Korean sunscreen labels explained: what SPF50+ and PA++++ really mean

By the Real Korea 101 editorial team · Published November 13, 2026 · Sources checked November 13, 2026

Short answer: On a Korean sunscreen, SPF tells you how well the product protects against UVB, the rays mainly behind sunburn, and PA tells you how well it protects against UVA. Both numbers come from lab tests on people that Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) sets out in a published regulation. Any result of SPF 50 or higher must be printed as "SPF50+", and PA runs in four steps from PA+ (low) to PA++++ (very high), based on a measured UVA protection factor of 16 or more for the top grade.

UVA and UVB in one minute

Sunlight contains different kinds of ultraviolet (UV) light. The MFDS testing standard for sunscreens defines UVB as wavelengths from 290 to 320 nm and UVA as 320 to 400 nm. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) summarizes the difference simply: UVB rays are the primary cause of sunburn, while UVA rays can prematurely age the skin, causing wrinkles and age spots, and can pass through window glass. Overexposure to either can lead to skin cancer.

That is why Korean sunscreens carry two separate ratings. SPF is about UVB. PA is about UVA. A product can be strong on one and weaker on the other, so it is worth reading both.

What SPF means on a Korean label

SPF stands for sun protection factor. The MFDS standard defines it as a ratio: the smallest UV dose that turns protected skin red, divided by the smallest dose that turns unprotected skin red. That smallest dose is called the minimal erythema dose, and testers read it 16 to 24 hours after exposure. The test is done on the backs of at least 10 healthy adult volunteers aged 18 to 60 with Fitzpatrick skin types I to III, the lighter skin types that redden more easily.

Two labeling rules in Article 13 of the MFDS Regulation on the Review of Functional Cosmetics shape what you see on the box:

• The printed number can be lower than the measured average, not higher. The label must show a whole number within 20 percent below the average result. The regulation's own example: if the average measured SPF is 23, the label may show any whole number from 19 to 23.
• 50 is the ceiling on the label. If the result is SPF 50 or higher, the product is labeled "SPF50+". This is why Korean sunscreens top out at SPF50+ even when the measured value is higher.

How big is the difference between numbers? According to the AAD, SPF 15 filters out about 93 percent of UVB rays and SPF 30 about 97 percent. Higher numbers block slightly more, but no sunscreen blocks 100 percent. The AAD recommends SPF 30 or higher.

What PA+ to PA++++ means

PA stands for "protection grade of UVA". It is based on a lab value called PFA (protection factor of UVA). The MFDS standard defines PFA the same way as SPF, but using a UVA dose that causes a faint, lasting darkening of the skin, read 2 to 24 hours after exposure. The PFA is rounded down to a whole number, and if it is 2 or higher, the product gets one of four grades:

The standard says the PA grade may be printed alongside the SPF, with the example "SPF30, PA+". So a box that says "SPF50+ PA++++" is telling you the product reached the top label step for both UVB and UVA in testing.

If you are used to US labels, note that "broad spectrum" is a US Food and Drug Administration term. The AAD explains that it means the product protects against both UVA and UVB. Korean labels express the UVA side with the PA grade instead.

"Water resistant" in Korea

Korean rules recognize two water claims, written on the box as 내수성 ("water resistant") and 지속내수성 ("long-lasting water resistant"). Under Article 13 of the MFDS regulation, a product can carry either word only when the test result meets a set threshold for how much of its SPF remains after water exposure.

The test itself shows what each word means in practice. For a water-resistant claim, volunteers sit in water for 20 minutes, rest out of the water for 20 minutes, and go back in for another 20 minutes, for 40 minutes of water in total. For a long-lasting water-resistant claim, there are four 20-minute immersions, 80 minutes in total. That lines up with the US labels the AAD describes: "water resistant" for 40 minutes and "very water resistant" for 80 minutes.

The AAD also points out that no sunscreen is waterproof or sweatproof, and that you should reapply after swimming, sweating or toweling off.

Why sunscreen is a "functional cosmetic"

Korea's Cosmetics Act defines a "functional cosmetic" as a cosmetic in one of several listed categories, including "a product aiding in tanning skin gently or protecting skin from ultraviolet rays". That puts sunscreens in the same regulated group as skin whitening and wrinkle improvement products.

The MFDS explains that a company selling a functional cosmetic must either undergo an MFDS evaluation or submit a report on its safety and effectiveness. For sunscreens, the data list includes SPF, water-resistant SPF and PA test data. The regulation accepts results from the Korean method or from other recognized methods, including those of Japan, the US FDA, Cosmetics Europe, Australia and New Zealand, and ISO standards such as ISO 24444 for SPF and ISO 24442 for UVA. Products with SPF 10 or lower are exempt from submitting the SPF test data.

The regulation also lists UV filter ingredients with maximum amounts. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, the two filters the AAD calls "physical" or "mineral", each appear on that list at 25 percent as a UV-blocking ingredient.

On the shelf, the practical signal is the label. Article 10 of the Cosmetics Act requires a functional cosmetic's outer package to show the words "functional cosmetic" (기능성화장품) or the MFDS logo.

How to read a Korean sunscreen box

1. Find SPF and PA together. Look for a line such as "SPF50+ PA++++". If only SPF is shown, the product makes no PA claim.
2. Look for 기능성화장품 or the MFDS mark. This shows it is sold as a functional cosmetic, which is the category for UV protection claims.
3. Check for 내수성 or 지속내수성 if you plan to swim or sweat. Without one of these words, the product makes no water claim.
4. Read the full ingredient list. Article 10 of the Cosmetics Act requires all ingredients on the outer package, with limited exceptions such as harmless trace ingredients. If you prefer mineral filters, look for zinc oxide (징크옥사이드) or titanium dioxide (티타늄디옥사이드).
5. Patch test if your skin is sensitive. The AAD recommends mineral sunscreens for people with sensitive skin.

New to Korean products? Our beginner routine guide explains where sunscreen fits in a morning routine, and our ingredients glossary covers common names you will see on the same shelf.

Using it so the number actually means something

A label is only a test result. The AAD's practical guidance for getting close to it:

• Use at least 1 teaspoon for the face, roughly enough to cover the length of your index and middle fingers.
• Apply to dry skin 15 minutes before going outside.
• Reapply about every two hours outdoors, and after swimming or sweating.
• Add shade, a wide-brimmed hat and UV-protective sunglasses. Sunscreen alone cannot fully protect you.

If you have darker skin or concerns about dark spots, the AAD also mentions tinted sunscreens containing iron oxide, which research shows helps protect against visible light.

This article explains public information and is not medical advice. For skin conditions, sun allergies or medication-related sun sensitivity, talk to a doctor.