SparkPeople has been fortunate enough to team up with MISSION Skincare, a great company that was founded by one of our "celebrity" members. Josh Shaw, the founder of MISSION Skincare, is a longtime SparkPeople member who used SparkPeople to lose 40 pounds after his appearance on NBC's The Apprentice in 2005.

Josh and his team have quickly built MISSION Skincare into a great company with revolutionary and affordable skincare products ranging from sunscreens and lip balms to anti-friction and foot creams. Their athlete partners are very involved in the product development and marketing, and together, they are not only creating breakthrough products, but they are also helping to support their various charitable foundations. MISSION Skincare donates a percentage of its profits to the athletes' foundations.

We got to try some of the products and wanted to share our opinions with you.

What They Say:
Teaming up with scientists and skincare industry veterans, we've established an entirely new category--high-performance, athlete-engineered skincare. Engineered in MISSION Labs, the entire MISSION Skincare line is designed, and has been proven, to meet the specific needs of athletes across all sports. With vital nutrients and antioxidants, MISSION Skincare is the best equipment for your skin, allowing athletes to focus on their sport and maximize their performance.

It's our MISSION to make a difference, not just by making the best skincare products. We want to make a difference in the world. MISSION Skincare proudly supports the charities and foundations of our professional athlete partners.

Though the products are designed with athletes in mind, they're for anyone with an active lifestyle--whether you are running a marathon, taking a brisk walk or trying to keep up with your kids at the beach. For example, the Anti-Friction Cream won the Shape Magazine Innovation Award for 2009 (perfect for any skin-to-skin chafing or even for rubbing of shoes and bra straps).

The products are all paraben free, not tested on animals and manufactured in the USA. They are also rich in vitamins and antioxidants. (See individual product pages for more details about ingredients.)

What We Say:

"I have been using Serena Williams' Pomegranate Lip Balmer SPF 15. It was great in the sun and wind when we were hiking in the sand dunes this summer at Lake Michigan. Lips stayed moist and with the SPF they were well protected from the sun. It isn't heavy or overly greasy but does stay on while drinking both hot drinks like coffee or tea as well as cold drinks like water or diet soda."

"I have the lip balm in mint and sweet vanilla. They are both SPF 15. I like both of them--they seem to last, feel smooth and the scent is nice without being nauseating. Since they are paraben free, I let my daughter put them on once in a while when we are going to be out in the sun."

"I ordered the MISSION product line at the end of June. They arrived within a week of placing my order and were wrapped very nicely in silver tissue with a few extras lip balms thrown in. I love the lip balm. Not only does it not have the waxy feel of other lip balms, but it keeps my lips from getting chapped or sunburned, especially running in the Texas sun and heat."

"My four all-time favorite products are the Fast-Drying Sunscreen SPF 30+ Spray, High-Performance Anti-Friction Cream, Ultra-Soothing After-Sun Revive Gel and High-Performance Foot Synergy Gel. As a runner preparing for my first marathon, it wasn't uncommon for me to develop blisters on my feet especially during my long, slow distance runs, that was until I started using the Anti-Friction Cream. In the past I have tried Body Glide and Band-Aid's Blister Block, well-known to most runners in helping keep blisters and chafing at bay, but that was not the case with me. I had to go out of my way to buy Body Glide at my local running store and it did not live up to its name. I am proud to say I have run over 5 runs of 10 miles or greater totally blister-free since I started using the Anti-Friction Cream. I like that a little goes a long way and it isn't greasy and scented.

What I love about the Fast-Drying Sunscreen, besides the high SPF (30+), is the fact that it does what it says-it dries very quickly, so I can apply it just before I get in the car to drive to the running trails without having to worry about my car's seat being greasy and stained. It isn't sticky or greasy like many other products I have used. It is lightly scented but not overpowering. What I also like is that I can go out for a good 2 1/2 to 3 hour run and not have to worry about reapplying. It is a staple to my sunscreen arsenal and is my all-time favorite Mission product.

This brings me to the Revive Gel and the Foot Synergy Gel. After I am done with my runs, I love to shower and then rub on some of the Revive Gel and Foot Synergy Gel. The thick, unscented Revive Gel leaves a nice cooling sensation on my skin which is great after a hot run. The Foot Synergy Gel has a nice light scent but like the Fast-Drying Sunscreen, it is not overpowering. The Foot Synergy Gel keeps my feet smooth and soft and I can wear sandals right after applying and it doesn't ruin my shoes.

I have also used the Anti-Sting Sunscreen SPF 30+ Facestick. This stick sunscreen, which I carry in my pouch during my long runs, allows me to apply more sunscreen to my face during my runs if I need to. I just pull it out and rub it on my face and because it is in a stick form I don't even have to stop running to apply it.

I love these products because a little goes a long way with them. I am well into 5 weeks in using these products on almost a daily basis and I still have a lot left. They will definitely be a part of my skincare routine from now on. And the great thing is, the cost of these products is no more than what I would pay for other similar products at the local department or drug store and best of all I can order them all from the comfort of my home at anytime."

Pricing/Availability:
Prices range from $3.99 for lip balmers to $49.99 for a Deluxe Bundle Kit of 12 products.
Most products are less than $10. (SparkPeople members can save 15% by entering the coupon code Spark15 at check out. This offer is limited to ONLINE ONLY.)

You can buy MISSION products online or at various national retailers.


Have you tried MISSION products? Will you?