PRODUCT REVIEW
Kiehl's s Ultra Light Daily UV Defense SPF50
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Product summary
What can the product work for?
Sun protection
drometrizole trisiloxane
3.2% -
3.9%
Irritation risk:
UVA I protection: UVA II protection: UVB protection: Photo stable: Ingredient type Organic
Mexoryl XL. A UV filter. Effective in the UVB and UVA range. It is stable. Unfortunately, not approved in the US yet
terephthalylidene dicamphor sulfonic acid
2.6% -
3.1%
Irritation risk:
UVA I protection: UVA II protection: UVB protection: Photo stable: Ingredient type Organic
Ecamsule, Mexoryl SX. A UV filter. Is effective mostly against the UVA rays. It is legally marketed in the US with the FDA approval since 2006, even though the ingredient is not on the official FDA list of the approved sunscreen active ingredients. It is photostable
titanium dioxide
1.9% -
2.4%
Irritation risk:
UVA I protection: UVA II protection: UVB protection: Photo stable: Ingredient type Mineral
Works as a UV filter when used in high concentrations. It is photostable and is effective mostly against the UVB light, with some protection in the UVA range. In small concentrations, used for its ability to improve the color of cosmetic products. Is usually well tolerated by the skin
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Anti-aging
What does the product description say?
Benefits , Helps protect skin from environmental aggressors including UVA/UVB rays and pollution, which can cause the first signs of ageing , Protects against the premature signs of ageing , Lightweight formula absorbs quickly and leaves skin with an invisible finish , Formulated with advanced UVA/UVB technology and pollution protection , Tested under dermatological control , Non-comedogenic Paraben Free Fragrance Free Non-Comedogenic Oil Free Directions Apply in the morning at the end of your daily skincare routine. Avoid the eye area.
adenosine
0.25% -
0.45%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
Might help improve cell turnover and reduce inflammation in skin. One study shows that the ingredients might be able to help reduce dynamic wrinkles (for example, in the corners of the eyes or on the forehead)
tocopherol
0.25% -
0.5%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Insufficient!
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
Evens skin tone
yeast extract
0.2% -
0.35%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Insufficient!
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might have some anti-oxidant and skin lightening properties. It can help calm down inflammation in skin
Moisturizing
What does the product description say?
Kiehl's daily ultra light formula intensely moisturises the skin and utilises efficacious levels of an advanced sun filter system and pollution-deflecting technology, helping provide skin with effective defence against environmental aggressors, including UVA/UVB rays and skin-damaging pollutants.
arginine
0.25% -
0.45%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
An amino acid that is naturally present in skin and helps keep it hydrated. When used together with AHAs, it can reduce their irritating effect on the skin
histidine hcl
0.25% -
0.45%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness: HIGH
A salt of an amino-acid that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Might be helpful in restoring the skin barrier function
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Anti-oxidation
scutellaria baicalensis extract
0.25% -
0.5%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
MEDIUM
A plant extract that might contain a compound baicalin that could be helpful in neutralizing free radicals and reducing inflammation in skin. The baicalin concentration in skincare typically too low. Can be used for its fragrant properties
scutellaria baicalensis root extract
0.25% -
0.45%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
LOW
A plant extract that might contain a compound baicalin that could be helpful in neutralizing free radicals and reducing inflammation in skin. The baicalin concentration in skincare products is often too low for an effective action. Can be used for its fragrant properties
adenosine
0.25% -
0.45%
Irritation risk:
Concentration: Effectiveness:
LOW
Might help improve cell turnover and reduce inflammation in skin. One study shows that the ingredients might be able to help reduce dynamic wrinkles (for example, in the corners of the eyes or on the forehead)
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Honesty check
How honest is this product?
| Promise | Can it deliver? |
|---|---|
| Sun protection | |
| Anti-aging |
Total Promises Fulfilled score:
90/100.
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Can it cause trouble?
- Overall product irritation risk
- Acne & comedogenic risk ingredients: 3
Potential irritants
ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate
5.4% -
6.6%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Sun protection
Octinoxate. When used in higher concentrations, works as a sunscreen protecting the skin from UVB rays. When used in lower concentration, helps to preserve the product formulation. Is shown to be harmful to coral reefs - consider avoiding bathing in coral reef areas when wearing a product with this ingredient. It can be irritating
propylene glycol
1.7% -
2.1%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
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Comodogenic ingredients
myristic acid
0.3% -
0.55%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Works for:
Cleansing
Helps oil and water mix together. Could be comedogenic
sorbitan oleate
0.3% -
0.5%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: Medium
Works for:
Cleansing
Helps oil and water mix together
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User reviews (0)
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48%
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| SPF | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 30 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 |
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| Irritancy | IRRITANCY
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Ingredients & concentrations
All ingredients
Key Actives
yeast extract
0.2% -
0.35%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing,
Anti-oxidation,
Reduces irritation,
Anti-inflammatory,
Evens skin tone
Helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and might have some anti-oxidant and skin lightening properties. It can help calm down inflammation in skin
tocopherol
0.25% -
0.5%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Anti-oxidation,
Anti-inflammatory,
Anti-aging,
Moisturizing
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
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Potential irritants
ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate
5.4% -
6.6%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Sun protection
Octinoxate. When used in higher concentrations, works as a sunscreen protecting the skin from UVB rays. When used in lower concentration, helps to preserve the product formulation. Is shown to be harmful to coral reefs - consider avoiding bathing in coral reef areas when wearing a product with this ingredient. It can be irritating
propylene glycol
1.7% -
2.1%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing
Helps oil and water mix together and can enhance the penetration of other ingredients into the skin. It can be irritating
Show more
Comodogenic ingredients
myristic acid
0.3% -
0.55%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: High
Works for:
Cleansing
Helps oil and water mix together. Could be comedogenic
sorbitan oleate
0.3% -
0.5%
Irritation risk: Comedogenicity: Medium
Works for:
Cleansing
Helps oil and water mix together
Show more
All ingredients
ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate
5.4% -
6.6%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Sun protection
Octinoxate. When used in higher concentrations, works as a sunscreen protecting the skin from UVB rays. When used in lower concentration, helps to preserve the product formulation. Is shown to be harmful to coral reefs - consider avoiding bathing in coral reef areas when wearing a product with this ingredient. It can be irritating
dimethicone
4.5% -
5.5%
Irritation risk:
Works for:
Moisturizing,
Mattifying
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
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Ingredient list view
Water, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Drometrizole trisiloxane, Terephthalylidene dicamphor sulfonic acid, Propylene glycol, Titanium dioxide, Alcohol denat., Triethanolamine, Stearic acid, Potassium cetyl phosphate, Nylon-12, Palmitic acid, Peg-100 stearate, Glyceryl stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Cetyl alcohol, Cellulose, Bis-ethylhexyloxyphenol methoxyphenyl triazine, Diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate, Citric acid, Aluminum hydroxide, Caprylyl glycol, Sodium cocoyl sarcosinate, Carbomer, Tocopherol, Tromethamine, Scutellaria baicalensis extract, Scutellaria baicalensis root extract, Acrylamide/sodium acryloyldimethyltaurate copolymer, Isohexadecane, Xanthan gum, Myristic acid, Disodium edta, Adenosine, Polysorbate 80, Arginine, Mannitol, Disodium adenosine triphosphate, Rna, Pyridoxine hcl, Sorbitan oleate, Sorbitol, Pentylene glycol, Bht, Histidine hcl, Zea mays kernel extract, Sodium chloride, Faex extract, Yeast extract, Phenylalanine, Mentha piperita extract, Rosa gallica flower extract, Tyrosine, Sorbic acid
Sources
- Dimethicone as a protective ingredient in topical medications
- Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Dimethicone Copolyol
- Glycerol and the skin: holistic approach to its origin and functions
- Surfactants and experimental irritant contact dermatitis
- Propylene Glycol
- Skin-sensitizing and irritant properties of propylene glycol
- Safety Assessment of Alumina and Aluminum Hydroxide as Used in Cosmetics
- Vitamin E in dermatology
- Vitamin E and Skin Health
- Safety Assessment of Tromethamine as Used in Cosmetics
- Scutellaria baicalensis, the golden herb from the garden of Chinese medicinal plants
- Flavonoids in Treating Psoriasis
- Improvement of skin barrier dysfunction by Scutellaria baicalensis GEOGI extracts through lactic acid fermentation
- Safety Assessment of Scutellaria baicalensis-Derived Ingredients as Used in Cosmetics
- The fatty acid profile of the skin surface lipid layer in papulopustular rosacea
- Evaluation of anti-wrinkle efficacy of adenosine-containing products using the FOITS technique
- Safety Assessment of α-Amino Acids as Used in Cosmetics
- Histidine and/or Histidine Derivative for the Treatment of Inflammatory Skin Diseases
- The natural yeast extract isolated by ethanol precipitation inhibits melanin synthesis by modulating tyrosinase activity and downregulating melanosome transfer