This Gender-Neutral Skincare Brand Gives Back to Charity

Skincare is the topic on everyone’s lips - even more so since COVID - and as every skincare aficionado knows, a good base starts with SPF.

With the climate the way it is, protecting your skin is more important than ever. That’s why, for Sun Awareness Week, we interviewed the founder of dussl - a gender neutral skincare brand that is making a difference by donating 1% of their profits to cancer charities.

dussl was founded in Glasgow by Fraser Wilson, who is dedicated to protecting skin, no matter your gender, skin type, or income bracket. 

What Inspired Dussl?

I’ve always been entrepreneurial at heart and knew I wanted to build something of my own. After working in marketing and business growth leadership roles — particularly in tech — I became more focused on health, fitness, and overall wellbeing. I was travelling a lot and wanted to look after myself properly, which naturally extended to skincare.

But when it came to skin health, I struggled to find a brand that really spoke to me. So many were hyper-gendered, overly clinical, or built around complicated 12-step routines (who has time for that?!)

I saw a gap for a gender-neutral, simplified skincare brand with lifestyle positioning — and a core focus on what actually causes the biggest impact on our skin: unprotected UV exposure.

dussl is built around the idea that skincare should be as normal and essential as diet and fitness in your routine — simple daily steps that compound over time to create real, long-term results.  

Why is Protecting Yourself From the Sun So Important, Even in a Place That You Don’t Think of as Particularly Sunny, Like Scotland?

It’s one of the biggest misconceptions — that if you live somewhere grey or overcast, you don’t need to worry about sun damage. But up to 80% of UV rays can get through cloud cover, and it’s UVA rays — the ones that cause skin ageing, wrinkles, and long-term damage — that are present all year round, not just in summer.

In places like Scotland, we’re often exposed without realising — because we’re not expecting it. That silent, cumulative exposure adds up. Even when you can’t see the sun, UV rays are still present and damaging your skin.

Why Did You Make the Decision to Donate 1% of Revenue to Charities Like Melanoma UK?

It felt like a no-brainer. I wanted dussl to lead with purpose, and I believe business should be a vehicle for good. Melanoma is one of the fastest-growing cancers among young people in the UK, and yet so much of it is preventable through daily sun protection. 

Supporting charities like Melanoma UK means we’re not just creating products to protect people’s skin — we’re contributing to education, research, and early detection. If we can help raise awareness and shift behaviours in the process, that’s a win. 

What Do You Think Our Readers May Not Understand About Preventing Skin Cancer?

That it’s not just about summer holidays or sunburn — it’s about everyday exposure. Walking the dog, sitting by a window, spending time outside. People often assume if they’re not on a beach, they’re not at risk — but skin cancer can develop from years of low-level UV exposure, especially on areas like the face and neck.

Prevention isn’t a one-time action — it’s a daily habit. I like to think of it the same way as about diet or exercise: small, consistent, positive steps add up to a big impact over time. That’s why at dussl, I was so focused on cracking the “everyday SPF” product - our daily protection moisturiser with SPF 50 is designed to replace your morning moisturiser - it does the job of a moisturiser by hydrating and nourishing your skin, AND it provides broad spectrum UVA & UVB protection, all in a formula that feels great to wear — with an invisible, non-greasy, hydrating, matte-finish. 

You Are a Gender-neutral Skincare Brand — is There Sometimes Hesitancy From Certain Demographics (e.g. Men) Over Using Skincare? Could This Make Them More Vulnerable to Skin Cancer?

Definitely. Skincare has historically been marketed in a way that either excludes men or makes it feel like it’s not “for them.” As a result, a lot of guys miss out on the basics — like using daily SPF — even though it’s essential for long-term health.

That said, I think people are becoming more aware of the benefits of health and wellbeing routines — from diet to supplements to exercise. Skincare needs to catch up and be part of that same mindset. For everyone.

By positioning dussl as gender neutral, we’re making it easier for everyone to get into a proactive routine, without stigma or second-guessing whether it’s “for them.” dussl is for everyone - simplified skincare, with a core focus on daily UV protection. 

Charity Check-in 

At Smiley Movement, we like to elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this article.

Macmillan Cancer Support. They provide specialist health care, information and financial support to people affected by cancer. Learn more here.

Cancer Research UK. This charity provides information for anyone affected by any kind of cancer. Support them here.

Maggie’s. Offers free practical, emotional and social support to people with cancer and the people important to them. Find out more here.

This article aligns with the UN SDG Good Health and Wellbeing, Partnerships for the Goals.