Neora Review (2026): The Skincare MLM That Beat the FTC in Court

Neora in One Minute

Neora is a Texas-based multi-level marketing company founded in 2011 by Jeff Olson, author of The Slight Edge. It launched as Nerium International, selling an anti-aging night cream, and rebranded as Neora in January 2019. It now sells skincare, haircare and wellness products through independent sellers called Brand Partners.

Neora is notable for one reason above all: in November 2019 the FTC sued it, alleging it was a pyramid scheme that made deceptive income and product claims, and in September 2023 Neora won. A federal judge ruled in its favor on every claim. That makes Neora one of the very few MLMs to beat the FTC at trial. This review explains what that ruling does and does not mean for someone thinking of joining.

What Neora Sells and What It Costs

Neora's range includes skincare such as its age-defying creams and serums, plus haircare, weight management and wellness products, often sold as routines. In 2025 it launched Neo-FILLER, a serum it positions as an alternative to cosmetic fillers. Its products are priced at the premium end of the beauty market.

Brand Partners join with a small fee and can buy optional starter packs, reported at about $199, $500 and $1,000. Customers and Brand Partners can save with a monthly subscription, and subscription volume plays a large part in qualifying for ranks and bonuses.

How Neora Brand Partners Get Paid

1. Retail profit and commissions on sales to your own customers.
2. Bonuses for enrolling new customers and Brand Partners.
3. Team commissions on your downline's sales, based on rank.
4. Leadership and lifestyle bonuses at higher ranks.
5. New-partner incentives such as a Future Leader Bonus Plan, which Neora says can pay over $63,000 in a first year, subject to its income disclosure.

That last figure is the kind of number to treat with care. Neora's own disclosure is the best guide to what typical partners earn, and it shows far lower figures for most people.

What Do Neora Brand Partners Earn?

Neora's 2020 income disclosure has been reported as showing average annual earnings of about $1,054 for active US Brand Partners, which is less than $90 a month, before expenses such as product purchases and subscriptions. As with most MLMs, the average is pulled up by a small number of high earners, so the typical partner earns less.

Per year$1,054

Per month$88

Ask for the current income disclosure before you join, and compare the median with what you will spend each month to stay qualified.

The FTC Case and Why Neora Won

On November 1, 2019, the FTC sued Neora and Jeff Olson in federal court in Texas, alleging that Neora was an illegal pyramid scheme and that it made deceptive claims about income and about its products' health benefits. Neora sued the FTC the same day, a case that was dismissed in 2020.

After a trial, Judge Barbara Lynn of the US District Court for the Northern District of Texas ruled for Neora on all of the FTC's claims in September 2023. In summary, the court found that:

• The FTC's pyramid scheme case relied mainly on the structure of the compensation plan, while Neora presented sales data and a survey of Brand Partners.
• Many people joined as Brand Partners mainly to get product discounts, not to build a business, so their purchases counted as genuine demand.
• Neora did not guarantee income, disclosed typical earnings, and had a strong compliance program.
• There was no evidence that Neora was currently claiming its products treat disease.

The ruling is a real win for Neora, and it means the court did not find Neora to be a pyramid scheme. But it is a legal finding, not a statement that the business opportunity pays well. The same average earnings figures still apply.

Is Neora a Pyramid Scheme?

A federal court has ruled that it is not, at least on the evidence presented in the FTC case. That is a stronger answer than most MLMs can give. For a general explanation of how regulators assess MLMs, see the FTC's guidance on multi-level marketing and pyramid schemes.

Is Neora a Scam?

No. Neora is a legitimate company that has survived an FTC lawsuit and reports growing sales in 2025. Its products are real, and many partners join mainly for the discount. As an income opportunity, though, the company's own figures suggest most active Brand Partners earn well under $100 a month on average, before costs.

Pros and Cons

Questions to Ask Before You Join

• What does Neora's current income disclosure show for the median Brand Partner?
• What will I spend each month on my subscription and products?
• How many of my sponsor's customers are not Brand Partners?
• What are the refund terms on starter packs?

Who Neora Might Suit

Neora suits people who already like and use its skincare and want a discount. It can also suit people who enjoy selling beauty products and have an existing customer base. It is not a realistic path to replacing a full-time income for most partners.

Our #1 Recommendation for Making Money Online in 2026

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Other MLM Reviews

• Amare Global review: a wellness MLM the FTC sued in 2026.
• Scentsy review: a home fragrance MLM with a detailed income disclosure.
• Pruvit review: a ketone drink MLM that received an FTC warning letter.

Frequently Asked Questions

Our Verdict on Neora

Neora has something most MLMs don't: a court ruling that it is not a pyramid scheme. That makes it one of the more defensible companies in this category. But a legal win doesn't change the earnings math, and most active Brand Partners earn a small amount. Join for the products if you like them, not for the income.