How to guide patients toward affordable and effective choices for sun protection

In an economic evaluation published in JAMA Dermatology in February 2026, the authors determined how the cost of the recommended use of sunscreen varies, depending on the product price as well as the adoption of other sun protection behaviors.The researchers selected three lotion-type sunscreens with similar ingredients and sun protection factors (SPF). To choose them, they relied on Consumer Reports' 2025 sunscreen evaluation. They identified SPF 50 products that contained nearly identical levels of active ingredients (avobenzone 2-3%, homosalate 10-15%, octisalate 4-5%, and octocrylene 7-8%). After comparing prices online, they selected the least expensive, a mid-range, and the most expensive sunscreen.Significant cost differences“These three sunscreens have the same effect in terms of sun protection,” said Dr. Maria Weil, a professor in the Department of Dermatology at the University of San Francisco School of Medicine and lead author of the study, in an online interview with JAMA. However, the unit price varied by as much as 17.5 times among the three products. These price differences are explained by aesthetic considerations, such as ease of absorption or less of a whitening effect.The researchers then looked at the cost per application. This was determined using the modified Lund and Browder method, assuming an average body surface area of 1.73 m² and the use of the recommended application thickness of 2 mg/cm². The study authors found that a single application by a user wearing a short-sleeved shirt and shorts cost between $0.24 and $4.20 (average cost: $0.51), while wearing a hat, long-sleeved shirt, pants, and shoes resulted in a cost between $0.04 and $0.65 (average cost: $0.08).Overall, the cost of applying the most expensive sunscreen when wearing short sleeves and shorts was 105 times higher than the cost of applying the least expensive sunscreen when wearing additional sun-protective clothing. “The more protective clothing you wear, the less sunscreen you need to apply,” Dr. Weil points out.Finally, the study authors calculated the costs for a week at the beach for users wearing shorts or bikinis, and for users with outdoor jobs:Seven days at the beach, in shorts: $6.57 to $115.12Seven days at the beach, in a bikini: $7.75 to $135.82One year, with an indoor job: $39.28 to $688.56One year, with an outdoor job: $81.53 to $1429.42Accessible recommendations to facilitate adherenceThe authors recommend placing greater emphasis on wearing clothing as a sun protection strategy. This can be ordinary clothing that doesn't require additional expense, except for specific items like hats and specialized swimwear. Dr. Weil points out that "if people don't like the feel of sunscreen, this would also encourage them to use it, as they would need to apply less."They also stress the importance of informing patients about the correct amount to apply to their skin to achieve the sun protection factor (SPF) indicated on the container. This amount is two milligrams per square centimetre, which corresponds to a shot glass filled with sunscreen for the entire body. However, studies have shown that most people use only half the required amount. Since the relationship between the amount applied and the SPF is not linear, this means they are getting less than half the stated SPF.According to the researchers, studies prior to this economic evaluation have shown that the price of sunscreens has a major influence on their use, with more expensive products being associated with lower usage, including in terms of the amount of product applied per application."Encouraging the wearing of wide-brimmed hats, long sleeves, and pants, and the use of less expensive sunscreens could reduce the overall cost, improve adherence, and help reduce the incidence of skin cancer," the study authors conclude.This article has been translated from its original French and first appeared on our sister site Profession Santé. Reference:Mundada M, Schneider J, Wei ML. Sunscreen costs in association with sun protective behaviors. JAMA Dermatol. 2026;162(4):402-405. doi:10.1001/jamadermatol.2025.6150

How to guide patients toward affordable and effective choices for sun protection

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