Sunscreen Cost Could Affects Sunscreen Use, Study Suggests

TOPLINE:

A study found that people applied less sunscreen as cost increased, suggesting that higher sunscreen prices may lead to underapplication.

METHODOLOGY:

• Researchers conducted a cross-sectional study of 88 patients (76% women; median age, 50 years) from dermatology clinics at the University of California, San Francisco.
• Participants applied their usual amount of sunscreen to either one arm or the face/neck, with containers weighed before and after application.
• Patients used 32 different sunscreen brands, costs ranged from $0.60 to $36.40/oz and SPF ranged from 30 to 100.
• Investigators calculated sunscreen price per ounce from brand websites and used mass measurements.

TAKEAWAY:

• Participants applied a smaller percentage of the recommended sunscreen amount as the cost increased (P = .0016), with a reduction of approximately 1% per $1/oz increase.
• Participants applied relatively more sunscreen to the arm than to the face/neck area.
• Cost of sunscreen and site of application were associated with the amount of sunscreen applied (P

IN PRACTICE:

“These findings highlight the financial implications associated with incorporating sunscreen into regular skincare routines and the importance of using comprehensive sun protective strategies to mitigate both financial and health-related burdens associated with excessive sun exposure,” the authors wrote. “Patients ask dermatologists for sunscreen recommendations,” they added, “and integrating cost-conscious considerations, when advising patients on sunscreen options for skin cancer prevention, could better encourage adequate sun protection.”

SOURCE:

The study was led by Kristen Fernandez, BS, San Francisco VA Health Care System, San Francisco, and was published online on January 13, 2025, in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.

LIMITATIONS:

Researchers did not collect data on actual prices paid by participants for their sunscreens. Only lotion sunscreens were included in the analysis.

DISCLOSURES:

The study did not receive any funding. The authors reported no relevant conflicts of interest.

This article was created using several editorial tools, including AI, as part of the process. Human editors reviewed this content before publication.