Sunscreen Ranker Independent ranker
KIEHL'S SINCE 1851 / Kiehl's Kiehl's DS UV Defense Aqua Gel / SPF50 / PA++++ / 30mL
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 straight-up disappear on skin. 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, but filter choice matters.
Where to buy it
Cosme.com JP In stock
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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%. That's the recipe.
01 The score breakdown
UV protection How hard it blocks UVA + UVB across the spectrum at the stated SPF/PA. 75
Filter modernity Dings legacy filters (octinoxate, oxybenzone); rewards photostable next-gen ones. 50
Sensitivity safety Risk for reactive skin — fragrance, alcohol, and known sensitisers. 50
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. 65
Health safety Endocrine concerns and systemic absorption signals across the whole formula. 50
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.
Gel
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.
Alcohol-free No drying short-chain alcohols (alcohol denat., SD alcohol, ethanol). Doesn't mean fatty alcohols like cetyl or stearyl — those are emollients.
Verdict Is it worth 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.