This must be a “Shake-Shake” summer for the L’Oréal Group. Another “shake then apply” sunscreen product, Super Fluid UV Defense Spf 50+, is promoted by Kiehl’s — right after SkinCeuticals Sheer Physical UV Defense Spf 50. SkinCeuticals and Kiehl’s are both brands of the L’Oréal Group. My opinion on Kiehl’s Dermatologist Solutions Super Fluid UV Defense Spf 50+ is “Not recommended for daily use”.
What is good about Kiehl’s Dermatologist Solutions Super Fluid UV Defense Spf 50+? It is light, sheer, oil-free and fragrance-free. The photo-instable avobenzone is stabilized and provides UVA protection. But these virtues do not qualify this sunscreen for daily use, sensitive skin or the price ($32 / 1.7 fl.Oz).
First, the active ingredients of this sunscreen include oxybenzone. I know that oxybenzone is still widely used in sunscreen products, but as I explained in Oxybenzone – Bad Sunscreen Ingredient, I would not recommend sunscreen products containing oxybenzone any more. Oxybenzone is most known for its ability to permeate into the body and its photoallergic reactions. If you use sunscreen products containing oxybenzone only occasionally, you probably will not experience any uncomfortableness. But if you use sunscreen products 365 days per year and year after year, then you will feel that oxybenzone is more and more intolerable. If you do not care whether a sunscreen product has oxybenzone or not, you can simply buy sunscreens from Neutrogena, Banana Boat, or Hawaiian Tropic for a fraction of the price of Kiehl’s Dermatologist Solutions Super Fluid UV Defense Spf 50+.
Second, the inactive ingredients of this sunscreen include alcohol denat., which is not suitable for long-term use either. On the package of Kiehl’s Dermatologist Solutions Super Fluid UV Defense Spf 50+, there is “Dermatologist-Tested for Sensitive Skin” but I have to say that this sunscreen is particularly NOT for sensitive skin. According to an FDA report, consumers should be aware of such terms as “hypoallergic”, “dermatologist-tested”, “sensitivity tested”, “allergy tested” or “nonirritating” because they are NOT regulated and carry NO guarantee.
Third, Kiehl’s Dermatologist Solutions Super Fluid UV Defense Spf 50+ does not include any antioxidants or other skin beneficial ingredients. Inclusion of these ingredients is not necessary for sunscreen products but a plus. For this price, a customer deserves a better product.
Kiehl’s Dermatologist Solutions Super Fluid UV Defense Spf 50+ ingredients:
Active ingredients:
Avobenzone 3%, Homosalate 15%, Octisalate 5%, Octocrylene 5%, Oxybenzone 6%.
Inactive ingredients:
Water, cyclopentasiloxane, alcohol denat., silica, dicaprylylether, styrene/acrylates copolamer, PEG-30 dipolyhydroxystearate, dimethicone, cyclohexasloxane, polymethylsilsesquioxane, nylon-12, dicaprylyl carbonate, phenoxyethanol, lauryl PEG/PPG-18/18 methicone, sodium chloride, caprylyl glycol, methylparaben, poly c 10-30 akylacrylate, disteardmonium hectorite, disodium EDTA, dodecene, poloxamer 407.
Thank you for your feedback, ddeni. In your case, check the active ingredients before you buy a sunscreen. Avoid oxybenzone (also called benzophenone-3). Hope this helps.:)
I wished I had read this post earlier!:(
I bought this sunscreen specifically for “light, sheer, oil-free and fragrance-free.” And having sensitive skin, the first time wearing it, I immediately had an allergic reaction, the area around my mouth started to swell up and this is the same reaction I had when I used a Neutrogena sunscreen! Very pissed, but shall go and return the product:D