*this article was originally published in the December 2025 Issue of Okanagan Magazine. Our thanks to Kate Emberton for the profile.
Tucked in the heart of downtown Vernon is a quiet revolution in skincare.
The Organic Skincare Studio is more than a boutique; it is a working studio where plant-based formulations are handcrafted in-house and where beauty philosophy meets community values.
Founder Helena Lane launched her line 14 years ago, blending a decade of industry knowledge with a deep commitment to holistic skin health. After moving from the UK to the West Coast in 2009 and later settling in Vernon, she began producing organic, results-driven skincare and shipping worldwide. Three years ago she opened the Vernon storefront, giving locals direct access to her formulations and her perspective on wellness.
"I never resonated with the traditional beauty industry;' she explains. "I don't believe in selling the idea that women aren't enough or that the next expensive potion is the magic fix. Skin looks its best when it's balanced and functioning the way it's designed to. We're here to support healthy, radiant skin - not dependency on products.
Her personal journey fuels that mission. After experiencing chronic skin challenges and feeling dismissed by conventional medical advice, she sought natural healing and ultimately created products that support the skin's innate ability to thrive.
The studio has grown steadily, becoming a place where customers find not only skincare but also conversation, inspiration, and connection.
"I love sharing knowledge and receiving knowledge. Community lights me up. Every day at the shop, I get to connect with people, encourage them, and remind them they're already enough."
This November 2025 marks the shop's third birthday- and a major transformation. From November 17-21st, the studio closed its doors to undergo renovations, reopening just in time for the holiday season. The refreshed space features an open-concept, glass-front kitchen where customers can watch products being made. The intention: transparency, education, and bringing customers closer to the creative process.
"We want people to actually see the work. This isn't a mass manufactured line. It's handmade, thoughtful skincare, and now our space reflects that:"
Beyond her own line, the studio now offers a curated selection of products she personally loves and recommends. Local collaborations are expanding as well, including partnerships with facial practitioners who use her products in their treatments.
Rooted deeply in community, she lives in East Hill with her partner, two teens, a family dog and two cats, contributing locally through school volunteerism and product donations to community events. Her dream for the future reaches beyond skincare-toward a larger, wellness-forward space centered on connection and belonging.
"Beauty is not just glowing skin- it's the spark in your eyes after a good conversation, the feeling of being seen, the support of the community. Health is human connection as much as it is nutrients or products. My vision is to grow a space where people truly feel welcome and cared for, inside and out:'
As the Organic Skin Care Studio enters its next chapter, it remains grounded in its original ethos: simple, honest, handmade skincare and a belief that beauty begins with balance, wellness, and community.
Customers are invited to visit the newly renovated studio, explore expanded product offerings, and experience the artisan process firsthand this season.
