Kiehl's s Ultra Facial Cream SPF30
Works for
2 of 2 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 30 · 4 UV filtersBroad spectrum
This product offers a good level of protection against both UVB and UVA rays.
This sunscreen uses organic (so-called "chemical") sunscreen filters. Organic, or "chemical" filters usually provide reliable sun protection and rarely leave a white cast. Sunscreens with organic filters can sting eyes.
This product can be considered "reef safe" because it does not contain the UV filters (oxybenzone and octinoxate) that can be harmful to coral reefs when present in the water in high concentrations.
Anti-agingTocopherolStrong evidence
“- Loss of firmness and elasticity”
This product can help prevent early signs of skin aging because it offers a good level of broad spectrum sun protection. Sun damage is the main cause of premature skin aging, and protecting your skin from the sun is the best anti-aging strategy.
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · Capryloyl salicylic acid, Salicylic acidStrong evidence
This product offers broad spectrum sun protection. It means that it can prevent hyperpigmentation and help keep the skin tone even (sun damage is the main factor causing age spots, darkening of post-acne marks and other discolorations).
ExfoliationNot advertised by the brand · Capryloyl salicylic acid, Salicylic acidStrong evidence
This product can help exfoliate the skin. In other words, it helps break down the bonds between dead cells on the surface of the skin and speed up the skin turnover. Skin often appears softer and brighter after exfoliation, but overdoing it can result in disrupted skin barrier. The following ingredient is doing the exfoliating job in this product: capryloyl salicylic acid.
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, Ectoin + 11 moreGood evidence
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from
within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
glycerin, hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: dimethicone, squalane.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy4 strong irritants: Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oil, Limonene + 2 more — patch-test recommendedHigh risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Glycerin~4.8–5.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinOctocrylene~4.5–5.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A weak sunscreen that protects against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB) and is somewhat effective against the UVA rays. It is quite stable and can help stabilize other, more vulnerable, sunscreen ingredients like Avobenzone. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen
More about OctocryleneHomosalate~3.6–4.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A weak sunscreen that offers some protection against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB), but does not offer meaningful protection against protect against the most aging sun rays (UVA). It loses its effectiveness quickly when exposed to sunlight. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen. When used in low concentrations, helps to stabilize the product formulation
More about HomosalateEthylhexyl salicylate~3.2–3.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Octisalate. A UV filter. It offers some protection against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB), but does not protect against the most aging sun rays (UVA). It loses its effectiveness quickly when exposed to sunlight. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen
More about Ethylhexyl salicylateSqualane~2–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An oil naturally present in skin. Works as an emollient to soften the skin and form a protective layer on its surface without a greasy feeling.
More about SqualaneButyl methoxydibenzoylmethane~2.1–2.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Avobenzone. An organic, or so-called "chemical" UV filter. Protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Needs to be combined with other filters in a formulation to be stable.
More about Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethaneDimethicone~1.5–1.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish
More about DimethiconePeg-100 stearate~1.3–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix togehter and creates a nice product texture
More about Peg-100 stearateGlyceryl stearate~1–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that softens the skin and forms a protective layer on its surface. Helps water and oil mix together
More about Glyceryl stearateSilica~1.1–1.3%
Octyldodecanol~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps to soften the skin and create a pleasant product texture and stabilize the formulation
More about OctyldodecanolStearic acid~0.65–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together and works as an emollient
More about Stearic acidPhenoxyethanol~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolPalmitic acid~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that is naturally present in skin and helps soften it
More about Palmitic acidTocopherol~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolDicaprylyl carbonate~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps products spread more easily and works as an emollient to soften skin
More about Dicaprylyl carbonateSteareth-100~0.35–0.65%
Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Maintains the texture of skincare products. Allows the product to spread evenly. Helps oil and water mix together
More about Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymerOphiopogon japonicus root extract~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Plant extract that might help neutralize free radicals and support skin barrier function, but research on its effectiveness in skin is lacking
More about Ophiopogon japonicus root extractCarbomer~0.3–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps create a thicker or gel-like product texture. It is not a surfactant but can be used in gentle cleansing formulations
More about CarbomerChlorphenesin~0.16–0.32%
Capryloyl salicylic acid~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- High
Caprylyl glycol~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolXanthan gum~0.25–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumDimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize product formulations and create a nice product texture
More about Dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymerDisodium edta~0.25–0.45%
Sodium hydroxide~0.25–0.45%
Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oil~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- High
An essentil oil from orange peel. Potential allergen and can be irritating
More about Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oilLimonene~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
A common frangrance that can easily irritate skin, especially if exposed to air, light or heat
More about LimoneneEctoin~0.2–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Softens the upper layer of the skin and can support skin barrier function
More about EctoinHydrolyzed hyaluronic acid~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin. A version of it is naturally present in skin
More about Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acidMyristic acid~0.25–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps oil and water mix together. Could be comedogenic
More about Myristic acidMentha piperita oil~0.1–0.2%
Pseudoalteromonas ferment extract~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Ethylhexylglycerin~0.1–0.2%
Linalool~0.05–0.15%
Salicylic acid~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used for skin exfoliation. It has an anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial effect, helps to unclog pores, prevent blemishes and speed up healing of the existing ones. Sometimes referred to as a BHA (beta-hydroxy acid)
More about Salicylic acidIngredient list view
Water, Glycerin, Octocrylene, Homosalate, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Squalane, Butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane, Dimethicone, Peg-100 stearate, Glyceryl stearate, Silica, Octyldodecanol, Stearic acid, Phenoxyethanol, Palmitic acid, Tocopherol, Dicaprylyl carbonate, Steareth-100, Acrylates/c10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, Ophiopogon japonicus root extract, Carbomer, Chlorphenesin, Capryloyl salicylic acid, Caprylyl glycol, Xanthan gum, Dimethicone/vinyl dimethicone crosspolymer, Disodium edta, Sodium hydroxide, Citrus aurantium dulcis peel oil, Limonene, Ectoin, Hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid, Myristic acid, Mentha piperita oil, Pseudoalteromonas ferment extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Linalool, Salicylic acid
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| Kiehl'ss Ultra Facial Cream SPF30YOUR PRODUCT | La Roche-PosayEffaclar Duo+ SPF 30 | CliniqueNEW UV Solutions Mattifying Sunscreen SPF 50 | MartidermPigment Zero DSP-Cream SPF 50+ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 93% | 84% | 80% |
| Price | $30.48 | $24.05−$6.43 | $40.10+$9.62 | $63.74+$33.26 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 7 of 11 | 6 of 11 | 6 of 11 |
| Key difference | — | Niacinamide | Algae Extract | Niacinamide |
| Irritancy | High | Medium | Low | Medium |
| SPF | SPF 30 | SPF 30 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 |
| Drying alcohol | — | Contains drying alcohol | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
The ingredient list suggests that "Kiehl's - s Ultra Facial Cream SPF30" can provide reliable sun protection. It can protect from both UVA and UVB rays. This is great news because not all sunscreens with SPF ratings give UVA protection. (UVA rays do not cause sunburn, but still damage our skin and lead to early aging).
Its formula is also hydrating, so you might not need an additional moistruizer during the day. This product prevents early signs of aging by protecting against sun damage (all broad spectrum sunscreens do that).
Sunscreen filters
This sunscreen uses so-called "chemical", or organic UV filters (organic simply means that their molecules contain atoms of carbon). These filters typically give good sun protection and rarely leave a white cast, but they can be irritating for sensitive skin. These are the sun protection ingredients in this sunscreen: avobenzone 3.00% (declared), octisalate 5.00% (declared), homosalate 5.00% (declared) and octocrylene 7.00% (declared).
Irritation risk
We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be high. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails from 34.00$ up to 45.00$ in the United States and from 22.80£ up to 45.75£ in the United Kingdom.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 15 studies and safety reviews.
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyoljournals.sagepub.com
- 5Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- 6Vitamin E and Skin Healthlpi.oregonstate.edu
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.