SPF vs PA++++: What Your Sunscreen Label Means

You pick up a sunscreen at the pharmacy and the label shouts "SPF50 PA++++". Most of us nod and buy it, without knowing what SPF and PA really tell us.

SPF and PA are two separate ratings on one label: SPF tells you how well a sunscreen guards against the burning rays, while PA tells you how well it guards against the deeper rays linked to tanning, ageing and dark spots. Here is a plain guide to SPF and PA.

UVB vs UVA: the two rays behind SPF and PA

Two kinds of ultraviolet rays affect skin, and each has its own rating, which is why labels carry both SPF and PA. UVB is the shorter ray that turns your shoulders red after a Port Dickson weekend. It mostly stays in the top layers of skin and is largely stopped by glass.

UVA is the quieter one. It makes up as much as 95% of the UV that reaches the ground, travels deeper into skin and can pass through clouds and windows. You cannot feel it, so it is easy to forget.

What SPF actually measures

SPF stands for sun protection factor. It compares how much UV it takes to make skin barely red with sunscreen on versus bare skin, and DermNet explains that the number mainly reflects UVB, the main cause of sunburn.

SPF 30 filters roughly 97% of UVB and SPF 50 about 98%. A higher number adds margin, but it does not last longer on your face, so you still need to top it up.

What PA+ to PA++++ means

PA stands for "protection grade of UVA". It is a Japanese system, now common on sunscreens sold across Asia, and Singapore's HealthHub lists a PA rating as one way a label shows UVA protection.

The grade comes from a test called persistent pigment darkening, or PPD. Testers measure how much UVA it takes to leave a lasting tan on skin with sunscreen compared with skin without it. The more plus signs, the higher that ratio:

• PA+ — some UVA protection (PPD 2 to under 4)
• PA++ — moderate UVA protection (PPD 4 to under 8)
• PA+++ — high UVA protection (PPD 8 to under 16)
• PA++++ — the top grade (PPD 16 and above)

Why UVA matters for dark spots and ageing

Because UVA reaches deeper, it nudges pigment cells to make more melanin and slowly wears down the collagen that keeps skin firm. Over the years, that shows up as uneven tone, sun spots and fine lines rather than an obvious burn.

Skin tone plays a part too. In a small study of 20 volunteers with medium-to-brown skin, long-wave UVA triggered pigmentation that very fair skin did not show. That matters for many Asian skin types, and for anyone trying to keep existing spots from getting darker.

Our guide to what causes dark spots on your face covers the other triggers. Please see a doctor or dermatologist if a spot grows, changes colour or shape, bleeds or itches.

How to read SPF and PA labels in Malaysia's UV 11+ heat

Our UV index regularly climbs into the extreme range. In August, Petaling Jaya hit a UV index of 12, with MetMalaysia flagging 11am to 4pm as peak hours. With that in mind, here is what to look for.

1. Look for both numbers, not just one

A high SPF on its own tells only half the story. Check that the label also shows a PA grade, or says broad spectrum, so the UVA side is covered too. Reading SPF and PA together is the quickest way to judge any label on the shelf.

2. Aim for SPF 30 or higher with PA+++ or PA++++

For daily life here, from the school run to lunch at an outdoor kopitiam table, SPF 30 is the minimum and SPF 50 gives extra margin. Pair it with PA+++ or PA++++, since UVA is around even on cloudy days. That combination of SPF and PA suits our extreme UV.

3. Pick a texture you will wear every day

The best rating does nothing in your drawer. On sweaty 35°C afternoons, choose a light, comfortable formula you are happy to put on every morning, then reapply. Our guide on how often to reapply sunscreen in Malaysia's heat explains how much to use and when to top up your SPF and PA protection.

Want your sunscreen to do more for dark spots?

Daily SPF is the habit dermatologists keep coming back to for dark spots — but it only works if you actually wear it every day.

Hishin Colostrum Whitening Sunscreen is an SPF50 PA++++ sunscreen made for Malaysian weather, notified with NPRA (NOT230303172K). It combines:

• New Zealand colostrum yeast extract — rich in amino acids, helping keep skin moisturised and the look of dark spots fading over time
• Japanese black tea (Wakoucha) extract — with vitamin B3 to support a smoother, more even-looking tone
• Citrus extract with vitamin C — an antioxidant that supports skin's collagen

The white cream spreads clear without a white cast, sets in about 30 seconds and holds up to sweat. Twist off the gold cap, squeeze some onto your palm and spread it evenly over your face, neck and arms as the last step of your morning routine.

It works alongside the habits above — shade, hats and reapplying — not instead of them.

The bottom line

SPF and PA answer two different questions: SPF covers the burning UVB rays, while PA covers the deeper UVA rays tied to dark spots and ageing. Under Malaysia's extreme UV, look for SPF and PA together, SPF 30 or more with PA+++ or PA++++, and wear it every single day.

Try Hishin Colostrum Whitening Sunscreen →

Individual results vary. Hishin Colostrum Whitening Sunscreen is a cosmetic product and is not intended to diagnose, treat or cure any skin condition. If you have a persistent or changing skin spot, please see a doctor or dermatologist.