Last updated: October 2026 · Written by the Tivora team · Reading time: about 9 minutes
Most of us check the SPF number on a sunscreen and stop there. But on almost every sunscreen sold in India, there's a second rating printed right next to it: PA+, PA++, PA+++ or PA++++. If you care about tanning, dark spots or skin ageing, that little row of plus signs matters as much as the SPF.
This guide explains what PA means, how PA+ to PA++++ compare, how PA differs from SPF, and whether you really need PA++++ for Indian skin.
Quick answer
PA stands for Protection Grade of UVA. It shows how well a sunscreen protects your skin from UVA rays, the rays mainly behind tanning, dark spots and skin ageing. More plus signs mean more protection, and PA++++ is the highest rating. For Indian skin, which tans and pigments easily, look for SPF 30 or higher with at least PA+++, and ideally SPF 50 PA++++.
What does PA mean on sunscreen?
PA stands for Protection Grade of UVA. It was introduced by the Japan Cosmetic Industry Association in 1996 to give shoppers a simple way to compare UVA protection, and it's now used on sunscreens across Asia, including India.
The rating is shown as PA followed by one to four plus signs. Each extra plus sign means a higher level of UVA protection. PA++++ was added as the top grade in 2013, to recognise sunscreens with very high UVA protection.
PA+, PA++, PA+++ and PA++++ explained
The PA grade is based on a lab test called Persistent Pigment Darkening (PPD). It measures how much more UVA your skin can take with the sunscreen on before it darkens, compared with bare skin. A PPD of 16 means your skin can handle roughly 16 times more UVA before tanning.
| PA rating | PPD score | UVA protection level | Approx. UVA filtered* |
|---|---|---|---|
| PA+ | 2 to 4 | Some | 50% to 75% |
| PA++ | 4 to 8 | Moderate | 75% to 88% |
| PA+++ | 8 to 16 | High | 88% to 94% |
| PA++++ | 16 or more | Highest rating available | 94% or more |
*Approximate share of UVA filtered, worked out from the PPD score when the sunscreen is applied in the tested amount.
Because the scale stops at four plus signs, a sunscreen with a PPD of 20 and one with a PPD of 40 can both show PA++++. That's why dermatologists suggest assuming a PA++++ sunscreen protects at least at the PPD 16 level.
Why UVA protection matters so much
Sunlight contains two main types of UV that affect your skin. UVB causes sunburn. UVA makes up most of the UV that reaches the ground, and it:
- Causes tanning and dark spots. UVA is a major trigger for melanin production, which is why it matters so much for pigmentation-prone Indian skin.
- Drives skin ageing. It reaches deeper layers of skin and breaks down collagen, leading to fine lines and loss of firmness over time.
- Contributes to skin cancer risk, along with UVB.
- Is present all day, all year. Unlike UVB, UVA stays fairly steady from morning to evening and across seasons.
- Passes through clouds and glass. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, more than half of UVA rays can pass through window glass.
That last point surprises many people. If you work near a sunny window, sit by the window on a train or bus, or spend hours in a car, your skin is still being exposed to UVA.
SPF vs PA: what's the difference?
| SPF | PA | |
|---|---|---|
| Stands for | Sun Protection Factor | Protection Grade of UVA |
| Protects against | UVB rays | UVA rays |
| Main damage it prevents | Sunburn, redness | Tanning, dark spots, ageing |
| Shown as | A number (15, 30, 50) | Plus signs (PA+ to PA++++) |
| Passes through glass? | UVB: mostly blocked | UVA: more than half gets through |
| What to look for | SPF 30 or higher; SPF 50 for strong sun | PA+++ or PA++++ |
A sunscreen can have a high SPF and only modest UVA protection, so you need to check both. For a full breakdown of SPF numbers, see our guide to SPF 30 vs SPF 50.
Do you really need PA++++?
PA+++ already gives high UVA protection, and it's a good choice for many people. PA++++ is worth choosing if you:
- Tan easily or have dark spots, melasma or uneven tone. UVA is a key trigger, so the highest UVA rating gives you the most help.
- Spend time near windows or travel a lot by car, bus or train. Most of the UV coming through glass is UVA.
- Use retinoids, exfoliating acids or pigmentation treatments. These make skin more sensitive and protecting your progress matters.
- Are concerned about early skin ageing. UVA is the main driver of sun-related ageing.
- Live somewhere with strong sun most of the year, as most of India does.
For pigmentation-prone Indian skin, SPF 50 PA++++ is the strongest everyday choice. Read more in our guide to the best sunscreen for pigmentation in India.
PA vs "broad spectrum" and other labels
Different countries show UVA protection in different ways, which is useful to know if you buy imported sunscreens:
- PA rating (Japan, Korea, India and much of Asia): PA+ to PA++++, based on the PPD test.
- "Broad spectrum" (United States): means the sunscreen passed a test showing it protects against both UVA and UVB, but it doesn't tell you how much UVA protection it has.
- UVA circle logo (Europe): a "UVA" letters-in-a-circle symbol showing the UVA protection is at least one third of the SPF.
- PPD number: some brands print the actual PPD score, which gives the most detail.
If you're shopping in India, the PA rating is the easiest way to compare.
Does PA++++ protect against visible light?
Not much. PA measures UVA protection only. Visible light, especially the blue-violet range, can also trigger pigmentation in medium and darker skin tones and is linked to melasma. Tinted sunscreens containing iron oxides give extra protection against visible light. If you have melasma, consider a tinted product on top of your regular sunscreen, and speak to a dermatologist.
How to read a sunscreen label in 10 seconds
- Find the SPF: 30 or higher, ideally 50.
- Find the PA rating: PA+++ or PA++++.
- Check the format: gel or light cream for oily skin, cream for dry skin.
- Check extras you need: water resistance for sport, fragrance-free for sensitive skin, tinted for melasma.
- Check the expiry date.
So a label reading "SPF 50 PA++++" means high protection against UVB (sunburn) and the highest rated protection against UVA (tanning and ageing).
Getting the full PA++++ protection
Like SPF, the PA rating is tested with a thick layer of sunscreen. To get the protection on the label:
- Use about two finger-lengths for your face and neck.
- Apply it as the last step of your morning skincare, about 15 minutes before going out.
- Reapply every 2 hours outdoors, and after sweating, swimming or towel drying.
- Wear it every day, including cloudy days and days spent mostly indoors near windows.
Our complete sunscreen guide for Indian skin covers application step by step.
Our pick: Tivora BrightShield SPF 50 PA++++
Tivora BrightShield SPF 50 PA++++ combines high UVB protection with the highest PA rating, in a lightweight cream that leaves no white cast on Indian skin tones.
Because UVA is such a big trigger for tanning and pigmentation, BrightShield also contains three brightening actives, Alpha Arbutin, Tyrostat and Melanostatin, to help with the look of dark spots and uneven tone while it protects. It comes in a 50 ml tube for ₹615, or two for ₹999.
Tivora BrightShield SPF 50 PA++++
Lightweight daily sunscreen with Alpha Arbutin, Tyrostat and Melanostatin. No white cast. ✓ Dermatologically tested · Non-irritant
₹615 · 2 for ₹999 · Free shipping
Frequently asked questions
What does PA++++ mean on sunscreen?
PA++++ is the highest rating for UVA protection. It means the sunscreen scored a PPD of 16 or more, so skin can take roughly 16 times more UVA before tanning when it's applied in the tested amount.
What is the full form of PA in sunscreen?
PA stands for Protection Grade of UVA.
Is PA+++ enough?
PA+++ gives high UVA protection and is fine for many people. If you tan easily, have pigmentation or melasma, or spend a lot of time near windows, PA++++ is the better choice.
What is the difference between SPF and PA?
SPF measures protection against UVB rays, which cause sunburn. PA measures protection against UVA rays, which cause tanning, dark spots and skin ageing. A good sunscreen needs both.
Does PA++++ prevent tanning?
PA++++ gives the highest rated protection against UVA, the main cause of tanning. Applied generously and reapplied regularly, it greatly reduces tanning, though no sunscreen blocks 100% of UV.
Is PA++++ good for oily skin?
The PA rating doesn't affect how oily a sunscreen feels; the formula does. Choose a lightweight, non-comedogenic SPF 50 PA++++ gel or cream.
Do I need PA++++ indoors?
If you sit near windows or in bright daylight, yes. More than half of UVA rays can pass through window glass.
Is PA++++ the same as broad spectrum?
Not exactly. "Broad spectrum" means a sunscreen protects against both UVA and UVB, but doesn't say how much UVA protection it gives. PA++++ tells you the UVA protection is the highest graded level.
The bottom line
SPF tells you how well a sunscreen prevents sunburn; PA tells you how well it prevents tanning, dark spots and ageing. For Indian skin, check both, and choose SPF 50 PA++++ if you tan or pigment easily. For protection plus help with dark spots in one step, try Tivora BrightShield SPF 50 PA++++.
This article is for general information and is not medical advice. If you have a skin condition, speak to a qualified dermatologist.
Sources
- Colorescience: PA++++ in sunscreen: what it means and why it matters
- Vinmec: Why you should pay attention to the PA index
- The Skin Cancer Foundation: Sneaky ways you're exposed to UV rays
- American Academy of Dermatology: How to decode a sunscreen label
- Castanedo-Cázares JP, et al. Near-visible light and UV photoprotection in the treatment of melasma. Photodermatology, Photoimmunology & Photomedicine, 2014.
