Maya Chia

What Maya Chia does

Maya Chia is a privately-held, bootstrapped clean luxury skincare and haircare company founded in 2014 by Susanne Norwitz and headquartered in Charleston, South Carolina. The company formulates, produces, and fills all products in a ~5,000 square-foot solar-powered studio under one roof, leveraging a proprietary supercritical CO2 extraction process for chia seed oil that yields 5-6x higher ALA and linoleic acid concentrations than conventional cold-pressed methods. The portfolio spans face care (serums, retinol treatments, vitamin C treatments, face oils, cleansers, eye treatments, masks), haircare (the Power Fol franchise covering scalp treatment, shampoo, conditioner, lash/brow serum, and molecular bond repair), body care, men's grooming, and curated bundles, with clinically-proven actives including encapsulated retinol, astaxanthin, bakuchiol, azelaic acid, tranexamic acid, peptides, and stabilized vitamin C.

The business operates a multi-channel go-to-market anchored by direct-to-consumer e-commerce on mayachia.com, supplemented by a Subscribe and Save subscription program (10% discount, flexible 4/6/8/12-week delivery), wholesale distribution through luxury hospitality partners (Miraval, Alila, select Four Seasons properties), and premium clean beauty retailers (Credo Beauty, The Detox Market). Products are priced at $42-$250, positioning the brand in the premium indie beauty tier. Distribution is focused on the US and Canada only. The company is certified Leaping Bunny and vegan, and markets aggressively through earned media coverage in Vogue, Allure, Harper's Bazaar, Cosmopolitan, Glamour, Vanity Fair, and Goop, supplemented by content marketing (educational blog, Longevity Library), founder thought leadership (Inc.com column), and organic social media. Customer segments span consumers with maturing skin, hyperpigmentation, sensitive/reactive skin, hair thinning, and dry/dehydrated skin, with a primary use case in anti-aging.

Name

Maya Chia

Legal name

Maya Chia

Website

https://mayachia.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Maya Chia is a bootstrapped clean luxury skincare and haircare brand founded in 2014, headquartered in Charleston, SC. It formulates and produces proprietary supercritical chia-based products sold DTC, via subscription, and through luxury spas and premium clean beauty retailers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Luxury Clean Skincare & Haircare

NAICS

Soap, Cleaning Compound, and Toilet Preparation Manufacturing (3256), Cosmetics, Beauty Supplies, and Perfume Retailers (456120)

SIC

Perfumes, Cosmetics & Other Toilet Preparations (2844), Soap, Detergents, Cleang Preparations, Perfumes, Cosmetics (2840)

akta.pro primary industry

Natural/Organic & Clean Skincare (CRABAAAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Dermocosmetics & Medical-Grade Skincare (CRABAAAF), Hair Care (Shampoo, Conditioner, Styling, Treatments) (CRADANAE)

Keywords

• Clean skincare products
• Luxury facial serums
• Hair and scalp treatments
• Supercritical chia oil
• Anti-aging formulations

Headquarters

HQ city

Charleston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Direct E-commerce Sales: Primary revenue stream through direct sales via their website mayachia.com. Products sold at various price points from $42 to $250 with free shipping on orders over $75.
2. Subscription Model: Subscription and Save program offering 10% discount with flexible delivery frequencies (4, 6, 8, or 12 weeks). Subscribers can pause, skip, or cancel anytime.
3. Wholesale/Spa Distribution: Products sold through luxury spas including Miraval, Alila, and select Four Seasons properties, as well as retailers like Credo Beauty.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Maya Chia manufactures and sells luxury clean skincare and haircare products built around its proprietary supercritical chia seed oil, with a hero lineup of face serums, oils, cleansers, treatments, and a Power Fol scalp-to-hair franchise. The company formulates, produces, and fills all products at its solar-powered studio in Charleston, SC, and distributes direct-to-consumer through its website with subscription options, alongside wholesale into luxury hotel spas and premium clean beauty retailers.

Product overview

Maya Chia is a luxury clean skincare and haircare brand offering a unified portfolio of products organized around face care, body care, and scalp/hair care. The face care line is anchored by hero products including The Super Blend (pressed serum), The Super Lift (vitamin C treatment), The Straight A (encapsulated retinol serum), and The Super Couple (face oil with astaxanthin), supported by cleansers (The Great Cleanse, The Meringue Melt), essences (The Optimist), eye treatments (The Eye Achiever, Advanced Eye Response Complex), moisturizers (The Advanced Response Complex), specialty oils (The Supercritical Omega-3, The Super Naked), masks (The Refresh Mint), and illuminating/makeup products (The Highlight of the Day). The haircare line centers on the Power Fol franchise, encompassing scalp treatment, shampoo, conditioner, eyelash/brow serum, and The Mane Agent bond repair treatment, complemented by tools (The Brush, Power Tool). Body care includes The Revitalizer body oil and Chia Waterless Wonder Balm. The portfolio also includes multi-product bundles (The Great Escape, Skin Refresh, Rise and Regenerate), The Discovery Collection trial set, and E-Gift Cards. Products leverage clinically studied actives including supercritical chia seed oil, astaxanthin, encapsulated retinol, bakuchiol, azelaic acid, tranexamic acid, niacinamide, peptides, growth factors, stem cells, and stabilized vitamin C. The brand positions itself at the intersection of clean beauty and scientific rigor, formulated and produced in a solar-powered lab in Charleston, South Carolina.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• The Super Blend - Pressed Serum Multi-Correctional Moisture Concentrate Multi-correctional pressed serum designed to deliver concentrated moisture to the skin, positioned as a hero/bestseller product within the Maya Chia face care line for consumers seeking hydrating, anti-aging skincare.
• The Super Lift - Concentrated Vitamin C-More Treatment Concentrated vitamin C treatment targeting brightening, firming, and dark spots, utilizing tranexamic acid and ferulic acid for skin tone improvement. Sold as part of the Maya Chia face care line to consumers seeking clinical brightening within a clean beauty framework.
• The Straight A - Advanced Gentle Retinol Serum Advanced gentle retinol serum utilizing encapsulated retinol technology for anti-aging benefits with minimized irritation, often combined with bakuchiol for sensitive skin. Sold to consumers seeking retinol results without traditional irritation.
• Power Fol™ - Advanced Multi-Correctional Scalp & Hair Treatment Multi-correctional scalp and hair treatment combining peptides, amino acids, fermented minerals, adaptogens, and astaxanthin to promote the appearance of fuller, denser, stronger hair from the follicle level. Sold to consumers dealing with hair thinning and scalp health concerns.
• The Eye Achiever - Multi-Correctional Eye Serum Multi-correctional eye serum targeting dark circles, puffiness, and fine lines around the eye area. Sold to consumers seeking clinical eye-area treatment within a clean beauty routine.
• The Advanced Response Complex - Face & Neck Moisture Cream Face and neck moisture cream delivering comprehensive anti-aging benefits, recognized for firming, tightening, and toning the décolletage area. Sold to consumers seeking clinical anti-aging coverage for face and neck.
• The Super Couple - Ultra Luxe Face Oil Serum Ultra luxe face oil serum featuring astaxanthin and supercritical chia seed oil, designed to nourish, brighten, and support collagen production. Sold to consumers seeking a high-performance face oil.
• The Great Cleanse - Nourishing Supercritical Cleansing Oil Nourishing cleansing oil formulated with supercritical chia seed oil to remove makeup and impurities while maintaining skin barrier integrity. Sold to consumers seeking a barrier-friendly oil cleanser.
• The Meringue Melt - Regenerating Cleanser Regenerating cleanser designed to gently exfoliate while cleansing, recognized as one of the best exfoliators for sensitive skin. Sold to consumers seeking a gentle, exfoliating cleanser.
• The Optimist - Hydrating Brightening Essence Hydrating and brightening facial essence that delivers an immediate glow and boost of hydration to the skin. Sold to consumers as a first step in a hydration- and glow-focused skincare routine.
• Power Fol™ Shampoo - Advanced Scalp & Hair Treatment Advanced shampoo formulated to cleanse the scalp while delivering molecular-level bond repair and scalp wellness actives. Sold to consumers as part of the Power Fol scalp-and-hair routine.
• Power Fol™ Conditioner - Advanced Volumizing Bond Repair Advanced volumizing conditioner with bond repair technology designed to strengthen hair and impart visible volume. Sold to consumers as part of the Power Fol scalp-and-hair routine.
• Power Fol™ - Multi-Correctional Eyelash & Eyebrow Serum Multi-correctional eyelash and eyebrow serum designed to promote the appearance of longer, thicker lashes and brows. Sold to consumers seeking lash and brow enhancement within a clean beauty framework.
• The Mane Agent™ - Advanced Molecular Bond Repair Hair treatment leveraging advanced molecular bond repair technology to strengthen, smooth, and reduce breakage in hair strands. Sold to consumers seeking bond-repair haircare within a clean beauty framework.
• The Super Naked - Plum + Chia Face Oil Face oil combining plum and chia seed oils, formulated for sensitive skin to nourish, calm, and brighten without irritation. Sold to consumers with sensitive or reactive skin.
• The Supercritical - Omega-3 Chia Face Oil Face oil featuring supercritical omega-3 chia seed oil as a key ingredient, supporting skin barrier function and reducing trans-epidermal water loss. Sold to consumers seeking barrier-supportive facial oil.
• The Advanced Eye Response Complex Advanced eye treatment combining retinol with hydration for the delicate eye area, delivering regenerative benefits with minimized irritation. Sold to consumers seeking retinol-based eye treatment.
• The Refresh Mint - Exfoliating Moisture Mask Exfoliating moisture mask combining gentle resurfacing with deep hydration. Sold to consumers seeking a clean exfoliating mask.
• The Revitalizer - Beautifying Body Oil Beautifying body oil designed to nourish and hydrate body skin. Sold to consumers seeking a body-care oil extension of the face-care lineup.
• Chia Waterless Wonder Balm Multi-purpose waterless balm formulated with supercritical chia seed oil for deep nourishment of hands, feet, elbows, and lips. Sold to consumers as a multi-use body balm.
• The Highlight Of The Day - Illuminating Face Serum Makeup Illuminating face serum and makeup hybrid that provides a subtle glow while delivering skincare benefits. Sold to consumers seeking a hybrid skincare-makeup product.
• Water | Color - Tinted Super Antioxidant Hydrating Serum + Gradual Sunless Tanner Two-in-one tinted hydrating serum combined with gradual sunless tanner, providing antioxidant protection while building a natural-looking tan. Sold to consumers seeking a hybrid skincare-self-tan product.
• Power Tool - Multi-Use Gua Sha Tool For Scalp And Face Massage Multi-use gua sha tool designed for both scalp and face massage, used to enhance absorption of serums and treatments. Sold to consumers as a complementary tool for the skincare and haircare routines.
• The Brush | 3-IN-1 Multi-Purpose Tool 3-in-1 multi-purpose tool for scalp and hair application and massage. Sold to consumers as a complementary tool for the Power Fol haircare routine.
• The Discovery Collection Curated discovery set allowing consumers to try multiple Maya Chia products, serving as an entry point to the brand's portfolio. Sold to first-time customers and gift purchasers.
• Power Fol™ Scalp and Hair Bundle Bundle combining Power Fol Scalp Treatment with shampoo and conditioner for a complete scalp and hair care routine. Sold to consumers at a discount versus individual pricing.
• The Advanced Response Complex Face | Neck | Eye Bundle Bundle combining the Advanced Response Complex face cream, neck cream, and eye treatments for complete anti-aging coverage. Sold to consumers at a discount versus individual pricing.
• Power Fol™ Scalp, Hair and Eyelash Bundle Complete hair and lash care bundle combining scalp treatment, shampoo, conditioner, and eyelash serum. Sold to consumers at a discount versus individual pricing.
• E-Gift Card Digital gift card available in variable denominations starting at $25, enabling gifting of Maya Chia products. Sold to gift-givers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 89% of participants reported scalp and hair felt healthier after 8-week consumer study
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration10 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Adopt-A-Village GuatemalacoreOthersMaya Chia is the corporate sponsor of Adopt-A-Village Guatemala, a grassroots nonprofit providing education, skills training, and sustainable organic gardening programs for Maya communities. In 2021, the organization received the Energy Globe Award for teaching families to grow nutrient-dense food while protecting the land for future generations.
• Miraval ResortflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLuxury wellness resort where Maya Chia products are retailed in their spa, serving high-end wellness-focused guests seeking premium clean beauty products.
• Alila Hotels & ResortsflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLuxury boutique hotel brand where Maya Chia products are available in spa retail settings, aligning with the brand's clean, sustainable positioning.
• Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts (Select Properties)flagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSelect Four Seasons properties carry Maya Chia products in their spa retail environments, providing access to affluent, quality-conscious consumers.
• Lilly Wallace (LillyGenuineGlow)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerClean beauty expert who collaborated with Maya Chia to create how-to video tutorials demonstrating optimal product use, expanding reach to her audience of clean beauty enthusiasts.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Tata Harper: Luxury clean skincare brand known for high-potency botanical formulations and vertically integrated farm-to-bottle production. Closely comparable premium positioning, DTC-led model, and emphasis on ingredient transparency.
• Drunk Elephant: Premium clean skincare brand built on biocompatible, clinically active formulations. Shares Maya Chia's science-meets-clean positioning and prestige pricing, though at significantly larger scale and now under Shiseido ownership.
• Tatcha: Luxury skincare brand merging Japanese botanical traditions with clinical actives. Comparable premium positioning, multi-channel distribution (DTC + Sephora), and storytelling-driven brand building.
• Vintner's Daughter: Boutique luxury clean skincare brand with multi-correctional serums at premium price points. Highly comparable DTC-first indie model and emphasis on high-concentration active ingredients.
• Allies of Skin: Clinical-grade clean skincare brand offering multi-correctional serums and treatments at luxury price points. Comparable positioning at the intersection of clean beauty and clinical efficacy.
• Juice Beauty: Organic clean skincare and haircare brand with USDA-certified organic formulations. Comparable clean-positioning and overlapping skincare + haircare portfolio.
• OSEA Malibu: Family-founded clean skincare brand with vegan, ocean-inspired formulations sold DTC and through luxury spas. Closely aligned indie-scale, spa channel, and clean beauty positioning.

Broad incumbents

• Beautycounter: Larger clean beauty brand with broader portfolio across skincare, body, and makeup plus advocacy-led marketing. Comparable clean ingredient standards but with much broader distribution and consultant channel.

Emerging players

• Necessaire: Premium personal care brand with clinically-backed clean formulations across body, hair, and skincare. Comparable DTC-led model with subscription elements and emphasis on ingredient rigor.
• Act+Acre: Scalp-care focused clean haircare brand with clinical actives. Direct overlap with Maya Chia's Power Fol franchise and the broader scalp-health category thesis.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/mayachiabeauty
• Facebookfacebook.com/mayachiabeauty
• Instagraminstagram.com/mayachiabeauty
• Pinterestpinterest.com/mayachiabeauty
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/maya-chia-beauty

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Maya Chia