applying sun lotionMarc Mueller/DPA/Press Association Images

There's a positive side to the fact that we've had the wettest summer so far in living memory, because while we've been dodging the rain, we have been saving a small fortune on sunscreen.

However, with better weather set to put in an appearance next week, we're set for a shock, as the price of sunscreen is up an incredible 75%. So what's going on?

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Ingredient

The problem is a massive increase in one of the ingredients: titanium dioxide, which blocks UV rays. The price of the mineral has been rising quickly, because titanium is a key ingredient in a variety of commercial processes - including making commercial paints, and has been in increasing demand. Meanwhile, supply has been sluggish around the world as producers failed to invest in production.

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And while most of us haven't noticed the price of sunscreen during the dreary weather, we're set for something of a nasty surprise when we hit the shops for sunblock next week.

What can you do?

And while we scrape by on the dregs of the bottles lying round the house, there's more bad news, because according to a report in The Grocer, prices are not likely to fall soon either. We will have to wait until 2015, when more facilities for the production of the mineral are expected to come on line.

So what can you do? There are a few ways to cut back on the amount of sunscreen you use. Most effectively, you can choose to spend your days out of the sun (which may not be all that hard in the UK but might not be all that much fun).

Alternatively, you can wear sunblocking beachwear - although you'll still need to cover your exposed bits. However, the experts say that applying sunblock is a must for outdoor days and breaks away, so there's little option other than to grin and bear it - and thank your lucky stars that in a few weeks all the sunny weather will be over for another year.

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