Forty-five dollars for a sunscreen? I know, I know. My bank account sent me a concerned notification the second I stepped out of the store. But here is the thing: I have spent the last three years in a toxic relationship with SPF. Either it leaves me looking like a Victorian ghost, or it decides to pill into tiny grey rolls the second I try to blend my concealer. I was desperate for something that actually behaved itself, and since Kiehl's is basically the cool, reliable older sibling of skincare, I figured it was time to see if the Better Screen UV Serum SPF 50+ lived up to the hype.
A Serum That Secretly Protects You
The first thing you notice about the Better Screen UV Serum is that it does not feel like sunblock at all. It comes in a glass bottle that feels expensive—which, let's be real, it is—and the texture is much thinner than your average lotion. It is a true serum. It is technically unscented, though it has that very faint, clean lab smell that all Kiehl's products seem to have. When I rubbed it between my fingers, it felt silky, not tacky. It soaked into my skin in about thirty seconds, leaving behind a subtle glow that looked like I actually drank my eight glasses of water yesterday (spoiler: I did not).
The Morning Rush Hour Test
I put this to the ultimate test: a chaotic Tuesday morning where I had exactly twelve minutes to get ready and get out the door. Usually, this is where my SPF betrays me by sliding around, but this serum stayed put. I layered it over my moisturizer and under a full face of medium-coverage foundation. Here is how it actually performed throughout the day:
- Zero Pilling: Even after buffing in my foundation with a dense brush, there was not a single flake in sight.
- Eye Comfort: I am a notorious eye-rubber, and most sunscreens make me look like I am sobbing by noon. This one did not sting at all.
- Texture Correction: Thanks to the Collagen Peptide, my skin actually felt smoother by the time I was taking my makeup off at night.
- The Finish: It stayed invisible. No white cast, even in those awkward office fluorescent lights.
The Final Verdict
Is it a splurge? Absolutely. But if you are someone who skips sunscreen because you hate the heavy, greasy feeling of traditional creams, this is a total lifesaver. It bridges the gap between high-end skincare and necessary protection. I do not feel like I am wearing a mask; I just feel like I have really nice skin. It has officially earned a permanent spot on my vanity, even if I have to skip a few fancy coffees to afford the next bottle. It is that good.
Who Should Buy This:
- The makeup lover who needs an SPF that layers flawlessly under foundation.
- Anyone with sensitive eyes who is tired of the dreaded sunscreen sting.
- People who want their sun protection to double as an anti-aging treatment.
Who Should Skip This:
- Budget-conscious shoppers who are perfectly happy with their drugstore options.
- Anyone who prefers a thick, heavy cream to feel "fully covered."
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Lauren