Sunscreen

I think that the price goes up in winter, well, more like the price drops in summer. Actually I'm surprised you found some during the depths of this dreary wet winter. I've heard that it can go off and the effectiveness is reduced... but I've never seen any evidence for this and generally assume it's just a way to make you buy more (like the "Do Not Reuse Bottle" messages on spring water bottles... what's that about?!). I rarely go out in the sun (pale skin) and try to wear loose light shirts over my spaghetti strap tops in summer. So the SPF 50 tube I have has lasted me a while. I only use it on my face and the rest of me when I'm swimming and for the last two years it has worked just fine. What make were you buying? Boots own is pretty good, but Piz Buin (I think that's right) is brilliant and well worth the pennies if you have sensitive skin; it's Sahara tested :)

Yes, in the winter shops that do sell suncream charge a lot. I always use old tubes of suncream that I have left over from my previous trips. I like to be careful in the sun and guard against getting sun burnt. I hope that you will have a fantastic time in Cape Town and get some lovely sunny weather in South Africa.

That's really expensive, I always lived in countries with plenty of sun throughout the year so prices of budget brands are 5 pounds or so. In should find good deals in Cape Town. Regarding any sunscreen you might have, try to look any indication of after opened validity.

I think the price of sunscreen is shocking, especially as it is a necessity not a luxury. I read somewhere that sunscreen goes off, but it could be that it just doesn't work as well as opposed to not working at all (I don't really know though!) I'm not sure if they put VAT on sunscreen (I don't think they do for children's) but I don't think they should. Anyway, I hope you have a lovely holiday.