From the Journals

Sunscreen Costs Vary Up to 36-Fold

Economic analysis finds large differences in the annual cost of recommended sunscreen use depending on product price and clothing-based sun protection strategies

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An economic evaluation published in JAMA Dermatology reveals that regular sunscreen use can amount to costs ranging from $39 to $1,429 annually, influenced largely by sunscreen prices and sun-protective behaviors. Researchers from the University of California, San Francisco analyzed 16 chemical sunscreens with SPF 50, finding a 36-fold cost variation. The study calculated that using clothing for sun protection significantly reduces total sunscreen costs. For indoor workers, annual costs average around $83.55, whereas outdoor workers face costs averaging $173.44, indicating that effective sun-protective measures might improve compliance and reduce skin cancer risk.

Original Source(s)

Sunscreen Costs Vary Up to 36-Fold

  • by Olivia Anderson

  • March 16, 2026

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