Altruist Sunscreen South Africa: SPF 30 & SPF 50
Sunscreen should not be something people ration. Altruist is bringing its dermatologist-developed approach to sun protection into its second South African summer, with a focus on effective SPF at a price people can use consistently.
Last updated: 8 October 2026
As South Africa heads into another summer of serious sunshine, the conversation around sunscreen is shifting.
It is no longer simply about remembering to apply SPF before heading to the beach. For Altruist, the bigger issue is access — having high-quality sun protection that people can afford to apply generously and consistently.
That thinking sits at the centre of Altruist, the dermatologist-developed sunscreen brand founded by UK consultant dermatologist and skin-cancer specialist Dr Andrew Birnie.
Following its arrival in South Africa through an exclusive retail partnership with Clicks, Altruist is now entering its second South African summer with a growing range available online and in-store.
Its message is straightforward:
Sun protection should never be a luxury.
High-Performance SPF Without the High Price
Altruist was created in the UK more than a decade ago with a specific purpose: to help reduce the incidence of skin cancer by making effective sunscreen affordable enough for people to use properly.
The idea challenges a common problem with sunscreen.
When a product is expensive, people can be tempted to use less of it, apply it less frequently or stretch a bottle for longer than they should. Instead of encouraging that behaviour, Altruist was built around making effective sun protection accessible enough to become part of everyday life.
The philosophy is simple:
Make great sunscreen affordable, make it easy to wear and encourage people to use enough of it.
Altruist Sunscreen Range Available in South Africa
The South African range currently includes five products covering everyday body protection, facial SPF and spray formats.
| Product | Size | Protection |
|---|---|---|
| Altruist SPF 50 Sunscreen | 100ml | SPF 50 |
| Altruist SPF 30 Sunscreen | 200ml | SPF 30 |
| Altruist Face Fluid SPF 50 | 50ml | SPF 50 |
| Altruist Family Sunspray SPF 50 | 250ml | SPF 50 |
| Altruist Invisible Spray SPF 50 | 200ml | SPF 50 |
The range offers 5-star UVA protection, alongside high UVB protection across the SPF range.
According to the brand, its products are hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic, paraben-free and fragrance-free, with water-resistant and lightweight formulations designed for regular use.
That variety also makes the range less dependent on the idea of one sunscreen having to work for everyone.
A face fluid can fit into a daily skincare routine, while sprays can make application across the body more convenient, particularly for families and active lifestyles.
Why Affordable Sunscreen Matters
The most interesting part of Altruist’s proposition is not simply the SPF number.
It is the argument that price influences how people use sunscreen.
If a sunscreen is treated as a premium product, consumers may be more reluctant to apply the amount recommended or reapply throughout the day.
Altruist’s model is designed to remove some of that friction.
The brand’s goal is to make sunscreen affordable enough that people do not feel they have to save it for holidays, beach days or particularly hot weekends.
Instead, sun protection becomes something that can be used as part of an everyday routine.
A Brand With Deep South African Roots
Although Altruist was founded in the UK, South Africa has played an important role in Dr Andrew Birnie’s professional and personal journey.
Birnie has travelled to South Africa regularly for more than two decades and has developed deep connections within the country’s dermatology community.
His work included helping organise the first conference and surgical workshop of the South African Society of Dermatology, as well as playing a key role in establishing the South African Society for Dermatologic Surgery (SASDS).
He also spent extensive periods working in KwaZulu-Natal.
At Albert Luthuli Hospital, Birnie ran a teaching clinic for dermatology trainees and travelled to harder-to-reach communities to provide outreach clinics for people who had limited access to specialist dermatological care.
It was during his time in South Africa that Birnie met skincare economist David Westerbeek van Eerten.
Their shared belief was that effective sunscreen should be accessible rather than reserved for people who can afford premium prices.
That idea ultimately became part of the foundation for Altruist.
“Make It Last” Was the Problem Altruist Wanted to Challenge
For Birnie, affordability is directly connected to how consumers behave.
“In an ever increasing global economy where cost is a key factor when deciding on a sunscreen, it actually is no longer negotiable to get a great quality one that you can use literally all the time.”
He argues that while excellent sunscreen products already exist, some are priced at a level that can discourage people from using them as often or in as large a quantity as they should.
That can create what he describes as a “make it last” mentality.
Altruist was created to challenge that behaviour.
The proposition is therefore bigger than simply selling another SPF product. It is about making regular sunscreen use more realistic.
More Than Just Sunscreen
Altruist’s mission also extends beyond its commercial products.
A charitable contribution is made with every Altruist sale, supporting the brand’s wider work around skin protection and care.
Over the past year, the brand says that more than 63,000 tubes of Altruist products were donated to charities supporting children with albinism across Africa.
That adds another dimension to the brand’s affordability message: increasing access to sun protection is not only about making products cheaper, but also about reaching communities where appropriate skin protection can be harder to access.
Why Altruist’s South African Strategy Makes Sense
South Africa is an important market for a sunscreen brand.
The country experiences high levels of UV exposure, while its long summers make sun protection relevant well beyond holidays and trips to the coast.
At the same time, sunscreen has traditionally been positioned as a beauty, skincare or outdoor-lifestyle purchase.
Altruist is approaching the category differently.
Its proposition is closer to a daily essential: effective protection that people should be able to use generously, regularly and without treating every application as an expensive decision.
That makes the brand particularly interesting as South African consumers become more conscious of daily UV exposure and skincare.
Which Altruist Sunscreen Should You Choose?
The right product ultimately depends on how and where you plan to use it.
Altruist SPF 50 Sunscreen is the higher-SPF body protection option in the range, while the SPF 30 Sunscreen provides a larger 200ml format.
For facial use, the Face Fluid SPF 50 is designed specifically around the face and can fit more naturally into an everyday skincare routine.
For families and larger areas of the body, the Family Sunspray SPF 50 provides a larger spray format.
The Invisible Spray SPF 50 offers another spray-based option for consumers looking for convenient application.
Whatever the format, the key is proper application and reapplication according to the product instructions, particularly when swimming, sweating or spending extended periods outdoors.
Where to Buy Altruist Sunscreen in South Africa
Altruist is available in South Africa through Clicks, both online and through its retail network.
The range includes the SPF 30, SPF 50, face and spray products outlined above.
Explore the Altruist range at Clicks:
CLICK HERE
Availability, pricing and individual product ranges can change, so check the retailer for the latest information before purchasing.
Altruist Is Betting on Consistency
The strongest part of Altruist’s proposition is arguably its simplicity.
The brand is not trying to convince people that sunscreen should be an occasional luxury or something reserved for holidays.
It is making a more practical argument:
If sunscreen is affordable enough, people are more likely to use it properly.
For a country like South Africa, where sun protection is relevant throughout much of the year, that is a message with plenty of room to grow.
As Altruist enters its second summer in the South African market, its challenge is no longer simply introducing the brand.
It is changing the habit around sunscreen itself.
Altruist. High-performance sun protection. Made accessible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Altruist sunscreen available in South Africa?
Yes. Altruist is available in South Africa through its retail partnership with Clicks, with products available online and through the retailer’s stores.
What Altruist sunscreen products are available in South Africa?
The current South African range includes Altruist SPF 50 Sunscreen, SPF 30 Sunscreen, Face Fluid SPF 50, Family Sunspray SPF 50 and Invisible Spray SPF 50.
Is Altruist sunscreen suitable for everyday use?
Altruist’s range is designed around regular sun protection. Users should follow the instructions on the individual product, including guidance on how much to apply and when to reapply.
What SPF does Altruist offer?
The South African range includes both SPF 30 and SPF 50 products, with different formats available for face, body, family and spray application.
Who founded Altruist?
Altruist was founded by UK consultant dermatologist and skin-cancer specialist Dr Andrew Birnie, together with skincare economist David Westerbeek van Eerten.
Is Altruist sunscreen fragrance-free?
The brand states that its products are fragrance-free, alongside being hypoallergenic, non-comedogenic and paraben-free.
Where can I buy Altruist sunscreen in South Africa?
Altruist is available through Clicks in South Africa. Consumers can check the retailer’s current online range for product availability and pricing.
Why does Altruist focus on affordable sunscreen?
The brand’s philosophy is that sunscreen needs to be affordable enough for people to use the appropriate amount consistently rather than rationing an expensive product.
Final Word
Altruist’s South African proposition is built around a simple idea that feels increasingly relevant: sun protection works best when people can actually afford to use it properly.
With a dermatologist at the centre of the brand, a range covering SPF 30 and SPF 50 protection, and a South African connection stretching back decades, Altruist is looking to make sunscreen less of a luxury purchase and more of an everyday essential.
WHERE IT ALL BEGAN…
Having travelled regularly to South Africa for over two decades, the brand’s founder, Dr Birnie – who is married to a South African-holds a deep personal connection to the country. He helped organise the South African Society of Dermatology’s first conference and surgical workshop, and also played a key role in establishing the SouthAfrican Society for Dermatologic Surgery (SASDS), which now has hundreds of membersand offers outstanding educational opportunities nationwide. Dr Birnie has also spent extensive periods working in KwaZulu-Natal, where he ran a teaching clinic for dermatology trainees at Albert Luthuli Hospital.
He also visited harder to reach locations to run outreach clinics for people unable totravel to Durban. During this time Dr Birnie was able to help treat many people, from all backgrounds, who would otherwise not have had care because they couldn’t afford treatment.
It was also during Dr Birnie’s time working in South Africa that he met skincare economist David Westerbeek van Eerten who was inspired by Andrew’s passionate mission to reduce the incidence of skin cancer through offering the best quality sunscreen at a price most people can afford to encourage more people to wear it.Bringing together medical expertise and industry contacts made this idea a reality andfrom this new friendship, forged in South Africa, Altruist Sunscreen was born.
“Cost should never be a factor when deciding whether or not to wear proper sunscreen, or how much or how often to apply it. Everyone should have a basic right to take the necessary precautions to reduce their risks of developing skin cancer.Whilst there are some excellent products available, most are so expensive that people are reluctant to use them as often, or in aslarge a quantity as they should. Many dermatologist recommended sunscreens are expensive, which results in low application levels and a ‘make it last’ mentality. Altruist is making a stand and fighting against this” stated Dr Birnie.
Explore the Altruist range at Clicks HERE.
… ENDS …
Altruist SPF 30 Sunscreen 200ml 2-Pack: Is It Worth Buying?
If you already use Altruist sunscreen regularly, the 200ml 2-pack is worth considering because you get two full-size bottles rather than a single tube. The formula is designed as a broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen with high UVA protection, making it a practical option for everyday sun protection.
The listing currently shows the 2-pack at $26.97, before the $26.97 shipping and import charges to South Africa shown by Amazon at the time of checking. Because Amazon prices, shipping fees and import costs can change, check the final checkout total before placing an order.
Why Buy the 2-Pack?
The biggest advantage is convenience. Two 200ml bottles give you 400ml of sunscreen in total, which can make more sense if sunscreen is already part of your daily routine or if you’re buying for more than one person.
The larger format can also be useful for body application, where smaller face-focused sunscreens can disappear quickly.
What stands out:
- SPF 30 broad-spectrum protection
- High UVA protection
- 200ml per bottle
- 2 bottles per pack
- 400ml total
- Suitable for shoppers looking for a larger everyday sunscreen supply
- Amazon listing currently shows thousands of customer ratings/reviews
What Does It Cost in South Africa?
Amazon currently displays the product at $26.97, with an additional $26.97 in shipping and import charges to South Africa on the listing provided.
That means the delivered cost can be substantially higher than the advertised product price. This is important when comparing the Amazon option with locally available Altruist sunscreen, particularly because Altruist is also sold through South African retailers.
Prices, sellers, delivery costs and import charges can change, so check the final Amazon checkout price before buying.
Who Is This Altruist Sunscreen For?
The 2-pack makes the most sense for someone who:
- Applies sunscreen regularly and wants a larger supply
- Prefers SPF 30 for everyday use
- Wants high UVA protection alongside SPF protection
- Is buying sunscreen for multiple people
- Doesn’t mind ordering internationally
- Wants two 200ml bottles instead of repeatedly replacing smaller products
If you’re specifically looking for SPF 50, however, this isn’t the product to choose simply because the Altruist name is familiar. Check the SPF level carefully before ordering.
Check the Current Amazon Price
If you’re interested in the Altruist SPF 30 200ml 2-pack, use the Amazon listing below to check the current product price, shipping, import charges, seller and delivery estimate to South Africa.
Check Price & Availability on Amazon
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