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Reform Skincare Advanced Formula Sunscreen SPF 30
Reform Skincare

Reform Skincare Advanced Formula Sunscreen SPF 30

SPF 30Efficacy60/100IrritancyMedium·2 UV filters
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Works for

0 of 2 advertised claims delivered

Sun protection
SPF 30 · 2 UV filters · Partial spectrum
Weak protection
SPF 30Partial spectrumMineral + chemical filters

This product does not offer good protection against UVA rays.

UV spectrum
UVB290–320 nmUVA II320–340 nmUVA I340–400 nm
Octinoxate
Titanium Dioxide
FilterCoverageWhat it doesEst. amount
OctinoxateEthylhexyl MethoxycinnamateUVBOctinoxate. When used in higher concentrations, works as a sunscreen protecting the skin from UVB rays. When used in lower concentration, helps to preserve the product formulation. Is shown to be harmful to coral reefs - consider avoiding bathing in coral reef areas when wearing a product with this ingredient. It can be irritating~4.5–5.5%
Titanium Dioxide Mineral UVBUVA2 Photo-stable Works as a UV filter when used in high concentrations. It is photostable and is effective mostly against the UVB light, with some protection in the UVA range. In small concentrations, used for its ability to improve the color of cosmetic products. Is usually well tolerated by the skin~9.8–12%
~ marks concentrations estimated from label position and typical use levels
Anti-aging
Tocopherol
Limited evidence
What the product description says
“Containing both mineral (Titanium Dioxide) and chemical (Octinoxate) UV filters, skin is defended against the prematurely ageing damage of both UVA and UVB rays.”
Source: Face the future

This product does not contain ingredients that are able to reduce fine lines and wrinkles or help with skin elasticity, but it can improve the look of the skin temporarily through moisturization. Well-moisturized skin might also be able to repair the sun damage better.

The biggest anti-aging effect in this product comes from sun protection. Sun damage is the main factor causing early signs of skin aging. We, however, do not recommend using this product as a sunscreen because the protection it offers is not strong enough).

TocopherolEffect: Low, below effective dosePure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself~1–1.2%
Moisturizing
Not advertised by the brand · Helianthus annuus seed oil, Carthamus tinctorius seed oil + 6 more
Good evidence

This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.

The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water. When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job: cyclomethicone.

This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: helianthus annuus seed oil, carthamus tinctorius seed oil.

Helianthus annuus seed oilKey active· Emollient, OcclusiveEffect: HighA great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function~2.2–2.6%
Carthamus tinctorius seed oilKey active· EmollientEffect: HighAn emollient that helps soften the skin and might help calm down inflammation~2.7–3.3%
Cetyl dimethiconeKey active· EmollientEffect: HighA type of silicone. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and creates a nice, light product texture~0.45–0.7%
CyclomethiconeKey active· Humectant, EmollientEffect: HighA type of silicone that leaves a nice silky finish on the skin and can help soften its upper layer~2.4–3%
Hydrogenated castor oilKey active· EmollientEffect: MediumA plant oil that can help soften the skin. It might be helpful in calming down inflammation, but solid research is lacking. Is often used in lip products to create the needed product consistency~0.6–0.9%
Isopropyl palmitate· EmollientEffect: LowHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistency~5.4–6.6%
TocopherolEffect: Low, below effective dosePure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself~1–1.2%
Aloe barbadensis leaf extractEffect: Low, below effective doseTraditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin~0.95–1.2%

Can it cause trouble?

Irritancy
2 strong irritants: Iodopropynyl butylcarbamate, Dmdm hydantoin
Medium risk
We flagged 7 ingredients with irritancy potential. Severity depends on your sensitivity threshold; the table lists the worst offenders first.
IngredientFunctionIrritationEst. amount
Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamateOctinoxate. When used in higher concentrations, works as a sunscreen protecting the skin from UVB rays. When used in lower concentration, helps to preserve the product formulation. Is shown to be harmful to coral reefs - consider avoiding bathing in coral reef areas when wearing a product with this ingredient. It can be irritatingHigh~4.5–5.5%est.
Iodopropynyl butylcarbamateA preservative. Can be irritatingHigh~0.01–0.02%est.
Dmdm hydantoinA preservative that releases formaldehyde and can be irritatingHigh~0.15–0.3%est.
Isopropyl palmitateHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistencyMedium~5.4–6.6%est.
Tocopheryl acetateA more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.Medium~1.5–1.8%est.
Aloe barbadensis leaf extractTraditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skinMedium~0.95–1.2%est.
Hydrogenated castor oilA plant oil that can help soften the skin. It might be helpful in calming down inflammation, but solid research is lacking. Is often used in lip products to create the needed product consistencyMedium~0.6–0.9%est.
Comedogenic
1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale
1 flagged
These ingredients have a comedogenic rating of 2 or more on a 0–5 scale; the table shows each one's rating. In leave-on products they can clog pores in acne-prone skin.
IngredientFunctionRatingEst. amount
Isopropyl palmitateHelps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistency3/5~5.4–6.6%est.
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Ingredients

Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.

Water~45–55%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Plain old water

More about Water
Titanium dioxide~9.8–12%
UV filterKey active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Sun protection

Works as a UV filter when used in high concentrations. It is photostable and is effective mostly against the UVB light, with some protection in the UVA range. In small concentrations, used for its ability to improve the color of cosmetic products. Is usually well tolerated by the skin

More about Titanium dioxide
Isopropyl palmitate~5.4–6.6%
Comedogenic 3/5Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Comedogenicity
3/5
Works for
Moisturizing

Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistency

More about Isopropyl palmitate
Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate~4.5–5.5%
UV filterKey activeIrritant · high
Irritation risk
High
Works for
Sun protection

Octinoxate. When used in higher concentrations, works as a sunscreen protecting the skin from UVB rays. When used in lower concentration, helps to preserve the product formulation. Is shown to be harmful to coral reefs - consider avoiding bathing in coral reef areas when wearing a product with this ingredient. It can be irritating

More about Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate
Dimethicone copolyol~3.4–4.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
More about Dimethicone copolyol
Carthamus tinctorius seed oil~2.7–3.3%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
MoisturizingAnti-oxidation

An emollient that helps soften the skin and might help calm down inflammation

More about Carthamus tinctorius seed oil
Octyl stearate
Not recognized
Cyclomethicone~2.4–3%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

A type of silicone that leaves a nice silky finish on the skin and can help soften its upper layer

More about Cyclomethicone
Helianthus annuus seed oil~2.2–2.6%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

A great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function

More about Helianthus annuus seed oil
Microcrystalline wax~1.8–2.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to create a thicker product consistency

More about Microcrystalline wax
Tocopheryl acetate~1.5–1.8%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Anti-oxidation

A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.

More about Tocopheryl acetate
Tocopherol~1–1.2%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Anti-oxidationAnti-agingAnti-inflammatoryMoisturizing

Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself

More about Tocopherol
Aloe barbadensis leaf extract~0.95–1.2%
Irritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
Moisturizing

Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin

More about Aloe barbadensis leaf extract
Hydrogenated castor oil~0.6–0.9%
Key activeIrritant · medium
Irritation risk
Medium
Works for
CleansingMoisturizingAnti-inflammatory

A plant oil that can help soften the skin. It might be helpful in calming down inflammation, but solid research is lacking. Is often used in lip products to create the needed product consistency

More about Hydrogenated castor oil
Cetyl dimethicone~0.45–0.7%
Key active
Irritation risk
Low
Works for
Moisturizing

A type of silicone. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and creates a nice, light product texture

More about Cetyl dimethicone
Sodium chloride~0.25–0.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures

More about Sodium chloride
Iodopropynyl butylcarbamate~0.01–0.02%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A preservative. Can be irritating

More about Iodopropynyl butylcarbamate
Silica~0.25–0.5%
Formula
Irritation risk
Low

Used to absorb oil and can temporarily mattify skin

More about Silica
Dmdm hydantoin~0.15–0.3%
Irritant · high
Irritation risk
High

A preservative that releases formaldehyde and can be irritating

More about Dmdm hydantoin
Ingredient list view

Water, Titanium dioxide, Isopropyl palmitate, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Dimethicone copolyol, Carthamus tinctorius seed oil, Unknown, Cyclomethicone, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Microcrystalline wax, Tocopheryl acetate, Tocopherol, Aloe barbadensis leaf extract, Hydrogenated castor oil, Cetyl dimethicone, Sodium chloride, Iodopropynyl butylcarbamate, Silica, Dmdm hydantoin

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Product summary

We do not recommend "Reform Skincare - Advanced Formula Sunscreen SPF 30" because it does not provide good UVA protection. UVA sun rays don't burn the skin, but they still lead to photoaging and hyperpigmentation.

It also works as a moisturizer, so you do not have to use an additional hydrating product.

Sunscreen filters

This sunscreen uses a mixture of both mineral and organic (so-called "chemical") UV filters. The organic filters in the product are: octinoxate. As for the mineral filters, this sunscreen uses titanium dioxide.

Irritation risk

This formulation includes some common irritants, including ingredients that do not provide a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this sunscreen to be medium. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here

You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.

Sources cited in this review

Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 11 studies and safety reviews.

  1. 1
    Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Isopropyl Isostearatejournals.sagepub.com
  2. 2
    Effect of Olive and Sunflower Seed Oil on the Adult Skin Barrier: Implications for Neonatal Skin Careonlinelibrary.wiley.com
  3. 3
    Topically Applied Sunflower Seed Oil Prevents Invasive Bacterial Infections in Preterm Infants in Egyptjournals.lww.com
  4. 4
    Effect of topically applied lipids on surfactant-irritated skinonlinelibrary.wiley.com
  5. 5
    Impact of topical oils on the skin barrier: possible implications for neonatal health in developing countriesonlinelibrary.wiley.com
  6. 6
    Vitamin E in dermatologyncbi.nlm.nih.gov
Reform Skincare Advanced Formula Sunscreen SPF 30
Reform SkincareAdvanced Formula Sunscreen SPF 30
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