Surfing, boating, time spent on the ocean, and sun protection go hand in hand. No matter where you paddle out, from your home break to the far-flung tropical corners of the world, you’re going to want to cover up. Whether you’re surf-tripping around the world or paddling out close to home, severe sunburn can sideline you for days at a time. Beyond missing out on the surf, severe sunburns increase your risk of developing skin cancer further down the road. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, paddlers and surfers are at 10X risk for developing skin cancer due to the amount of time on/in the water will develop skin cancer by the age of 70. Additionally, it only takes 5 bad sunburns to double your risk for skin cancer. While wearing sunscreen will significantly decrease your chances of sunburn, sunscreen and surfing don’t always mix. Many sunscreens are oily and wash off in the water. Sunscreen is awful to apply and reapply. It’s messy and can stain clothes and stuff. In addition, sunscreen is slippery on hands and body which makes your board or sports equipment slippery. Even the sunscreens that don’t wash off as soon as you paddle out only last 90 or so minutes. If you’re surfing for hours on end, choose sun protection that lasts. Invest in UPF clothing to protect your skin from the elements. Continue reading below to learn about UPF clothing and The Science Behind the Oleu Originals' Boardshirt.
How Sunscreen Protects Your Skin
Sunscreens combine a laundry list of ingredients to block UV rays from damaging the skin. There are two types of sunscreens available: chemical absorbers and physical blockers. Chemical absorbers form a thin protective layer over your skin that absorbs UV radiation to protect the skin below. Physical blockers, like zinc oxide, are minerals ground into fine particles that sit on the surface of your skin and reflect rays. While both types of sunscreens are effective, many chemical absorbers are damaging to coral reefs and can be harsh on the skin. We preferer physical blockers like zinc when we surf and spend time on the water. Unlike chemical absorbers, mineral sunscreens don’t leave a slippery oily residue. While we always recommend wearing sunscreen on your face and exposed areaso of the skin, we prefer UPF clothing.
Why Choose UPF Clothing & the Oleu Boardshirt
While sunscreen uses SPF to measure the effectiveness of its sun protection, clothing uses Ultraviolet Protection Factor AKA UPF. While sunscreen either absorbs or blocks UV radiation, UPF clothing absorbs, blocks, and reflects it. UPF is measured with a numeral rating from 1-50+. The rating indicates how much of the sun's UV radiation the material absorbs. A typical cotton t-shirt has a UPF rating of 5, while our quick-dry UPF Boardshirts have the highest possible rating of 50+. A UPF rating of 50 only allows 1/50th of UV rays to penetrate the clothing. UV light can easily penetrate loose weave fabrics, so UPF clothing has a tighter weave that blocks, reflects, and absorbs the sun's rays.
UPF Clothing vs. Sunscreen
If you’re an avid surfer, sailor, angler, or just love being on and around the water, a new study suggests UPF clothing is more effective sun protection than sunscreen alone. A recent study labels UPF clothing as the should-be cornerstone of sun protection thanks to its overall UV-protective capacity. The study compared the two types of sunscreens to four different types of UV-protective fabrics and found that sun-protective clothing outperformed sunscreen in every measured category. The study showed that UPF clothing blocked “99% of UVB rays (the type of ultraviolet radiation that’s most associated with skin cancer) while the sunscreens only kept UVB rays out at a rate of 76% to 94%.” UV protective fabrics also proved highly effective at blocking UVA rays, the kind of UV exposure linked to wrinkles and aging.
While traditional UV protective clothing boasts run-of-the-mill athleisure style, Oleu Originals Boardshirts offer surfers a refreshing change of pace. A stylish button-down style featuring custom patterns, OLEU marries timeless surf style with modern functionality. Beyond sun protection, OLEU Boardshirts offer wind protection to keep you out in the water longer. Born out of necessity and a desire to stay sun safe while exploring the tropics, Oleu Boardshirt is a one-of-a-kind surf shirt.