You've picked up a Korean sunscreen labelled "SPF50+ PA++++" and wondered what the plus signs mean - European products usually just show a UVA circle symbol, with no scale. Both systems measure UV protection, but not the same way.
The short answer
PA (Protection Grade of UVA) is a four-tier system from PA+ to PA++++ that rates UVA protection separately from SPF, which only measures UVB - more plus signs means higher measured UVA protection. The European UVA circle symbol isn't a scale at all - it's a simple pass-or-fail mark showing that UVA protection reaches at least a third of the labelled SPF value.
Why it happens
SPF measures how well a product protects against UVB rays, the main cause of sunburn. UVA rays penetrate deeper into the skin and are linked to premature ageing, but they don't have a comparable standalone rating in most systems. Japan developed the PA system to measure UVA protection separately, using a test called PPD (Persistent Pigment Darkening) that shows how much longer skin can tolerate UVA exposure with the product on before visible pigment darkening occurs. Korea adopted this system, which is why Korean sunscreens carry a PA rating.
The EU's UVA labelling recommendation works differently: a product can only carry the UVA circle symbol if its UVA protection factor is at least a third of its declared SPF. That's a minimum threshold, not a scale - a product with SPF50 and the UVA symbol could be sitting right at that minimum or well above it, and you can't tell which from the symbol alone. A PA++++ rating on a Korean sunscreen, by contrast, tells you the measured UVA protection factor is specifically high (PFA of 16 or above).
How to use it
For everyday use in Switzerland. Look for SPF30 or higher combined with at least PA+++ - that's roughly comparable to what a good European product with the UVA symbol and similar SPF should offer. For more time outdoors or higher altitudes, SPF50 with PA++++ is worth it.
PA and SPF aren't a time measurement. A high rating on either doesn't mean you can reapply less often. Reapply after two hours outdoors, after sweating, or after swimming, regardless of the PA grade.
Don't compare sunscreens by SPF alone. Two sunscreens with SPF50 can offer very different UVA protection. Korean products tell you directly via the PA grade; European products with only an SPF number and no UVA symbol don't give you that information at all.
When it's different
If you have sensitive or acne-prone skin, also check the filter type: Korean formulas often combine chemical and mineral filters, while European products more often favour mineral-only formulas. That has nothing to do with the PA rating, but it can affect tolerance - checking the ingredient list matters more here than the PA grade. If you're currently using retinal or other actives that increase photosensitivity, daily sunscreen isn't optional regardless of the exact PA grade.
Our picks
The BEAUTY OF JOSEON Relief Sun : Rice + Probiotics (SPF50+ PA++++) is one of our bestselling sunscreens - a light texture with minimal white cast, formulated with rice extract and probiotic ferment. Covers both high SPF and high PA protection. > View product
The SKIN1004 Madagascar Centella Hyalu-Cica Water-Fit Sun Serum (SPF50+ PA++++) is our pick for skin that also leans toward redness - the formula contains centella asiatica, which can help calm the skin, at the same high SPF and PA protection level. > View product
FAQ
Is PA++++ better than the European UVA symbol?
They're not directly comparable, since the UVA symbol has no scale. PA++++ gives you a specific, measured protection level, while the UVA symbol only confirms a minimum standard.
Do I still need to reapply every two hours with PA++++?
Yes. PA and SPF indicate protection strength, not protection duration. Reapplication is still necessary regardless of the grade.
Why don't Korean sunscreens have the UVA circle symbol?
The UVA circle is an EU-specific label. Korean products, developed primarily for the Asian market, use the PA system instead.
Is SPF30 with PA+++ enough for everyday life in Switzerland?
For most everyday situations, yes. For a lot of time outdoors, higher altitudes, or very fair, sensitive skin, SPF50 with PA++++ is the safer choice.
