In an industry that thrives on secrets and myriad potions promising otherworldly results, Bella Schneider’s direct and down-to-earth approach to skincare is bound to raise a few eyebrows—even among the Botoxed. She earned her college degree at UC Berkeley while working full-time at Bullock’s Estée Lauder counter, where she noticed women wore up to three foundations at once and used far too many creams. Now Schneider reigns over a beauty empire comprising two skincare lines and three locations, including a spa in Palo Alto that she expanded in the middle of the recession. Like any aesthetician worth her salt scrubs, she wants your skin to look “the best it can be,” not by loading on product, but by emphasizing proper cleansing at home and targeting trouble spots at the spa using cutting-edge ingredients and formulas. LaBelle Day Spa: 233 Grant Ave., S.F., 415-433-7644; 95 Town & Country Village, Palo Alto, 650-327-6964; 36 Stanford Shopping Center, Palo Alto, 650-326-8522

In the middle of a recession, have you noticed a difference in how people are caring for their faces? Most are postponing major plastic surgeries and opting for more affordable anti-aging measures, including noninvasive laser procedures, such as Titan, by Cutera. Photofacials to even skin tone are another option. Many are also trying capillary treatments to reduce rosacea and capillary appearance, and especially different fillers, such as Restylane and the expression-line reducer Botox, which is the most popular procedure for people in their 20s and up.

What about facials? In the past, you’ve recommended one every month. But when money is tight, what’s the minimum someone should get? Four a year. That’s around $400. You can’t spend $400 a year on your skin?

You’re a 59-year-old grandmother, and your skin is flawless. What’s your beauty routine? A home regimen addressing protection, cleansing, antioxidants, exfoliation, and rehydration. It takes about five minutes in the morning and fewer than that in the evening.

Do you use fillers and Botox? Yes. I use Restylane around my mouth and Botox on my forehead. I love Botox.

No facelifts for you? No, but I see nothing wrong with them, and I won’t rule out getting one in the future. Right now, I have access to a lot of skincare options, but I am very careful about not overdoing anything. I still admire the idea of aging with grace. You have to be careful not to look ridiculous.

What is the most common skincare mistake women make? They don’t protect their skin well enough. The good news is that everything can be corrected.

Even sun damage? Yes. But save the heavier procedures, such as chemical and herbal peels, for the fall and winter.

During my facial, you told me that once my skin became balanced, I wouldn’t need a moisturizer. Yet when you visit a beauty counter, that’s all they’re pushing. That’s where the money is made: expensive night cream and day cream and eye cream. Women use too much product. A lot of whiteheads and blackheads are self-inflicted. I’ve even seen people put mayonnaise on their skin and hair after reading about it in a magazine.

Speaking of food, you’re known for your skincare recipes. Are there any ingredients that can be used to help fix skin problems? At the Estée Lauder counter, people would ask, “How do I get rid of blackheads?” and thought they should use a cream. I used to make little recipes for them; they were different from what I was selling for Estée Lauder, so I had to keep them a secret. For example, it’s very good to rinse with white vinegar if you have acne.

You’re always stressing the importance of ingredients. Women should read skincare-product labels, just as they do food labels.

Your approach is based on the European model, which includes developing a long-term relationship with an aesthetician. We aestheticians can correct skin problems. If you find a really educated aesthetician, stick with her—I train them, and I can tell you that 90 percent of them don’t know what they are doing.

How can you determine if an aesthetician is any good? Their own skin is a great indicator, as is your skin, obviously. Are you getting the desired results? Are you broken out after facials, or do you look better? A good aesthetician can answer all of your questions and give you better skin by guiding you through all the marketplace possibilities. I even go with clients to the plastic surgeon, so they aren’t sold a basket of tricks.

You have a really interesting background. Both your parents are deaf-mutes, you were born in the Ukraine and emigrated with your family to Poland and then Israel. You were also in the Israeli army. Can’t you tell by the way I boss people around?

At Cal, you majored in political science and economics. Now, Condoleezza Rice is one of your clients. Do you talk politics with her? I’ve learned over the years that clients come to LaBelle to relax. If they choose to talk politics, I can volunteer my opinions—and I have many. She was my client before she went to Washington. Now we are repairing the damage to her skin that her stressful political life has caused.