Sunscreen is widely recommended as a key defense against skin damage and skin cancer. Dermatologists often advise daily sunscreen use, especially during outdoor activities or prolonged sun exposure. However, a recent economic evaluation published in JAMA Dermatology suggests that the actual cost of proper sunscreen use can vary dramatically depending on the product price and other sun protection behaviors.
The study, conducted by Maya Mundada, Jeffrey Schneider, and Maria L. Wei, found that sunscreen costs can differ by as much as 36 times annually. This significant difference highlights the importance of choosing affordable sunscreens and combining them with other protective measures such as clothing and hats.
In this brief report style overview, we break down the key findings and explain how sunscreen cost varies based on price, application habits, and lifestyle.
Regular sunscreen use offers several proven benefits. Studies consistently show that sunscreen reduces the risk of skin cancer and helps prevent premature skin aging caused by ultraviolet radiation. Dermatologists also emphasize sunscreen as a critical tool for protecting against long term sun damage.
Despite these benefits, many people do not use sunscreen regularly. Research suggests several barriers, including product cost, texture preferences, and inconvenience during daily routines.
The new economic evaluation aimed to explore one important factor: how much it truly costs to use sunscreen properly according to recommended guidelines.
Researchers conducted the economic evaluation between July and August 2025. The goal was to estimate sunscreen costs based on three main variables:
The study focused on sunscreen lotions with SPF 50 and similar active ingredients. These included avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, and octocrylene, which are commonly used in chemical sunscreens.
Out of several products identified, three sunscreens were selected to represent different price ranges:
The unit price ranged from $0.57 per ounce to $10 per ounce, which represents a 17.5 fold price difference even though the sunscreens had similar SPF ratings and ingredients.
To calculate the amount of sunscreen needed per application, the researchers used the modified Lund and Browder scale, a method for estimating body surface area. The analysis assumed an average adult body surface area of 1.73 square meters.
Based on recommended guidelines of applying sunscreen at 2 milligrams per square centimeter, a full body application requires approximately 33.1 milliliters, which is about 1.1 ounces of sunscreen.
This aligns with the commonly recommended “shot glass” amount for full body coverage.
The cost of a single sunscreen application varies significantly depending on clothing coverage and sunscreen price.
For example:
This difference occurs because clothing reduces the amount of exposed skin that requires sunscreen.
When comparing the most expensive sunscreen with minimal clothing to the cheapest sunscreen combined with maximum clothing coverage, the cost difference per application reached 105 fold.
This finding suggests that clothing plays a major role in reducing sunscreen expenses.
The researchers also estimated sunscreen costs for several real world scenarios, including weekend activities, beach vacations, and yearly use.
For two days with two sunscreen applications per day while wearing shorts and a short sleeve shirt:
Assuming two sunscreen applications per day:
Wearing shorts:
Wearing a bikini:
More exposed skin increases the amount of sunscreen needed and therefore raises the cost.
The study also estimated annual sunscreen expenses for people with indoor and outdoor jobs.
For individuals who mostly work indoors and apply sunscreen daily:
For people working outdoors with higher sun exposure:
This means annual sunscreen costs can vary by 36 fold, depending on product price and sun protection strategies.
Previous research shows that people tend to apply less sunscreen when products are more expensive. This can lead to inadequate protection against ultraviolet radiation.
Interestingly, surveys indicate that many consumers are willing to spend around $30 per month for an ideal sunscreen. However, most individuals report spending less than $50 per year on sunscreen products.
This gap suggests that many people may not be applying sunscreen in the recommended amounts.
Proper application requires about one ounce per full body application. Many individuals use far less than this amount, which reduces the effectiveness of sun protection.
One of the most important insights from the study is that clothing can significantly reduce sunscreen expenses.
Protective items include:
These items reduce exposed skin and therefore decrease the amount of sunscreen required.
Combining clothing with sunscreen creates a layered protection strategy that can improve sun safety while lowering costs.
This approach may also help improve sunscreen compliance, especially for individuals concerned about price.
The findings highlight an opportunity for dermatologists and public health organizations to promote more cost effective sun protection strategies.
Education efforts could encourage people to:
Employers of outdoor workers may also benefit from encouraging sun protective clothing in addition to sunscreen use.
These strategies could help reduce barriers to sunscreen use while improving protection against skin cancer.
This economic evaluation provides several important insights about sunscreen use:
Overall, combining sunscreen with clothing and other protective strategies can make sun safety more accessible and affordable.
Mundada M, Schneider J, Wei ML. Sunscreen Costs in Association With Sun Protective Behaviors. Published online February 18, 2026 in JAMA Dermatology. DOI: 10.1001/jamadermatol.2025.6150.
This article is for informational and educational purposes only. It summarizes findings from a published medical study and should not be considered medical advice. Individuals should consult a qualified healthcare professional or dermatologist for personalized recommendations regarding sunscreen use and skin cancer prevention.
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