When it comes to choosing a sunscreen, most people head straight for the SPF number. The higher, the better, right? But there is another symbol quietly sitting on your bottle that deserves just as much attention: the UVA logo. If you have been ignoring it, you may only be getting half the protection you think you are.
Here, we break down what the UVA logo actually means, why it matters as much as SPF, and what to look for when choosing a sunscreen that truly shields your skin.
What Is SPF and What Does It Protect Against?
SPF, or Sun Protection Factor, measures how well a sunscreen protects against UVB rays, the rays primarily responsible for sunburn and a key contributor to skin cancer. A sunscreen with SPF 30 filters around 97% of UVB rays, while SPF 50 filters approximately 98%.
However, UVB rays are only one part of the ultraviolet spectrum that reaches your skin.
What Are UVA Rays, and Why Should You Care?
UVA rays make up around 95% of the UV radiation that reaches the Earth's surface. They penetrate deeper into the skin than UVB rays, reaching the dermis, the layer responsible for collagen and elastin production. This makes UVA rays the primary driver of:
- Premature ageing (fine lines, wrinkles, loss of firmness)
- Hyperpigmentation and dark spots
- DNA damage that may contribute to skin cancer development
- Tanning: which is itself a sign of skin stress, not health
Crucially, UVA rays are present year-round, even on overcast days, and they pass through glass. Sitting by a window or driving does not protect you from them.
So What Is the UVA Logo?
The UVA logo, a circle with the letters UVA inside, is a standardised symbol used across Europe (including the UK) to indicate that a sunscreen meets the EU recommendation for UVA protection. To carry this logo, a product must provide UVA protection at least one-third of its SPF value.
For example, an SPF 50 sunscreen bearing the UVA logo must offer a UVA protection factor of at least 16 to 17.
This standard is known as the persistent pigment darkening (PPD) method and ensures a meaningful minimum level of broad-spectrum protection.
Without this logo, a sunscreen may only block UVB rays, leaving your skin exposed to the ageing and carcinogenic effects of UVA radiation, even if it does not burn.
UVA Logo vs SPF: Which Matters More?
The honest answer is: both matter equally, and neither one alone is sufficient.
Think of SPF and the UVA logo as two sides of the same shield:
| SPF | UVA Logo | |
|---|---|---|
| Protects against | UVB rays | UVA rays |
| Prevents | Sunburn | Ageing, pigmentation, deeper DNA damage |
| Indicates | Burn protection level | Minimum broad-spectrum standard |
A high SPF sunscreen without UVA protection will prevent a visible sunburn, but your skin will still be absorbing UVA radiation with every hour of exposure. Over time, this silent damage accumulates, leading to premature ageing, uneven skin tone, and increased long-term risk.
Conversely, strong UVA protection paired with a low SPF leaves you vulnerable to burning and the acute UVB-related risks that come with it.
Broad-spectrum protection, meaning both UVB and UVA coverage, is the gold standard.
What to Look for on Your Sunscreen Label
When choosing a sunscreen in the UK, check for the following:
- SPF 30 or higher for everyday use; SPF 50 for prolonged sun exposure, holidays, or sport.
- The UVA circle logo: this is your assurance that European UVA standards have been met.
- PA+++ or PPD ratings: some brands also include these ratings, which give a more granular indication of UVA protection strength.
- "Broad spectrum" labelling: particularly relevant if you are purchasing sunscreens from markets outside Europe.
If a product does not display the UVA logo and makes no mention of broad-spectrum protection, exercise caution. SPF alone is simply not the full picture.
A Note on Application and Reapplication
Even the most carefully formulated broad-spectrum sunscreen cannot do its job if it is not applied correctly. Most people apply only 25–50% of the recommended amount, which significantly reduces both SPF and UVA protection in practice.
Apply generously, approximately two milligrams per square centimetre of skin, and reapply every two hours when outdoors, especially after swimming or sweating.
The Bottom Line
SPF is important, but it is only half the story. The UVA logo is just as essential, it tells you that your sunscreen is genuinely protecting your skin against the rays that cause invisible, cumulative damage every single day.
At Odyskin, we believe in formulating sun protection that does not compromise. Our sunscreens carry the UVA circle logo as standard, because we know that great skin health is about the protection you cannot see just as much as the burn you can prevent.
Do not just protect against sunburn. Protect against everything.
