At Adare Dermatology Clinics (ADC), we see the consequences of unprotected sun exposure every single day — skin cancers, stubborn pigmentation, premature ageing, and lesions that could so often have been prevented. That clinical experience is exactly why we developed our own sunscreen range, REFORM Skincare. Rather than building one generic sunscreen, we created six distinct formulations, each designed around a recurring pattern we see in clinic: a specific skin condition, skin type, or lifestyle where standard sunscreen simply wasn't being worn — or wasn't being worn correctly.

Here's a guide to each of the six, and who they're genuinely best suited to.

REFORM SPF 50+ Sunscreen Cream: Maximum Protection, Daily Use

This is our flagship product, and for good reason. It offers very high UVB protection at SPF 50+, combined with UVA protection at a critical wavelength of 380nm — an exceptionally high standard of broad-spectrum cover. This makes it outstanding protection against melasma and pigmentation disorders, as well as skin cancer, particularly for skin types 1 and 2.

It should be worn daily on all exposed areas — face, neck, and the backs of the hands. It's also genuinely moisturising, which makes it especially suited to older patients with photodamage or established wrinkles, since it delivers high protection while also making the skin look and feel good, rather than just sitting on top of it.

This is the product we recommend most strongly for higher-risk groups: outdoor workers such as gardeners, police, and forestry or guard personnel; anyone with continuous UVA exposure through glass, including pilots, taxi drivers, and ambulance drivers; and patients on immunosuppressant medications for conditions like arthritis, psoriasis, or eczema, whose skin cancer risk is meaningfully elevated. It's also strongly advised for patients with vitiligo, given their reduced natural pigment protection.

REFORM SPF 30 Mist Spray: Built for the Scalp and Ears

We developed this specifically after seeing how many patients present with actinic keratosis — precancerous lesions — and, often, squamous cell carcinoma on the scalp and ears. These are serious cancers capable of metastasising to the lymph nodes, and yet the scalp and ears are among the most neglected areas in any sunscreen routine.

This is especially common in men with thinning hair or who are practically bald, and in women who tie their hair back, leaving the scalp and ears with no natural coverage at all. A cream is awkward here, greasy on the hair, and easily skipped. The SPF 30 mist is lightweight, gives a genuinely strong block, and doesn't leave hair looking greasy — making it far easier to apply consistently to the ears and back of the neck. A cream will always give marginally better single-application coverage, but a mist applied more frequently provides outstanding protection in practice. We'd also recommend patients pair this with a hat and sunglasses wherever possible.

REFORM SPF 50 Mist Spray: The Body Spray and Top-Up

This is our higher-strength mist, designed as an easy body spray and a practical top-up product, particularly for the areas most frequently missed — ears, back of the neck, and anywhere else sunscreen tends to be forgotten. It's especially useful in hot weather, when more skin is exposed and sunscreen genuinely needs reapplying throughout the day. Simplicity is the whole point here: a quick spray takes seconds and meaningfully improves how consistently patients actually reapply.

REFORM SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen: For Sensitive Skin, Acne, and Makeup Wearers

This formulation was developed for two groups in particular: teenagers and adults managing acne, and patients who wear makeup daily. It has a matte finish, making it simple to wear underneath makeup without looking heavy or shiny.

It's also our recommended option for patients who report stinging or watering eyes with other sunscreens — this formula is designed specifically not to irritate the eye area, making it a comfortable daily facial sunscreen for sensitive patients. Mineral formulations can be slightly chalkier in texture than our other products, so we generally suggest layering it over a vitamin C serum or moisturiser, or underneath makeup, where it sits beautifully.

REFORM SPF 50+ Tinted Sunscreen: Purpose-Built for Melasma

This is our most targeted product for pigmentation and melasma. Alongside very strong UVA protection, it contains iron oxide, which blocks high-energy visible light (HEV) — a wavelength range, alongside UVA, that we know plays a specific role in triggering and worsening melasma.

For patients being actively treated for melasma, this sunscreen isn't optional — melasma has an extremely high recurrence rate without consistent, targeted sun and HEV protection, regardless of how effective the underlying treatment is. It's equally useful for anyone wanting a generalised anti-ageing effect, or looking to fade age spots on the back of the hands, thanks to its broad protective spectrum.

The tint means it's a little darker than our other products, so patients with very fair skin types 1 and 2 don't always love it cosmetically. But for patients with generalised pigmentation or freckling, applying this over the hands, arms, and legs genuinely helps stop that pigmentation returning — and it reliably does return with any further sun exposure if left unprotected.

Coming Soon: REFORM SPF 30+ Sunscreen Cream

We're excited about a new addition entering production this month: a cosmetically elegant SPF 30+ cream with a high level of broad-spectrum block. This one is designed for patients who aren't outdoors all day and who don't have a personal history of melanoma or other skin cancer — for this group, a well-formulated broad-spectrum SPF 30 is an excellent daily option for the face and backs of the hands. Early signs suggest this could become one of our most popular products yet — watch this space.

Getting the Right Match for You

The right sunscreen isn't necessarily the one with the highest number on the bottle — it's the one that suits your skin, your lifestyle, and your specific risk factors, because the best sunscreen is always the one you'll actually use every day. Skin type, existing skin conditions, medication history, occupation, and even how much time you spend behind a car windscreen all genuinely change which formulation makes sense for you.

If you're unsure which REFORM Skincare product fits your needs, our specialist team at Adare Dermatology Clinics in Dublin, Limerick, or London can talk you through your individual risk factors and skin concerns, and help you build a sunscreen routine that you'll genuinely stick to — which, ultimately, is what protects you.