M. CARYA
founder: Maria Acosta
course: International Organic Skincare Entrepreneur Program
Graduation year: 2025
location: United States
Hero product: Body Butter Bar
Founded by Formula Botanica graduate Maria Acosta, M. Carya grew from a personal discovery of how simple, well-chosen ingredients can truly transform the skin. While studying organic skincare formulation, Maria encountered the richness of cold-pressed Texas pecan oil and began sourcing it directly from a family orchard in San Saba. That connection became the heart of the brand.
M. Carya creates small-batch skincare that feels both luxurious and grounded, crafted with care and intention. Each formulation is inspired by the landscapes and botanicals of Texas and the wider American prairie, celebrating ingredients that are local, purposeful, and thoughtfully selected. The brand is created for the mothers, matriarchs, and mentors who help us feel at home in our skin and confident in our natural beauty.
Maria credits Formula Botanica with giving her a rigorous foundation in cosmetic science and natural formulation. Through the course, she developed a deep understanding of ingredient chemistry, preservation, and the practical realities of running a skincare business, moving from what she describes as a “kitchen formulator” to a professional skincare formulator.
Before enrolling, Maria could follow recipes. After graduating, she could create her own formulas with confidence. The coursework on emulsions, anhydrous systems, and advanced formulation directly shaped her hero products, including the Tallow & Pecan Balm and Body Butter Bar, allowing her to balance texture, stability, and sensory experience with precision.
Launching her brand while still a student felt ambitious, but Formula Botanica provided the confidence and practical tools to make it possible. Templates for GMP documentation, batch records, and lab notebooks became the backbone of her manufacturing process and gave her the assurance to sell to retailers and open an online store.
Maria also highlights the value of the Formula Botanica community. Access to a global network of formulators, along with guidance and encouragement from the Formula Botanica team, helped shorten her learning curve and supported her through testing, branding, and the launch of M. Carya.
