales volume comes from retail sales and includes preferred customer orders.

First Order Bonus

When a Neora affiliate signs up a new preferred customer, they receive a 20% First Order Bonus on the first order placed.

Preferred Customer Bonuses

Neora affiliates receive bonuses based on how many preferred customer orders they generate and maintain.

  • Tier 1 (generate and maintain three preferred customers and a total of 210 PV a month) = up to $140 in monthly autoship order credit
  • Tier 2 (generate and maintain at least six preferred customers (55 PV or more each) and a total of 500 PV a month) = $50 bonus and $140 in monthly autoship order credit
  • Tier 3 (generate and maintain at least nine preferred customers (55 PV or more each) and a total of 800 PV a month) = $150 bonus and $140 in monthly autoship order credit

There is also a Team Preferred Customer Bonus, which rewards Neora affiliates when affiliates they’ve recruited qualify for Preferred Customer Bonuses.

  • Level 1 (qualify at Tier 2 or Tier 3 Personal Preferred Customer Bonus and recruit and maintain three personally recruited Tier 1 qualified Personal Preferred Customer Bonus qualified affiliates) = $200
  • Level 2 (qualify at Tier 3 Personal Preferred Customer Bonus and recruit and maintain three Tier 2 qualified Personal Preferred Customer Bonus qualified affiliates) = $500
  • Level 3 (maintain Tier 3 Personal Preferred Customer Bonus and recruit and maintain three Level 1 Team Preferred Customer Bonus qualified affiliates) = $1000
  • Level 4 (maintain Tier 3 Personal Preferred Customer Bonus and recruit and maintain three Level 3 Team Preferred Customer Bonus qualified affiliates) = $2000

Both Personal Preferred Customer and Team Preferred Customer Bonuses are paid out monthly.

Recruitment Commissions

When a newly recruited Neora affiliate signs up with an Enrollment Pack, the affiliate who recruited them receives a 20% First Order Bonus.

If the recruiting affiliate is a National Marketing Director or higher, they receive an additional 10% First Order Bonus.

Otherwise the additional 10% is paid to the first upline affiliate (the affiliate who recruited the recruiting affiliate).

A residual recruitment commission is also paid per five affiliates recruited.

The Power-5 Bonus rewards Neora affiliates with a 5% bonus, per five affiliates recruited with a 500 GV or higher Enrollment Pack when they sign up.

Qualification for the Power-5 Bonus occurs over a rolling twelve month period.

Residual Commissions

Neora pays residual commissions via a unilevel compensation structure.

A unilevel compensation structure places an affiliate at the top of a unilevel team, with every personally recruited affiliate placed directly under them (level 1):

If any level 1 affiliates recruit new affiliates, they are placed on level 2 of the original affiliate’s unilevel team.

If any level 2 affiliates recruit new affiliates, they are placed on level 3 and so on and so forth down a theoretical infinite number of levels.

Rather than pay on levels, Neora pays residual commissions based on Senior Brand Partner and higher ranked affiliates within the unilevel team.

In each unilevel team leg, a Neora affiliate is able to earn residual commissions on up to eight Senior Brand Partner or higher ranked affiliates.

  • Elite Brand Partners earn 5% on the first Senior Brand Partner or higher ranked affiliate in a leg and 4% on the second
  • Premier Brand Partners earn 5% on the first and second Senior Brand Partner or higher ranked affiliates in a leg and 2% on the second
  • Directors earn 5% on the first and second Senior Brand Partner or higher ranked affiliates in a leg, 3% on the third and 2% on the fourth
  • Team Directors earn 5% on the first and second Senior Brand Partner or higher ranked affiliates in a leg, 4% on the third and 3% on the fourth to sixth
  • Elite and Premier Directors earn 5% on the first and second Senior Brand Partner or higher ranked affiliates in a leg, 4% on the third to sixth and 3% on the seventh
  • Area Marketing Directors earn 5% on the first and second Senior Brand Partner or higher ranked affiliates in a leg, 4% on the third to fifth, 5% on the sixth and 3% on the seventh
  • Regional Marketing to Silver National Marketing Directors earn 5% on the first and second Senior Brand Partner or higher ranked affiliates in a leg, 4% on the third to fifth, 5% on the sixth and 4% on the seventh
  • Gold National Marketing Directors earn 5% on the first and second Senior Brand Partner or higher ranked affiliates in a leg, 4% on the third to fifth, 5% on the sixth and seventh and and 4% on the eighth

An additional 3% Momentum Bonus is paid out on qualifying levels, for the first three months a Neora affiliates qualifies at a new rank.

Check Match Bonus

Elite Director and higher ranked Neora affiliates qualify for a Check Match Bonus.

The Check Match Bonus is paid on residual commissions earned by Team Director and higher ranked downline affiliates.

  • Elite Directors receive a 5% Check Match Bonus on up to one Team Director per unilevel team leg
  • Premier Directors receive an 8% Check Match Bonus on the first Team Director and 5% on the second per unilevel team leg
  • Area Marketing Directors receive an 10% Check Match Bonus on the first Team Director and 8% on the second per unilevel team leg
  • Regional Marketing Directors receive a 10% Check Match Bonus on the first and second Team Directors, and 5% on the third per unilevel team leg
  • National Marketing Directors receive a 10% Check Match Bonus on the first Team Director, 12% on the second, 8% on the third and 4% on the fourth per unilevel team leg
  • Silver National Marketing Directors receive a 10% Check Match Bonus on the first Team Director, 12% on the second, 10% on the third and 6% on the fourth per unilevel team leg
  • Gold National Marketing Directors receive a 10% Check Match Bonus on the first Team Director, 12% on the second, 10% on the third, 6% on the fourth and 4% on the fifth per unilevel team leg
  • Platinum National Marketing Directors and higher receive a 10% Check Match Bonus on the first Team Director, 12% on the second, 10% on the third, 6% on the fourth, 4% on the fifth and 3% on the sixth per unilevel team leg

Note that the maximum Check Match Bonus payable per Team Director or higher ranked affiliate is also determined by rank:

  • Elite Directors earn up to $300 per match
  • Premier Directors earn up $500 per match
  • Area Marketing Directors earn up to $750 per match
  • Regional Marketing Directors earn up to $1000 per match
  • National Marketing Directors earn up to $1500 per match
  • Silver National Marketing Directors earn up to $2000 per match
  • Gold National Marketing Directors earn up to $3000 per match
  • Platinum National Marketing Directors earn up to $5000 per match
  • International Marketing Directors earn up to $7000 per match
  • Silver International Marketing Directors earn up to $10,000 per match
  • Gold International Marketing Directors and higher earn up to $12,000 per match

Infinity Bonus

The Infinity Bonus rewards Silver National Marketing Director and higher ranked affiliates with a bonus percentage on downline sales volume.

  • Silver National Marketing Directors earn a 0.5% Infinity Bonus
  • Gold National Marketing Directors earn a 0.75% Infinity Bonus
  • Platinum National Marketing Directors earn a 1% Infinity Bonus

NMD Generation Bonus

As the Check Match Bonus pays on Team Director generations within the unilevel team, Platinum National Marketing Directors and higher qualify for an additional bonus paid on National Marketing Director generations.

  • Platinum National Marketing Directors and higher earn 1% on one National Marketing Director or higher generation per unilevel team leg
  • International Marketing Directors earn 1.5% on the first National Marketing Director and 1% on the second per unilevel team leg
  • Silver International Marketing Director and higher ranked affiliates earn 2% on the first National Marketing Director generation, 1.5% on the second and 1% on the third per unilevel team leg

Rank Achievement Bonus

Neora rewards affiliates with the following Rank Achievement Bonuses:

  • qualify as Director within two months of signing up = $200
  • qualify as Director within three months of signing up = $100

Lifestyle Bonus

Premier Director and higher ranked Neora affiliates are paid a monthly Lifestyle Bonus as follows:

  • Premier Directors receive $150
  • Area Marketing Directors receive $250
  • Regional Marketing Directors receive $400
  • National Marketing Directors receive $1200
  • Silver National Marketing Directors receive $3000
  • Gold National Marketing Directors receive $7000
  • Platinum National Marketing Directors receive $15,000
  • International Marketing Directors receive $30,000
  • Silver International Marketing Directors receive $60,000
  • Gold International Marketing Directors receive $100,000

Luxury Car Bonus

Elite Director and higher ranked affiliates who generate at least 15,000 GV a month qualify for a monthly Luxury Car Bonus.

The Luxury Car Bonus can be put towards a car purchase or lease, or redeemed at a reduced cash rate.

  • Elite to Regional Marketing Directors receive a $500 Car Bonus or $375 cash payment
  • National Marketing to Gold National Marketing Directors receive a $750 Car Bonus or $475 cash payment
  • Platinum National Marketing Directors and higher receive a $1000 Car Bonus or $650 cash payment

Joining Neora

Basic Neora affiliate membership is $49.95.

Alternatively a newly recruited affiliate can opt to sign up with an Enrollment Pack:

  • Starter Pack – $500
  • Builder Pack – $750
  • Premier Builder Pack – $1000

The difference between the above packs is bundled Neora products.

Note that signing up with an Enrollment Pack also triggers a direct and residual recruitment commission for the recruiting affiliate.

Conclusion

Such was the extent Nerium identified with its nerium oleandrin extract based products, that the company was literally named after the key ingredient.

It follows thus that any change to the formula, much the less a complete revamp, is going to present marketing challenges.

Neora seem fully aware of this, going so far as to dedicate a searchable page on their website to “real results”.

There’s also positive percentage response figures provided from supposedly “independently conduced consumer” studies.

Absent from the before and after photos however is how long Neora products were used and in what quantity.

That’s not to say Neora’s skincare products don’t work, just that be extra cautious you’re seeing new product results as opposed to anything nerium oleandrin extract related.

Nerium wasn’t really known for wellness products so I’m leaving that range alone. It’s nice to have but in my opinion entirely supplementary to the primary skincare offering.

Moving onto Neora’s compensation plan here’s a snippet from our 2014 review;

For reasons not entirely clear to me, Nerium require affiliates to purchase a monthly 80 PV minimum autoship order or generate 200 PV in retail customer orders to qualify for commissions.

Shouldn’t this be the other way around?

Five years later this hasn’t been addressed. And in fact has only gotten worse.

At the top Neora affiliate ranks you’re looking at either an affiliate autoship order or 266% retail volume.

There is no reason to heavily incentivize affiliate autoship, unless the company expects the majority of its affiliates to qualify for commissions via autoship.

Which is a shame, because Neora’s retail commissions and bonuses are pretty focused.

You’ve got upfront retail commissions, a bonus based on retail volume, separate preferred customer bonuses (which go towards autoship credit) and residual preferred customer bonuses.

And that’s on top of retail volume being paid out residually via PQV and GV.

As I failed to follow in 2014, I again have no idea why Neora has tanked their retail commission focus with reduced autoship volume requirements.

The lengths they’ve gone to present focus on retail on the surface, are completely undone via the autoship backdoor.

It is completely possible for a Neora affiliate to sign up, go on autoship and get paid to recruit others who do the same.

And this, if happening throughout Nerium, would constitute a pyramid scheme.

A charge Nerium has faced in court but never successfully stared down (the linked case was dismissed on a jurisdictional technicality).

The simply solution to this is not counting affiliate autoship volume toward rank advancement.

I can only speculate as to why Nerium didn’t have this implemented five years ago, and why to this day the company still penalizes affiliates who focus on retail sales.

The good news is ascertaining whether you’re about to be recruited into a pyramid scheme is easy.

According to Neroa’s compensation plan, every affiliate’s “initial goals” are as follows:

1. Earn a Fast Start Bonus (FSB) in your first full month and receive an extra $150.

2. Qualify for 3UR Free. Sponsor and maintain three Preferred Customers and you will receive up to $140 of free Neora products in your next month’s Auto-Delivery Order (ADO)!

3. Set yourself up for success with Neora Edge. As a monthly Edge subscriber, you’ll have access to all of the tools, training and resources you need to help your business take flight.

The Fast Start Bonus is recruitment driven and it’s disappointing to see Neora present it as the first goal.

Goal #2 however is what we’re going to focus on.

Neora provides an innovative opportunity for you to receive your monthly product for free through our 3UR Free program.

All Brand Partners can participate in the 3UR Free program and qualify to receive monthly product for free.

In order to participate, the following qualifications must be met:

1. Have an Active ADO order of at least 80 QV.

2. Have at least three Preferred Customers, each with fully paid ADOs, and a total of 210 QV from all your customers each calendar month.

Although not required, every Neora affiliate should have at least three preferred customers.

What you as a prospective Neora affiliate want to find out is how many preferred customers your potential upline has, and then weight that against their personally recruited affiliates (presumably all on autoship).

If the upline has more than three personally recruited affiliates, there is absolutely no excuse for not having at least three preferred customers.

Ideally you’d want to see at least a 50/50 split in recruited affiliate autoship volume and preferred customer volume, but I’d also settle for raw preferred customer numbers.

If your potential upline is recruited affiliate heavy with little to no retail volume, despite Neora’s compensation plan offering strong retail incentives (but not requirements), that’s indicative of that particular affiliate running their Neora business as a pyramid scheme.

I have my reservations about autoship recruitment culture carrying over from Nerium, but unless a regulator goes in and gets the hard data, can’t say for sure.

For their part I’m unaware of Nerium themselves ever clarifying the total percentage of company-wide sales volume that is attributable to retail sales.

One loss resulting from the Neora name-change is stability and brand recognition.

It’s typically a plus to be able to point to a company and state how long they’ve been around. With Neora however that’s something affiliates are less likely to get into, lest they have to explain why Nerium changed its name.

Not a particularly heavy consideration but just something I thought I’d point out.

Of far more significance is the autoship versus retail sales volume qualifier discrepancy, but that’s something only Neora itself can address.