Welcome to my comprehensive review of doTerra, one of the leading names in the essential oils industry. If you’ve been approached by a doTerra representative or stumbled upon their products, you might be wondering whether this company is worth your time and money. In this review, I’ll dive deep into what doTerra is all about, examine their business model, and provide an honest assessment of whether joining their MLM program is a good idea.
We’ll explore the products doTerra offers, their compensation plan, and the potential earnings you can expect as a Wellness Advocate. I’ll also address common concerns, such as whether doTerra operates like a pyramid scheme, and share insights into both the pros and cons of getting involved with this company.
By the end of this review, you’ll have a clear understanding of what doTerra is, how it works, and whether it’s the right opportunity for you. So, let’s get started and uncover the truth about doTerra!
Disclaimer: This DoTerra MLM review has been thoroughly researched with information and testimonials that are available online to anyone in the public. Any conclusions drawn from that information are my own opinions.
DoTerra MLM Review Overview
Product Name: DoTerra
Owner: A Group of Individuals with Background in Health and Wellness
Product Type: Essential Oils MLM Company
Price: $35 for first year, plus extra costs
Best For: More Established Network Marketers

Pros
- Still Got Momentum
- Backed By Science
- Healing Hands Charity
Cons
- Products Are Expensive
- Hidden Monthly Expenses
- Pyramid Scheme in Disguise?
- Little Chance of Making Money
- Doesn’t Own Own Farms
Quick Summary
DoTerra is a well-established company in the essential oils market, known for its high-quality, therapeutic-grade products. Their MLM business model allows individuals to earn commissions by selling products and recruiting new members. While doTerra offers genuine products and a supportive community for its distributors, the high cost of their products and the monthly sales quotas can be challenging for many.
The company’s compensation plan includes retail profit, fast start bonuses, and the Power of Three bonus, which can be lucrative for those who successfully build a team. However, the majority of Wellness Advocates earn very modest amounts, with significant earnings only achieved by a small percentage of top-level distributors. This highlights the difficulty of making substantial income in the MLM structure without heavy recruitment and consistent sales.
Ultimately, doTerra is not a scam or a pyramid scheme, but it’s important to go in with realistic expectations. While there are success stories, most participants may struggle to break even due to the high expenses and sales pressures. For those passionate about essential oils and willing to put in the effort, doTerra can be a viable opportunity, but weighing the pros and cons before committing is crucial.
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Table of Contents
Is doTerra a Scam?
In my review, I want to clear the air—doTerra is not a scam. However, there have been some negative reports about their practices. They’ve been accused of making exaggerated claims and overhyping their products.
Recently, the FDA stepped in to investigate these claims. They found that some of doTerra’s claims about their products violated new drug regulations. In a letter, the FDA stated:
“Your products are ‘new drugs’ under section 201(p) of the Act [21 U.S.C. § 321(p)] because they are not generally recognised as safe and effective for use under the conditions prescribed, recommended, or suggested in their labelling. Under sections 301(d) and 505(a) of the Act [21 U.S.C. §§ 331(d) and 355(a)], a new drug may not be introduced or delivered for introduction into interstate commerce unless an FDA-approved application is in effect for it. Your sale of these products without approved applications violates these provisions of the Act.”
In 2014, the FDA sent warning letters to several businesses, including doTerra, for making claims that their products could treat serious conditions like Ebola, cancer, and Alzheimer’s. There’s no scientific evidence to support these claims, especially regarding essential oils treating Ebola or reducing tumour size.
There was also a legal battle with Young Living, a competitor, accusing doTerra of violating contracts and using trade secrets. However, the courts dismissed the case.
So, while there have been controversies and exaggerated claims, doTerra is not a scam. If you’re thinking about joining their MLM and becoming a representative, it’s a legitimate option.
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What is doTerra?
DoTerra is a well-known brand specialising in essential oils and offers a chance to resell its products through an MLM business model. Their main goal is to help people improve their health and well-being with a wide variety of essential oils for different uses.

Founded in 2008, doTerra has become famous for its effective marketing strategies. You might have been approached by one of their enthusiastic sales reps, which is why you’re looking for reviews to see if doTerra is legit or a scam.
The company offers an attractive compensation plan that rewards successful salespeople and recruiters. This opportunity is open to anyone interested. However, because their reps often focus on recruiting, many people wonder if doTerra is a pyramid scheme.
In the next sections of this doTerra MLM review, I’ll guide you through this business opportunity so you can better understand what you might be getting into.
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What Products Does doTerra Sell?
DoTerra markets a wide range of essential oils, extracted from various plants. These oils are therapeutic-grade and have legitimate applications. If you’re curious, check out their official video clip here.
Essential oils have been around for centuries, used in everything from aromatherapy to spiritual practices. Each of doTerra’s oils has unique therapeutic properties and is highly potent. But remember, they should be used with caution and never ingested without medical advice.
What are doTerra’s Most Popular Products?
DoTerra offers a broad selection of essential oils, including some special blends they’ve created. The top three essential oils from doTerra are lavender, peppermint, and frankincense.

They also offer various blended oils. Here are some of their most popular ones:
- Entry-level Wellness Advocates: Represent 77% of all U.S. Wellness Advocates in 2023, with an average annual earning of $30.
- Wellness Advocate Builders: Comprise approximately 22% of all active U.S. Wellness Advocates, with earnings ranging from $112 to $6,964.
- Wellness Advocate Leaders: Constitute approximately 1% of all U.S. Wellness Advocates, with earnings ranging from $20,577 to nearly $1 million.

This breakdown illustrates that while there are opportunities for substantial earnings at higher ranks, the vast majority of participants earn very modest amounts, particularly at the entry levels.
Achieving “Silver” rank requires recruiting at least three other people who are part of a team that sells $3,000+ a month. In reality, that means you and your team will need to sell upwards of $20,000 worth of doTERRA products every month.
#5 doTERRA Doesn't Own Farms
I think it’s great that doTERRA helps other farms around the world by paying them to produce the ingredients they need. But it does mean that doTERRA loses control. They have no say in prices or quality of standards.
Here’s a 7-minute video explaining the difference between them and their main competitor Young Living (who some of the founders were originally part of):
These are some of the major cons of doTERRA that you should consider before deciding to join.
doTerra MLM Review: Conclusion
In my review, I want to clarify that doTerra is a legitimate MLM business. It is not a scam, pyramid scheme, or any other form of mistreatment. doTerra has established itself as a reputable online marketing company that prioritizes the well-being of its members and customers. They provide high-quality essential oils.
Now, the decision to join their MLM and sell their essential oils is ultimately yours to make. It’s important to note that while you can make money with any MLM, including doTerra, there are no guarantees of achieving full-time income or success.
Please don’t misunderstand me. You can certainly generate income with multi-level marketing by putting in dedicated effort and learning the ropes. However, it’s a fact that most people fail in this endeavor. Statistics show that only about 2% of individuals achieve substantial earnings, while the majority waste their time and money. Therefore, I do not recommend MLMs to my readers. There are better ways to make money online.
Thank you for reading my doTerra review. If you have any further questions, feel free to ask!
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Thanks for reading my DoTerra MLM Review! If you have any questions, or any experiences to share then please write them in the comments below. ;).
- Tangible Products: DoTerra offers real, valuable products. Members earn income not just from recruiting others but from selling these products.
- Focus on Product Sales: The main focus of doTerra’s business model is on selling products rather than solely recruiting new members. This is a key difference from pyramid schemes, which typically lack a legitimate product or service.
- FTC Definition: DoTerra does not meet the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) definition of a pyramid scheme. Pyramid schemes often mislead participants into believing they can earn substantial profits primarily through recruitment, which is not the case with doTerra.
- No Mandatory Purchases: DoTerra does not require distributors to purchase additional items on a monthly basis or pay extra fees for necessary training or events. This is another characteristic that sets it apart from pyramid schemes.
- No Pressure to Recruit: Unlike many borderline pyramid schemes, doTerra does not pressure representatives to recruit more people to sell starter packages. The emphasis remains on selling the product.