Where SPF meets Skincare
Sunscreen has always been positioned as the non-negotiable step. From SPF 50 to reapplying every two hours, we all know the drill. But in reality, most people don’t skip sunscreen because they don’t understand it. They skip it because of how it feels, how it layers, and how easily it fits or doesn’t, into everything else they’re already using. So if it’s too heavy, too sticky, or just doesn’t sit right with the rest of your routine, it slowly gets skipped.
That’s where Kiehl’s Better Screen UV Serum comes in. On paper, it covers everything you’d expect. SPF 50+ with UVA and UVB filters to protect against that kind of daily sun exposure that leads to sun spots, uneven skin tone, and premature lines over time. This UV Serum is designed to be used daily, as the last step before makeup, with the usual instructions: apply generously, give it a bit of time to settle, and reapply throughout the day.
Image Credit: Kiehl’s Malaysia
But what makes it feel different isn’t just the protection. It’s how it acts as skincare and sun protection at the same time. The texture is the first thing you’ll notice if you’ve tried countless sunscreen products. It’s very lightweight, almost serum-like, and spreads easily without that thick sunscreen drag. It absorbs quickly so it leaves the skin feeling breathable rather than coated. And the best part, there’s no white cast, which makes it sit well across different skin tones and makes your skin look slightly radiant.
It’s also one of those formulas that doesn’t fight the rest of your routine. Moisturiser underneath, makeup on top. It layers cleanly without pilling or shifting, which realistically makes a big difference when you’re using it every day. It creates a smooth base, so foundation goes on evenly, and you don’t have to think twice about how everything works together.
Image Credit: Kiehl’s Malaysia
What starts to set it apart more is the inclusion of Collagen Peptide. It’s not something you typically expect in sunscreen, but here it’s meant to go beyond just protection. From helping to visibly improve things like skin tone, texture, to fixing that general dullness that builds up over time. It’s less about instant results and more about how your skin looks after consistent use. And that shows up in small ways. Skin starts to look a bit more even, a bit smoother, slightly more plump. There’s a noticeable boost in overall radiance. Not in an overly glowy way, but in a healthier, more balanced way. And the good news is that it works across different skin types, including oily and acne-prone skin, without feeling too heavy or clogging. At the same time, it doesn’t feel drying or tight, which makes it easy to keep in rotation regardless of the day.
Image Credit: Kiehl’s Malaysia
Over time, it becomes less of a step you have to remind yourself to do, and more of something that fits in naturally. You apply it at the end of your routine, wait a bit before heading out, and it just stays in place somehow. Whether it’s a full day out in the sun or just running errands, it does what it needs to do without becoming something you’re constantly aware of.
There are also small, practical things that make it feel more considered. The no-white-cast formula means it works well under makeup, especially if you’re going for that slightly glowy base. It’s also the kind of product you can extend beyond just your face, even something as simple as applying it to your hands before UV exposure when you’re getting your nails done, which is often overlooked.
Image Credit: Kiehl’s Malaysia
In the end, it’s not trying to completely redefine sunscreen. It still does what sunscreen is meant to do, which is protect your skin from UV damage every single day. But by layering in skincare benefits, improving how it feels, and making it easier to use consistently, it ends up doing a bit more than expected.
And that’s probably why the Kiehl’s Better Screen UV Serum works so well for us. Not because it’s doing everything at once, but because it makes one of the most important steps feel easy enough to keep.
Find out more about Kiehl’s Better Screen UV Serum
Website | Instagram
