Maya Chia

The Optimist Hydrating Brightening Essence

The Optimist Hydrating Brightening Essence
The Optimist Hydrating Brightening Essence
The Optimist Hydrating Brightening Essence
The Optimist Hydrating Brightening Essence
The Optimist Hydrating Brightening Essence
The Optimist Hydrating Brightening Essence
The Optimist Hydrating Brightening Essence
The Optimist Hydrating Brightening Essence
The Optimist Hydrating Brightening Essence
The Optimist Hydrating Brightening Essence
The Optimist Hydrating Brightening Essence
The Optimist Hydrating Brightening Essence
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Maya Chia

The Optimist Hydrating Brightening Essence

The Optimist Hydrating Brightening Essence

A multi-active brightening essence mist with the potency of a serum, formulated with Sake Extract, Licorice Root, Beet Root Extract, Astaxanthin, Supercritical Chia Extract, and White Tea to help boost luminosity, support hydration, defend against visible oxidative stress, and leave skin looking fresh, calm, and radiant. Maya Chia's clean, modern answer to the sake-powered essence category — delivered in an ultra-fine mist.

Regular price $59
Sale price $59 Regular price
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The Optimist Hydrating Brightening Essence

3.4 oz / 100 ml
$59
  • Overview
  • Choosing your shade
  • How to use
  • Ingredients
  • Sustainable Packaging
  • About the brand
Highlights

Suitable for

All skin types; especially dry, dehydrated, dull, sensitive

Why we stand behind it

The Optimist was developed over 89 formulation iterations with one goal: to create an essence mist that performs with the treatment intensity of a targeted serum. At the center of the formula is Sake Extract, selected for its naturally occurring amino acids, polysaccharides, and vitamins — which help replenish hydration and support a fresher, more luminous complexion.

Organic Licorice Root Extract strengthens the brightening system through Glabridin, helping reduce the appearance of dark spots and promote a more even-looking skin tone. White Tea Extract — sourced from tender young buds and prized for its exceptionally high polyphenol content — delivers an added layer of antioxidant defense against the visible effects of daily environmental stress.

Astaxanthin and Supercritical Chia Extract complete the formula with protective and barrier-supportive benefits. Astaxanthin provides up to 65 times the free radical protection of Vitamin C, while Supercritical Chia Extract helps support the look of a healthy skin barrier — leaving skin feeling more balanced, comforted, and resilient.

Applied before serums and oils, The Optimist creates a hydration-priming layer that helps enhance the performance of everything that follows. The result is skin that feels instantly refreshed and deeply prepared, with a softer, more radiant, and more awakened look over time.

Key ingredients

Sake Extract: A naturally nutrient-rich extract with amino acids, polysaccharides, and vitamins that helps hydrate, smooth, and visibly brighten the skin.

Organic Licorice Root Extract: A brightening botanical source of Glabridin that helps reduce the appearance of dark spots and support a more even-looking tone.

Astaxanthin: A potent antioxidant that delivers up to 65 times the free radical protection of Vitamin C, helping defend against the visible effects of environmental stress.

this product meets

The Credo Clean Standard™

Every product we offer meets our industry leading standards for safety and sustainability.

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This product is

Cruelty Free

What is an undertone?

An undertone is the color beneath the surface of your skin, which never changes (even with a tan). There are three types of undertones:

Pink/Cool

I see red or pink undertones around the perimeter of my face and neck.
My skin burns easily, but barely tans.
My skin looks better in silver jewelry than gold.

Neutral

I see both pink and yellow undertones around the perimeter of my face and neck.
My skin sometimes burns and sometimes tans.
My skin looks good in both gold and silver jewelry.

Yellow/Warm

I see yellow or golden undertones around the perimeter of my face and neck.
My skin rarely burns, but tans easily.
My skin looks better in gold jewelry than silver.

Find your shade match

Take our 1 minute quiz and get matched to real people with your skin tone and type.

Usage

Mist onto clean skin morning and evening before serums and oils. Can also be used throughout the day for a hydration and brightening boost.

Full ingredient list
Aloe Barbadensis (*Aloe) Leaf Juice, Oryza Sativa (*Sake) Extract Camellia Sinensis Leaf (*White Tea) Extract, Pure Water (Aqua), Leuconostoc/Radish Root Ferment Filtrate Lactobacillus, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Fruit Extract, Hydrolyzed Corn Starch (and) Beta Vulgaris (Beet) Root Extract, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Panthenol, Phospholipids, Xylityl – Glucoside – Anhydroxylitol -Xylitol, Lauryl Glucoside (and) Myristyl Glucoside (and) Polyglyceryl-6 Laurate, Salvia Hispanica (Chia) Seed Extract (and) Haematococcus Pluvialis Algal (Astaxanthin) Extract, Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (*Licorice) Root Extract, Citrus Sinensis (*Sweet Orange) Essential Oil, Citrus Aurantium Amara (Neroli) Essential Oil, Cananga Odorata (*Ylang Ylang) Essential Oil, Potassium Sorbate *Certified Organic
Help us end beauty packaging waste

We co-founded the nonprofit Pact to demystify how to recycle your beauty packaging empties and divert waste from landfills.

How to recycle your empties

1. Disassemble and clean all components

2. Pick the right disposal bin

3. Drop off your empties at your nearest Pact bin

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Maya Chia

Maya Chia skin care products are made from the highest quality ingredients from around the world, responsibly sourced, and gentle and effective. Maya Chia uses a revolutionary supercritical extraction method expressly created to ensure purity, stability, and maximum potency of the oil nutrients. The oil is lightweight and rapidly absorbs into the skin. Recommended for all skin types, even the most sensitive.

SHOP ALL Maya Chia

Overall rating: 4.765625 / 5 from 128 reviews.

AI Generated Review Summary

The Optimist Hydrating & Brightening Essence by Maya Chia is praised for its amazing scent, gentle mist, and effective hydration. Customers appreciate its lightweight feel and ability to leave skin feeling soft, hydrated, and plump without irritation.

Summary topics

  • Skin Feel: 14%
  • Hydration Effectiveness: 5%
  • Product Scent: 50%
  • Mist Quality: 25%
  • Mister Performance: 5%

Review topics: ["absorbs","quality","feels","scent","glow","skin","looks","lines","bottle","hydration","oil","works","face","patches","mist","spray","mister","optimist","toner","brand","maya chia","experience","essence","moisturizer","other products","ounce","vibe","luxury","drops","serum"].

Review highlights

  • "My skin feels nice and hydrated!"Maryhelen P.
  • "This is the only product I’ve found with a super fine mist, great hydration and highest quality."Mary B.
  • "It smells so good and refreshing and doesn't irritate my very sensitive skin."Dawn

Reviews

Just Lovely

"I bought during the sale and really didn't want to like it as much as I do considering the price for a face mist seems high. But it smells like heaven and neroli, makes my skin looks plump and hydrated. Guess I will be repurchasing."

Chelsa C. (5/5)

Feels great

"I haven’t used this long enough to see long-term benefits, but feels great as a first step to skin care routine."

Savannah K. (5/5)

Not my first purchase

"Love this facial spray! I keep it handy in my purse to use throughout the day. It’s one of my favorites."

heather m. (5/5)

Lightweight and reinvigorating

"I love this hydrating essence. It’s so nice to mist on!"

Jennifer G. (5/5)

Best Mist

"I’ve purchased this at least 5 times because it’s a lovely way to start my morning routine. Hydrating and refreshing."

Renee R. (5/5)

Great product

"Refreshing & great smell. Skin feels more moisturized after using. I keep this on my desk at work for a little pick me up throughout the day and it really does deliver."

leeann r. (5/5)

Love it

"Pricey, but it's a luxurious splurge when you want to pamper yourself. Smells delightful and feels refreshing. Not sure how much it really does for hydrating my skin, but it's a pleasure to use."

Amy A. (5/5)

Such a boost!

"The perfect boost of fresh awakening hydration. Seems to activate everything else you use to boost its performance. Smells great, feels even better."

Drew T. (5/5)

Absolutely Fantastic

"This is a new product for me recommended by Vanessa at Credo - the smell, feel and effectiveness are all wonderful. I would recommend it to anyone"

Stephanie F. (5/5)

Refreshing and balancing

"A nice light mist of moisture and smells amazing"

Carly H. (5/5)

Q&A