Our Founder’s Story

In a small corner of Northern Vermont, I opened my spa with a simple belief: skincare should never be “one-size-fits-all.” I carried it all—100% organic, plant-based lines and clinically proven, science-backed formulas—because I believed (and still do) that every skin, like every person, is unique.

Here’s the funny part: even in Vermont, where the farmer’s market is practically a religion, my clients consistently gravitated toward science-backed products. 

One day, the organic line I carried at the spa informed me that my orders weren’t high enough to keep my wholesale account. Truthfully, I wasn’t too crushed—except for one product: a balm so healing, so deliciously rich, that I recommended it to everyone whether they bought it or not. Losing that balm felt like losing a piece of my toolkit as an esthetician and caretaker.

So, I did what any stubborn, small-town mom would do: I decided to make my own.

At the time, I was barefoot and pregnant with my second daughter, chasing a busy two-year-old around the house. But somewhere between chasing a toddler and caring for clients, I tinkered, tested, failed, and started again—determined to recreate that balm I loved so much. Slowly, through trial, error, and a lot of late nights, I found the formula. It wasn’t perfect at first, but my clients gave me feedback, and I adjusted and refined it until it truly became something special.

When it came time to name this creation, I didn’t hesitate. Usually, I fuss over details for far too long—but this one was instant. The name would honor the two little girls who had been with me every step of the way: Lillian Sophia.

With a name, a logo, and some labels, I nervously began to sell my balm, if only to earn back the money I’d poured into ingredients. To my surprise, it became more than a balm—it became the beginning of a new chapter. Creating it touched every part of me: my creativity, my love for making people feel good in their own skin, and my drive to take on challenges bigger than myself.

From that first ‘Pure Balm’, the line slowly grew. New products followed, though not without plenty of failures along the way—I’m not a chemist by training, just a determined esthetician with a vision and a lot of grit.

Five years later, demand had outgrown my home laboratory. While I still hand-formulate some of my products (including my beloved Pure Balm), I’ve since partnered with trusted labs to produce others—because I never wanted to be a factory worker. My joy is in creating, connecting, and sharing, not standing over vats of product all day.

What began as a small-town spa owner’s problem-solving project has grown into Lillian Sophia Skincare: a line rooted in resilience, love, and the belief that self-care should be both soulful and effective. Every jar and bottle carries a piece of my journey as a mom, a dreamer, and a relentless doer.

And maybe that’s the secret—Lillian Sophia wasn’t created in a boardroom. It was born in a little Vermont spa, fueled by determination, motherhood, and the simple desire to help people feel their best.