Olympic rugby athlete Ilona Maher launches new skin care line

Even if you’re not a big rugby fan, you probably are at least seen Ilona Maher on your Tiktok FYP (I definitely did), and one thing a quick scroll through her feed will show (besides her super cool personality and insane athletic chops) is that she loves beauty. So much so that she even wears her signature red lipstick during competitions.

Maher is currently gearing up to head to Paris to represent the United States in the 2024 Olympics, so she has a lot going on. But aside from packing her bags and other logistics for Olympic athletes, Maher is having a great month launching her own skincare line. Medalist skin. The Olympian’s first foray into beauty as the brand’s founder is a three-piece face and body collection that will keep you feeling empowered and comfortable while you’re active.

So whether you’re in the middle of training or constantly running around a big city in 90-degree heat (as I often do), Medalist has the essentials to keep you covered: Clean Sweep cooling and cleaning wipes ($24), which soothe and cool the skin after a hard workout and can be used on the face, neck or décolleté and even the armpits to refresh the skin; The Game Face Clear Skin + Cooling Moisturizing Spray ($20) made to hydrate skin before or after training with hypochlorous acid plus niacinamide to disinfect and reduce redness; and – perhaps my favorite part of the line-up – an anti-chafe stick aptly named the No Fric Stick anti-chafing balm ($20), which literally saved my thighs in the sweltering New York heat

“The inspiration behind No Fric Stick comes directly from my training and competing experiences as a rugby player and Olympian,” says Maher. Because rugby is a high-intensity sport, chafing continually affects performance and comfort. “I wanted to help develop a product that not only prevents effectively to sand, but also uses ingredients that are safe for the skin and the athlete,” she says.

But the great thing about No Fric Stick is that it’s designed for anyone who suffers from chafing, whether you go to the gym or are a dancer, or experience skin irritations during workouts or daily activities like I do. And if you are a triathlete, runner or cyclist, No Fric Stick is a product that you can regularly keep in your gym bag. “This product is tailor-made to prevent chafing and discomfort caused by friction, so you can stay focused on training and competing,” she says. No friction = no distractions, whether you’re preparing for a big game or just trying to catch a train.

The best part is: No Fric Stick does more than your typical anti-chafing stick by moisturizing the skin barrier inside and out. It contains shea butter and aloe vera to soothe and protect the skin on the outside, plus hyaluronic acid to lock in moisture. It is also suitable for all skin types and can be reapplied for continued protection. “It’s designed to be long-lasting and sweat-resistant, and the skin-tested, waterproof balm creates a protective barrier that helps prevent chafing during your activity,” says Maher.

No friction = no distractions, whether you’re preparing for a big game or just trying to catch a train.

I have a frustrating relationship with irritating myself (especially during the summer months), so I gave the No Fric Stick a spin during an active 90-degree day while running to various appointments around town. The formula is extremely sultry and fresh and has a cooling scent when you apply it. I first applied this the morning before I left my apartment for downtown meetings and threw it in my bag in case I needed to reapply. The balm retained the humidity on the street (and in the subway) quite well. In fact, I didn’t have to reapply it until later the night before my last event. “I love that the stick format allows for precise application without cluttering your hands, so you can use it on the go,” says Maher. And she’s right: it was discreet to carry in my bag and quickly reapply in a public restroom.

As for irritation, there was none and my skin felt calm and comfortable all day long. There was no sensation of heat or burning, and it was not greasy or sticky. I’ve used it pretty much every day since that test and it’s held up well since then. Maher says No Fric Stick is just a small part of what Medalist Skin stands for: performance, reliability and care for the skin of the female athlete (or, in my case, the skin of a hectic city traveler). “We believe in merging the worlds of athletics and skin care, providing solutions that not only improve performance by preventing discomfort, but also promote overall skin well-being and self-confidence,” says Maher.

And if you’re wondering if Maher will take No Fric Stick to the Paris 2024 Olympics this year, the answer is a resounding yes, along with her lipstick of course, which is unique to the quintessential makeup-free sport. “It’s feminine and fun in a space that people often associate with the ruggedness of rugby,” she says. In her spare time at the Games (when she’s not recovering and keeping an eye on her new beauty venture), she’ll focus on eating well and sleeping.

“Eating and fueling my body properly is a huge part of my journey,” she says. And it’s no surprise that this fits right in with the ethos of her new brand: redefining beauty within the context of strength, resilience and, most importantly, self-care. “We are here to support female athletes every step of the way so they can perform at their best and feel good about the products they use on their skin,” she says. Personally, my thighs (and face and pits) are forever grateful.