Kiehl’s Better Screen UV Serum SPF 50+ Facial Sunscreen with Collagen Peptide Review

It’s hard to formulate sunscreens that work for all skin tones, but the Kiehl’s Better Screen UV Serum SPF 50+ Facial Sunscreen ($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).

This sunscreen serum hybrid is proving that sunscreen formulas in the US are starting to improve, like popular K-beauty and J-beauty sun protection products.  FINALLY!

Note:  The ADA recommends that you wear at least SPF 30 every day and reapply every few hours if in direct sunlight.

 

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:

• Kiehl’s
• Sephora
• Ulta Beauty

 

Product Key Features:

• Helps protect against UV damage
• Lightweight feel on the skin
• Formulated with collagen Peptide to help correct the appearance of UV damage
• Invisible finish
• Boosts skin radiance and visibly improve skin tone and texture
• Layers seamlessly under makeup
• Blends seamlessly across multiple skin tones
• Suitable for all skin types, including oily and acne-prone skin

 

 

Kiehl’s Better Screen UV Serum Sunscreen Product Review

Ignore the word serum

The Kiehl’s Better Screen UV Serum Sunscreen is a great product, hands down.

But, the term serum can be confusing for beauty lovers.

I apply sunscreen on as the last step in my skin care routine, but this product confused me a bit because Kiehl’s doesn’t give clear Instructions on how to use the product.

In fact, their website instructions still say to “apply it generously, wait 15 minutes before UV exposure, then reapply every two hours”.

On retailer sites (like Sephora), the “how to use” section does say “Apply generously as the last step in your skincare routine”.

My take on this?

Ignore the emphasis on this product being a serum, it won’t take the place of your favorite serum and should be applied last in your skincare routine.

It’s a serum/sunscreen hybrid because it does have collagen peptide which is classically a serum (or moisturizer) ingredient.

Kiehl’s and other brands are going to use the term “serum sunscreen” to increase interest and enhance marketing of the product.

Brands may also do this to indicate that their product isn’t one of those boring sunscreen to slap on before the beach.

It’s a sophisticated formula that has actual skincare benefits.

I love that brands are finally thinking about sunscreen as a more dynamic product, but the directions should be clear and consistent across retailers.

I applied this serum sunscreen as a serum step, then put my moisturizer on and the finish was the same.  But I’m sure the UV coverage was not.

 

Hydrated but not overly oily all day?

The Better Screen UV Serum Sunscreen is not oily or greasy, it gives a hydration to the skin but doesn’t add too much shine. LOVE!

It does not peel and it doesn’t bother any of the other products in my skin care routine.

My skin looks hydrated, but not overly greasy, and it blends seamlessly into my skin care routine.

Most days I’m wearing a full face of makeup for at least 8 hours (most of the time 10 to 12 hours) and this product does not make me any more shiny than I would normally be (I have combination skin).

It blends seamlessly under makeup as it describes.  We love a product that does what it says it will!

If you have oily skin, or acne-prone skin this product could work for you.

I see the most shine on my forehead at the end of the day.

I do see shine on my forehead after 8+ hours of wearing Better Screen, but the key for me is that it’s not MORE shine than I normally get.

For me, that’s a win.

But if you have all over oily skin or acne-prone skin, grab a sample or travel size to test it out for yourself.

This formula is worth a try.

She’s a skinny legend

Better Screen has such a lightweight texture.

It’s so thin that it blends in easily, and doesn’t feel like you’re wearing anything on your skin.

I’m very picky about sunscreens in the summer because I don’t want to feel greasy at the end of the day, this does not do that at all.

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?

The collagen peptide in Better Screen is supposed to visibly correct “signs of UV damage affecting skin tone and texture”.

The Kiehl’s Better Screen UV Serum Sunscreen will give your skin an immediate boost of radiance, but also have your skin feeling smoother and more radiant over time.

Kiehl’s conducted a study on this over the course of four weeks.

I will update this post when I’ve used it more to let you know if the serum benefit (collagen peptide) actually did anything.

Even if I don’t look visibly more radiant and smooth, this product is a winner for me.

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 have no idea how they were able to formulate such an amazing product, but I love it.

Even at the price point of $42, I’m happy to spend my money on again on it again because it’s really that good.

 

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

 

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