Why Skin Types Don't Matter
Most people shop for their skincare by skin type. Skin types include dry, oily, normal, and the ever-ambiguous combination skin. Companies refer to skin types as if they are a genetic trait in order to get you to buy whatever specialized product they are selling, but what if we told you that skin types were originally created as a marketing ploy? You are not born with a skin type the way you are born with an eye color, for example. Skin types were invented to get you to buy products. Still, the concept has proven entirely relatable throughout the decades. Which begs the question, what are we really trying to describe when we talk about skin types?
Your skin responds to its internal and external environment.
The skin is a living, breathing organ. There are some differences in the skin's behavior depending on age, gender, time of year, diet, and even geographical location. When we are talking about skin types, we aren't talking about fixed, immutable traits. We are talking about your skin's behavior at any given time, and that behavior can (and will) change.
The main factor we are trying to control in skin is oil production - either it's producing too much, or it is producing too little. What we decide is "too much" or "too little" oil production, by the way, is a cultural standard. Matte skin, for example, is dry skin (or skin that looks like it's dry). And dewy skin is oily skin. Sometimes you want both matte skin and dewy skin at the same time on different parts of the face. But these trends come and go, as they are often inspired by makeup trends, which are inspired by products being pushed by makeup companies. As we aspire toward certain skin types, the products we use to manipulate oil production change.
Skincare can alter your skin's oil production.
Skincare is a factor that changes your skin's behavior. People with oily skin, for example, try to modify their skin's oil production by chronically drying it out. People with dry skin often add heavy butters to their skin to supplement its own oil content. The products and treatments you choose will produce different results, and if you go too extreme, you will cause so much damage that your skin will swing dramatically into different skin behavior. Oily skin, for example, when hammered with too many drying products that damage the skin barrier, may struggle to make any of its own oils at all, leaving your skin scaly, dysfunctional, and depleted. This isn't a matter of your skin type suddenly changing overnight, but rather of your skin responding to its environment.
Our products support all skin types.
One of our priorities at Mil Usos was to create products that could be used by all people whose skin both over-produces and under-produces its own oil. How did we manage to do this?
Step 1: Gentle cleansing
Harsh cleansing ingredients - like the ones found in cheap soaps and body washes - benefit literally no one. They have even been proven to disrupt the skin barrier. Harsher cleansing does not mean better cleansing, it means you're leaving your skin worse off than before you stepped into the shower. In order to fix this problem, we chose to work with a specific cleansing ingredient called isethionates that are so gentle, they barely cause any change to the skin barrier at all. We combine these isethionates with activated charcoal, which not only has antimicrobial properties but also binds to pathogenic bacteria so it can be washed away. Our Char Goals Everything Bar Cleanser is the perfect option for athletes looking to restore depleted skin.
Step 2: Exfoliation
Exfoliation is the process of removing the top layer of dead skin cells, and it has been practiced for centuries. By removing the top layer of dead skin cells, you can speed up the skin renewal cycle. The skin renewal cycle takes about 28 days, and it's the amount of time required for the skin to produce new skin cells. Exfoliation benefits dry, flakey skin by removing the top layer of flakes that have trouble shedding themselves. Exfoliation also benefits oily skin by unclogging pores, which makes it less likely for dead skin cells to cause future pimples and infection. Our Scuff Love Exfoliating Glove is made of 100% mulberry silk, and it only needs to be used once or twice a week for amazing results.
Step 3: Targeted Moisture
Most moisturizers are made with white, waxy pellets that are blended with water to create a cream or lotion base. These waxy pellets lubricate the skin, but they are completely devoid of nutrients, essential fatty acids, sterols, vitamins, and other antioxidants that benefit the skin. Instead of creating another boring face and body lotion, we decided to whip up a uniquely nourishing skin balm that could be enjoyed by everyone. Total Cranarchy Multi-Use Balm is water-free and composed entirely of lightweight and nourishing plant oils that immediately sink deep into the skin. Because the formula is concentrated, lightweight, and absorbs quickly, it works well for all skin conditions. Athletes with both dry and oily skin will immediately feel the benefits of using this targeted skin treatment. We also included targeted bio-actives, including sea buckthorn berry, short chain triglycerides, licorice, green tea, and glyceryl laurate.
Mil Usos is a dynamic skincare brand created by athletes, for athletes! Our unique offerings can't be found anywhere else. We took an innovative approach to creating dynamic and functional products for athletes, outdoor adventurers, and anyone with an active, on-the-go lifestyle!