What These 4 Little Symbols on Your Sunscreen Really Mean
You already know SPF by heart. But on your sunscreen bottle, there’s often another mention: PA+++, sometimes PA++++. Most people glance over it without really understanding what it means. That’s a mistake. These four little symbols measure something your SPF doesn’t measure at all: your protection against skin aging.
UVA rays don’t seem threatening. They don’t burn. They don’t make your skin red. And yet, they penetrate deep into the dermis, break down collagen, and trigger dark spots and hyperpigmentation. Silently. Daily. On cloudy days. Through windows. All year round.
PA++++ is the only level that offers maximum protection against this type of radiation. Here’s everything you need to know.
SPF vs PA: two protections, two different types of rays
Let’s start with the basics: the difference between these two ratings.
SPF (Sun Protection Factor) measures protection against UVB rays only — the rays responsible for sunburn. SPF 50 blocks around 98% of UVB rays. SPF 30 blocks 97%. The difference in raw protection is minimal.
PA (Protection Grade of UVA) measures protection against UVA rays — the rays responsible for aging, pigmentation, and deep skin damage. It’s represented by plus signs: from PA+ to PA++++. The more + signs, the higher the protection.
These are two independent scales. A sunscreen can have a perfect SPF 50 and still provide no real indication of its UVA protection. In Europe, the UVA logo inside a circle guarantees that UVA protection is at least one-third of the SPF. The PA system, however, is precise, graduated, and increasingly adopted by international clean beauty brands because it tells you exactly where you stand.
Where does the PA system come from?
The PA system was developed in Japan and is now dominant across Asia, before gradually becoming more widely adopted worldwide. It is based on the PPD test (Persistent Pigment Darkening): researchers measure the amount of UVA radiation required to cause persistent skin darkening. This result generates a PPD rating, which is then converted into a PA grade.
PA++++ was added to the system in 2013. It remains the highest possible rating today.
The complete PA rating chart
| PA Rating | PPD Index | What It Actually Means |
|---|---|---|
| PA+ | 2 to 4 | Low protection. Very brief exposure, indoors. |
| PA++ | 4 to 8 | Moderate protection. Daily indoor use or cloudy weather. |
| PA+++ | 8 to 16 | High protection. Urban life, short regular exposure. |
| PA++++ | 16 and above | Maximum protection. The only level truly recommended for serious anti-aging protection. |
Why PA++++ is the only level that really matters
UVA rays account for around 95% of the UV radiation reaching the Earth’s surface. They are present year-round, unaffected by clouds, and capable of passing through glass. Unlike UVB rays, which burn the skin, UVA rays work gradually over time: breaking down collagen and elastin, causing dark spots, and weakening the skin barrier.
PA++++ is especially essential if you:
- use photosensitizing actives (retinol, AHAs, BHAs, vitamin C)
- have skin prone to hyperpigmentation or post-acne marks
- spend time near windows, in cars, or in brightly lit offices
- live in a sunny region
- wear sunscreen year-round, not just in summer
An important nuance: PA++++ indicates a minimum PPD of 16. One product with a PPD of 20 and another with a PPD of 40 can both display PA++++. The label is a floor, not a ceiling. Which is why formula quality — and especially the filters used — still matters enormously.
Zinc Oxide: the filter that makes the difference
Not all sunscreen filters protect equally across the entire UVA spectrum. Chemical filters like avobenzone cover certain UVA wavelengths but can lack stability in the long UVA range — precisely where the deepest aging-related damage occurs.
Non-nano zinc oxide is currently the broadest-spectrum sunscreen filter available. It provides near-uniform protection against UVB, short UVA, and long UVA rays. It is a physical filter: it stays on the surface of the skin, does not penetrate, and does not degrade under light exposure. It’s also non-irritating — and widely recognized as a soothing active ingredient in its own right.
This is why mineral formulas with 12% zinc oxide combined with a PA++++ rating are currently considered the gold standard in comprehensive sun protection.
The best PA++++ sunscreens selected by Superskin
At Odacité
At Odacité, you’ll find one of the most praised transparent mineral sunscreens in the international clean beauty community. And the reason is simple: it delivers on every promise.
Formulated with 12% non-nano zinc oxide, it carries the maximum PA++++ rating with broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection. Its texture is fluid, ultra-lightweight, and non-greasy. It melts into the skin with no heavy feeling and no white cast. Truly invisible.
What sets it apart from the rest of the market: its Sun Repair Complex. Niacinamide to even skin tone, regulate sebum, and boost collagen production. Green tea to neutralize free radicals. Chamomile and calendula to soothe and reduce inflammation. The brand claims antioxidant activity improvement of up to 200%.
This sunscreen doesn’t just protect: it actively repairs while protecting. Silicone-free. Fragrance-free. Free from chemical filters. Suitable for sensitive, oily, acne-prone, and mature skin.
"The best sunscreen is the one you actually enjoy wearing, rather than a daily chore."
Valérie Grandury - Founder of Odacité
The tinted version of Mineral Drops uses exactly the same protective base: 12% zinc oxide, PA++++, and the Sun Repair Complex with niacinamide, green tea, chamomile, and calendula. The difference lies in its patented Flex-Perfecting adaptive pigments, designed to adjust to your skin tone.
Available in 7 shades, the formula delivers natural, second-skin coverage. Not quite foundation, not just sunscreen: exactly in between. For those who want to simplify their routine without compromising protection or results.
Same level of protection. Same lightweight feel. One less step in the morning.
At RMS Beauty
Seven years of development. That’s how long it took Rose-Marie Swift, professional makeup artist and founder of RMS Beauty, to formulate the tinted sunscreen her community had been asking for.
SunCoverup is a hydrating tinted cream with mineral SPF 50, available in 13 flexible shades designed to neutralize the white cast of zinc oxide. Its silicone-free formula revolves around four active pillars:
GlowPlex: a proprietary complex combining niacinamide, quinoa extract, and pea extract. Smooths, firms, and brightens the complexion over time.
Plant-derived squalane: hydration without heaviness or shine, sebum balance, improved elasticity.
Bisabolol: chamomile-derived extract with anti-inflammatory properties that protects the skin barrier.
Adaptogenic herb blend: 9 plants including ashwagandha, calendula, turmeric, and St. John’s wort to balance and strengthen the skin over time.
The finish is luminous and dewy, never greasy. The product lasts up to 8 hours. Vegan, fragrance-free, non-comedogenic, dermatologist-tested.
At Agent Nateur
Five shades, one formula, zero compromises. Holi (Sun) by Agent Nateur is the tinted sunscreen that converted mineral sunscreen skeptics: serum-like texture, dewy finish, yet powered by 12% non-nano zinc oxide. The result: SPF 50+, no white cast, and skin that simply looks like itself — but better.
What makes it unique is its expanded spectrum coverage. In addition to blocking 98% of UVA and UVB rays, niacinamide (vitamin B3) creates a shield against over 35% of blue light emitted by screens. A meaningful benefit when you spend your days in front of a computer. It also boosts antioxidant activity by up to 200% within 30 minutes — the same benefit seen with Odacité, the same formulation philosophy.
On the hydration side: plant-derived squalane and rice bran extract (omega-9 and fatty acids) improve skin hydration by up to 60% within 30 minutes. Allantoin stimulates cell renewal and collagen synthesis. Bisabolol, rosemary, and green tea soothe redness. It’s a complete skincare treatment worn like a lightweight foundation.
"Holi (Sun) is our answer to the question everyone asks: can you get true mineral sun protection without the mask-like effect?"
Jena Covello - Founder of Agent Nateur
Note on labeling: RMS Beauty and Agent Nateur are American brands subject to FDA regulations, which do not require PA ratings to be displayed. Their broad-spectrum 12% zinc oxide formulas nevertheless provide very high UVA protection.
How to read your sunscreen label in Europe
The European market does not require PA labeling. Here’s how to identify a sunscreen with serious UVA protection:
The UVA logo inside a circle is mandatory in Europe and guarantees that UVA protection represents at least one-third of the SPF. This is the legal minimum.
An explicit PA++++ label is voluntary. Brands that display it, like Odacité, are making a choice for transparency and precision. It’s a quality signal.
Zinc oxide as the main active ingredient is the hallmark of genuine broad-spectrum UVA protection. Non-nano and ideally at 12% or higher.
The term "broad spectrum" means the product protects against both UVA and UVB rays, which is essential.
PA++++ is useless without reapplication
A PA++++ sunscreen applied only once in the morning will not protect you all day. Protection gradually degrades due to sweat, sebum, and mechanical friction.
The rule: reapply every two hours during direct sun exposure, and always after swimming or physical activity.
For urban life with limited direct sun exposure, a careful morning application can remain effective throughout the day. But as soon as you head outdoors — to a terrace, garden, or on vacation — plan to reapply.
Want to go deeper into clean sunscreens?
Want to understand the difference between mineral and chemical filters, how to choose your SPF according to your skin type, or why an organic sunscreen can be just as effective as a conventional one? Our complete guide answers all these questions.
Read our complete guide: Everything You Need to Know About Organic and Natural Sunscreens