Travel size vs full size skincare: price per ml compared

Why minis cost more per ml

A 15 ml jar needs nearly the same lid, box and handling as a 50 ml jar, so packaging is a bigger part of the price. That is why a small size almost always costs more per ml. The same logic runs in reverse for large sizes: Augustinus Bader The Cream costs $6.30 per ml in 50 ml ($315.00) and $5.65 per ml in 100 ml ($565.00).

The easiest way to see this is with an example. The numbers below are illustrative, not a listing: if a full 50 ml cream costs $240 and a 15 ml mini of the same cream costs $90, the full size is $4.80 per ml and the mini is $6.00 per ml, 25% more per ml.

Compare a mini and a full size →

How to work out the value of a set

Ignore the stated value printed on a set. It is the brand's figure, often based on the price per ml of the full sizes, and it counts items you may never use. The only number that matters is what you pay for the products you will finish. Our price per ml guide walks through the math.

1. 1

   List each item in the set with its size in ml.

2. 2

   Cross out anything you will not use.

3. 3

   Add up the ml of the items you will use, grouped by product.

4. 4

   Look up the full-size price per ml of each of those products.

5. 5

   Multiply each item's ml by its full-size price per ml and add them up.

6. 6

   Compare that total with the set price. If the set price is lower, the set is cheaper for what you will use.

Sets in our guides, and what to check

Some sets pair a full size with minis. The SK-II Timeless Beauty Skin Care Set lists a full-size 7.7 oz Facial Treatment Essence plus two 0.5 oz mini Advanced Creams at $245.00, the same listed price as the essence alone. At those prices, the minis add cream at no extra cost, which is the kind of set worth checking for. Prices move, so compare both listings on the day you buy.

Other sets are made of travel sizes. The La Prairie Skin Caviar Lifting Discovery Set is a 4-piece travel size kit at $230.00, and the SK-II 6-piece Skin Care Set is a gift and travel kit at $290.00. Augustinus Bader The Rich Renewal Trio at $365.00 includes The Rich Cream in 30 ml, The Rich Eye Cream in 15 ml and a Hydrogel Face Mask. For these, check the ml of each piece on the listing or box before deciding.

When a mini is the better buy

Trying a texture is a real benefit. Luxury creams range from light, lotion-like finishes to rich balms, and a mini lets you see which you prefer. Our cream textures explained page describes the range.

• You want to try a texture before committing to a $300 jar.
• You want to patch test a new line without opening a full size.
• You travel and need carry-on sizes.
• You use a product rarely and would not finish a full size within its period after opening.
• A set includes a full size plus minis at close to the full-size price.

When the full size wins

If you already know you like a product and use it every day, the full size or a refill usually wins on price per ml. Refills can be cheaper still: Lancome Absolue The Rich Cream is $280.00 in the jar and $242.00 as a 2.0 oz refill. See luxury skincare refills explained.

Be realistic about how fast you use it. A 50 ml jar used twice a day commonly lasts about two months; our how long a jar lasts page has the table. Buying bigger only saves money if you finish it within the period after opening on the box.

Patch test and storage for minis

Minis are a good way to patch test. Apply a small amount on a discreet spot for a few days before using it on the face; our patch test guide explains it. If you have a skin condition, ask a dermatologist before trying a new line. Small jars still need clean handling: use a spatula, close the lid and keep them out of heat. The gift sets guide lists more sets, and our page on whether gift sets are worth it goes deeper.

Frequently asked questions

Are travel sizes a rip-off? Not necessarily. They cost more per ml, but you pay less in total, which suits trying or traveling.

Is a set's stated value real savings? Only for items you will use. Add up the full-size price per ml of those items and compare with what you pay.

Do minis have the same formula? Brands usually sell the same product in smaller packaging. Check the ingredient list on the mini's box.

What about the SK-II and Lancome Absolue travel sets? Check the sizes of each piece on the listing, then run the numbers with the price per ml calculator.