Regular sunscreen use at recommended amounts may cost between $39 and $1,429 annually, depending on sunscreen price and sun-protective behaviors, according to an economic evaluation published in JAMA Dermatology.

Researchers evaluated how sunscreen unit price and clothing-based sun protection influence the total cost of applying sunscreen at recommended thickness. Across products with similar active ingredients and sun protection factor (SPF) ratings, the annual cost of sunscreen use varied 36-fold, wrote Maya Mundada, BS, of the University of California, San Francisco, and colleagues.

Study Design

In the economic evaluation conducted between July 14 and August 31, 2025, researchers identified chemical sunscreen lotions with SPF 50 that contained common active ingredients including avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, and octocrylene.

Sixteen products were initially identified from independently tested sunscreens, and three representative sunscreens were selected for analysis at low, median, and high price points.

Unit prices were derived from an online retailer and ranged from $0.57 per ounce to $10 per ounce, representing a 17.5-fold difference among sunscreens with similar ingredients and SPF ratings.

To estimate the amount of sunscreen required per application, the researchers calculated body surface area using the modified Lund and Browder scale and assumed an average body surface area of 1.73 m².

Applying sunscreen at the recommended 2 mg/cm² thickness required 33.1 mL (approximately 1.1 oz) per full-body application, excluding the palms and soles.

The model assumed one daily application during weekdays and two daily applications during weekends or vacation periods, rather than reapplication every two hours.

Cost Per Application

A single sunscreen application while wearing a short-sleeve shirt and shorts ranged from $0.24 to $4.20, with a median cost of $0.51.

When wearing a hat, long-sleeve shirt, pants, and shoes, the cost fell to $0.04 to $0.65, with a median cost of $0.08.

The cost of a single application when comparing use of the most expensive sunscreen with minimal sun-protective behaviors vs the least expensive sunscreen with maximal sun-protective behaviors varied 105-fold.

Scenario-Based Cost Estimates

Estimated costs also varied across real-world situations:

• Typical summer weekend: $0.86 to $15.14
• One week at the beach (shorts): $6.57 to $115.12
• One week at the beach (bikini): $7.75 to $135.82

Annual costs differed depending on occupational sun exposure.

For a person with an indoor job, estimated yearly sunscreen costs ranged from $39.28 to $688.56, with a median cost of $83.55.

For a person with an outdoor job, estimated costs ranged from $81.53 to $1,429.42, with a median cost of $173.44.

Context and Implications

The analysis showed that clothing-based sun protection reduces the amount of exposed skin requiring sunscreen and therefore lowers total costs.

When a sunscreen priced near the median of $1.23 per ounce was used, the estimated annual cost was about $83.55 for indoor workers and $173.44 for outdoor workers.

Previous research has shown that sunscreen price influences the amount applied and that many people apply less than recommended amounts.

The recommended application amount approximates one shot glass, or about 1 ounce, for full-body coverage.

Limitations

The study estimated clothing coverage using generalized assumptions, such as typical sleeve and shorts lengths. Researchers also used average body surface area and listed retail prices rather than confirmed purchase prices.

The analysis did not include the cost of protective clothing and did not account for variations such as patients using higher-priced sunscreen on the face and lower-priced products elsewhere.

Conclusion

The researchers concluded that reducing sunscreen costs could help improve adherence to recommended sun protection.

“Encouraging broad-brimmed hats, long sleeves, pants, and lower priced sunscreens could decrease overall cost, facilitating compliance, and help to lead to a reduction in the development of skin cancer,” the researchers wrote.

Disclosure: The researchers reported no conflicts of interest.