Scientific innovation and all-natural ingredients aren’t two things that usually go together, especially in the beauty industry, where customers are often forced to choose between high-tech products and those made with clean ingredients. But Chelsea Russell, owner of LA BELLA DERMA MEDICAL SPA  in Essex Junction, is changing all that with a new line of skincare products.

Named for Chelsea’s daughters, Lillian and Sophia, the new line, Lillian Sophia Clinical (shop online at llilliansophia.com), features cleansers, serums, balms, and face creams made from nontoxic, plant-forward ingredients. Free from parabens, sulfates, and harsh synthetics, each product aligns with Chelsea’s treatment philosophy: They are results-driven, safe, and honest.

Chelsea prepping her client's skin for treatment analysis. 

“After years of treating clients, I found myself constantly wishing for products that were transparent, science-backed, effective, and reasonably priced,” Chelsea says. “I wanted formulas I could fully stand behind, something that supported aestheticians and gave clients clarity about what they were putting on their skin.”

ADDRESSING CLIENT CONCERNS

The hallmark of her work is ingredient transparency. Every ingredient is listed on her website, as is its purpose. Best of all, each formula was developed with real client concerns in mind, including anti-aging, breakouts, sensitivity, or dehydration.

“It’s not just about selling products,” Chelsea says. “It’s about raising the standard of care and helping both providers and clients make informed decisions.”

The treatment room at La Bella Derma's new Essex Junction location. 

SPA AS COMMUNITY CENTER

Chelsea said the thing that makes La Bella Derma Medical Spa unique is its strong sense of community. Some of her clients have been with her for more than a decade, and some even attended her wedding.

Community is one reason Chelsea decided to move the spa to larger quarters. The new space, in The Russell House Collective in Essex Junction, has room to grow. In fact, the building will one day be a wellness hub, housing a variety of mind-body professionals.

Currently, it houses La Bella Derma and mental health providers. “What the new space offers that the old one didn’t is opportunity,” Chelsea says. “Opportunity for more collaboration, more community, and more room for education and events. Most importantly, it allows us to maintain our signature family-like atmosphere while expanding what we’re able to offer clients under one roof.”

Chelsea says she wanted a place for people to come in, take a breath, and feel cared for. To her, it’s about more than just skincare. It’s about helping people feel good and changing the way they show up in every area of their lives.

“La Bella Derma was built from a desire to create something personal and meaningful,” she says. “After working in the industry and discovering how transformative skin health can be, I knew I wanted to create a space that felt nurturing, rather than intimidating.”

 Lillian Sophia Clinical's top-selling product, AOX Bright Boost Serum. 

BALANCING WORK AND LIFE

Her business has allowed her to follow her passion while also raising a family. Plus, it has the added benefit of showing her daughters that it’s possible to create a meaningful life, without sacrificing the people you love.

“Entrepreneurship gave me the opportunity to create something of my own, set the tone for the culture I believed in, and design a life that balanced ambition with presence at home,” she says.

CONNECTING SCIENCE TO SKINCARE

Chelsea says she never set out to pursue a career in skincare. On a whim, she enrolled in an esthetics program and became fascinated with the science of skin. She says that for the first time, chemistry and biology clicked because they had a practical application.

“Since then, I’ve built my career around continuous education, collaboration, and a commitment to helping people achieve healthier skin in a way that feels approachable and supportive,” she says.

She adds that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to skincare. Each client’s skin is different, and Chelsea prides herself on her personalized approach. Rather than chasing the most expensive or strongest product, she believes it’s best to establish a routine and stick to it.

“Consistency beats intensity every single time,” Chelsea adds. “You don’t need the most aggressive treatment or the trendiest product. You need a routine you can stick to and a provider you trust. Skin responds beautifully to patience and partnership.”

LA BELLA DERMA MEDICAL SPA

12 Pearl Street

Essex Junction, VT

www.labelladermavt.com