Sunscreen Ranker Independent ranker
Kiehl's Since 1851 Super Fluid Daily UV Defense SPF 50+
Kiehl's Since 1851

Super Fluid Daily UV Defense SPF 50+

SPF 50+ Invisible No white cast — chemical/hybrid filters that straight-up disappear on skin. United States us-fda Formulation variant: us-fda. Region-specific reformulations are tracked as separate products.

Classic fluid texture with high homosalate 15% plus alcohol denat; cosmetically elegant but ethanol-forward and endocrine-active filter load lower other scores.

◐ CHEM Chemical filters Chemical filters — Organic filters absorb UV. Cosmetically elegant, but filter choice matters. F F-FREE Fragrance-free Fragrance-free — No added fragrance — lower irritation risk if your skin's reactive. A A-FREE Alcohol-free Alcohol-free — No drying short-chain alcohols (denatured / SD alcohol).
Where to buy it
Ulta US In stock
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59.0
Composite
Composite score · independent
Ranks #1378 of 1558 in the current catalogue. Classic fluid texture with high homosalate 15% plus alcohol denat; cosmetically elegant but ethanol-forward and endocrine-active filter load lower other scores.
Composite is a weighted blend: UV 25% · Modernity 10% · Sensitivity 15% · Environment 10% · Elegance 15% · Health 25%. That's the recipe.
01 The score breakdown
UV protection How hard it blocks UVA + UVB across the spectrum at the stated SPF/PA. 61
Filter modernity Dings legacy filters (octinoxate, oxybenzone); rewards photostable next-gen ones. 50
Sensitivity safety Risk for reactive skin — fragrance, alcohol, and known sensitisers. 45
Reef / env. safety Reef toxicity plus how biodegradable the UV filters and surfactants are. 100
Cosmetic elegance Spread, finish, white-cast, and how it actually feels on skin. 80
Health safety Endocrine concerns and systemic absorption signals across the whole formula. 40
03 The facts, at a glance
Protection
Filter type Mineral filters (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) sit on skin and reflect UV. Chemical filters absorb UV. Hybrid runs both.
Chemical
Broad spectrum Covers both UVA and UVB. UVA drives aging and deeper damage; UVB gives you burns.
No
Formulation & feel
Texture How it feels going on — milk, gel, cream, spray, stick, essence, lotion, powder, or cushion.
Cream
Finish How it looks 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' is different — it can hide masking fragrance. Botanical oils still scent.
Yes
Alcohol-free No drying short-chain alcohols (alcohol denat., SD alcohol, ethanol). Doesn't mean fatty alcohols like cetyl or stearyl — those are emollients.
Yes
Verdict Is it worth it?

Classic fluid chemical SPF with avobenzone, 15% homosalate, octisalate, and octocrylene in an ethanol-forward base. The skin-feel is light and fast-drying, but high homosalate and denatured alcohol weigh on sensitivity and health scores.

Pros
  • Light, fast-drying fluid texture
  • Fragrance-free
  • Tocopherol antioxidant
  • Silica and silicones give a matte finish
Cons
  • Alcohol Denat. high in the formula, drying for some
  • Homosalate 15% raises endocrine and absorption concerns
  • Legacy US filter set, no modern UVA filters
  • Octocrylene present in addition to homosalate

Who it's for: Oily skin wanting a fast-drying chemical fluid; not for those sensitive to ethanol or seeking modern filters.

04 Full ingredient list (INCI) 2 ingredients
MODERN FILTER 0 LEGACY FILTER 2 MINERAL FILTER 0 ADDED FRAGRANCE 0 NATURAL FRAGRANCE 0 ALCOHOL 0 WATCH 0
Avobenzone 3% Homosalate 15% Octisalate 5% Octocrylene Avobenzone — UVA filter, needs stabilisation. · Water Dimethicone Alcohol Denat. Silica Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer Butyloctyl Salicylate Peg-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate Polymethylsilsesquioxane Tocopherol Phenoxyethanol Peg-8 Laurate Lauryl Peg/Ppg-18/18 Methicone Sodium Chloride Caprylyl Glycol Isostearyl Alcohol Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate P-Anisic Acid Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate Sodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate Salicylate-class booster; supports avobenzone.
Source: brand-published INCI. Last verified 2026. Show in detail
01 Avobenzone 3% Homosalate 15% Octisalate 5% Octocrylene LEGACY FILTER Avobenzone — UVA filter, needs stabilisation.
02 Water Dimethicone Alcohol Denat. Silica Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer Butyloctyl Salicylate Peg-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate Polymethylsilsesquioxane Tocopherol Phenoxyethanol Peg-8 Laurate Lauryl Peg/Ppg-18/18 Methicone Sodium Chloride Caprylyl Glycol Isostearyl Alcohol Poly C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate P-Anisic Acid Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate Sodium Dodecylbenzenesulfonate LEGACY FILTER Salicylate-class booster; supports avobenzone.