Consumers can protect their skin from ultraviolet (UV) rays at a wide range of costs, according to a new analysis by researchers at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). The study, published in JAMA Dermatology, found that annual spending on sun protection can be as low as $40 or reach up to $1,400 depending on the price of sunscreen and how much additional coverage is provided by clothing and hats.
The research compared sunscreens with identical SPF 50 ratings and similar active ingredients. It revealed a significant difference in cost per application, ranging from $0.04 to $3.79—a 17-fold variation.
Sunscreen use is recommended by experts for its role in preventing skin cancer through daily protection against UV exposure. However, previous studies indicate that higher sunscreen prices often lead consumers to use less than the recommended amount, which reduces effectiveness.
“Encouraging the use of lower-priced sunscreens and other sun protective behavior like wearing hats, long sleeves, and long pants could lead to better protection,” said Maria L. Wei, M.D., Ph.D., UCSF professor of dermatology specializing in melanoma. “Less expensive sunscreen, with the same active ingredients and same SPF, is as photoprotective as the more expensive, in terms of protection from UV radiation.”
Researchers analyzed three popular lotion sunscreens based on 2025 pricing data rather than sprays or powders. They calculated costs for different scenarios such as beach outings—where people might wear shorts or bikinis—and indoor work environments where more skin is covered by clothing. The study also considered product thickness and reapplication frequency.
For a week at the beach using sunscreen lotions at recommended amounts, costs ranged from $6.57 to $115.12 for someone wearing shorts and from $7.75 to $135.82 for someone wearing a bikini. For those working indoors throughout the year, expenses ranged between $39.80 and $688.56; outdoor workers faced annual costs between $81.53 and $1,429.42.
To achieve full-body coverage with adequate UV protection, researchers recommend applying about one ounce—or enough to fill a shot glass—of sunscreen each time.
Other authors of the study include Maya Mundada and Jeffrey Schneider, M.D., both affiliated with UCSF alongside Wei’s roles at UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center and San Francisco VA Health Care System.
