Sunscreen costs vary widely despite identical SPF protection

UCSF researchers calculated the annual cost of using sunscreens and found huge variations, depending on product price and how much skin a person exposes to the sun.

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 how expensive a sunscreen they buy and how much of their skin they protect with hats and clothing, according to a new analysis by researchers at UC San Francisco.

The study, published by JAMA Dermatology, found that sunscreens with the same Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 50 and similar active ingredients varied from $0.04 to $3.79 per application - a 17-fold difference in cost.

Sunscreen protects skin from sun damage, preventing skin cancer, and experts promote daily use to reduce potential harm from UV exposure. 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, long sleeves, and long pants could lead to better protection," said Maria L. Wei, MD, PhD, a UCSF professor of dermatology who specializes in skin cancer, especially melanoma, the most aggressive form. "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."

Different prices, different scenarios

Researchers looked at three sunscreens, choosing lotions rather than sprays or powders because they are the most popular. Then they calculated the cost of using the lotions at recommended amounts, based on 2025 prices.

Investigators examined numerous scenarios, such as whether someone was at the beach wearing shorts or a bikini - or working indoors wearing a long-sleeve shirt and pants. They also took into account the product's thickness and how often it needed to be applied.

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.

To cover the entire body, the researchers recommended that people apply approximately an ounce, or a shot glass full of sunscreen.

The other authors are Maya Mundada, and Jeffrey Schneider, MD, both of UCSF. Wei is also with the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center and the San Francisco VA Health Care System.