About Us

Where science meets soul care.

At ILERA Apothecary, we believe beauty begins with wellness, and wellness begins with intention, nature, and truth.

Founded by Chinonye Akunne, a chemist, environmental health scientist, and first-generation Nigerian-American, ILERA Apothecary is more than a skincare brand, it’s a tribute to heritage, health, and the healing power of plants.

Chinonye's journey started young. As a child, she loved tinkering with homemade hair and skin products, often in the kitchen, under the watchful eye of her father, a pharmacist who quietly passed down the art of formulation. Her passion for science was nurtured by her high school chemistry teacher, Mrs. Hatch, who taught her how to balance equations and sparked a lifelong love for understanding what goes into the products we use on our bodies.

She went on to study chemistry in college. She later earned a Master of Public Health, specializing in Environmental Health Science, a discipline focused on how our environments impact our health. This education, combined with her values, formed the foundation of ILERA Apothecary: a clean beauty brand dedicated to creating safe, plant-based skincare that supports the body and respects the planet.

ILERA—meaning "health" in the Yoruba language—was born out of love for family. The very first product was formulated when Chinonye’s youngest brother, a vegan at the time, couldn’t find a natural deodorant that met his needs. That challenge inspired Chinonye and her sister to build something new: a brand grounded in science, inspired by culture, and made for people who care about what they put on their skin.

Her sister, a gifted marketer, played a vital role in co-founding the brand—developing its early voice, visuals, and strategy. Together, they combined the power of chemistry and creativity to launch a beauty company that still carries the spirit of family in everything it does.

Today, ILERA Apothecary offers a line of vegan, cruelty-free, and clean skincare essentials made with intention and integrity. Apothecary, a historic term for pharmacy, reflects our dedication to formulation and healing from the inside out.

We believe skincare should be effective, ethical, and effortless. Whether you’re seeking calm, clarity, or confidence, ILERA is here to help you care for your skin and honor your health, every single day.