Kiehl’s Better Screen UV Serum Review
- Serum sunscreens are beauty sorcery at its best!
Kiehl's Better Screen UV Serum SPF 50+ Facial Sunscreen with Collagen Peptide
42 USD
Pros
- Very thin and lightweight on the skin
- Radiant but not oily
- No white cast
Cons
- May be too radiant for super oily skin
It’s hard to formulate sunscreens that work for all skin tones, but the Kiehl’s Better Screen UV Serum ($19 – $42) has no white cast and it’s really invisible on the skin which is rare for high SPF sunscreens (this one is SPF 50).
A chemical sunscreen with no white cast, SPF 50+ protection, collagen peptide and a silky serum-like feel? Kiehl’s really said, “We got this.” And I’ve got to say… they kind of snapped.
Product Description: Kiehl’s describes this product as “A lightweight sunscreen serum with collagen peptide that protects against sun damage and visibly corrects early signs of aging skin”. ($19 – $42)
Available at:
A Truly Invisible SPF for All Skin Tones
It’s not easy to find sunscreens that work across all skin tones—especially high-SPF ones. But the Kiehl’s Better Screen UV Serum SPF 50+ delivers on that promise.
No white cast. No pilling. Just a lightweight, glowy finish that actually feels good on the skin.
This product reminds me of K-Beauty and J-Beauty sunscreens in the best way. Finally, American formulas are catching up.
📌 The American Dermatology Association recommends wearing SPF 30 or higher daily and reapplying throughout the day if you’re out in direct sunlight.
Ignore the Word “Serum”
Let’s clear something up: this is a sunscreen first, not a replacement for your serum step.
The word “serum” in the product name threw me off at first. Kiehl’s doesn’t provide consistent directions across their website and retailer listings—which is confusing.
Their official site doesn’t clarify if this is your last skincare step or not, while other retailers say to apply it after your full routine.
Here’s my take➡️ Treat it like a sunscreen, not a serum. Apply it last.
Yes, it has skincare benefits (thanks, collagen peptide), but it’s not going to replace your usual hyaluronic acid or niacinamide. It’s just a smarter sunscreen—not a serum shortcut.
Hydrated, Not Oily
The Better Screen UV Serum Sunscreen is one of the few sunscreens that gives me hydration without grease. I don’t feel oily, shiny, or like I’m wearing a mask.
It also doesn’t interfere with my other skincare products. I can wear it under makeup or on bare skin—and I stay looking fresh.
My makeup still looks smooth even after 8–12 hours of wear. I do get some forehead shine, but it’s no more than I’d expect anyway with my combo skin.
If you have very oily skin, this might not be your holy grail—but it’s still worth trying the travel size first.
She’s a skinny legend
The texture? Impeccable. Better Screen has such a lightweight texture.
This sunscreen is light, fluid, and blends in instantly. I don’t feel it sitting on my skin, even hours later.
This is key for summer, when I need protection without the grease. And somehow—Better Screen delivers on both.
Even after 8, 10, or 12 hours of wear I don’t feel like this product on my skin.
What makes this SPF so special?
Aside from the invisible finish and long-wear feel, the collagen peptide is the ingredient that sets this SPF apart.
Kiehl’s claims it helps improve tone and texture over time, conducted a study on this over the course of four weeks.
Its supposed to target early signs of UV-related aging. I haven’t used it long enough to confirm that yet—but I’ll update this post with long-term results.
Even without the “skincare” claims, the application and performance alone are reason enough to repurchase.
Serum Sunscreens Are Beauty Sorcery
This is the first time I’ve tried a chemical sunscreen that has no white cast, blends in seamlessly, has an invisible feel and finish, doesn’t make me greasy, includes serum like benefits and has SPF 50!
I still don’t know how they formulated this to do all the things it does—but I’m into it.
No white cast. No heaviness. No skin irritation. SPF 50. Collagen peptide. And a finish that doesn’t interfere with my makeup? It’s worth the $42 price tag.
You will like this product if:
- You are looking for a thin but high SPF coverage sunscreen
- You like radiant (but not oily or greasy) finish sunscreen
- You have are a brown skin/dark skin beauty
You may not like this product if:
- You have really oily skin
- You’re looking for more serum like benefits other than the collagen peptide
TL;DR on the Kiehl’s Better Screen Sunscreen
It blends beautifully, wears invisibly, and gives high SPF protection with no mess or cast. Serum sunscreen is the future—and this one’s leading the way.
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