Quick Summary:
Date Tested: 1/11/2026
In this Kiehl’s Better Screen UV Serum SPF 50 sunscreen lotion review, I test a poor performing SPF 50 from a brand I thought would perform well. Thanks go to Rebecca for this sunscreen!
The Kiehls Better Screen UV Serum SPF 50 sunscreen lotion is a chemical sunscreen formula which contains Avobenzone at 3%, Homosalate at 7%, Octisalate at 5%, and Octocrylene at 7%. The Kiehl’s website shows the 1.7oz (50ml) version of this product is packaged in a dropper tube. Despite being packaged differently, the order of the ingredients list is identical to the 0.5oz (15ml) tube package I received. I assume the formulation has not changed, and the testing results would be the same.
The Kiehls Better Screen UV Serum SPF 50 reduced 49.74% of irradiated UVA, 44.80% UVB, and 49.45% of total UVI. Disappointing results.
Kiehls Better Screen UV Serum SPF 50 sunscreen lotion ingredients
Active ingredients: Avobenzone at 3%, Homosalate at 7%, Octisalate at 5%, Octocrylene 7%.
Inactive Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, C15-19 Alkane, Propanediol, C12-22 Alkyl Acrylate/hydroxyethylacrylate Copolymer, Tocopherol, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Butylene Glycol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sclerotium Gum, Hydroxyacetophenone, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Starch Octenylsuccinate, Glyceryl Stearate, Jojoba Esters, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Wax, Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Carbomer, Sodium Lactate, Sodium Hydroxide, Polysorbate 20, Polyglycerin-3, Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7
Manufacturers Website: www.kiehls.com
Kiehls Better Screen UV Serum SPF 50 sunscreen lotion characteristics at a glance:
- Helps protect against UV damage*
- Helps correct visible signs of aging like tone & texture
- Clinically demonstrated SPF 50+
- Helps boost skin’s radiance
- Invisible finish across multiple skin tones
- Layers seamlessly under makeup
- No white cast
- Suitable for all skin types, including oily and acne-prone skin
- Made with a glass bottle with post-consumer recycled material
- Viscosity is low
Prepared slide BEFORE testing
The Kiehls Better Screen UV Serum SPF 50 sunscreen lotion distributed unevenly due to the low viscosity of the formulation.
Kiehls Better Screen UV Serum SPF 50 sunscreen lotion UV blocking test results
Ultraviolet light quick reference:
UVA: The Ultraviolet wavelength from 315nm – 400nm. The “Aging UV light” – Causes wrinkles.
UVB: The Ultraviolet wavelength from 280nm – 315nm. The “Bad UV light” – Causes skin cancer.
UVI: The global sun UV index. The more a sunscreen can reduce the level of UVI, the better.
UV test results:
Ultraviolet sensor readings:
| Before Sunscreen | After Sunscreen | % UV Blocked | |
| TEMP | 65.05 | 65.16 | |
| UVA | 45984 | 23109.5 | 49.74% |
| UVB | 2510 | 1385.5 | 44.80% |
| UVI | 27.11 | 13.71 | 49.45% |
Want to know more about how I test sunscreen? Head here to read about the details.
Testing notes:
Disappointing results.
Kiehls Better Screen UV Serum SPF 50 sunscreen lotion?
Not recommended
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