Wear UPF50+ clothing with collars or sun hoods to block UV rays. Use sunscreen on exposed areas and reapply often. For full coverage, combine wide-brim hats, breathable fabrics, and neck gaiters.
When in, on or around the water the sun’s rays are magnified making it even more important to prioritize gear designed to excel in marine environments where movement, moisture wicking, and all-day sun protection are paramount.
The Neck Burns First, and is Considered Last
Have you ever come back from a long day outdoors, proud of yourself for playing it smart?
You had your hat and shirt on all day, sunglasses for your eyes, sunscreen applied to arms and legs, only to realize you forgot your neck and now it’s fully cooked? Right. Same. It’s the classic “I thought I was fully covered” moment.
The neck is a sneaky zone, out of sight out of mind. It’s one of the most exposed, most forgotten, and most vulnerable parts of the body when it comes to sun damage.
If you’re active outdoors and enjoy soaking in life under the sun, your posture alone can work against you. When your head tilts forward, your neck is in harm's way often resulting in a direct hit. Combine that with UV rays reflecting off water, sand, or pavement, and the sun’s damaging effects multiply.
OLEU® was started to offer the consumer functional and stylish solarwear, swimwear and activewear. Blending style and performance is the goal and our pioneering boardshirt is just the beginning.
Neck Exposure, Exposed…
Leatherneck was a common and not particularly flattering phrase in decades past. The truth is that the neck tells the story long before your face does.
It’s one of the first places to show sun damage and a common zone for skin cancer to start:
- Fine lines
- Sagging skin
- Dark spots
This is because the skin here is thinner, has fewer oil glands, and is exposed to the elements more than we realize. You can be meticulous with your skincare, but if you’re leaving your neck to fend for itself in the midday heat, you may be fighting a losing battle.
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation doesn’t just cause sunburn; it breaks down collagen, accelerates aging, and in too many cases, leads to skin cancer.
Now, let’s talk about sunscreen.
While it’s highly recommended for exposed skin, it has its drawbacks and is not a stand-alone solution. Sunscreen needs to be reapplied every two hours (more often if you’re sweating or swimming), and most people neglect the necessary cadence.
When you re-apply it regularly it gets messy and costly.
OLEU and the boardshirt are everyday armor against sun exposure providing UPF50+ protection that doesn’t require additional applications and won’t wash off or create a mess. The best sun protection is the one that enhances your experience outdoors and is fully integrated into what you’re already wearing.
The Best Ways to Protect Your Neck From the Sun (A Head-to-Toe Hit List)
Sun safety is about using the right tools, in the right combination, for the right activity. Here's how to keep your neck covered with style.
1. UPF Clothing: Your First and Best Line of Defense
Dermatologists are crystal clear on this.
Clothing with a UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) of 50+ offers the most consistent and effective sun protection. Unlike SPF (Sun Protection Factor), which measures how long sunscreen can delay a burn, UPF measures how much UV radiation gets through the fabric itself.
UPF50+ blocks 98% of those harmful rays, with no reapplication needed, no sweat dilution, and no mess.
2. Buffs, Gaiters & Bandanas: Accessorize
Neck gaiters and bandanas can be game changers if used right. Clever accessories add quick coverage and work well in dry climates.
While these accessories can help prevent sunburns, there are some drawbacks to consider.
Buffs can trap heat and limit airflow, especially when pulled up high or used in humid conditions. On a summer bike ride or trail run, they can feel like a sauna around your throat. Try to choose lightweight materials with ventilation zones and remember they’re not your first line of defense.
3. Wide Brim Hats, Buckets, Boonies, Lifeguards, Sun Hats:
All of these styles provide extra protection for the head, face, ears and neck.
Proper headwear is a must and thankfully there are many suitable options in today’s marketplace. Wide-brim sun hats are crucial for all the right reasons as they shade your face, ears, and the back of your neck from any/all angles.
Consider styles that fit well and offer at least a 3-inch brim and breathable UPF-rated fabrics.
4. When UPF Clothing just isn’t enough: Sunscreen for Neck and Ears
Despite all that’s been written, sunscreen still has a place, especially for those small exposed areas that clothing can’t cover. Choose a broad-spectrum SPF 50+ formula that’s chemical-free, reef-safe, water and sweat-resistant. Remember to apply it 20 minutes before exposure, and reapply every two hours, or more often if you're swimming or sweating it out.
Sun Protection for Outdoor Activities: Tailored Tips
Outdoor sports expose your neck in different ways, whether it’s the forward posture of cycling, the overhead sun while paddling, or long sessions on the golf course. Each activity demands a thoughtful approach to coverage.
For Cycling, Hiking, And Watersports
Sun hoodies with UPF-rated fabric are great for layering under helmets or life vests.
Lightweight neck gaiters can help, but they often trap heat. Look for breathable fabrics and designs that allow airflow. Collared shirt styles like OLEU’s UPF50+ Boardshirt, offer a complete package of style and versatility, and are designed with quick-dry, stretch-woven materials and unique activewear details that enhance all-around performance..
At The Beach Or In The Surf
Traditional rashguards protect, but aren’t always comfortable or flattering. This is where surf shirts with UPF protection come in handy with both function and style.
Unlike tight-fitting rashguards that can chafe or restrict movement, the Oleu Boardshirt is woven, giving it wind resistance and a breathable feel without sacrificing protection. The structured collar lies comfortably against the neck whether you’re paddling out or lounging on the sand, and can be popped for additional defense against direct sunlight.
Combine that with 4-way stretch, quick-dry fabric, and flat-lock seams that eliminate underarm rash, and you've got a shirt that makes sun safety second nature.
Special Focus: Tattoos, Scars, and Skin Damage
If you’ve got ink or healed scars on your neck, you already know how vulnerable skin can be. UV rays don’t just bleach color from tattoos; they break down the cellular structure of scar tissue and deepen existing sun damage. That means more irritation and more discoloration.
Now here’s the deal.
SPF may slow the fade, but it’s not built for impact. It wears off, melts under sweat, and doesn’t provide friction protection. UPF50+ fabric, on the other hand, blocks most UV rays and never loses its strength, no matter how long you’re out in the sun. That’s why dermatologists recommend UPF clothing as the first layer of defense, especially over delicate skin.
But not all sunwear is created equal.
Some performance fabrics can trap sweat and create friction: Two things your neck tattoo doesn’t need. That’s where OLEU’s focus on soft stretch-woven pieces and proper fit really delivers. Designed to move with you, help you stay cool, dry fast, resist wind, and repel moisture, the boardshirt is gentle on sensitive skin to keep you feeling comfortable all day.
Why OLEU’s ACTIVE ALOHA® Gear is Unique in a Commoditized World
Equal parts sun shirt, rash guard and Aloha icon, OLEU is designed to move from sea to sport to street and back again with style and ease.
Why is OLEU different?
OLEU aspires to pioneer sun protection and UPF clothing by reimagining the entire category. The boardshirt rethinks how Aloha shirts perform and we call that ACTIVE ALOHA®. We innovate, we engineer, design and construct for sun protection that looks familiar but performs differently.
Each piece is made from recycled ocean-bound plastics and shipped in eco-friendly packaging that’s both compostable and biodegradable. Designed to perform for a variety of active lifestyles, it’s gear you can feel good about, on and off the water.
ACTIVE ALOHA® is a lifestyle of ease and of fluid movement, of protection, and of course play. You shouldn’t have to choose between looking good, feeling good, protection, and doing good for the planet.
With OLEU, you get all of that in one shirt.
Don’t Let the Sun Win
It doesn’t matter if you’re riding waves, striking golf balls, cycling through canyons, or hitting ground-strokes under a high-noon sun. If your neck is exposed that damage accumulates over time. We’ve covered why UPF50+ apparel is the ultimate solution, why sunscreen alone may fall short, and how coverage that moves with you can be both stylish, functional and protective all at once.
We believe that it’s time to invest in sun protection that’s always on. No timer, no excuses. Your skin, your tattoos, and your future self will thank you.
So if you’ve been looking for gear that performs, protects, and actually looks good while doing it, OLEU’s Boardshirt was made for you. It’s not just another sun shirt. It’s a declaration that you’re living life outdoors, without compromise.
Protect your neck. Respect your style.
Live your ACTIVE ALOHA®, wherever the sun finds you.