Kiehl's Review, Is Kiehl's Non-Toxic?
PFAS Authority is a scoring system, not a laboratory. We do not test products ourselves. Grades are model-based, built from published ingredients, materials, certifications, brand disclosures and third-party lab results where they exist. See the rubric.
Across 7 graded products, Kiehl's averages Excellent (75/100). On disclosure, the brand says nothing publicly about PFAS. 7 of its products grade Good or better. Grades are model-based estimates, not lab results.
Worth buying from Kiehl's Good or better, safest first
Kiehl's
Since 1851 Better Screen UV Serum Sunscreen SPF 50+
Water-based UV serum with mineral/organic UV filters
Fragrance allergens
Kiehl's formulas typically include fragrance; specific allergen content is not disclosed…
Photodegradation and filter instability
Hybrid formulas can suffer reduced efficacy if avobenzone or other organic filters…
Contact dermatitis from mineral particles
Fine zinc oxide or titanium dioxide in a serum can irritate sensitive or compromised skin…
Lower concern; liquid serum sunscreen lacks waterproof coatings tied to PFAS.
⚠Risky category by default
Kiehl's
Better Screen Miner-all UV Serum Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50
mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide)
Fragrance allergens and irritants
Product formulation details do not specify fragrance components on readily available…
Nanoparticle size in mineral filters
Modern mineral sunscreens often use micronized or nano-scale zinc oxide and titanium…
Lower concern; mineral sunscreen is PFAS-unlikely by formulation.
⚠Risky category by default
Kiehl's
Super Fluid Daily Uv Defense Spf Sunscreen
Aqueous sunscreen lotion with mineral and organic UV filters
Organic UV filter photoinstability
Avobenzone and similar organic filters can degrade under UV and heat, potentially…
Contact sensitization or irritation from fragrance or emulsifiers
Sunscreen lotions often contain fragrance compounds and chemical emulsifiers; while not…
Water contamination from reef-toxic UV filters
If this formulation contains oxybenzone or octinoxate (common in older sunscreens), those…
Lower PFAS concern, but brand provides no transparency on testing or avoidance.
⚠Risky category by default
Kiehl's
Better Screen UV Serum
Water-based UV serum with humectants and actives
Fragrance allergens
Kiehl's sunscreen formulations are known to contain fragrance compounds; fragrance is a…
Chemical UV filter photostability and skin absorption
Water-based chemical sunscreens rely on absorbing filters (likely avobenzone or similar)…
Preservative system irritation
Water-based serums require robust preservative systems to prevent bacterial or fungal…
Lower PFAS concern, though brand offers no public transparency on the ingredient.
⚠Risky category by default
Kiehl's
Better Screen UV Serum-In-Stick Sunscreen SPF 50+
Cosmetic serum/stick sunscreen base (likely silicones, waxes, mineral UV filters)
Fragrance allergens (undisclosed components)
Product listing does not break down fragrance components; stick sunscreens typically…
Silicone leaching or bioaccumulation
Cyclopentasiloxane and dimethicone are common silicone emollients in stick sunscreens and…
Lower PFAS concern; no known water-repellent coating or fluorine additives present.
⚠Risky category by default
Kiehl's
Ultra Facial Moisturizer SPF 30
Water-based emulsion, glycerin, squalane, mineral sunscreen (titanium dioxide/zinc oxide)
Fragrance allergens
Kiehl's typically includes fragrance in most moisturizers; this product likely contains…
Emulsion destabilization and separation over time
Water-based emulsions can separate into layers if stored improperly or if formulation…
1,4-dioxane (synthetic contaminant)
Water-based emulsions sometimes contain low-level 1,4-dioxane as a byproduct of…
Lower PFAS concern for typical facial moisturizer; brand does not disclose policy.
⚠Risky category by default
Kiehl's
Better Screen Sunscreen Spf 50+ Set
water-based sunscreen cream (mineral and/or organic UV filters)
Fragrance allergens and sensitizers
Kiehl's formulations typically include fragrance compounds. No specific allergenic…
1,4-dioxane (manufacturing residue in organic filters)
Organic UV filter compounds (such as avobenzone or oxybenzone) can carry trace…
Contact irritation or sensitization from UV filters themselves
Chemical UV filters such as avobenzone or oxybenzone trigger contact dermatitis in a…
Lower PFAS concern; typical sunscreen formula with no red flags.
⚠Risky category by default
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