Kiehl's Ultra Light Daily UV Defense SPF 50+ Versus Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Flex SPF 50
Updated on January 01, 2025
Overview
What they are
These products are both sunscreens. They have a total of 6 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain SPF
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for anti aging, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any common allergens, fragrances, oils, parabens or sulfates
What's Inside
They both contain silicones
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that needs an update? Let us know.
Ingredient Info
Kiehl's Ultra Light Daily UV Defense SPF 50+ 54 ingredients
Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Flex SPF 50 47 ingredients
What's inside (and what isn't)
What's inside (and what isn't)
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Kiehl's Ultra Light Daily UV Defense SPF 50+ 54 ingredients
Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Flex SPF 50 47 ingredients
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Key Ingredients
Benefits
Concerns
Ingredients Side-by-side
Water
Skin ConditioningEthylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
UV Absorber
Dimethicone
Emollient
Glycerin
Humectant
Drometrizole Trisiloxane
UV Absorber
Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid
UV Absorber
Propylene Glycol
Humectant
Titanium Dioxide
Cosmetic Colorant
Alcohol Denat.
Antimicrobial
Triethanolamine
BufferingStearic Acid
Cleansing
Potassium Cetyl Phosphate
EmulsifyingNylon-12
Palmitic Acid
Emollient
PEG-100 Stearate
Glyceryl Stearate
Emollient
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative
Cetyl Alcohol
Emollient
Cellulose
AbsorbentBis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine
Skin Conditioning
Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate
UV Filter
Citric Acid
Buffering
Aluminum Hydroxide
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientSodium Cocoyl Sarcosinate
CleansingCarbomer
Emulsion StabilisingTocopherol
Antioxidant
Tromethamine
BufferingScutellaria Baicalensis Extract
AntimicrobialAcrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer
Emulsion StabilisingIsohexadecane
EmollientXanthan Gum
EmulsifyingMyristic Acid
Cleansing
Disodium EDTA
Adenosine
Skin Conditioning
Polysorbate 80
Emulsifying
Arginine
Masking
Mannitol
Humectant
Disodium Adenosine Triphosphate
Skin ConditioningRna
Skin ConditioningPyridoxine Hcl
Skin ConditioningSorbitan Oleate
Emulsifying
Sorbitol
Humectant
Pentylene Glycol
Skin ConditioningBHT
Antioxidant
Histidine Hcl
Skin ConditioningZea Mays Kernel Extract
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Faex Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenylalanine
Masking
Mentha Piperita Extract
CleansingRosa Gallica Flower Extract
AstringentTyrosine
MaskingSorbic Acid
Preservative
Water, Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate, Dimethicone, Glycerin, Drometrizole Trisiloxane, Terephthalylidene Dicamphor Sulfonic Acid, Propylene Glycol, Titanium Dioxide, Alcohol Denat., Triethanolamine, Stearic Acid, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Nylon-12, Palmitic Acid, PEG-100 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate, Phenoxyethanol, Cetyl Alcohol, Cellulose, Bis-Ethylhexyloxyphenol Methoxyphenyl Triazine, Diethylamino Hydroxybenzoyl Hexyl Benzoate, Citric Acid, Aluminum Hydroxide, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Cocoyl Sarcosinate, Carbomer, Tocopherol, Tromethamine, Scutellaria Baicalensis Extract, Acrylamide/Sodium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Copolymer, Isohexadecane, Xanthan Gum, Myristic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Adenosine, Polysorbate 80, Arginine, Mannitol, Disodium Adenosine Triphosphate, Rna, Pyridoxine Hcl, Sorbitan Oleate, Sorbitol, Pentylene Glycol, BHT, Histidine Hcl, Zea Mays Kernel Extract, Sodium Chloride, Faex Extract, Phenylalanine, Mentha Piperita Extract, Rosa Gallica Flower Extract, Tyrosine, Sorbic Acid
Zinc Oxide 12%
Cosmetic Colorant
Water
Skin ConditioningC12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
AntimicrobialButyloctyl Salicylate
Skin Conditioning
Lauryl PEG-8 Dimethicone
Isododecane
EmollientPropanediol
Solvent
Caprylyl Methicone
Skin Conditioning
Dimethicone
Emollient
Niacinamide
Smoothing
Tridecyl Salicylate
Skin ConditioningDimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer
Skin ConditioningTrilaureth-4 Phosphate
EmulsifyingDimethiconol
Emollient
Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone
Emulsifying
Mica
Cosmetic Colorant
Polyester-1
Maltodextrin
Absorbent
Sodium Chloride
Masking
Bisabolol
Masking
Disodium Lauriminodipropionate Tocopheryl Phosphates
CleansingEthylhexylglycerin
Skin ConditioningTremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract
Antioxidant
Allantoin
Skin Conditioning
Silica Dimethyl Silylate
EmollientCaprylyl Glycol
EmollientIsoceteth-10
EmulsifyingZein
Skin ConditioningHexylene Glycol
EmulsifyingDimethylmethoxy Chromanol
Antioxidant
Synthetic Fluorphlogopite
Zea Mays Starch
AbsorbentSilica
Abrasive
Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Pod Extract
Hydrogenated Lecithin
Emulsifying
Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride
Masking
Helianthus Annuus Sprout Extract
Skin ConditioningPhenoxyethanol
Preservative
Sodium Benzoate
Masking
Benzoic Acid
Masking
Dehydroacetic Acid
Preservative
Sodium Hydroxide
BufferingSodium Myristoyl Glutamate
CleansingAluminum Hydroxide
EmollientCI 77891
Cosmetic ColorantIron Oxides
Zinc Oxide 12%, Water, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Lauryl PEG-8 Dimethicone, Isododecane, Propanediol, Caprylyl Methicone, Dimethicone, Niacinamide, Tridecyl Salicylate, Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Trilaureth-4 Phosphate, Dimethiconol, Lauryl PEG-10 Tris(Trimethylsiloxy)Silylethyl Dimethicone, Mica, Polyester-1, Maltodextrin, Sodium Chloride, Bisabolol, Disodium Lauriminodipropionate Tocopheryl Phosphates, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract, Allantoin, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Caprylyl Glycol, Isoceteth-10, Zein, Hexylene Glycol, Dimethylmethoxy Chromanol, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Zea Mays Starch, Silica, Caesalpinia Spinosa Fruit Pod Extract, Hydrogenated Lecithin, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Helianthus Annuus Sprout Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Benzoic Acid, Dehydroacetic Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Myristoyl Glutamate, Aluminum Hydroxide, CI 77891, Iron Oxides
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterDimethicone is a type of synthetic silicone created from natural materials such as quartz.
What it does:
Dimethicone comes in different viscosities:
Depending on the viscosity, dimethicone has different properties.
Ingredients lists don't always show which type is used, so we recommend reaching out to the brand if you have questions about the viscosity.
This ingredient is unlikely to cause irritation because it does not get absorbed into skin. However, people with silicone allergies should be careful about using this ingredient.
Note: Dimethicone may contribute to pilling. This is because it is not oil or water soluble, so pilling may occur when layered with products. When mixed with heavy oils in a formula, the outcome is also quite greasy.
Learn more about DimethiconePhenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.
It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.
Aluminum Hydroxide is a form of aluminum. It can be naturally found in nature as the mineral gibbsite. In cosmetics, Aluminum Hydroxide is used as a colorant, pH adjuster, and absorbent.
As a colorant, Aluminum Hydroxide may add opacity, or reduce the transparency. Aluminum hydroxide is contains both basic and acidic properties.
According to manufacturers, this ingredient is an emollient and humectant. This means it helps hydrate the skin.
In medicine, this ingredient is used to help relieve heartburn and help heal ulcers.
There is currently no credible scientific evidence linking aluminum hydroxide in cosmetics to increased cancer risk.
Major health organizations allow the use of aluminum hydroxide in personal care products and have not flagged it as a carcinogenic risk at typical usage levels.
Learn more about Aluminum HydroxideCaprylyl Glycol is a humectant and emollient, meaning it attracts and preserves moisture.
It is a common ingredient in many products, especially those designed to hydrate skin. The primary benefits are retaining moisture, skin softening, and promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Though Caprylyl Glycol is an alcohol derived from fatty acids, it is not the kind that can dry out skin.
This ingredient is also used as a preservative to extend the life of products. It has slight antimicrobial properties.
Learn more about Caprylyl GlycolChances are, you eat sodium chloride every day. Sodium Chloride is also known as table salt.
This ingredient has many purposes in skincare: thickener, emulsifier, and exfoliator.
You'll most likely find this ingredient in cleansers where it is used to create a gel-like texture. As an emulsifier, it also prevents ingredients from separating.
There is much debate on whether this ingredient is comedogenic. The short answer - comedogenic ratings don't tell the whole story. Learn more about comegodenic ratings here.
The concensus about this ingredient causing acne seems to be divided. Research is needed to understand if this ingredient does cause acne.
Scrubs may use salt as the primary exfoliating ingredient.
Learn more about Sodium ChlorideIngredient Ratings
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these products.
When to use
Kiehl's Ultra Light Daily UV Defense SPF 50+ 54 ingredients
Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Flex SPF 50 47 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Kiehl's Ultra Light Daily UV Defense SPF 50+ 54 ingredients
Feels heavy, thick and not moisturizing. It's not my preference.
Feels like nothing on my skin but I didnt get sun damage all summer so it does the job. Only issue is it makes my texture worse and feels drying.
Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Face Shield Flex SPF 50 47 ingredients
I really wanted to like this. I think that for someone that isn’t acne prone. It aould be fine but doesn’t have a ton of coverage and left me with a slightly orangey tone. I liked that it was slightly dewy though but didn’t leave me super oily. But unfortunately made me break out in little white heads all over. I’m not sure if I’m just reactive to Nia or what ingredient would have but Nia has Show more
Great option for fair skin
I am very pale, but the Fair colour works well for my complexion, doesn't look orange. I used this, in combination to the Original formula, to even out my skin tone and as a concealer. It is a bit shiny initially, but does settle into a natural finish.
