06.10.09
On a Mission
Sports superstars collaborate on skin care line.
By Melissa Meisel
Associate Editor
Who better to design the perfect lip balm or sunscreen than a professional athlete? After all, they battle heat, sun, sweat and freezing temperatures all in a day’s work.
Whether its star skateboader Ryan Sheckler tearing up the ramps or top snowboarder Gretchen Bleiler shredding the mountains, both pros know that extreme weather can have a harsh effect on the skin. Therefore, the two were recruited by startup company Mission Product Holdings LLC to create and test formulations for its new personal care collection, Mission Skincare. Other athletes who have signed on with Mission include tennis legend Serena Williams, champion golfer Sergio Garcia, standout basketball players Steve Nash and Carmelo Anthony, star soccer player Mia Hamm and Gold Medal swimmer Amanda Beard.
Headquartered in New York, NY, the brand was founded in 2007 by a passionate team of athletes, skin care experts and business leaders. The project was the brainchild of ultra-endurance athlete Charlie Engle, who conceptualized the line after finishing a 111-day run last year across the Sahara Desert.
According to the company, its products are engineered with breakthrough technology, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, and offer formulas that are paraben-free, irritant-free and animal-cruelty-free. Two years later, the brand rolled out its “Lip Balmers” in select sports specialty retailers such as Champs Sports, Lady Foot Locker and Vitamin Shop, mass market drugstore CVS as well as online at www.missionproduct.com.
Both Ms. Bleiler and Mr. Sheckler were the first of the pack to work with Mission Skincare scientists to create “the ultimate lip balm”—one that delivers on performance and stimulates the senses. Gretchen Bleiler’s creation was the Sweet Vanilla SPF 15 lip balm ($3.99).
“It was awesome to work with my team at Mission in creating the perfect lip balm with my favorite flavor, Sweet Vanilla,” said Ms. Bleiler. “Every aspect of the product, from the consistency to the packaging to the flavor, was carefully considered, and we’re really happy with the result.”
Ryan Sheckler’s formulation was the Orange SPF 15 lip balm ($3.99).
“As a co-founder of Mission, it's like having my own laboratory of skin care experts to create everything I want in my products,” he said. “When we decided to launch the series, I was the first to jump on it. I wear lip balm all day, every day. Everyone thinks of orange with refreshment, so this flavor offers a pick-me-up all day long.”
The brand recently rolled out a mint formulation for Spring 2009. All three lip balms feature sunflower, jojoba and olive oils—ideal for superior moisturization while maintaining moisture balance, says the company. Natural mineral sunscreen zinc oxide protects from the sun’s rays, while antioxidant vitamin E fights free radicals. A touch of echinacea conditions, while calendula soothes the lips.
Mission also rolled out a set of sun protection products for Spring 2009. Its Ultra-Sweatproof Sunscreen SPF 30+ Lotion ($8.99) is touted as a non-greasy, fast-absorbing formula that offers great protection and won't lose effectiveness. The use of antioxidants and vitamins gives an extra boost to keep skin soft.
The Fast-Drying Sunscreen SPF 30+ Spray ($9.99) offers intense sweatproof and waterproof broad-spectrum SPF 30+ protection in a convenient, fast-drying spray. Its vitamin-enriched, paraben-free formula also makes it an ideal sunscreen for protection on the go, according to the company. Another sun care SKU, the Anti-Sting SPF 30+ Facestick ($8.99), features broad-spectrum protection using a unique, high-performance formula with zinc oxide that safely and effectively shields skin against both UVA and UVB rays.
Besides offering innovative personal care products, the brand works with a host of charities affiliated with their sporty spokespeople, such as Train 4 Autism and H20 Africa. It’s clear they’re on a mission to change the world, one product at a time.
More info: www.missionskincare.com