PA++++, Broad Spectrum, the circled UVA logo: reading sunscreen labels by country
When you buy sunscreen abroad or recommend a Korean one to a friend overseas, the confusing part is usually the UVA label. SPF looks similar everywhere; UVA labeling doesn't.
Korea and Japan: PA ratings
- From PA+ to PA++++, more plus signs mean stronger UVA protection
- The label most K-beauty fans know best
US: Broad Spectrum
- Means the product blocks UVA above a set threshold
- There are no grades, so the label alone doesn't tell you "how much"
EU: the UVA logo in a circle
- Signals that UVA protection is at least a set proportion of the SPF
- The higher the SPF, the more UVA protection it needs to earn the logo
Australia: Broad Spectrum with its own standard
- Looks like the US label, but the test standard is separate
Bottom line
- If you worry about dark spots or photoaging, check the UVA label, not just SPF
- Systems differ, so one-to-one comparisons across countries are tricky
Which label do you look at first when buying sunscreen abroad?
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