PA+ Ratings Explained: The UVA Grade Hiding on Your Sunscreen
The PA system grades how well a sunscreen protects against UVA rays, based on a tanning response test. More plus signs mean stronger UVA protection, from PA+ at the low end to PA++++ at the highest grade. It complements SPF, which only covers UVB, so using both gives a fuller picture of protection.
Most shoppers can explain SPF roughly, then hit the PA rating on a bottle and guess. The plus signs look like a quality score, and in a way they are, but for a different kind of ultraviolet light than SPF measures. Understanding the split makes sunscreen labels far easier to read.
The distinction matters because UVA and UVB do different things. UVB is the main sunburn driver. UVA penetrates deeper, passes through window glass more readily, and is strongly linked with photoaging. A sunscreen can be excellent against one and modest against the other.
Where the PA system comes from
The PA system originated in Japan and is now common across Asian and many global sunscreens. It is based on a test measuring persistent pigment darkening, essentially how much UVA it takes to tan protected skin compared with unprotected skin.
The grades run from PA+, offering some UVA protection, up to PA++++, the highest category, added as formulas improved. Each step up represents a meaningful jump in the UVA protection factor measured in testing.
How PA relates to SPF
SPF and PA answer different questions. A high SPF with a low PA grade protects strongly against burning while allowing comparatively more UVA through. For shoppers concerned with pigmentation and photoaging, that imbalance matters more than the headline SPF.
Balanced products state both clearly. When a label shows SPF 50 and PA++++, it is claiming strong protection on both measures. When it shows only SPF, the UVA performance is unstated, not necessarily poor, but unknown to you.
Other UVA signals to recognize
Different regions label UVA differently. Some use a star rating, some a circle logo indicating UVA protection meets a proportion of the SPF, and some list a UVA protection factor directly. The systems differ, but they all exist because SPF alone leaves the UVA story untold.
Whichever system your sunscreen uses, look for the top grades if you spend long periods outdoors or are managing pigmentation concerns. For mostly indoor days, mid grades are a reasonable balance for many people.
Using the rating well
No rating survives under application. Sunscreens are tested at a thickness most people do not apply, so using enough product and reapplying during extended outdoor time matters as much as choosing a high grade.
Treat PA as one part of a routine: adequate amount, reapplication when exposure is long, and shade or clothing during peak hours. The label grade is the ceiling. Your habits decide how close you get to it.
Related reading
These earlier guides go deeper on connected questions: What Does Fragrance-Free Actually Mean, What Does Alcohol-Free Mean in Skincare, and What Does Non-Comedogenic Mean?.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good PA rating?
PA+++ or PA++++ is a strong choice for long outdoor exposure or if pigmentation is a concern. Lower grades offer some UVA protection and may suit mostly indoor days. Match the grade to your actual exposure.
Is PA the same as broad spectrum?
They overlap in purpose but are not the same label. Broad spectrum is a regulatory term in some markets indicating UVA and UVB protection meeting a set test. PA is a graded scale of UVA protection strength. A product may carry either or both depending on region.
Why does my sunscreen have no PA rating?
Many sunscreens sold in the United States and some other markets use different UVA labelling, or none that is graded. That does not automatically mean weak UVA protection, but it gives you less information to judge by.
Does a higher PA rating feel different on skin?
Sometimes. Strong UVA filters can change texture or leave more of a cast depending on the formula, though modern products vary widely. If a high grade formula is unpleasant, you will apply less, so choose the strongest one you will actually use properly.