What do the + signs even mean?
Well, you should always be diving deep into sunscreen for the sake of keeping your skin safe all year round. By now, we all know sunscreen isn’t only for the beach, right?!
I know that SPF “sun protection factor” measures how long sunscreen can protect you from UVB. And PA “protection grade of UVA” measures the protection level against UVA. And I know that the difference between SPF30 and SPF50 isn’t as significant as the numbers suggest. But what do those ‘+’ signs after SPF and PA mean? Here’s what I learned from diving deep into my sunscreen educational research.
The difference between SPF50 and SPF50+
The ‘+’ sign here simply means that the SPF provides more protection than the number rating on the label. So, SPF50+ actually provides more protection than SPF50. Sunscreens with SPF50+ must provide more than SPF50 to earn the SPF50+ status. In Australia, where sunscreen regulations tend to be more strict, SPF50+ actually needs to be at least SPF60! The ‘+’ sign allows for margin for error since the same batch of sunscreen can still be tested with different results depending on testing methodology.
The difference between PA+++ and PA++++
PA is a UVA protection measurement rating. This system was first commonly used in Japanese and Korean skincare, and is now used widely around the world. Until the 1990s, people didn’t fully understand how harmful UVA rays can be for the skin. Thankfully, we now know better, and understand that we need PA protection from skin aging and possible health complications, like skin cancer.
UVA damage did not receive much attention in the past because UVA damage isn’t as visible on the skin as UVB damage. UVA damage shows on the skin gradually over time. We used to blame wrinkles and skin discoloration simply due to aging, but now we know UVA damage is the number one contributor to these gradual skin aging signs.
Here’s what we need to keep in mind when choosing the right PA protection.
- PA+ = Some UVA protection
- PA++ = Moderate UVA protection
- PA+++ = High UVA protection
- PA++++ = Extremely High UVA protection
Your takeaway
Those ‘+’ signs matter! And PA ratings are just as important as SPF ratings.
When possible, go for SPF50+ PA++++. But it’s more important in the long run to find a sunscreen that’s easy to use daily. If you come across a sunscreen that feels great on your skin that’s SPF30 PA+++, it’s better to use that daily than going for a SPF50+ PA++++ that’s not easy on the skin that you only reach for when it’s super sunny outside.
Here are a few recommendations from Be Mused Korea. These sunscreens are super comfy and easy to wear all year round — even in humid summer or freezing winter — and have the highest UV protection and extra skincare benefits:
The Pure Lotus Jeju Botanical Sun Cream SPF50+ PA++++
Earth’s Recipe Waterful Sun Gel SPF50+ PA++++
