Readers say cheaper sunscreens have their drawbacks, but you'll need to find some sun first, writes CONOR POPE

Sunscreen bargains and bright ideas

- A recent Pricewatch article about the merits of cheap sunscreen prompted several readers to get in touch. “As someone who spends a lot of time on the water and beaches, either windsurfing or surfing, I’ve found that the ‘kids’ Ambre Solaire is one of the best to use,” says Dave. “It’s better because it’s coloured when you put it on and is the only non-greasy sunscreen I’ve ever tried.” He says most cheaper brands might provide a similar amount of block, but they’re greasy and attract sand. “This usually means you’re reluctant to re-apply as often as you should,” he says.

“It’s nearly always cheaper to buy suncream at your destination. In Australia, I bought Ambre Solaire for almost a third of the price it is here.”

- A reader called Laura had an excellent idea. She can’t understand why the Irish Cancer Society doesn’t manufacture and sell sun-screen like the Australian Cancer Society does. “Companies like Garnier, Nivea, Ambre Solaire are primarily interested in profit. Putting sun screen on sale under the Irish Cancer Society banner would achieve a couple of things: they wouldn’t be as hungry for profit, they could take a portion of the sales price and plough it back into cancer research, and everyone would have a brand they could trust.”

- Why we’re talking about sunscreen is beyond Jonathan, who got in touch to complain about the failure of our tourist centres to adapt to that reality. “My wife’s aunt went to Kerry last week and out of a week there were two hours when it wasn’t raining. Ireland should be the bad-weather-facility capital of the world, but that’s not the case,” he says. “In most of these ‘tourist spots’ there’s absolutely nothing to do when it’s raining. If I’m going to sit around all day in a hotel reading a book because of the rain, I might as well stay at home.”

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- Stunned by high prices or bad service? Want to share a bargain? Let us know at www.irishtimes.com/blogs/pricewatch