Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel McClain.
Hi Rachel, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
PUAH Skincare began as a personal mission—a mother’s desperate search for relief for her daughter’s delicate skin. In 2016, I founded The O-liv-e A-peel Company after countless products failed to soothe my daughter Olivia’s severe skin sensitivities. At a time when even the gentlest commercial formulations triggered reactions, I turned to my background in pharmacy and began researching the power of herbs, oils, and botanical remedies. What started as a solution for my daughter quickly became a deeper calling.
Through trial, formulation, and deep study, I discovered that nature held powerful answers—ones that science could validate and refine. As a licensed pharmacist, I was uniquely positioned to bridge that gap: combining the clinical knowledge of pharmaceutical compounds with the ancient wisdom of plant-based healing.
Over time, what began as “The O-liv-e A-peel Company” grew beyond olive oil-based formulations. My mission evolved too. I wasn’t just treating sensitive skin—I was building solutions for acne, inflammation, hyperpigmentation, and barrier repair. In that growth, I rebranded the company to PUAH, a biblical name that represented a nurse midwife in the book of Exodus. Her resilience to save the Israelite people led to her blessing. That is why my slogan for my skincare line is “Resilient Skin”. The rebrand was so significant because not only did I want a name that was catchy and would draw people in but I also wanted to give credit to the one who gifted me with this ability to help and heal people through my products, and that is God.
Today, PUAH Skincare is rooted in my commitment to small-batch, high-performance formulations that respect both the skin and the story behind it. Every jar, every drop, is carefully crafted with therapeutic-grade ingredients, backed by science, and created with intention.
PUAH is more than skincare—it’s a legacy of love, science, and plant power for those who feel overlooked by the mainstream beauty industry. My journey began with Olivia, but it continues with every person seeking safe, effective skincare that truly works.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Starting PUAH Skincare wasn’t just about making products—it was about proving that my voice, my knowledge, and my story mattered.
In the beginning, it was hard to get my foot in the door. As a small business owner working out of my home, it was difficult to be taken seriously. People often saw a hobbyist or a side hustle—not a trained pharmacist with a vision, a scientist with a mission, and a mother on a deeply personal journey to create solutions that the mainstream market had overlooked.
There were times I questioned myself. I faced skepticism, slow growth, and moments of isolation in an industry dominated by bigger names with deeper pockets. But I kept showing up. I kept learning, researching, formulating, and serving those who were quietly searching for skincare that actually worked for their unique needs.
I didn’t let rejection or being underestimated stop me. Instead, I let it fuel me.
Over time, something began to shift. People started to see the results. They came back with glowing skin and renewed confidence. Word spread. What once felt like a whisper became a voice in the community—one rooted in experience, compassion, and real results.
Today, I am proud to say that I’ve made a mark—not just as a business, but as a trusted expert in my field. I’ve earned that place through consistency, integrity, and a deep commitment to healing from the inside out. And now, I’m able to help so many more—offering education, support, and products crafted with intention for every skin journey.
This isn’t just business for me. It’s a ministry of healing, a science of love, and a testimony of what happens when you refuse to quit.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about PUAH LLC?
PUAH Skincare is a pharmacist-formulated brand offering medical-grade, all-natural skincare solutions crafted with intention, integrity, and global wisdom. Each product is thoughtfully made using powerful botanical ingredients sourced from Africa, the Caribbean, and Brazil—regions rich in ancestral healing traditions and time-honored plant medicine.
As a first-generation American with proud Trinidadian roots, I’ve always known the power of Caribbean remedies—oils, herbs, and butters that heal, protect, and restore. That generational knowledge, passed down and refined through science, is what sets PUAH apart. My background in pharmacy allows me to merge traditional herbal wisdom with clinical precision to deliver skincare that’s both therapeutic and transformative.
PUAH isn’t just about clean beauty. It’s about honoring heritage, respecting the Earth, and bringing the healing power of global botanicals to every skin type, especially those who have been overlooked by conventional skincare.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
If there’s anything entrepreneurship has taught me, it’s that growth takes time—and it rarely follows a straight path. Building PUAH Skincare has been as much a journey of personal transformation as it has been about creating products.
In the early days, I wanted things to move fast. I expected doors to open simply because I was passionate and prepared. But the truth is, it often takes patience to build something meaningful, especially when you’re starting from the ground up, as I did. There were moments of doubt, delays I didn’t expect, and seasons where it felt like no one was watching.
But I stayed the course.
Every small win reminded me why I started. Every challenge stretched my character and refined my vision. Perseverance became my daily practice—not just in business, but in faith, in motherhood, and in staying committed to the bigger picture.
What I’ve learned is that the beauty of this journey isn’t just in the success, but in who I’ve become along the way: a stronger woman, a wiser entrepreneur, and a more grounded creator. I’ve discovered that waiting doesn’t mean failure—it means preparation. And pressing forward, even when it’s hard, is what separates a business idea from a lasting legacy.
PUAH Skincare is the fruit of that perseverance. And it’s only just the beginning.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.puahskincare.com
- Instagram: @puahskincare
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-rachel-mcclain-pharmd-rph-fpc-5b6889153
