SPF: Why Higher SPF Isn't Necessarily Better

A sunscreen with SPF of 15 will suffice for most individuals, especially for us Asians. If you are a very fair-skinned Caucasian who sunburns very easily, SPFs up to 30 is justifiable.

When consumers are more conscious of the importance of sun protection, they naturally assume that the higher the SPF, the better the protection. Products with ridiculous SPFs that are above 100 start appearing in the market.

Higher SPF doesn't mean the suncreen is more effective than the lower ones. In fact, higher strengths may cause increased irritation among people sensitive to the active ingredients in sunscreens. Other possible side effects include allergic reactions such as rashes, and yellow discoloration of the skin and clothes.

What is PA?

Newer sunscreens in the market also contain UVA-filters and their protective effect against UVA is measured with PA. PA stands for Protection Grade of UVA. There is currently no uniform measure of UVA absorption, so PA is only a rough indicator of the amount of UVA protection the suncreen offers.

There are three grades, namely PA+, PA++ and PA+++. PA+++ offers the most protection. PA+ is adequate for most activities. If you're staying out in the sun for long hours, go for PA++ or higher.