Why Is Natural Skincare So Expensive?

One of the most common questions small skincare brands hear is:“ Why is this so expensive?”

And it’s a fair question — especially when there are cheaper alternatives on drugstore shelves or mass-market websites. But here's the thing: when you’re buying handcrafted, natural skincare, you’re not just buying a product. You’re supporting a process, a person, and a purpose. So let’s break down why the price is higher — and why it’s absolutely worth it.

1. High-Quality Ingredients Aren’t Cheap

Natural skincare starts with real, high-performance ingredients: think organic oils, cold-pressed extracts, plant butters, botanical infusions, and essential oils — not fillers or synthetic substitutes. These ingredients are more expensive because they’re:

• Sourced ethically and sustainably

• Often organic or wildcrafted

• Extracted through slow, labor-intensive methods

• Purchased in smaller batches, not in bulk like big corporations

In short, you’re paying for better stuff that works better for your skin — and is better for the planet.

2. Making the Product Costs More Than You Think

Natural skincare made in small batches takes real time and real labor. Many makers are hand-pouring, blending, testing, packaging, and labeling every single item themselves — often while juggling marketing, customer service, and order fulfillment. This isn’t a factory line. It’s a labor of love.

Add to that:

• Packaging (especially eco-friendly or glass packaging — not cheap!)

• Lab testing (for safety and shelf stability)

• Design, branding, photography, and labeling

These are real costs, and they add up quickly.

3. Platform Fees & Shipping Eat Into the Price

If you’re buying through Etsy, Shopify, or other platforms, the seller is losing a percentage of every sale to transaction fees, listing fees, and processing fees.

Then there’s shipping:

• Either the seller absorbs some/all of the cost

• Or they charge you fairly — and still risk getting complaints about the cost

Shipping materials alone (boxes, padding, tape, eco-mailers) are not free. Neither is the time spent packing each order with care.

4. Small Business ≠ Massive Profit

Let’s be clear: Most small-batch skincare makers are not rolling in money.In fact, after expenses, many are making less than minimum wage on each product sold.

Pricing higher doesn’t mean they’re greedy — it means they’re trying to:

• Pay themselves fairly for their labor

• Cover business overhead

• Keep creating without burning out

Let’s stop demonizing people for wanting to make a sustainable living from their craft.

5. You're Supporting Values, Not Just a Product

Buying natural skincare often means supporting:

• Cruelty-free formulations

• Low-waste packaging

• Ethical ingredient sourcing

• Transparent business practices

That’s not something you’ll find in a $5 lotion from a major chain.

Final Thoughts

Natural skincare isn’t just “more expensive” — it’s priced appropriately for the value it offers.

So the next time someone asks “Why does this cost so much?” — let’s reframe the question: “Why are we so used to underpaying for products made cheaply, unethically, and at the expense of people and the planet?”

Paying more for skincare that’s made with intention, care, and integrity is an investment in your skin — and in the people behind the product. And that’s something worth supporting. #kelliesorganics #naturalskincare