Product review: Mission Skincare

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Recently, several members of the dailymile team had the opportunity to test out some Mission Skincare products formulated to meet the needs of athletes. Mission Skincare was co-founded by a number of world-class athletes with the dual mission “To deliver world-class innovations that meet the unique Personal Care needs of an active lifestyle AND to make the biggest impact along the way by supporting the important charitable causes of our athletes and retail partners.”

It can be difficult for anyone, let along very active folks, to find a sunscreen product that really stays on during a swim or sweaty workout, or a moisturizing lotions that perform as advertised. There is no shortage or products from otherwise trusted manufacturers available. The problem is that wading through them to find those that really stand up when put to the test is no simple feat.

Enter Mission Skincare, a relative newcomer to the skin care market, with the goal of providing products that perform well for people who… Well, perform. Given their corporate mission, Kristin F., Melodie P., Jenny J., and me (Mark C.), were keen to put their products to the test to see how they would stand up to our active lifestyles.

Each of us picked a product that we knew we would use, given our individual needs or workout/race plans, and here’s what each of us had to say about our experiences.

Kristin F. on Mission No Sting Sunscreen Facestick SPF 30

“I wanted to try Mission No Sting Sunscreen Facestick because I had never used a sunscreen stick before and wanted to compare it to typical sunscreen lotion. I am very fair skinned so I have to carry sunscreen on me year round and admittedly have developed a love hate relationship with it – I love it because it prevents me from burning but I hate it because sunscreen is typically messy, sticky, often stings my eyes and stains clothes easily. I also had some interest in testing this product to aid in my outdoor activities. Many brands claim to be water proof and sweat proof and throughout the years I have found many of these claims to be false.

“My first impression of the Mission No Sting Sunscreen Facestick was that it was very compact and that it was easily sealed. It was sealed well enough to be thrown in a gym bag or a purse without worrying about it opening or spilling by accident but most notably, it was compact enough to store in a coat or pant pocket. The sunscreen itself was orderless, clear and not sticky. I used it mainly on my face on many of my out door triathlon training runs and bike rides and based on how well it prevented any sunburn during this trial time I also used it for two of my triathlons. And as advertised it kept me protected in the water and amidst the the sheer amount of sweating a summer sport provides. I also found it very easy to apply and was thrilled that unlike more sunscreens, it wasn’t sticky and did not make a mess of my hands nor anything I was wearing.

“I was very happy with this product overall, would recommended it and will definitely be using it as a staple item in my future training.”

Melodie P. on Mission Foot Rehab Cream

“I’m pretty hard on my feet. Running 6 days a week, my feet are always taking a beating, always tired, and always in need of a little TLC. My heels, sides of my feet, and tips of my toes are dry and regular lotion just wasn’t helping it.

“I do put regular lotion on my feet daily. I thought it would be unlikely that I notice a real difference, or that I would ever make a special effort to buy this particular brand. So at first you could say, I was a bit skeptical, but I figured I would go ahead and give Mission Foot Rehab a try.

“After about a week I began to notice that the tips of my toes didn’t look beat up and dry anymore. This would hold true 24+ hours after I had put the lotion on my feet, after a run and a shower. They didn’t even look bad after an 18 mile run. It was almost as if it helped protect them a little more during the run. I’m not sure if that is true, but I have seen a visible difference.

“I love to run, but I don’t like to sacrifice my feet in the process. And in flip flop season, I really don’t like them to look bad. The Rehab Lotion has made a very nice difference in the look and feel of my feet. Not to mention the peppermint tingle feels pretty good too!

“The product met all the needs I had. I was more than surprised at how well it did work, and for that, I can honestly say I would continue to use it. I will be looking to purchase another tube of it when mine runs out. This is an excellent product for anyone with dry feet, or for those who play hard and show it!”

Jenny J. on Mission Ultra-Sweatproof Sunscreen

“Growing up in AZ, I didn’t take very good care of my skin and I’m already paying for it. I’ve had several spots removed that have come back atypical & precancerous. As a runner, I’m trying to be really careful about protecting my skin and am in need of something that works well in the sweltering MO humidity.

“My first impression was that it’s such a teensy tube. I’m used to the huge “Water Babies” 10-12oz sunscreens. However, when I went to use it, I realized that I didn’t need as much and a little bit went a long way. It went on so smoothly almost like normal lotion. Most sunscreens are so thick and I always feel coated after applying. I didn’t even notice that I was wearing any. During several runs, I used the Ultra-Sweatproof sunscreen and it lived up to its name for the most part. The only time I noticed it was in the crease of my arm, where my forearm meets the upper…there were times when it almost collected there. I did use it on my face and I’m not sure if the sweat dripping into my eyes or the sunscreen are to blame for the burning. I’ve since purchased the sunscreen stick, which works really well for my face.

“Definitely [would will continue to use this product]. I used up the tube I was testing, purchased another and even added other Mission Athlete products to my order…Because of the ease of application, I love the sprays. Their lip balms are also fantastic, containing SPF 15. These are definitely items that every outdoor athlete needs!”

Mark C. on Mission Rejuvenating Face Moisturizer

“Because I work out regularly, I shower frequently. All this showering dries out my face and leaves me a “flaky pastry,” according to my wife. I have tried lotions over the years with mixed success. Sometimes I’d find one that worked well, but it felt like a thick coat of grease. Sometimes, I’d find something expensive that was meant to be “non-oily” or “dry to the touch,” but these failed to perform well at moisturizing. Other times I’d find something almost ideal, only to have the formula changed or discontinued and replaced with something that didn’t work well for me at all. Despite my skepticism, however, I decided give this Mission product a try.

“I thought at first that the tube was a little small, but I was surprised at how long it actually lasted. “A little goes a long way” is more than just a cliché, apparently. My experience with the Mission lotion is that a small amount covers a lot of territory, and moisturizes in both dry (Colorado) and humid (Wisconsin/Illinois) climates without feeling like a greasy layer of petroleum jelly. Frankly, it’s among the best everyday lotions I’ve used, and with my fair skin, the SPF 30 is a nice bonus. It has a very slight citrus scent that I don’t really require, but it’s barely perceptible so I don’t mind it.

“I already ordered two more tubes, and intend to continue using the Mission Rejuvenating Face Moisturizer after every shower. Please Mission, don’t drop or drastically change the formula. It’s great right now.”

For a list of charities supported by Mission Skincare, see the charities page on their website.