After being introduced to the Bella Skin Beauty line by one of our initial Dream Shelf columns, I was eager to meet the mother/daughter team behind the brand. Though I’m new to skincare, and all the extensive research and testing that goes with it, Bella Skin Beauty are definitely one of the most committed brands I’ve encountered so far, and they work tirelessly to make sure all their products contain only non-toxic, organic, cruelty-free and vegan ingredients. They never test on animals, and only one product — the Manuka Coffee Scrub ($68), which includes honey — doesn’t adhere to the strictest vegan guidelines.
When I first met Diana Shneider and her daughter Alexandra Shneider, the duo who founded Bella Skin, it was almost overwhelming to hear the collective knowledge they share about every element that goes into their line, what each one does, and how each one can best be sourced. All the way down to the dark amber glass used to bottle every product, the details are what set them apart, and what will make their small, independent luxury skincare company continue to grow.
Eager to dive into some of the different products they offer, one of the first and best characteristics of the brand is that certain offerings aren’t designed for some people and not others; everything they sell is designed to work for anyone’s skin. Bella Skin Beauty products work for any age and any gender, because the natural ingredients restore balance to skin in any condition. Still, as a skincare newcomer it felt most intuitive for me to start with the basics, so I committed to using their Beauty Serum ($90 for 1 oz, but also available in sets) every day in the morning.
Firstly, on my skincare journey I’ve been learning that using serums or other products that contain oil are actually good for my oily skin; oily skin means my skin is actually extra dry, and overproducing oil to make up for it. And there is plenty of oil in this formula — good oils combined with fatty acids, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that all work in tandem to repair and regenerate the skin. Some of the ingredients include: Jojoba Seed Oil, Grape Seed Oil, Rose Hip Seed Oil, Pomegranate Seed Oil, Raspberry Seed Oil, Carrot Seed Oil, Orange Flower Oil, Grapefruit Peel Oil, Rose Flower Oil, Geranium Oil, Frankincense Oil, Clary Oil, Lavender Oil and many others. After reading that list full of fruits and flowers, is it any wonder that Beauty Serum is possibly the best-smelling skincare product on the market? It’s sweet and bitter, woodsy and floral, medicinal and bright.
Checking out the ingredient list is also a great way to understand why the price is so high, because getting these oils in organic form does not come cheap, but the impact of their combined powers is worth investing. The balance must be impeccable, because the serum goes on rich and thick, but doesn’t leave my skin greasy like some other serums do. Within weeks of using it daily, I noticed a plumpness coming back into my face — not the puffiness of a hangover or week of eating out, but the actual thick, full richness of skin that is nourished and hydrated. I didn’t think I knew the difference between taking care of my skin and not, until I began using this product.
So though the price point may seem a little steep at first, seeing the results over the first month or two won me over. Plus, I only need about half a dropper to cover my whole face, if I get a full one there’s usually enough left over for my neck and upper chest. That meant the bottle lasted me close to six weeks or more. I think people need to share how long products last more frequently, not just for freshness updates but to help people plan how far their skincare dollars will go.
After experimenting with the serum, I started trying some of the other Bella Skin products and incorporating them into my routine as well. The Rose Neroli Toner ($58 for 3.4 ounces) is one, and though it deserves a post of its own, I will say that it works incredibly well in tandem with the Beauty Serum. I also just started using one of the line’s newest products, a Turmeric Guava Glowing Cleanser ($69 for 3.4 ounces), and the initial boost of my skin’s brightness is enough to sell me on guava as a skincare ingredient.
If you’re always looking to try more natural products on your skin, and like the idea of supporting a women-owned, independent beauty company in California, Bella Skin Beauty is one of the most exciting lines I’ve discovered since I began to take my skin seriously. Start with the Beauty Serum, the Rose Neroli Toner, or the Turmeric Guava Cleanser, and check out the rest of their products here.
