Skincare Price-per-Use Calculator
The sticker price of a skincare product tells you almost nothing about its real value. A $15 drugstore toner that runs out in three weeks can cost more per application than a $50 serum that lasts four months. What actually matters is cost per use.
Enter your product details below to calculate the true cost per application, how long the product will last, and what it costs you per week, month, and year. All calculations happen in your browser - nothing is sent to a server.
Value vs. Price in Skincare
Skincare marketing leans heavily on sticker price to signal value. Budget brands advertise low prices; luxury brands justify high ones with premium packaging and aspirational branding. Neither approach tells you how much each application actually costs.
Concentration matters more than volume. A 30 mL glycolic acid serum at 10% concentration delivers the same total amount of active ingredient as a 100 mL toner at 3%. But the serum requires only 0.5 mL per use (a pea-sized drop) while the toner needs 2 mL or more per application. If the serum costs $30 and the toner costs $18, the serum gives you 60 uses at $0.50 each while the toner gives you 50 uses at $0.36 each - closer than the sticker prices suggest, and the serum may deliver stronger results per application.
Frequency compounds costs. A product you use twice daily (14 times per week) costs seven times more per week than one you use twice a week. Before deciding a product is too expensive, calculate the actual weekly and monthly cost based on how often you will use it in your routine.
Duration reveals the true picture. The most useful number is how many days a product lasts. A product that costs $40 but lasts 120 days ($0.33/day) is objectively cheaper to own than one that costs $12 but lasts 21 days ($0.57/day). This calculator shows you that number instantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Disclaimer
This calculator is for informational and comparison purposes only. Product longevity depends on many factors including dispensing method, application technique, product viscosity, and individual usage habits. Actual results may vary from estimates. Cost per use does not reflect product efficacy - consult a board-certified dermatologist for advice on which products are appropriate for your skin type and concerns.
