Our story

I was always told I didn’t need sun protection. I have melanin-rich, South Asian skin — and growing up, the message was the same: “You won’t burn.” But I did. My skin reacted, flared up, and carried the kind of damage that didn’t just fade with the tan. Hyperpigmentation, uneven tone, inflammation — things that affected my confidence for years.

When I became a mum, I didn’t want to keep hiding from the sun. I wanted to be outside, free and present. But every option I found was synthetic — full of polyester, nylon, or so-called “recycled” blends. And like many people, I’d never really thought to ask what my clothes were made of. Until I did.
And once you see it, you can’t unsee it.

The same sun-safe sleeves I once proudly wore are probably still out there somewhere, breaking down into microplastics. Not disappearing. Just breaking into smaller and smaller pieces — into oceans, air, even our bodies. That didn’t sit right with me. I didn’t want to add to the problem and call it a solution.
That’s when the idea for EKOE began to take shape.

Not from a business plan. But from frustration. From love — for the sun, for my skin, and for the kind of world I want my daughter to grow up in.

I created EKOE for women like me. Women who are done choosing between comfort, protection, and values. Women who want options that feel good on their skin, look beautiful, and don’t harm the planet we’re standing on.

If that sounds like you — welcome. We’re just getting started.