NEWSMeet Brendan Aker: The Skincare Innovator Who Turned Personal Pain Into a Passion for Beauty
Sept. 18 2024, Published 1:56 a.m. ET
For Brendan Aker, founder of The [pH]ix, the brand’s story is as personal as it is powerful. It began not in a boardroom but during his mother Eileen’s battle with breast cancer. The aggressive treatments left her skin painfully damaged, and Aker couldn’t stand by helplessly. “My mom was always proud of her skin, and watching her confidence fade was heartbreaking,” he shares. Out of that experience, he sought to create something that could restore not just skin but self-esteem.
This wasn’t just about aesthetics; it was about helping someone he loved restore a piece of herself. “The [pH]ix was me trying to find a solution—a fix—for her skin concerns, and those were the products that helped,” Brendan explains.
But behind his passion lies a complexity that Aker navigates with both heart and humor. “I’m not gonna sugarcoat it—being an entrepreneur is hard, and it’s messy,” he admits, candid as ever. Aker is open about the challenges that come with building a brand from the ground up. “There’s a lot of caffeine involved and even more Google Calendar scheduling. I joke about the anxiety, but it’s real.”
Brendan’s story might sound like a fairy tale for aspiring beauty moguls, but he’s quick to highlight the roadblocks along the way. “I did a terrible job of balancing work and personal time early on. I let the business consume me,” he says. His work ethic, while impressive, came at a cost—his relationships with family and friends took a backseat.
“The [pH]ix is my baby, but I’ve learned that it doesn’t matter if I lose sight of the people who matter most to me,” Brendan admits, in his signature blend of openness and humor. His haircare line with his sister, Clare, is just one example of how he’s actively worked to merge his personal and professional life in a healthier way. “Hair by Clare is something we built together, and I’m really proud of it,” he says, adding, “If you’re into rosemary and castor oil shampoo, check it out—wink wink.”
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Aker’s journey hasn’t been a straight shot to success. In fact, he’s encountered the same struggles many entrepreneurs face, from product delays to malicious influencer feedback. “You think you’re on a high, and then suddenly, a raw material is out of stock for three months, or someone with a big platform decides to bash your product for clout,” Brendan says. But he’s learned to roll with the punches. “At the end of the day, if you’re passionate about what you do, you push through it.”
That passion has been at the core of The [pH]ix from the start. Brendan didn’t just want to create another trendy skincare line—he wanted to build something real, something that mattered. “I created The [pH]ix because I’ve been on the other side. I know what it’s like to feel uncomfortable in your own skin,” he shares. Brendan himself grew up with rosacea, an experience that left him bullied and insecure. That empathy drives him to create products that work for everyone.
For Brendan, one of the most humbling experiences came during a personal trip to Carnival in Brazil, when he was recognized by a fan from Spain. “She came up to me and said, ‘You’re the guy from The [pH]ix! You look like you could use some of your own caffeine eye cream for those dark circles,’” Brendan laughs, shaking his head. “It was both hilarious and a wake-up call. Here I was, at this amazing celebration, and I was getting called out for looking tired! It made me realize I need to take better care of myself.”
That moment is quintessential Aker— he’s not just building a brand; he’s living the message he promotes: the importance of finding balance, caring for your skin, and staying true to yourself.
But it’s not all caffeine eye creams and Carnival stories. Sustainability is a core part of The [pH]ix’s mission. Brendan has made sure the brand is 100% cruelty-free, with eco-friendly packaging and sustainably sourced materials. “Look, skincare doesn’t mean a thing if we’re not taking care of the planet,” he says. For him, being a beauty entrepreneur also means being responsible, and he’s committed to making choices that reflect that.
Brendan has become a voice of experience for others looking to break into the industry. His advice? “Be passionate. And resilient.” He’s seen firsthand how tough the beauty business can be, especially in a market flooded with celebrity-backed brands. “Just because you’ve got money or a famous face behind a brand doesn’t guarantee success,” he warns. “You need to love what you’re doing enough to push through the rough times. Trust me, there’ll be plenty of those.”
But if anyone knows about bouncing back, it’s Brendan Aker. His story is proof that with passion, perseverance, and maybe a little caffeine, you can turn personal pain into something powerful—a brand that prioritizes effective skin, designed to enhance your skin’s health and appearance.
Brendan may have started The [pH]ix out of necessity, but it’s grown into a symbol of resilience, compassion, and authenticity. Whether it’s through his candid, no-BS approach to entrepreneurship or his ability to turn personal hardship into a thriving business, Brendan’s journey is one that inspires others to pursue their own passions—even when the road gets rough.
In an industry obsessed with beauty and perfection, Aker’s refreshingly honest take on what it means to run a business, make mistakes, and learn from them is a breath of fresh air. As he says, “Brands should be reflections of their founders. Will everyone love you? Probably not. But the ones who get it? They’ll stick around.” And with Brendan Aker at the helm, you get the sense that The [pH]ix is just getting started.
