Our story: from breakouts to breakthroughs
Hi, I’m Ahana, the founder of Clear. My story begins, like so many others, with a personal struggle. I battled severe cystic acne for over ten years; I tried countles products, medications, and diets to get my skin under control. Nothing seemed to work, and I felt stuck. So, I took matters into my own hands and built the app I needed to help me navigate my skincare journey with confidence.
The battle begins
2012
I was just 12 when I started battling with cystic acne. It wasn’t just the physical pain — it was the emotional weight of avoiding mirrors, dodging photos, and feeling like no one around me really understood what I was going through. Acne made me feel invisible and yet painfully exposed at the same time. I tried every product and every promise, but nothing seemed to work.
Taking control
2016
By my late teens, I was tired of feeling powerless. That’s when I started using spreadsheets and photos to track my skin. I recorded everything: products, ingredients, routines, and even how my skin looked on different days. It wasn’t perfect, but it gave me a sense of control over something that had controlled me for so long. What started as a personal coping mechanism turned into an idea that wouldn’t leave my mind. I started dreaming about something bigger — a tool that could do more than just track progress, a tool that could transform skincare for others like me.
Learning how to code
2019
In the summer of 2019, I had just finished my second year of my physics degree at Imperial College London, and I landed my first internship in software engineering. Learning to code turned out to be one of the most empowering experiences of my life. I discovered the thrill of turning ideas into something tangible. Every line of code felt like a step closer to creating solutions for real problems.
Looking back, this was where the seeds for Clear were planted. It was here that I gained the skills I’d eventually use to build Clear’s first version - skills I never imagined would one day help skincare enthusiasts track their routines, discover new products, and connect with a supportive community.
The "Eureka" moment
2020
One day, I was in my bathroom, surrounded by my skincare products... I realised the true potential of what I’d started back in my teens. What if I could combine my coding skills with my passion for skincare? What if I could create something that helped people not only track their progress but also feel seen and supported in their journeys? That’s when the vision for Clear came to life.
A leap of faith
2021
The following year, I took the biggest risk of my life. I dropped out of my master’s programme at Imperial College London to join Y Combinator, one of the most prestigious startup accelerators in the world. It was a leap of faith, but I was determined to turn my experience into something that could help thousands — maybe even millions - of people.
Our mission
I know what it feels like to struggle with your skin. That’s why I’m so passionate about making Clear a space where you can find answers, feel understood, and connect with others who get it. This journey has been deeply personal for me, and I’m so grateful to share it with all of you.
Clear is just getting started, and I couldn’t be more excited about what’s ahead. Together, we’re building something truly special — something that’s changing lives, one skincare journey at a time.