The most confusing thing about buying Korean sunscreen is that the label uses a rating system US shoppers have never seen. SPF is familiar; the row of plus signs after PA is not, and it is the part that actually tells you about long-wave UVA protection.
What PA+ through PA++++ means
PA is a UVA rating derived from a persistent pigment darkening test used across East Asia. More plus signs mean higher UVA protection, with PA++++ at the top of the scale. US labels instead use a broad spectrum pass-or-fail term rather than a graded rating, so a Korean label often tells you more about UVA than a US one does.
Why Korean filters feel different
Korea approves several UV filters that are not available in US products, which is why Korean sunscreens frequently feel lighter and leave less white cast at the same SPF. That difference in approved filter lists is the single biggest reason people import sunscreen rather than buying at a US drugstore.
Regulatory status when importing
Sunscreen is regulated as an over-the-counter drug in the US and as a functional cosmetic in Korea. Rules on personal importation are revised periodically and enforcement varies, so keep orders to reasonable personal quantities and check current guidance before buying a case.
Typical prices and sizes
Most Korean sunscreens come in 50-60 ml tubes at 12,000-25,000 KRW, or roughly $9-18. The same tube commonly resells for $22-32 in the US. Six tubes weigh about 500 g together, so sunscreen is one of the most efficient things to consolidate into a box.
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Start a buy-for-me order →Frequently asked
Is a higher PA rating always better?
For daily indoor-heavy use PA+++ is plenty. PA++++ matters more for long outdoor exposure or if you are using actives that increase sun sensitivity.
Can I bring Korean sunscreen back in luggage instead?
Personal amounts in checked luggage are common practice, but carry-on liquid volume limits still apply and airline rules change.
Do Korean sunscreens expire faster?
No, but check the manufacture date code printed on the tube, since heavily discounted stock is sometimes older inventory.