From Olympic Gold to Motherhood:
In her first brand partnership since retiring, the Tokyo gold medalist brings her message to a new audience: parents who demand better sun protection for their kids.
Some partnerships begin in boardrooms. This one began on the sand at Manhattan Beach.
At the Charlie Saikley 6-Man Beach Volleyball Tournament - the legendary event founded in 1974 by the "Godfather of Beach Volleyball" in the birthplace of the sport - Olympic gold medalist Alix Klineman tried Dermasport for the first time. And something clicked.
"I've tested every sunscreen on the market over 20 years of competing outdoors," said Klineman. "Dermasport is the first one that actually delivers what athletes need - it stays on through sweat and salt water, it doesn't sting my eyes, and it feels like nothing is there. And now as a mom, I care even more about what’s in the bottle. Dermasport delivers on both ends."
An Undefeated Legacy
For those unfamiliar with Klineman's career, the numbers speak for themselves. Olympic gold medalist at Tokyo 2020, where she and partner April Ross went undefeated (7-0), losing just one set the entire tournament. Only the second U.S. women's beach volleyball team in history to win Olympic gold. USA Volleyball Female Beach Player of the Year. AVP Rookie of the Year after making the rare transition from indoor to beach volleyball. Stanford four-time All-American. Gatorade National Player of the Year as a high schooler at Mira Costa - just blocks from Manhattan Beach.
In November 2024, Klineman stepped away from competition to focus on her family, including son Theo, born in 2023.
Beyond the Podium
For Klineman, this partnership reflects a shift in priorities that many parents will recognize. The same scrutiny she once applied to training regimens and competition preparation now applies to every product that touches her family's skin.
"Ive always cared about about what I put into and onto my body. But sometimes I had to sacrifice ingredients to find a sunscreen that performed optimally. But when Theo was born, it became something I refused to compromise on," Klineman said. "Most sunscreens contain ingredients I wasn't comfortable putting on my son. I wanted something that could keep up with an active toddler at the beach but was also clean and safe enough that I didn't have to worry. Dermasport gave me something I had been looking for - professional-grade protection with a formula I actually trust for my family."
This is the audience we aim to reach: parents of young athletes who spend hours outdoors - at swim practice, soccer games, beach days, ski trips - and who want sun protection that works as hard as their kids do.
Why This Partnership Matters
"Alix represents exactly who we built Dermasport for - athletes who demand products that actually perform, and parents who won't compromise on what touches their family's skin," said Todd Mitchell, President of Dermasport. "The fact that she discovered us on her own, at the 6-Man in her hometown, makes this partnership feel like it was meant to be."
Dr. Christopher Schmidt, Dermasport's founder, emphasized the brand's commitment to families: "Parents face an impossible choice with most sunscreens: products that work for active kids but contain questionable ingredients, or 'clean' products that sweat off in minutes. Dermasport eliminates that tradeoff. Alix discovered this as an athlete. Now she's sharing it as a mom. That's a message every parent of an active child needs to hear."
Klineman joins fellow Olympic champions who have been part of the Dermasport family since the brand launched in 2023, including five-time gold medalist Nathan Adrian and two-time Olympic medalist Elizabeth Beisel.
What Families Can Expect
In the coming months, families can look forward to original content from Alix on sun protection for active kids, real-world tips from her experience as a mom navigating outdoor life with a toddler, and behind-the-scenes looks at how her family integrates sun safety into daily routines.
From Olympic gold to motherhood - Alix Klineman has spent two decades in the sun. Now she's helping us spread the word to parents who demand better.
Welcome to the team, Alix. We're honored to have you.
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About Dermasport
Dermasport is the high-performance skincare brand built for athletes and the families who support them. Founded by board-certified dermatologist Dr. Christopher Schmidt, Dermasport delivers water and sweat-resistant sunscreens that stay on through intense activity, plus recovery skincare products designed to get active skin back in the game. Learn more at dermasport.com.
Follow the Partnership: @dermasport | @alixklineman
Media Contact: David Schmidt
david@dermasport.com | Dermasport
