You know by now that I’m into sunscreens yes? You didn’t? Well now you know 🙂 So when Kiehl’s asked if I might like to try their new Ultra Light Daily UV Defense with SPF50 PA+++ UVA rating I said yes 😛
The new Kiehl’s Ultra Light sunscreen is just as it says. The texture is ultra ultra light! It looks like a white cream but applies like a gel sliding onto the skin easily and does not leave the skin oily. Not. At. All.
There is high SPF50 rating for protection against UVB rays that burn and PA+++ to protect against UVA rays that age the skin. I’ve come to expect these conditions as de rigueur in any sunscreen I purchase or will even deign to look at. I’m very fussy about my sunscreens.
For those who are fussy about the type of sunscreen they use, it should be noted that the Kiehl’s UV Defense sunscreen is a chemical sunscreen with L’Oreal patented Mexoryl chemical uv blockers. There is also Titanium Dioxide included but the primary blocker is Mexoryl XL so if you are sensitive to either, nows the time to stop reading.
Unlike other Mexoryl based sunscreens (L’oreal UV Perfect, Lancome UV Expert) this Kiehl’s UV Defense sunscreen is less oily. It in fact feels a bit like the Vichy UV Activ sunscreen a comparison I will come back to in a bit.
The cream is not thick and feels quite moisturizing on the skin. I will not recommend you to use it on its own. Like all sunscreens, it should go on the skin last after you have applied moisturizer.
I find it sufficient protection for daily use but I tried taking it for a spot of fun in the sun and I definitely had to reapply after about 2 hours or my face would feel baked. I later switched to a thicker formula zinc oxide sunscreen which required less reapplication.
Is it love? For me, yes. I’ve always had good results with Mexoryl based sunscreens from way way back and this is no exception. The non oily factor and high SPF PA+++ rating is a big reason for me to highly recommend this to anyone especially those who have oily skin. Unlike many sunscreens, this one does not add to the oil factor yet does not dry out the skin.
BUT there is one big blowfly in the ointment.
A 30ml tube costs RM140. RM140! I nearly dropped the box when I saw the tag. Its been a month and I’m already nearly finished with this because I use it everyday! I use a pea size for each part of my face – that’s 5 pea sizes for the face and 1 for the neck. I’m liberal with my sunscreen use and this isn’t allowing me that luxury. Not at those prices. For a part of skincare that is so necessary, I find it hard to pay for this every month if I were to stick with this one.
Pros: Very light texture, Non Oily, High SPF 50 and PA+++ rating, Slim compact packaging
Cons: Expensive 🙁
I’m sorry Kiehl’s, I love your Ultra Light Daily UV Defense sunscreen – its everything I could want in a sunscreen – I might even ditch my La Roche Porsay Anthelios XL for you (because LRP isn’t here and you are) – but I’d have to stay with my Vichy UV Activ sunscreen for now. Its just more affordable for me. Besides thus far, its all in the family eh? 😉
Have you tried this new Kiehl’s Ultra Light UV Defense sunscreen? Like it? Hate it? Or maybe you just aren’t into sunscreens? 🙂
Paris B
Jenn says
April 29, 2010 at 10:35 amThis sounds great!!! But the price is horrible!! 🙁
I’m sticking to Loreal when i’m done with my Lancome samples!! Haha!! 😛
ParisB says
April 29, 2010 at 3:52 pmI know – I tend to be very liberal with my sunscreen application so it sorta sucks that something so wonderful is so pricey 🙁 But who knows. Maybe I’ll get a back up anyway 😛
Hanny says
April 29, 2010 at 3:00 pm0.0 RM 140? Wowza!! Has anyone tried the IQQU sunscreens by Michelle Phan, AKA Youtube beauty goddess? I’m using Clinique’s superdefense moisturizer with SPF in the day haha. Thank God you have a back-up go-to sunscreen!!
ParisB says
April 29, 2010 at 3:53 pmYep! I have a whole bunch of go to sunscreens but I always itch to try more 😛
lemon says
April 29, 2010 at 3:44 pmHi Paris,
This sounds good to me, as I have oily skin.
Just to share with you, I am currently using Shiseido Anessa SPF50 , and a bottle has last me almost a year now! I just appy on the face. Think is around RM100++, not too oily and absorb quickly.
On the neck, I use something more economical like Skin Aqua Moisture UV Milk which is about RM30-40. When I am lazy I use this on the face too. Does not break me out….
Cheers,
lemon ;-D
ParisB says
April 29, 2010 at 3:55 pmThanks for sharing Lemon! Usually any 30ml sunscreen lasts me roughly 1.5-2 months if I stretch it. Much has to do with the texture too. I like the creamy types and I apply liberally. Sunscreen brands make a lot of money off me! 😛 Sunplay broke me out 🙁 Pity coz its economical otherwise.
Shay says
April 29, 2010 at 10:46 pmMy Vichy one last me abt 6 mths or more. Hahaha….I hardly apply anything liberally. If I over do anything on my face, I break out.
This sucks. So expensive. I won’t get this if cheaper stuff works as well.
reeka says
May 4, 2010 at 3:37 pmu made me want to try vichy sunscreen. 🙂
have u tried loccitane immortelle – very precious fluid spf40PA+++? that’s my holygrail sunscreen. too bad it’s bloody expensive, and the texture is watery.
ParisB says
May 4, 2010 at 9:44 pmNope never tried the loccitane one. Glad that’s working for you 🙂
Charmaine says
July 19, 2011 at 1:02 pmHello ParisB, it must be the way you present the blog-post that made me addicted reading it! Unbiased reviews and very very informative..love it! One of the best beauty product review blogs I’ve come across. =)
I agree with you that Kiehl’s is among one of the best sunscreens but it is pricey..still the best that I’ve tried. =) would like to try Vichy and La Roche soon.
Good job and keep it up! =)
ParisB says
July 19, 2011 at 4:46 pmThank you Charmaine – hope you see ya round! 🙂
Andrea says
January 20, 2013 at 12:07 pmHi Paris, I tried Kiehl’s sunscreen after reading your review. It does feel very light on the skin, but afterwards my skin looks and feels really oily especially when I put pn make up.
I switched to Biotherm spf 50 sunscreen. I like it better than Kiehls because it feels less oily. I have a combination skin and live in tropical place.
I previously used Biotherm make up base + spf. It clogged my face and clogged my pores so I had little bumps on my T-zone area 🙁
Paris B says
January 20, 2013 at 6:17 pmHi Andrea, I’m sorry the Kiehl’s suncreen did not work for you. I remember many people complaining about how oily it made them but I never felt that. Maybe it was because I have drier skin and because I was using La Roche Posay before this which is even more oily so I did not feel it. I may have used the Biotherm before but it didn’t leave much of an impression on me. Still, this was back in 2010 and my latest sunscreen find is the Shiseido Perfect UV Protector which I’ve gone through 3 bottles – definitely not oily 🙂
a says
May 9, 2013 at 1:40 amit is nearly impossible to have a sunscreen with moxoryl and very high ppd but without alcohol.if only it hasnt alcohol because my skin dries eventhough I use anthelios I am still searching
Sherley says
May 13, 2013 at 4:46 pmHey, I’m using it too.. I was asked to use a pea size for the entire face. Since u like it a lot, but it is to expensive to spend every month.. use it lesser then. you don’t have to use so much products actually, a thin layer is enough. I use it everyday and it last 2 months plus.
Most of my skin care are by keilh’s, their product is alil to pricy but it may last long long time(more than 7 months for serum,midnight recovery, clay mask, over night mask, 3 months for moisturizer ).. because the beautician teaches me the right amount for my face. it really last long. its kinda worth it thou.
🙂
Sylvia says
April 7, 2014 at 12:43 pmHi Paris,
I get to experience it when I gotten a sample with this Ultra Light Daily UV Defense sunscreen from Kiehl’s booth during my company workshop. Fell in love with it and couldn’t resist myself to get one immediately once I tried it. There’s a on going promotion/value buy now and I gotten myself a 60ml tube size at RM210. Just to share with you all here. Not forgetting MRC and skin brightening exfoliator in the same purchase. So far 1 week used and still liking them.
=)
JT says
June 25, 2014 at 6:59 amLove it…now in the summer of 2014. I have been searching for something that I feel comfortable wearing everyday in my normal routine. Not for sunbathing on the beach, but for everyday. Experts say even UV lights at work are impacting our faces. This product is wonderful and works well…Plus they have lowered the price compared to what was quoted in 2010. Keys to loving it! Shake the bottle and use a small amount, it spreads very well!
pondsandleaves says
February 27, 2015 at 12:49 amPB,
I super love zinc oxide as my primary sunscreen ingredient. Biore is so reliable except for the unbearably high alcohol content!! With this sunscreen I never have to blot and I thought my skin had an altered personality. Then 3rd bottle in I couldn’t deal with the dryness anymore. So… I read somewhere before you didn’t tolerate well with Zinc Oxide, so zinc oxide sunscreen that is on your black list, throw ’em suggestions my way!
Paris B says
March 4, 2015 at 2:19 pmWell, I stay clear of anything that has a high percentage of zinc oxide and tend to use blended sunscreens that have zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Gosh I can’t remember now the ones that didn’t work, except Dior, which has a high % of zinc oxide. I’m presently running through the Shiseido Perfect UV like water and don’t plan to switch out, for now. It’s seriously good stuff!