Affordable UV Protection Options Vary Widely in Cost

UCSF study finds sunscreens with same SPF can range from $0.04 to $3.79 per application

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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A new study from researchers at the University of California, San Francisco found that consumers can protect their skin from damaging ultraviolet (UV) light rays for as little as $40 a year or as much as $1,400 a year, depending on the price and amount of sunscreen used. The study examined the costs of different sunscreen products with the same 50 SPF rating and similar active ingredients, which varied by as much as 17-fold in price per application.

Why it matters

Encouraging the use of lower-priced sunscreens and other sun protective behaviors like wearing hats and long clothing could lead to better skin cancer prevention, as research has shown that when sunscreen costs climb, people tend to under-apply, losing many of its benefits.

The details

Researchers looked at three popular sunscreen lotions and calculated the cost of using them at recommended amounts based on 2025 prices. They examined numerous scenarios, such as beach wear versus indoor work attire, and found the cost for a week at the beach ranged from $6.57 to $135.82, while a year of indoor work varied from $39.80 to $688.56 and a year of outdoor work ranged from $81.53 to $1,429.42.

  • The study was published in March 2026 by JAMA Dermatology.

The players

Maria L. Wei

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

Maya Mundada

A co-author of the study from UCSF.

Jeffrey Schneider

A co-author of the study from UCSF.

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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 (JAMA Dermatology)

The takeaway

This study highlights the significant cost differences in sunscreen products, even those with the same SPF rating, and underscores the importance of making affordable sun protection options more accessible to consumers in order to encourage consistent use and better skin cancer prevention.