Budget-Friendly UV Skin Protection Costs as Little as $40 Per Year

UCSF study finds huge variations in annual sunscreen costs depending on product price and skin coverage

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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UCSF researchers calculated the annual cost of using sunscreens and found huge variations, from as little as $40 per year to as much as $1,400 per year, depending on the price of the sunscreen product and how much skin a person needs to cover. The study found that sunscreens with the same SPF of 50 and similar active ingredients can vary in cost from $0.04 to $3.79 per application - a 17-fold difference.

Why it matters

Sunscreen protects skin from sun damage and prevents skin cancer, but research has shown that when costs climb, people tend to underapply it, losing many of its benefits. Encouraging the use of lower-priced sunscreens and other sun protective behavior like wearing hats and long clothing could lead to better skin protection.

The details

Researchers looked at three sunscreens, choosing lotions rather than sprays or powders because they are the most popular. They calculated the cost of using the lotions at recommended amounts, based on 2025 prices. The cost for a week at the beach ranged from $6.57 to $115.12 for someone wearing shorts, and $7.75 to $135.82 for someone wearing a bikini. A year at an indoor job ranged from $39.80 to $688.56, while a year working at an outdoor job varied from $81.53 to $1,429.42. The researchers recommended that people apply approximately an ounce, or a shot glass full, of sunscreen to cover the entire body.

  • The study was published by JAMA Dermatology in 2026.

The players

Maria L. Wei

A UCSF professor of dermatology who specializes in skin cancer, especially melanoma, the most aggressive form.

Maya Mundada

One of the other authors of the UCSF study.

Jeffrey Schneider

One of the other authors of the UCSF study.

UCSF

The University of California, San Francisco, which is exclusively focused on the health sciences and is dedicated to promoting health worldwide through advanced biomedical research, graduate-level education in the life sciences and health professions, and excellence in patient care.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Maria L. Wei, UCSF professor of dermatology

The takeaway

This study highlights the significant cost differences in sunscreen products and the importance of making affordable sun protection options available to encourage consistent use and better skin health outcomes.