Blog · 30 October 2026
How to read a Korean skincare label: PA ratings, functional cosmetics and dates
PA++++, 기능성 화장품, 사용기한 and 제조일자: the Korean words and marks on the box, what they mean and why they matter when you buy abroad.
Even products sold in English often carry Korean text on the box. A few words are worth knowing, because they tell you what the product is approved for and how fresh it is.
The words worth knowing
PA+ to PA++++: Korea's UVA protection grade on sunscreens. More plus signs mean more UVA protection; SPF is the UVB number.
기능성 화장품 (functional cosmetic): the product is registered in Korea for a specific function, such as brightening, wrinkle care or UV protection.
미백 (brightening), 주름 개선 (wrinkle care), 자외선 차단 (UV protection): the functions it is registered for.
제조일자 (made on) and 사용기한 or 유통기한 (use by): the dates. Check them on arrival, especially on sale or outlet stock.
개봉 후 12개월 (12 months after opening): how long it keeps once opened, often shown as an open jar symbol with 12M.
병풀 (centella), 어성초 (heartleaf), 달팽이 (snail), 쌀 (rice): ingredient names you will see on fronts of boxes. Our search understands them too.
Korean sunscreens by PA rating
Every sunscreen we compare, cheapest first in your country:
Sunscreens in the US
| Product | Lowest price | Cheapest at | Stores | Save |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Round Lab Birch Moisturizing Sunscreen UVLock SPF 45+ Broad Spectrum 50ml | US$9.99 | Pasteur Pharmacy | 11 | 64% |
| Tocobo Bio Watery Sun Cream SPF50 40ml | US$10.00 | MOIDA | 6 | 47% |
| Tocobo Cotton Soft Sun Stick Spf50+ Pa++++ 19g | US$10.89 | DODOSKIN | 7 | 46% |
| Tocobo Cica Calming Sun Serum SPF50+ PA++++ 50ml | US$11.99 | Pasteur Pharmacy | 5 | 29% |
| Round Lab Birch Juice Mild-up UVLock SPF50+ Sunscreen 50ml | US$12.99 | Pasteur Pharmacy | 5 | 54% |
| Tocobo Cica Cooling Sun Stick SPF50+ PA++++ 18g | US$14.00 | EYURS | 4 | 30% |
| MISSHA All Around Safe Block Soft Finish Sun Milk SPF 50+ PA+++ (70ml) | US$14.99 | Pasteur Pharmacy | 4 | 32% |
| Melixir Airfit Invisible™ Sunscreen SPF 50 50ml | US$15.00 | EYURS | 7 | 38% |
| Tocobo Bio Watery Sun Cream Spf50+ Pa++++ 50ml | US$15.00 | EYURS | 6 | 32% |
| Abib Quick Sunstick Protection Bar SPF50+ PA++++ (22g) | US$15.99 | TokTok Beauty | 7 | 33% |
| mixsoon Bean Sunscreen SPF 50 50ml | US$18.00 | KosBeauty | 5 | 36% |
| COSRX Vitamin E Vitalizing Sunscreen SPF 50+ 50ml | US$21.00 | Cupidrop | 5 | 16% |
Sunscreens in the UK
Sunscreens in Canada
Sunscreens in Australia
Sunscreens in New Zealand
Sunscreens in Europe
Picks are the products the most stores in your country stock, shown cheapest first, so the table changes as stores restock and reprice. Nothing here is medical advice: patch test new products, and see a dermatologist for skin problems that don't settle. More from the blog.