DIY Beauty Calculators
DIY vs store, per ounce.
Enter what a batch of your homemade product costs and how much it makes, then the price and size of the store-bought one. You get cost per ounce for each, the saving per ounce and per batch, and how many batches pay back what you spent on equipment. Runs in your browser; nothing is sent or stored.
Batch and store price
Your comparison
Fill the form and press Calculate.
Worked example
A homemade batch costs $6.00 and yields 8 oz, so it is $6.00 / 8 = $0.75 per oz. The store version is $12.00 for 4 oz, which is $3.00 per oz. You save $2.25 per ounce, 75% less, which is $18.00 on an 8 oz batch (8 x $3.00 = $24.00 at store price, less the $6.00 you spent). With $30 of equipment, it takes 2 batches to pay it back, since 30 / 18 = 1.67 rounds up to 2.
How it works
Cost per ounce = price / weight in ounces. Grams are converted at exactly 28.349523125 g per ounce. Saving per batch = store cost per ounce x batch ounces minus batch cost, and batches to pay back = start-up cost / saving per batch, rounded up. If the homemade batch is dearer per ounce than the store product, the tool says there is no payback.
Include everything you spend per batch: ingredients, jars, lids, labels and the cost of anything you throw away. Time is not included. Compare like with like in weight; a "fl oz" label is volume, and the weight of a fluid ounce depends on the product. Sources (opened 2026-10-08): Wikipedia, Ounce. Prices are what you enter, not market data.
FAQ
Is it cheaper to make your own lotion or lip balm?
It depends on your ingredient prices and batch size, which is what this tool compares. Enter your own costs and the store price for the same weight; the result is your number, not an average.
How do I compare a store product in fl oz?
Fl oz is volume. Weigh a filled jar or look for the net weight on the label, then enter that weight in ounces or grams.
What costs should I include in the batch?
Ingredients, jars and lids, labels, and anything wasted. Equipment you bought once goes in the start-up cost, which the tool spreads over batches to show payback.
How many batches to pay back my equipment?
Start-up cost divided by the saving per batch, rounded up. In the example, $30 / $18 is 1.67, so 2 batches.
How do I convert grams to ounces?
Divide grams by 28.349523125. The tool does this for you when you pick grams.
Disclaimer
Cost comparison only, from the figures you enter; it makes no claim about product quality or safety. Homemade cosmetics need clean equipment and, if they contain water, a preservative. Selling homemade cosmetics has legal and safety requirements in most places.