SPF Scout · Product record

L'Oreal USA Products Inc Kiehls Dermatologist Solutions Better Screen UV Serum Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Plus Sunscreen

SPF 50 as labeled

U.S. formulation · record last retrieved 21 September 2026

What is listed

The ingredient declaration stored for this formulation, reproduced exactly as it was recorded from the source below.

Avobenzone, Homosalate, Octisalate, Octocrylene, water, glycerin, c15-19 alkane, propanediol, c12-22 alkyl acrylate/hydroxyethylacrylate copolymer, tocopherol, sodium stearoyl glutamate, butylene glycol, cetearyl alcohol, sclerotium gum, hydroxyacetophenone, caprylyl glycol, sodium starch octenylsuccinate, glyceryl stearate, jojoba esters, helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed wax, hydroxypropyl starch phosphate, trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate, carbomer, sodium lactate, sodium hydroxide, polysorbate 20, polyglycerin-3, palmitoyl tripeptide-1, palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7

29 entries · the stored declaration is recorded as complete.

What each ingredient generally does

Each entry that matched a canonical ingredient, with the function recorded for it. These notes describe the role an ingredient plays in a formulation. They do not assess an ingredient.

  • Avobenzone

    Light stabiliser (protects the formula from light)UV absorber (protects the formula from light, not a sunscreen filter)UV filter (filters UV rays)

    An organic UV filter that absorbs ultraviolet light. It also acts as a light stabilizer, helping the formula hold up under sun exposure. On labels it also appears as Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane.

  • Homosalate

    Fragrance ingredient (scent)UV absorber (protects the formula from light, not a sunscreen filter)UV filter (filters UV rays)

    An organic UV filter that absorbs ultraviolet light. It also adds scent to the product.

  • Octisalate

    Light stabiliser (protects the formula from light)UV absorber (protects the formula from light, not a sunscreen filter)UV filter (filters UV rays)

    An organic UV filter that absorbs ultraviolet light, and doubles as a light stabilizer to keep the formula steady in sun. It also appears on labels as Ethylhexyl Salicylate.

  • Octocrylene

    Light stabiliser (protects the formula from light)UV absorber (protects the formula from light, not a sunscreen filter)UV filter (filters UV rays)

    An organic UV filter that absorbs ultraviolet light. It also serves as a light stabilizer, helping keep other filters and the formula intact under sunlight.

  • Water

    Antiplaque (CosIng functional class)otherSkin conditioning (CosIng functional class)Solvent (dissolves other ingredients)

    The base liquid that most of the other ingredients dissolve or spread into. It carries the formula and helps condition the skin surface.

  • Glycerin

    Denaturant (makes alcohol undrinkable)Fragrance ingredient (scent)Hair conditioning (CosIng functional class)Humectant (holds moisture)Oral care (CosIng functional class)Skin conditioning (CosIng functional class)Skin protecting (CosIng functional class)Solvent (dissolves other ingredients)Viscosity control (thickens or thins the formula)

    Glycerin draws in and holds moisture while conditioning and protecting skin. It also dissolves other ingredients, adjusts thickness, and can add scent. On labels it may appear as glycerol.

  • C15-19 Alkane

    Solvent (dissolves other ingredients)

    A light liquid solvent that dissolves other ingredients and helps them blend. It supports the formula spreading smoothly.

  • Propanediol

    Humectant (holds moisture)Solvent (dissolves other ingredients)Viscosity control (thickens or thins the formula)

    A solvent that dissolves other ingredients and helps them blend evenly. It also adjusts the thickness of the formula.

  • C12-22 Alkyl Acrylate/Hydroxyethylacrylate Copolymer

    Binder (holds the formula together)Light stabiliser (protects the formula from light)Viscosity control (thickens or thins the formula)

    This is a film-forming ingredient that helps hold the formula together and adjusts its thickness. It also acts as a light stabilizer, helping the product stand up to light.

  • Tocopherol

    Antioxidant (slows the formula oxidising)Fragrance ingredient (scent)Occlusive (CosIng functional class)otherSkin conditioning (CosIng functional class)

    Tocopherol is a form of vitamin E used as an antioxidant, which helps keep the formula from going off. It also conditions skin and forms a thin surface layer that slows moisture loss. You may see it listed simply as vitamin E.

  • Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate

    Hair conditioning (CosIng functional class)Skin conditioning (CosIng functional class)Surfactant (cleanses or mixes oil and water)

    This is a multi-tasking ingredient that helps oil and water mix so the product stays blended. It also works as a cleansing agent and softens the feel of skin and hair. In practice, it keeps the formula smooth and even while conditioning.

  • Butylene Glycol

    Fragrance ingredient (scent)Humectant (holds moisture)Skin conditioning (CosIng functional class)Solvent (dissolves other ingredients)Viscosity control (thickens or thins the formula)

    A multitasking liquid that acts as a humectant, solvent, and thickness adjuster, and carries a scent role. It draws in and holds moisture, dissolves other ingredients, and helps set the product's texture.

  • Cetearyl Alcohol

    Emollient (softens and smooths skin)Emulsion stabiliser (keeps oil and water mixed)Foam boosting (increases foam from other ingredients)Opacifier (makes the formula less see-through)Skin conditioning (CosIng functional class)Surfactant (cleanses or mixes oil and water)Viscosity control (thickens or thins the formula)

    A workhorse ingredient that softens skin feel, adjusts thickness, helps oil and water mix, and keeps the blend stable. In practice it thickens the product, keeps it from separating, gives a smooth feel, and can make the product look opaque. Despite its name, it behaves like a waxy solid, not a drying alcohol.

  • Sclerotium Gum

    Emulsion stabiliser (keeps oil and water mixed)Skin conditioning (CosIng functional class)Viscosity control (thickens or thins the formula)

    This is a gum that thickens the formula and keeps it stable, while also conditioning skin. It adjusts how thick the product is and keeps the blended parts from separating.

  • Hydroxyacetophenone

    Antioxidant (slows the formula oxidising)other

    An antioxidant that helps keep the formula from going off over time. In practice it protects the product's other ingredients from breaking down.

  • Caprylyl Glycol

    Deodorant (masks or reduces odour)Emollient (softens and smooths skin)Hair conditioning (CosIng functional class)Preservative (inhibits microbial growth)Skin conditioning (CosIng functional class)

    A multi-tasker that conditions skin and hair and acts as a deodorant. As an emollient it softens and smooths, leaving skin feeling conditioned.

  • Sodium Starch Octenylsuccinate

    Absorbent (takes up oil or water)Emulsion stabiliser (keeps oil and water mixed)Viscosity control (thickens or thins the formula)

    A modified starch that absorbs liquid and adjusts the thickness of the product. It also keeps oil and water from separating.

  • Glyceryl Stearate

    Emollient (softens and smooths skin)Skin conditioning (CosIng functional class)Surfactant (cleanses or mixes oil and water)

    Glyceryl Stearate is an emollient that softens and smooths skin feel. It also acts as an emulsifier, keeping the oil and water parts blended together.

  • Jojoba Esters

    Emollient (softens and smooths skin)Moisturising (CosIng functional class)Skin conditioning (CosIng functional class)Soothing (CosIng functional class)

    A skin-conditioning ingredient that softens and smooths, adds moisture, and has a soothing effect. In practice it helps the product feel comfortable and keeps skin from feeling dry.

  • Helianthus Annuus Seed Wax

    Skin conditioning (CosIng functional class)

    This is a wax from sunflower seeds, used to condition the skin. It helps keep skin feeling soft and smooth.

    listed as “helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed wax”

  • Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate

    Bulking agent (adds volume)Viscosity control (thickens or thins the formula)

    A starch-based ingredient that adds bulk and adjusts thickness. It helps fill out the formula and control its texture.

  • Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate

    Chelating (binds metal ions in the formula)other

    This is a chelating agent. It binds trace metals in the mix that could break the formula down over time.

  • Carbomer

    Emulsion stabiliser (keeps oil and water mixed)Gel forming (sets the formula into a gel)otherViscosity control (thickens or thins the formula)

    A thickener that adjusts how thick the product is and forms a gel. It also keeps oil and water blends from separating, holding the texture together.

  • Sodium Lactate

    Buffering (holds the formula at a set acidity)Humectant (holds moisture)Keratolytic (CosIng functional class)

    Sodium Lactate is a salt that helps balance the product's acidity (buffering) and acts as a humectant, drawing in and holding moisture. It also has a keratolytic action, meaning it helps loosen and shed surface skin cells. On labels it's the sodium salt of lactic acid.

  • Sodium Hydroxide

    Buffering (holds the formula at a set acidity)Denaturant (makes alcohol undrinkable)other

    Sodium Hydroxide is a strongly alkaline ingredient used in tiny amounts to fine-tune a formula's acidity (buffering). This keeps the product's pH steady. It can also act as a denaturant, altering another substance so it stays fit for use in cosmetics rather than being consumed.

  • Polysorbate 20

    Surfactant (cleanses or mixes oil and water)

    Polysorbate 20 helps oil and water mix so the product stays blended. It also acts as a cleansing agent that lifts away oil and dirt.

  • Polyglycerin-3

    Humectant (holds moisture)

    Polyglycerin-3 is a humectant, meaning it draws in and holds moisture. In practice it helps keep the product and skin from drying out.

  • Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1

    Skin conditioning (CosIng functional class)

    Palmitoyl Tripeptide-1 is a skin-conditioning peptide. Its role is to keep skin feeling soft and conditioned.

  • Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7

    Skin conditioning (CosIng functional class)

    Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7 is a skin-conditioning ingredient. It helps keep skin feeling soft and conditioned.

Checking this against your own list

SPF Scout's Personal Ingredient Check runs in the app, on your device. This page cannot see a personal avoidance list. Your selections are stored on your phone and are never sent to this website. There is nowhere on our side for them to go.

In the app you choose the ingredients you already avoid, and every entry in this declaration that matches one of them is shown to you with the alias path that produced the match.

This comparison does not predict whether your skin will react.

Source quality

Source
DailyMed drug label
Source record
https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=48980ef3-ebda-450e-9f15-effad27dec9a
Retrieved
21 September 2026
Market
United States
Version
v1 of this U.S. formulation
Source tier
Official label document (not independently verified by us)
Entries recorded
29
Record checksum
sha256:60276545b730907642997e26dbe37a50b9ddcc49cf195062351c981c94dca46a

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