Sunscreen Ranker Independent ranker
KI
KIEHL'S SINCE 1851 / Kiehl's

Kiehl's DS UV Defense Aqua Gel / SPF50 / PA++++ / 30mL

キールズ DS UV ディフェンス アクア ジェル / SPF50 / PA++++ / 30mL
SPF 50+ · PA++++ Invisible No white cast — chemical/hybrid filters that disappear on skin. JP Japan jp-domestic Formulation variant: jp-domestic. Region-specific reformulations are tracked as separate products.

No ingredient data provided — scoring conservatively at midpoint across axes given full unidentified fraction.

◐ CHEM Chemical filters Chemical filters — Organic filters absorb UV. Cosmetically elegant; filter selection matters.
63.5
Composite
Composite score · independent
Ranks #1227 of 1558 in the current catalogue. No ingredient data provided — scoring conservatively at midpoint across axes given full unidentified fraction.
Composite is a weighted blend: UV 25% · Modernity 10% · Sensitivity 15% · Environment 10% · Elegance 15% · Health 25%.
Verdict Should you buy it?

Japanese-domestic gel SPF with no published INCI panel available here, so any analysis of filter set, texture, or sensitivity is limited. The product data indicates fragrance and alcohol are present, and the PA++++ rating points to strong UVA coverage.

Pros
  • PA++++ rating for strong UVA coverage
  • Gel format typically light on skin
  • 30 mL size travels easily
Cons
  • Full INCI not available for review
  • Contains fragrance per product data
  • Contains alcohol per product data
  • Filter set unconfirmed without an ingredient list

Who it's for: Buyers comfortable with a Japanese-domestic gel SPF and limited ingredient transparency, and who tolerate fragrance and alcohol.

01 Score breakdown
UV protection How well the product blocks UVA + UVB across the spectrum at the stated SPF/PA. 75
Filter modernity Penalises legacy filters (octinoxate, oxybenzone); rewards photostable next-gen filters. 50
Sensitivity safety Risk for reactive skin — fragrance, alcohol, known sensitisers. 50
Reef / env. safety Reef toxicity, biodegradability of UV filters and surfactants. 100
Cosmetic elegance Spread, finish, white-cast, comfort on skin. 65
Health safety Endocrine concerns, systemic absorption signals across the formula. 50
03 At-a-glance facts
Protection
Filter type Mineral filters (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) sit on skin and reflect UV. Chemical filters absorb UV. Hybrid blends both.
Chemical
Broad spectrum Protects across both UVA and UVB ranges. UVA causes aging and deeper damage; UVB causes burns.
No
Formulation & feel
Texture How the formula feels at application — milk, gel, cream, spray, stick, essence, lotion, powder, or cushion.
Gel
Finish How the formula looks on skin once dry: matte, natural, dewy, or glowy.
Natural
Tinted Adds sheer pigment (iron oxides) that masks the white cast common to mineral filters and gives a skin-tone finish.
No
Fragrance-free No synthetic perfume added. Not FDA-defined in the US; the EU requires 'Parfum' + the 26 named allergens on the label. 'Unscented' differs — may contain masking fragrance. Botanical oils still scent.
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Alcohol-free No drying short-chain alcohols (alcohol denat., SD alcohol, ethanol). Does not refer to fatty alcohols like cetyl or stearyl alcohol, which are emollients.
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