Affordable Sun Protection Options Can Cut Costs

Study finds annual sunscreen expenses vary up to 36-fold based on product price and sun-protective behaviors.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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A new economic evaluation study found that the annual cost of recommended sunscreen use can vary substantially, ranging from $39 to $1,429, depending on the unit price of the sunscreen and the use of other sun-protective behaviors like wearing protective clothing. The study highlights that encouraging the use of lower-cost sunscreens and sun-protective clothing could help reduce overall sun protection expenses and improve compliance.

Why it matters

Sunscreen is an important tool for reducing skin cancer risk, but the high cost of some sunscreen products can be a barrier to consistent use, especially for those on a limited budget. This study provides valuable insights into how people can save money on sun protection without compromising effectiveness.

The details

Researchers evaluated the costs of sunscreen use based on three different price points - low ($0.57/oz), median ($1.21/oz), and high ($10/oz) - for SPF 50 lotion sunscreens with similar active ingredients. They also modeled costs across different sun-protective clothing scenarios, including short-sleeve shirts, long-sleeve shirts, shorts, pants, hats, and shoes. The cost per single sunscreen application ranged from $0.04 to $4.20, a 105-fold difference. Annual sunscreen costs for indoor workers ranged from $39 to $689, while outdoor workers ranged from $82 to $1,429, a 36-fold difference.

  • The study was published online on February 18, 2026 in JAMA Dermatology.

The players

Maya Mundada

The lead author of the study, from the University of California, San Francisco.

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What they’re saying

“The data suggest a role for dermatologists to encourage the use of clothing and hats for protection and to inform patients that less expensive sunscreens can be used.”

— Study authors (JAMA Dermatology)

What’s next

The study authors noted several limitations, including reliance on modeled coverage, use of average body surface area, unknown actual sunscreen prices paid by consumers, omission of cost of protective clothing, and the possibility of some individuals using more expensive sunscreen on their faces and less expensive sunscreen elsewhere on their bodies. Further research could explore these factors in more detail.

The takeaway

This study highlights that affordable sun protection options, including lower-cost sunscreens and sun-protective clothing, can significantly reduce the annual cost of recommended sun protection practices. Encouraging the use of these cost-saving strategies could improve compliance and help reduce skin cancer risk, especially for those on a limited budget.