FAQ's

In your 40s, estrogen levels begin to fluctuate and then steadily decline — and estrogen is one of the main hormones keeping your skin plump, hydrated, and resilient. As it drops, you lose roughly 30% of your collagen in the first five years of menopause alone. The result: drier, thinner, more reactive skin, slower cell turnover, dullness, and pigmentation that seems to appear out of nowhere. The products that worked in your 30s often stop working — not because your skincare routine changed, but because your skin biology did. Purely Bella was built specifically for this shift.

Perimenopause is the transition phase — usually starting in the 40s — when hormones fluctuate unpredictably. Skin can swing between oily and dry, and you may see hormonal breakouts alongside new dryness. Menopause is officially 12 months after your last period; from there on, estrogen stays low and skin becomes consistently drier, thinner, and more prone to laxity and pigmentation. The good news: the same core formulas address both stages, you just lean into more barrier support and gentle actives (peptides, antioxidants like astaxanthin, hydrators) as you progress. Every Purely Bella product is formulated to work across both stages.

Yes — and it's incredibly common. As estrogen drops, your testosterone-to-estrogen ratio shifts, which can trigger breakouts along the jawline, chin, and neck (sometimes for the first time in decades). The mistake most women make is treating it like teenage acne with harsh drying products, which strips perimenopause skin and makes things worse. Instead, reach for our Gentle Renewal Exfoliating Pads (mandelic + lactic acid clear pores without stripping) paired with our Flawless Brightening Moisturizer to rebuild the barrier. Take our Skin Quiz for a personalized routine.

Yes — Purely Bella is safe and complementary to use alongside HRT, whether you're on oral estrogen, patches, gels, or bioidentical hormones. HRT works systemically to help replace what your body is losing, while Purely Bella works topically to support your skin barrier, fight oxidative stress, and improve texture and tone. The two work beautifully together. As always, if you have any specific concerns, check with your prescribing physician — but our clean, gentle formulas don't conflict with hormone therapies.

Hormonal pigmentation — including melasma and post-inflammatory dark spots — is one of the most common (and frustrating) signs of perimenopause. Our Flawless Brightening Moisturizer is our strongest brightening formula, combining astaxanthin, peptides, and gentle brighteners to gradually fade hyperpigmentation without irritation. Pair it with daily SPF (non-negotiable — UV makes melasma worse) and the Gentle Renewal Exfoliating Pads 2–3 nights a week to speed cell turnover. Expect to see real change over 8–12 weeks of consistent use.

As estrogen drops, your skin barrier weakens and loses its ability to hold onto water — which is why so many women describe perimenopause skin as "tight," "itchy," or suddenly reactive to products that never bothered them before. The fix is barrier repair, not active ingredients. Start with our Serenity Cooling Mist (great for calming hot flushes and reactivity), layer on the Dream Skin Night Cream at night for deep nourishment, and skip exfoliants for 1–2 weeks while your barrier heals. Most women feel a noticeable difference within 7–10 days.

It won't stop a hot flash (only your body chemistry can do that), but our Serenity Cooling Mist can absolutely make one more bearable. The formula is designed to instantly cool and calm flushed skin, reduce redness, and re-hydrate the barrier — which is why so many of our customers keep one on their nightstand, in their purse, and at their desk. Keep it in the fridge for an even more refreshing experience. It's also wonderful between Zoom meetings, after workouts, or during travel.

Absolutely not — it's never too late. Skin retains the ability to repair, rebuild collagen, and respond to good ingredients well into our 60s, 70s, and beyond. Post-menopausal skin tends to be drier and more delicate, so we'd recommend starting with the Complete Glow Ritual or the Cool & Repair Night Set to flood your skin with the hydration and antioxidants it's been missing. Consistency is everything — give any new routine 8–12 weeks of daily use before judging results. Many of our most enthusiastic customers are in their 60s and 70s.

Purely Bella was founded by Cathi Carrier, a licensed esthetician with over 32 years of professional skincare experience. After spending decades treating women in her own spa, Cathi watched her clients (and her own skin) change in ways traditional skincare couldn't address — the dryness, sensitivity, dullness, and pigmentation that come with perimenopause and menopause. She sold her spa to fully invest in creating clean, effective formulas designed specifically for hormonally shifting skin. Purely Bella is the brand she wished existed when her clients started asking, "Why isn't my skincare working anymore?"

Purely Bella is formulated for women 40+ whose skin is changing — whether you're in early perimenopause, fully in menopause, or post-menopause. If you've noticed your skin is suddenly drier, more reactive, dull, blotchy, or developing pigmentation you've never had before, our formulas are designed for you. That said, our products are gentle and effective enough for any adult with sensitive, mature, or hormonally affected skin.

All Purely Bella products are proudly formulated and made in the USA in FDA-registered facilities. We work closely with our manufacturing partners to ensure every batch meets our quality standards.

Yes — Purely Bella is 100% cruelty-free. We never test on animals, and neither do any of our suppliers or manufacturing partners.

You can shop directly with us here at purelybellabeauty.com (where you'll find our full collection, bundles, and rewards program). We're also available on Amazon and launching soon on Nordstrom.com. Shopping directly with us supports our small business and gives you access to our 90-Day Love It Guarantee and Smile Rewards program.

Astaxanthin is one of nature's most powerful antioxidants — research has shown it's significantly more potent than Vitamin C and Vitamin E at neutralizing free radicals. We chose astaxanthin as our hero ingredient because it specifically helps address what's happening to skin during perimenopause: oxidative stress, loss of elasticity, dullness, and UV-related damage. It's also gentle enough for the newly reactive skin that hormonal shifts often cause. You'll find astaxanthin in our Dream Skin Night Cream, Flawless Brightening Moisturizer, and Tight & Bright Peptide Eye Gel. Learn more on our Astaxanthin Education page.

Yes. Purely Bella is formulated without parabens, sulfates, phthalates, mineral oil, synthetic dyes, or harsh detergents. We use clean, modern preservation systems (like phenoxyethanol with ethylhexylglycerin) that are both effective and gentle on sensitive perimenopause skin.

Every product page on our website includes the complete INCI (International Nomenclature of Cosmetic Ingredients) list. Just scroll down on any product page and tap the "Ingredients" section to expand the full list. We believe in full transparency — what's in your skincare matters.

We do not add synthetic fragrance to any of our products. Some formulas contain small amounts of natural essential oils (such as lavender) for their botanical and aromatherapeutic benefits, which can have a light natural scent. If you have known sensitivities to specific essential oils, please review the full ingredient list on each product page before purchasing.

Several of our products contain active ingredients (such as retinyl palmitate in Dream Skin Night Cream and various acids in our Brightening Moisturizer and Exfoliating Pads) that are not generally recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding. We always recommend consulting with your healthcare provider before using any skincare product during pregnancy or while nursing.

The majority of our formulas are vegan-friendly. We never use animal-derived ingredients in our skincare. For specific certification questions on any product, please check the individual product page or email us at contact@purelybellabeauty.com.

Morning routine: Cleanse (Oasis Oil Cleanser or your favorite cleanser) → Serenity Cooling Mist → Flawless Brightening Moisturizer → Tight & Bright Peptide Eye Gel → SPF (always use SPF in the morning).

Evening routine: Cleanse → Gentle Renewal Exfoliating Pads (2-3x per week, not nightly) → Serenity Cooling Mist → Dream Skin Night Cream → Tight & Bright Peptide Eye Gel.

General rule of thumb: thinnest texture to thickest, water-based before oil-based.

Most customers begin to notice improvements in hydration and skin texture within the first 1-2 weeks of consistent use. Brightening and pigmentation changes typically take 4-8 weeks to become visible, and more significant changes in fine lines and firmness can take 8-12 weeks. Skin renews on roughly a 28-day cycle (which slows with age), so consistency is key. We recommend giving any new routine at least 60 days before assessing full results.

Many of our customers do successfully combine Purely Bella with prescription tretinoin or other dermatologist-recommended products. However, since our Dream Skin Night Cream contains retinyl palmitate (a gentle retinol) and our Flawless Brightening Moisturizer contains acids and brighteners, we strongly recommend speaking with your dermatologist before combining them with prescription retinoids to avoid over-exfoliation or irritation.

With twice-daily use as directed, you can typically expect: Dream Skin Night Cream (50mL) — approximately 6-8 weeks; Flawless Brightening Moisturizer (50mL) — approximately 6-8 weeks; Tight & Bright Peptide Eye Gel (1 fl oz) — approximately 2-3 months; Serenity Cooling Mist (6 fl oz / 180mL) — approximately 2-3 months; Gentle Renewal Exfoliating Pads — 15 pads (use 2-3x weekly = about 5-7 weeks).

A very light tingling sensation when first using products with active ingredients (like our Brightening Moisturizer or Exfoliating Pads) can be normal as your skin adjusts. However, any significant burning, persistent redness, or irritation is NOT normal. If that happens, discontinue use immediately, rinse with cool water, and contact us at contact@purelybellabeauty.com. Your 90-Day Love It Guarantee covers you fully if a product doesn't work for your skin.

Yes, we always recommend a patch test, especially if you have known sensitivities or are using products with active ingredients for the first time. Apply a small amount behind your ear or on your inner forearm and wait 24-48 hours to monitor for any reaction before using on your face.

Yes! We offer free standard shipping on all U.S. orders of $50 and above.

Orders are typically processed and shipped within 1-3 business days. Once shipped, standard delivery within the U.S. takes an additional 3-7 business days, depending on your location. You'll receive a shipping confirmation email with tracking information as soon as your order leaves our warehouse.

At this time, we ship within the United States only. We're working on expanding internationally — sign up for our newsletter to be the first to know when we ship to your country.

As soon as your order ships, you'll receive an email with a tracking number and a link to track your package. If you haven't received a tracking email within 3 business days of placing your order, please check your spam folder or email us at contact@purelybellabeauty.com.

First, check with your neighbors and any safe spots around your home — packages are sometimes delivered to unexpected locations. If you still can't locate it within 48 hours of the "delivered" notification, please contact us at contact@purelybellabeauty.com with your order number and we'll work with the carrier to resolve it.

We stand behind every Purely Bella product. If you're not completely happy with your purchase within 90 days of receipt, we'll make it right — even if the bottle is empty. Reach out to us at contact@purelybellabeauty.com with your order number and we'll process your refund or exchange. Real skincare results take time, and we want you to have the time to truly experience our formulas without any pressure.

Email us at contact@purelybellabeauty.com with your order number and a brief note about why you'd like to return or exchange. We'll respond within 1-2 business days with next steps. You can also review our full Refund Policy here.

Once your return is approved, refunds are processed within 3-5 business days to the original payment method. Depending on your bank or card issuer, it may take an additional 5-10 business days for the refund to appear on your statement.

We accept all major credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover), as well as Shop Pay, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and PayPal. You can also pay over time with Shop Pay Installments at checkout.

We move quickly to get your order out the door, so please email contact@purelybellabeauty.com as soon as possible (within 2 hours of placing your order is best). We'll do our best to catch it before it ships. Once an order has shipped, it can't be cancelled, but you can return it under our 90-Day Love It Guarantee.

Smile Rewards is our way of saying thank you. Earn points every time you shop, refer a friend, leave a review, or follow us on social media — then redeem your points for discounts on future purchases. Learn more and join free on our Smile Rewards page.

Yes — we love working with fellow estheticians, spas, and beauty professionals. As a brand founded by a 32-year esthetician, we understand the industry from the inside. Visit our Wholesale page to learn more and apply.

Yes! Refer a friend and you'll both receive a reward. Details and your unique referral link can be found in your Smile Rewards account.

A portion of every Purely Bella purchase is donated to the Connecticut Cancer Foundation, which provides direct financial assistance to Connecticut residents battling cancer. As a Connecticut-based small business, supporting our local community matters deeply to us. When you shop with Purely Bella, you're helping us give back to women and families in their hardest moments.