What is PA in sunscreen? 

The UVA rating that helps protect against wrinkles and sagging

Linda Robison
By: Linda Robison — Certified Facial Fitness Specialist
Disclosure: As an affiliate partner and Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

PA stands for Protection Grade of UVA. It tells you how well a sunscreen helps protect against UVA rays—the rays linked with photoaging, including fine lines, loss of firmness, and uneven skin tone over time.

PA rating levels explained:

  • PA+ = some UVA protection
  • PA++ = moderate
  • PA+++ = high
  • PA++++ = very high / highest level shown in the PA system.

In short: SPF protects against burning (UVB), while the PA rating shows how well a sunscreen protects against aging UVA rays.

If you’re serious about helping prevent fine lines, sagging, and sun damage, don’t just check the SPF—look for the PA rating too.

You'll often see PA ratings on Korean and Japanese sunscreens. Their lightweight formulas and strong UVA protection helped make the PA rating system more popular outside Asia.

Smiling woman applying PA+++ sunscreen to her cheek in warm sunlight, highlighting daily UVA protection for anti-aging skin care.

Why I started caring about the PA rating

For years, I thought SPF was enough. But once I learned that UVA rays can break down collagen, thin facial fat pads, and lead to visible face sagging—I knew I had to step up my sunscreen game.

I now use one with a high PA rating and pair it with face exercises that help keep everything lifted and firm.

What I use

Colorescience sunscreen with PA++++ rating for UVA protectionMy daily go-to: Colorescience mineral sunscreen with PA++++ protection. It shields against deep UVA damage that causes sagging and wrinkles—and it actually feels good on your skin.

My daily go-to is Colorescience mineral sunscreen with PA++++ protection.

It’s non-greasy, protects even on humid summer days, and wears beautifully under makeup.

SPF vs. PA: What’s the Difference?

What is PA in sunscreen? It's the level of protection against UVA rays.

Most of us know SPF is about UVB — the rays that cause sunburn.

But SPF doesn’t tell you how strong the UVA (aging) protection is. That’s where the PA rating comes in.

Think of it like this:

  • SPF = UVB = sunburn
  • PA = UVA = skin aging

UVA rays go deeper into the skin and are linked to long-term changes like collagen breakdown, loss of firmness, and sagging.

Note: Research published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology suggests UVA exposure can affect the skin’s support structures, including collagen and elastin, which help keep skin firm and supported.

If you’re unsure whether your sunscreen truly protects against aging, I explain it here: does sunscreen prevent aging?

Why you should care about UVA protection

UVA rays:

  • Penetrate deeper into your skin than UVB
  • Damage collagen and elastin
  • May thin the fat pads that keep your face firm and youthful

🧠 Did you know?
UVA rays can even reach through clouds and windows. Long-term exposure = sagging, wrinkles, and what causes sun spots on skin over time.

This was my turning point: once I understood that UVA damage goes deeper than the surface, daily sunscreen became non-negotiable for me.

Glow-Up Tip

Choose a sunscreen with:

  • SPF 30+ for UVB
  • PA+++ or PA++++ for UVA
  • Zinc oxide or titanium dioxide for mineral-based protection

What if your sunscreen doesn’t have a PA rating?

Here is what you should look for.

UVA-blocking ingredients:

  • Zinc oxide
  • Titanium dioxide
  • Avobenzone
  • Mexoryl SX
  • SPF 30 or higher
  • Dermatologist-recommended brands
  • Water-resistant formulas (important if you're sweating or swimming)

Real Talk: I used to hate sunscreen

I’ll be honest—I used to skip sunscreen because it felt greasy, heavy, or messed up my makeup. But once I learned that UVA rays can thin facial fat pads and lead to visible sagging, I got serious about daily protection.

Now I look for sunscreens that combine strong UVA protection with a formula I’ll actually enjoy wearing. In the summer, I especially like powder brush-on mineral sunscreen because it layers beautifully over makeup and makes reapplication easy throughout the day.

If you’re comparing sunscreen types, it helps to see how powder vs. tinted sunscreen compare so you can choose what works best for your routine.

Even if you haven’t been consistent in the past, daily sunscreen gives your skin a real second chance.

Did you know? Shake your sunscreen for best results

Hand holding a sunscreen bottle with a reminder to shake liquid sunscreen before applying for more even protection.

Before applying sunscreen, check the directions on the bottle. Some formulas, especially liquid mineral and tinted sunscreens, need to be shaken well before each use.

I was surprised when I noticed one of my sunscreen bottles actually said "Shake well before use."

Why shake the tube? Because the ingredients can separate or settle while the bottle sits. Shaking helps mix everything back together so the sunscreen applies more evenly and works the way it was designed.

Not every sunscreen needs shaking, so follow the directions on your specific bottle.

Don't forget to reapply

Even a sunscreen with a high PA rating needs to be reapplied to keep giving you reliable protection. Follow the directions on your bottle, especially after sweating, swimming, or wiping your face.

For reapplication over makeup, I like powder mineral sunscreen because it’s quick and easy to brush on during the day.

I still use a regular sunscreen as my main layer, but powder makes touch-ups much easier.

Want to go mineral and skin-friendly?

Mineral sunscreen can be a good option if you prefer zinc oxide or titanium dioxide and want strong UVA protection.

Just remember that mineral does not automatically mean better protection—check for broad-spectrum coverage and, when available, a high PA rating.

See my best chemical-free sunscreen for face with good UVA protection.

Can sunscreen really reverse damage?

Daily sunscreen cannot erase every sign of past sun damage, but consistent broad-spectrum UVA protection can help prevent more damage. I explain more about that in my guide to whether sunscreen can prevent aging.

Does the U.S. use PA ratings on sunscreen?

The PA rating system is commonly used on many Asian sunscreens, but it is not standard on most U.S. sunscreen labels.

In the United States, you will usually see the words broad spectrum, which means the product protects against both UVA and UVB rays.

The difference is that broad spectrum does not tell you the exact level of UVA protection the way PA+++ or PA++++ does.

That is one reason I look for a high PA rating when it is available.

I use Colorscience because it offers PA++++ protection, feels comfortable on my skin, and wears well under makeup.

Final thoughts from someone who hated sunscreen

Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours for best results.

Understanding UVA protection can change the way you choose sunscreen. Once you know what the PA rating means, it becomes easier to look beyond SPF and choose a formula with stronger UVA protection.

Look for broad-spectrum coverage, a high PA rating when available, and a sunscreen you will realistically use every day.

Consistency matters more than perfection. Even if you were not always careful in the past, daily sunscreen can still help protect your skin from future damage.

👉 Not sure how to fit sunscreen into your routine? Here’s my easy layering guide.


Stay Connected with Me

Want to see what I’m up to? I’ll keep you posted on new products I’m trying, little tricks I’ve discovered, new finds, and a few personal updates too.

Linda Robison, certified facial fitness specialist and anti-aging advisor for women over 40

About the Author:

Linda Robison is a Certified Facial Fitness Specialist and founder of Anti-Aging Beauty Zone, where she shares practical tips, products, techniques, and at-home options for women over 40. She personally tests many of the methods she writes about.

Experience: Linda spent nearly 15 years as an Anti-Aging Health Advisor at the Life Extension Foundation and has over 30 years of experience testing facial anti-aging techniques, including training in Carolyn’s Facial Fitness. Her work has been featured in GB News and Beauty Box Magazine. You can view her background on LinkedIn and follow her on Pinterest.


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