Sunscreen is an essential part of any skincare routine for those who want to protect their skin from the harmful UV rays of the sun (who doesn’t? That sun sure is a vengeful jerk).
When choosing between sunscreens, you’ve likely see the SPF rating system. But you may have also seen the PA rating and wondered — what the heck is that?
We’ll explain what the PA sunscreen rating is, what exactly a PA+++ is, and how this rating system differs from the SPF rating system.
What is the PA Rating for Sunscreen?
The PA rating system is a Japanese scoring system for sunscreen that was launched way back in 1996.
PA stands for “Protection Grade of UVA,” and, similar to the SPF rating system in the US, it measures how much protection a sunscreen offers against UVA rays. Just a reminder — UVA rays are the part of the UV spectrum responsible for premature aging, wrinkles, and other forms of skin damage.
While the PA system was developed in Japan, it’s commonly used in most Asian countries by a wide variety of Asian beauty brands — most notably Korean sunscreen and skincare products, which are some of the most popular all over the world (along with their drool-worthy kimchi pancakes).
The more plus signs next to PA, the higher the protection!
Initially, the maximum rating was 3 +++. But, in 2013, the Japanese government upgraded their rating system, and now sunscreen products can have a maximum of 4 ++++. It’s worth noting that all countries have upgraded to the PA++++ rating system yet — some are still using the PA +++ rating.
How does the PA Rating System Work?
The rating system ranges from PA+ to PA+++, with PA+++ being the highest level of protection.
The rating system is as follows:
PA+ = Some UVA protection
PA++ = Moderate UVA protection
PA+++ = High UVA protection
PA++++ = Extremely High UVA protection
These ratings correlate directly with something called “Persistent Pigment Darkening” (PPD), which is a measurement for how long it takes one’s skin to tan.
If your sunscreen has PPD of 2, then it takes 2x longer for your skin to tan when protected (versus how long it would take to tan unprotected, without any sunscreen). If the sunscreen has a PPD of 5, then it’ll take 5x longer to tan.
The correlations are as follows:
PA+ = PPD between 2 and 4
PA++ = PPD between 4 and 8
PA+++ = PPD between 8 and 16
PA++++ = PPD of 16 or higher
What is PA+++ in sunscreen?
A PA+++ rated sunscreen indicates that it offers the highest level of UVA protection (or the 2nd highest, depending on the country’s rating system).
UVA rays are always present, regardless of the weather, and they can penetrate glass, clouds, and even the top layer of our skin. This means that even on cloudy or overcast days, UVA radiation can still cause skin damage.
UVA rays are also responsible for premature aging, wrinkles, and other forms of skin damage. It’s essential to find a sunscreen with a high rating in order to protect your skin from these harmful rays.
UVA vs UVB: Which is Worse?
Both UVA and UVB rays can cause skin damage, but in different ways.
UVA rays are tricky in that they can penetrate even through glass, clouds and fog. They’re ever-present throughout all daylight hours with equal intensity, so many people forget to worry about them when it’s overcast out.
UVA rays account for a massive 95% of radiation reaching Earth’s surface – making them far more prevalent than other UV radiations.
While UVB rays are primarily the ones responsible for sunburns, UVA rays are still highly harmful. They’re also the main culprits for premasute skin aging, winkles, etc. since UVA rays penetrate the skin more deeply.
UVA rays are also the primary ray in tanning machines. Don’t forget that any tanning is a sign of DNA damage. There is simply no safe form of tanning!
UVA and UVB rays can both cause serious harm to your skin’s DNA, potentially leading to skin cancer. This evil villain tag time accounts for sunburns, premature aging, and skin cancer — so protect yourself against both!
Different Countries Use Different Measurements (PA, SPF, PPD, etc)
The PA system is especially popular throughout Asia. Yet, nations around the world have adopted their own sunscreen rating systems.
- Broad Spectrum: Broad spectrum is the term in the US, used to donate sunscreens that protect from both UVA and UVB rays. Luckily, the vast majority of sunscreens in the US have broad spectrum protection.
- PPD: PPD (Persistent Pigment Darkening) is the measurement used in Australia to assess a sunscreen’s protection against UVA rays. So, for example, A PPD of 5 means you’ll be safe UVA rays for 5x longer.
- UVA Seal: European countries use the UVA seal on their sunscreens to signal that the sunscreen provides UVA protection that measures out to be at least one-third of the SPF rating.
- SPF: SPF (Sun Protection Factor) is a measure of protection from UVB rays, not UVA. It’s the most commonly used rating system in the US and EU.
How is SPF different from PA?
The SPF rating system measures the amount of protection a sunscreen offers from UVB rays (these are the rays are responsible for sunburns, which can damage your skin’s surface).
While the SPF system is designed specifically to measure UVB rays, a sunscreen that’s labeled as “broad spectrum” sunscreen will have UVA protection is proportional to the UVB protection.
So, the higher the SPF is, the higher the UVA protection will be as well.
The PA label system, on the other hand, doesn’t measure UVB rays. Instead, it measures the amount of protection against UVA rays (these are the rays that penetrate deeper into your skin, causing premature wrinkles and aging).
It’s important to note that neither rating system is superior to the other — both measure one’s level of protection against different kinds of UV rays. It’s best to use a sunscreen that’s labeled as “broad spectrum” to ensure that there is both UVB and UVA protection — whether the sunscreen has a PA or SPF rating.
Issues with the PA Sunscreen Rating System
The PA system is not flawless.
For one, the PA rating measures how long it takes one’s skin to turn brown with the Persistent Pigment Darkening spectrum. The problem is, not everyone’s skin turns brown after being exposed to the sun — even when they’re just being exposed to UVA rays.
Depending on the individual, results can vary when it comes to testing the PA of a sunscreen– some skin complexions get darker with sun exposure, some don’t get as dark, and some take longer than others to tan or turn brown.
For this reason, it’s important to remember that the PA system is not foolproof, and that a sunscreen labeled “broad spectrum” will still be your best bet at protecting yourself from both UVA and UVB rays.
That’s it! Now you know all about the PA Rating System and how it works. Be sure to check out your sunscreen labels for the PA Rating before making a purchase to ensure you’re getting the best possible protection.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
Are all sunscreens with a PA+++ rating the same?
No, not all sunscreens with a PA+++ rating are the same. Sunscreens come in different forms, such as lotions, sprays, and sticks, and they contain different ingredients. It’s essential to choose a sunscreen that works best for your skin type and preferences.
Very nicely eloquently explained