Our Story
How Training Changed Me
I didn’t start training because I wanted to fight.
In fact, I was hesitant, unsure if Jiu Jitsu was for me at all.
What I quickly discovered was that training became a way to learn more about myself. It built confidence in a way few experiences in life can. It showed me, again and again, that I was more capable and tougher than I ever thought I was. It also introduced me to a community of strong, driven women who challenged me, supported me, and changed the way I saw myself.
After more than 11 years on the mats and earning my black belt, I believe deeply that every woman should experience Jiu Jitsu, even if only to a blue belt level. Not because it’s easy, but because it teaches you how to stay calm under pressure, trust your body, and move through discomfort with confidence.
And because training regularly with men who are actively trying to physically control you prepares you in a very real way - mentally and physically - for situations you hope never happen, but deserve to be ready for.
Jiu Jitsu gave me confidence I carry far beyond the mats.
What Life on the Mats Does to Your Skin
As my training became more consistent, something else became impossible to ignore.
My skin took a beating.
Training is intimate. You’re sweating, grappling, and spending hours on shared mats. Some days, you’re quite literally covered in other people’s sweat. As gross as that reality is, nothing feels better after a hard session than a hot shower and I quickly learned that what I used to clean my skin mattered just as much as when I cleaned it.
After dealing with ringworm, I realized I couldn’t take shortcuts. Skincare for women who train isn’t just about feeling clean, it’s about staying healthy enough to keep training.
Choosing Between “Too Harsh” and “Not Enough”
I tried strong antibacterial soaps, only to find they stripped my skin so badly they almost made things worse. My skin was “too clean” - dry, tight, irritated, and off-balance.
I swung the other direction and tried gentler, more natural options. Eventually, I settled on a Tea Tree-based soap that cleaned effectively and helped keep skin issues at bay, but it still left my skin dry and uncomfortable.
It felt like choosing the lesser of two evils.
My skin stayed clear enough for me to keep training, but it never felt nourished. Lotion became a necessity, not a luxury. No matter what I tried, I was constantly piecing together a routine that kind of worked but never felt right for an athletic lifestyle.
The Moment Submission Skincare Was Born
One night, laying in bed and applying yet another layer of lotion, it finally clicked.
No one was creating skincare that truly supported women who train.
Everything on the market was either built to be harsh and clinical or gentle but ineffective for the realities of hard training. And almost all of it ignored the importance of protecting the skin barrier, especially for women who shower often, sweat heavily, and deal with constant friction.
That was the moment Submission Skincare was born.
The Promise Behind Every Product
When I decided to create this brand, I made myself one non-negotiable promise:
This had to be something I would genuinely want to use and spend my own money on.
Not something that sounded good in theory.
Not something I’d tolerate out of necessity.
But something I’d be proud to use every day, on and off the mats.
Submission Skincare is built around that promise.
Every formula is designed to cleanse effectively without stripping the skin, support the skin barrier instead of damaging it, and fit into real training life without unnecessary steps or harsh ingredients. It’s skincare for women who train - made to handle sweat, friction, and frequent washing while still leaving skin feeling nourished, balanced, and comfortable.
This brand exists so women don’t have to choose between staying clean and feeling beautiful. Between training hard and caring for their skin long-term. Between being strong and feeling soft.
Submission Skincare was created by a woman who trains, for women who train, because we deserve skincare that respects both our strength and our skin.
Meet the Founder
Submission Skincare was founded by Kiele Wilson, a Jiu Jitsu black belt with over 11 years of training experience. Growing up on Kaua'i, surfing and spending time in the ocean, instilled a deep respect for balance, resilience, and taking care of what matters, including your body.
After more than a decade on the mats, and with Jiu Jitsu woven into her family’s daily life, Kiele saw firsthand how hard training and harsh products impacted women’s skin. Submission Skincare was created to offer a better option. Clean, effective formulas designed to support the skin barrier and fit into real training life for women who train hard and care about their skin.