I’ll be real with you.
I. was. tired.
Tired of skincare that stripped my face raw, or moisturized so much that my pores were clogged.
Tired of spending money on serums that never worked.
Tired of overpriced bottles hiding junk ingredients and selling me on empty promises.
So I stopped chasing the hype. And I started formulating.
At Noella B, we don’t follow trends. We craft skincare from scratch with active botanicals that actually do something like clear, calm, and nourish without the PEGs, parabens, silicons, mineral and petroleum oil, or industry fluff.
Let’s talk about the lies I used to believe (and the truths that finally set my skin free).
Lie #1: You can’t have clear skin and hydrated skin
I used to think it was either/or. Either fight acne and feel dry… or moisturize and end up with clogged pores. Wrong.
The truth: You can absolutely have both if your products are formulated the right way. That’s why I built our Wild Willow Bark Activation Elixir. Willow bark naturally keeps pores clear (it’s a gentle source of salicylic acid), while aloe vera and rice extract add hydration back into the skin so your barrier stays strong. Clear and plump? Yes, please!
Lie #2: The next product will finally be “the one”
I spent years thinking I just hadn’t found my perfect match. Until I realized most products on the shelves were…basically the same thing in different packaging.
The truth: My skin didn’t need “the next one.” It needed something different that includes fresh formulations made from scratch with real botanicals. That’s why Noella B isn’t white labeled, isn’t watered down, and doesn't have junk fillers. Just botanicals like calendula, cucumber, beet root, and honeysuckle, blended in the right amounts to actually do something for your skin.
Lie #3: Breakouts mean you just have bad skin
I used to look in the mirror and think, “Well, my skin is just broken.” But the more I learned, the more I realized that wasn’t true.
The truth: Breakouts are signals. Skin is your largest organ. It reflects what’s going on inside you. Stress, gut health, sleep… it all shows up on your face. Instead of punishing my skin, I started supporting it with barrier-friendly botanicals. Things like fermented radish root and honeysuckle help balance the skin’s microbiome, while bilberry and sugar cane extracts smooth and gently renew. It’s not “bad skin.” It’s skin asking for help.
Lie #4: If it’s on the shelf, it must be safe
This one hit me hard. I thought: if stores are selling it, surely it’s been tested and approved. Nope.
The truth: The U.S. still allows stuff like pthalates, PEGs, and mineral oil in skincare. Legal doesn’t equal safe. So at Noella B, I drew the line myself. We skip the garbage. No petroleum derivatives, no silicones, no harsh preservatives. Instead, we use clean botanicals and natural stabilizers like honeysuckle extract and fermented radish root.
Lie #5: Squeaky clean = good clean
Remember that “squeaky” feeling after washing your face? I used to think that meant I did something right. Spoiler: it meant I had stripped my skin barrier. eeek!
The truth: Skin should never feel squeaky. It should feel soft, cushioned, supported. That’s why I lean on gentle plant-based extracts like cucumber and calendula. They cleanse and soothe at the same time, leaving your skin balanced instead of begging for help. Skin isn’t a countertop. It’s alive, and it needs to be treated that way.
Lie #6: Higher price = better results
I’ve bought those $200 creams. They didn’t fix my skin.
The truth: Expensive skincare is usually expensive because of marketing with celebrity endorsements, glossy packaging, not better ingredients. At Noella B, we put every dollar where it matters: into botanicals that heal. Things like willow bark for clarity, bilberry for renewal, aloe vera for deep hydration. No $200 jars here. Just hardworking, plant-powered formulas that actually deliver.
Lie #7: All fragrance is harmful
This one tripped me up for a while. I thought anything that had fragrance was automatically irritating.
The truth: Not all fragrance is created equal. It’s about quality, type, and how much is used. At Noella B, we don’t drown formulas in heavy perfume and we always make sure we don't use anything with phthalates. Generalized, fear-based messaging skips the important nuances and doesn't help you or your skin.
Lie #8: Oily skin doesn’t need hydration
I can’t tell you how many years I spent blotting, stripping, and over-washing. I thought more oil meant less water.
The truth: Oily skin is often dehydrated skin in disguise. When skin doesn’t have enough water, it pumps out oil to compensate. The fix isn’t drying it out; it’s giving it hydration. Botanicals like aloe vera, rice extract, and sugar cane provide light, water-based hydration that tells your skin it’s safe. When your skin feels supported, it stops overproducing oil. Balance = clarity.
Why I Created Noella B
The industry makes money on confusion. But your skin doesn’t need more noise. It needs clarity. It needs nourishment. It needs healing.
That’s why I stopped chasing trends and started creating solutions. At Noella B, we make skincare that doesn’t just “hope to help.” It’s built to actually work.