Sunscreen can have a hefty price tag, study finds

As May marks Melanoma and Skin Cancer Awareness Month, a study published in JAMA Dermatology highlights a barrier that may keep many people from consistently protecting themselves from harmful UV exposure: the cost of sunscreen.

In their February 2026 report, researchers from the University of California San Francisco School of Medicine, including first author Maya Mundada, B.S. and senior author Maria L. Wei, M.D., Ph.D., found that annual sunscreen costs can range from about $39 to more than $1,400 depending on sunscreen prices, clothing coverage and time spent outdoors.

Skin cancer remains the most common cancer in the United States, and sunscreen use is known to reduce both skin cancer risk and photoaging. Still, prior research has shown that many people do not apply sunscreen regularly or use smaller amounts than recommended, with cost identified as one factor affecting use.

Prompted by concerns about sunscreen affordability, the UCSF researchers set out to better understand the real-world financial burden of recommended sunscreen use. Their analysis included 14 commercially available SPF 50 lotion sunscreens with similar active ingredients, including avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate and octocrylene. Using 2025 online retail pricing and body surface area calculations, they estimated the amount of sunscreen needed to achieve the recommended application thickness of 2 mg/cm².

Prices varied substantially. According to the study, sunscreen unit prices ranged from $0.57 per ounce to $10 per ounce, representing a 17.5-fold difference among products with similar SPF ratings and ingredients.

The cost of a single sunscreen application also shifted considerably depending on clothing coverage. Applying sunscreen while wearing a short-sleeve shirt and shorts cost between $0.24 and $4.20 per application, while wearing a hat, long-sleeve shirt, pants and shoes reduced the cost to between $0.04 and $0.65.

For real-world scenarios, the investigators estimated that a week at the beach with twice-daily sunscreen application could cost anywhere from $6.57 to $135.82, depending on clothing and sunscreen choice. Annual sunscreen expenses for someone with an indoor job ranged from $39.28 to $688.56, while costs for outdoor workers reached as high as $1,429.42 annually.

The researchers also calculated that fully covering the average adult body at the recommended thickness requires about 33.1 mL, or roughly 1.1 ounces, of sunscreen per application. That amount is close to the commonly cited “shot glass” recommendation for full-body sunscreen use.

According to authors, the findings point to an opportunity for dermatologists and public health campaigns to emphasize not only sunscreen use but also affordable ways to reduce UV exposure, including protective clothing and hats. They noted that relying solely on sunscreen increases the amount needed and therefore the overall expense.

The study has several limitations. The authors estimated sunscreen use based on assumed clothing coverage and average body surface area, and they did not account for the cost of sun-protective clothing itself or variations in actual sunscreen prices paid by consumers.

Still, the researchers concluded that lowering the financial burden of sun protection could help improve compliance. As awareness campaigns during Melanoma and Skin Cancer Awareness Month encourage people to adopt safer sun habits, the study suggests that affordability may play a larger role in prevention efforts than previously appreciated.

A guide to sunscreen

A JAMA Dermatology Patient Page, published in April 2026, offers several practical reminders for sunscreen use and sun protection:

• Choose a sunscreen you are likely to use consistently, whether it is a cream, lotion, spray, gel or stick.
• Look for “broad spectrum” sunscreen to protect against both UV-A and UV-B rays.
• SPF 30 blocks about 97% of UV-B rays, while SPF 50 blocks about 98%, but no sunscreen blocks all UV radiation.
• Apply sunscreen 15 minutes before going outdoors and reapply every 2 hours, especially after swimming or sweating.
• Use enough sunscreen for full coverage. JAMA Dermatology recommends 1 teaspoon for the face and neck, 1 teaspoon per arm, 2 teaspoons for the torso and 2 teaspoons for each thigh and lower leg.
• Do not forget commonly missed areas such as the ears, scalp, neck and tops of the feet.
• Mineral sunscreens containing zinc oxide or titanium dioxide may be better tolerated for children and people with sensitive skin conditions such as eczema or rosacea.
• Sun-protective clothing, hats and shade can help reduce UV exposure and may also lower the amount of sunscreen needed.