B E H I N D T H E S C E N E S. Here’s something formulators and founders don’t talk about much. The challenges of scaling up, even for the most trained formulator and manufacturing facility it can be fraught. When you go from creating a batch of 8 to a batch of 800, things can go wrong - and often times do (until you’ve nailed down a process). We can tell you from first hand, hard-scrabble experience during the last 10 years. We use the analogy of baking. If you bake a cake for a 5-person family, it’s going to be a very different cake from the one that feeds a 500-person wedding. You can multiply the recipe, use all the same ingredients, the same tools, measuring instruments, heating and cooling devices, but things inevitably change when the yield changes. Ingredients behave differently (and react differently with each other), cooling and heating times change. No matter how much you plan and anticipate, sometimes things just go wrong. We’ve learned that the hard way over the last decade. We’ve thrown out batches of 500 serums in one go because it didn’t meet our standards when made in a larger quantity. But when you see the final product on the shelf in a beautiful store, it can all look deceptively easy. #mayachia #cleanbeauty #cleanskincare #skincare #charleston
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2 0 2 4💫 marks a watershed milestone for our brand. 10 years ago we looked at a pile of chia seeds (much like the one pictured here) - one of the most nutrient-dense super foods - and we thought, "this has got to be incredible for the skin. And what's more, is someone making skincare from this and if not, why not?" It was a Eureka moment for us - and shortly thereafter Maya Chia was born. We started in one room, with one product. The logo was rough, the packaging wasn't slick. It was far from perfect, but it was a start. And we loved it. We didn't have a plan B. What we did have was passion and the refrain repeating in our heads, "if not now, when?" 10 years later, and thousands of hours on the bench (in the lab) formulating and over 20 products launched, we are reminded everyday how lucky we are to do what we love. As the hackneyed saying goes, when you love what you do you never have to work a day in your life. When you launch a creative pursuit, there is never an assurance about how it will be received. It takes a leap of faith when you push your baby bird out of the nest. Sometimes you will fail - and that's okay. No, that's great. Embrace failure, because it means you're in the game and you're learning. And sometimes you will get it right too. I encourage anyone who has a passion project gnawing at them to take that risk in 2024. This is your year - after all, "if not now, when?" #mayachia #cleanbeauty #cleanskincare #skincare #charleston
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Thank you to the team theSkimm and to the talented Martha Upton for this in-depth trial & review of The Straight A - Advanced Gentle Retinol Serum in their recent article, "I Just Turned 30 and Started Retinol for the First Time — Here’s What Derms Recommended For Me". Martha tried three different retinol serums, and reported falling for The Straight A retinol serum "so much I was reluctant to move on to the other two products I still had to test," and "my skin fell in love with this serum almost instantly." Click the link below to read the full article. https://lnkd.in/giMGTAtm #straighta #retinol #gentleretinol #antiaging #cleanbeauty #mayachia
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What you’re seeing here is Tranexamic Acid - it’s a skin-brightening agent you may have never heard of, but we think it’s worth being on your radar. Tranexamic Acid is a synthetic molecule with a structure similar to lysine, a naturally occurring amino acid. Lysine plays a considerable role in promoting the growth of collagen, which provides the skin with strength and elasticity. For years it was reserved for doctor’s offices until it was clinically proven to brighten the skin and reduce hyperpigmentation. Tranexamic acid functions primarily as a skin-brightening agent by inhibiting melanin production. It works to prevent hyperpigmentation by blocking the activation of melanocytes, effectively fading dark spots, and addressing skin discoloration concerns. Besides its ability to counter hyperpigmentation, tranexamic acid is known for its potential to reduce redness and inflammation caused by acne or other skin irritations. Additionally, it aids in enhancing skin clarity and promoting an even complexion, making it suitable for individuals with various skin types and concerns. Due to its anti-inflammatory qualities, Tranexamic Acid can also be an effective treatment for skin barrier recovery and assist in reducing acne, inflammation, and skin discoloration. When we introduced The Super Lift - Vitamin C-More Treatment three years ago, we recognized the powerful effects that Tranexamic Acid could have as part of a formulation. Using a combination of three shelf-stable forms of Vitamin C – Tranexamic Acid, Niacinamide, Ferulic Acid (from a plant source), Astaxanthin and Vitamin E – it works to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and discoloration, brighten the skin’s appearance, and help to both treat and prevent blemishes. #superliftvitaminc #vitamincserum #skincare #mayachia #cleanbeauty
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This orange powder is not cheeto dust, but a powerhouse antioxidant called COQ10. Coenzyme Q10, also known as Coenzyme Q, CoQ, CoQ10, Ubiquinone, Ubiquinone-Q10, Ubidecarenone, or Vitamin Q10, plays a vital role in cellular energy production. The most prevalent form in human mitochondria is CoQ10, where the “10” signifies the number of isoprene repeats in its structure. This coenzyme is intricately linked to the production of Adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the primary energy currency in cells. Most cellular functions rely on an ample supply of ATP, and CoQ10 is crucial for optimizing these processes. It facilitates the synthesis of ATP during cellular respiration. The 10 isoprene repeats in CoQ10’s structure are pivotal for its efficacy in this energy production process. Beyond its role in energy metabolism, Coenzyme Q10 stands out as one of the most significant lipid antioxidants. It operates by preventing the generation of free radicals and mitigating oxidative stress. As an antioxidant, CoQ10 can neutralize free radicals. CoQ10 form is an essential player in cellular energy production and a powerful antioxidant. Its multifaceted role in ATP synthesis and protection against oxidative damage underscores its significance for the skin. And it’s for these reasons why we chose to use this ingredient in the Super Blend Pressed Serum. #mayachia #cleanbeauty #cleanskincare #skincare #ingredienttransparency #superblend #pressedserum
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In honor of our 10th year as a brand, we’d like to spotlight some of our products along the way. The Super Couple - Ultra Luxe Face Oil was one of the first launches for our brand. It combines the super antioxidant Natural Astaxanthin with nutrient-dense Chia Seed oil. We were one of the first brands to incorporate Astaxanthin in skincare - although it is an ingredient that had been renown for years in the supplement world as one of nature’s strongest antioxidants (65X stronger than Vitamin C in combating free radicals). This product was one of the first to grab the attention of editors and customers. Why? Because it was different when we launched it and had credible, impressive science behind this ingredient. “Maya Chia always delivers beautiful results and the Ultra Luxe Face Serum is not the exception. The serum is rich yet not sticky and absorbs super fast. My face always feels and looks plump and glowing after application.” - Deborah V. Verified Buyer
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"For anyone after glowing skin and an 'au naturel' look, stop your search here. Super Naked Plum + Chia Face Oil is a nutrient-packed, ultra-nourishing oil that injects powerful ingredients into every pore on your face. Revitalize and rejuvenate every inch of the skin with this vitamin and fatty acid-rich oil. While most skincare lovers who use the oil use it to treat dryness, it’s suitable for every skin type, and helps improve the appearance of your skin. Get an instant boost in glow with one of the best oil skincare products in 2024." Thank you to the team at Us Weekly for featuring The Super Naked as one of the "Best Skincare Products in 2024," it is truly an honor. #supernaked #faceoil #chiaoil #cleanbeauty #mayachia
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From the article last week: "Maya Chia's The Super Lift Vitamin C-More Treatment may be pricey, but Dr. King says this supercharged formula is worth every penny. It contains a slew of complexion-perking ingredients, including three shelf-stable variations of vitamin C, tranexamic acid, ferulic acid, and niacinamide—and those are just the brightening ingredients. Peptides and stem cells derived from orange blossom lift and firm skin, resulting in a glowy, more youthful appearance. Editor's Tip: We love that this formula has a lightweight feel and quickly absorbs into skin, making it a great pick to layer under your favorite moisturizer, sunscreen, and/or makeup." The Super Lift - Vitamin C-More Treatment is so much more than a Vitamin C, it was recently named one of the "Best Tranexamic Acid Products" by Allure. Thank you so much to the team at Allure Magazine and Jennifer Hussein for this feature, it's an honor. #superliftvitaminc #vitamincserum #skincare #mayachia #cleanbeauty To read more, click here: https://lnkd.in/gMQqjhbz
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Thank you to the team Cosmopolitan and Beth Gillette for including the Straight A - Advanced Gentle Retinol Serum as the “Best Retinol and Bakuchiol Serum” in their latest article, it is truly an honor. From the article: “This retinol serum also uses bakuchiol, an extract of the Babchi plant, which has been used historically in Ayurvedic medicine. Now, though, it’s getting its flowers as a potential alternative to retinol for its anti-aging and brightening effects, says Dr. King. Based on studies, ‘bakuchiol seems to be activating the genes that regulate collagen and elastin production— the same ones retinol activates,’ she says. ‘And it doesn’t seem to irritate your skin the way retinol often does, so it appears to be a gentler option.’ So if you want a potentially easier-to-tolerate serum, try this one from Maya Chia, which Dr. King also loves. ‘It contains retinol as well as bakuchiol, but also vitamin C and vitamin E,’ she says. ‘It’s in a base of chia seed and buriti oils to support the skin barrier and lock in moisture too.’ Basically, it’s ideal for anyone with v-dry or easily irritated skin.” For the full article, follow the link below: https://lnkd.in/gdy87RTG #straighta #retinol #gentleretinol #antiaging #cleanbeauty #mayachia
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When you own a skincare company, you purchase a lot of ingredients (pictured here). From a lot of sources. If you’re doing it right, you literally scour the world for the best ingredients. And then you think you’ve done your job. But that’s when the work has just begun. The truth is that when you source ingredients, even from the best, most highly vetted suppliers, the lots change from season to season. Especially ingredients that are natural where a crop can change significantly from one season to the next. Consider the example of wine. From season to season, the harvest can dramatically affect a vineyard’s output. We try our best to ensure consistency at every turn, examining the specifications of our ingredients with a fine tooth comb with each shipment we receive. But in this business, at times, minimal amounts of variation are to be expected. These are the things you don’t often hear about, but thought it worth sharing. #mayachia #cleanbeauty #cleanskincare #skincare #charleston #behindthescenes
Naturopathic Doctor
3moThis is why your products are a staple in my routine! High quality products take a great deal of time to formulate and perfect…yet consumers don’t always realize the losses and errors that come with the territory when scaling up. Love seeing this side of the company and further shows the high standard you hold your products to. My skin is so thankful for that!