Am I missing something?

IHateShein · 2026-08-07T12:06:18+00:00

Why is mid-range toothpaste more expensive than artisan gin?

allthingsinmoderation · 07/08/2026 19:27

IHateShein · 07/08/2026 13:20

I said mid range - not cheapest toothpaste.

Sensodyne is between £36 - £80 per litre.

Isle of Wight mermaid gin is £58 per litre.

How long does a litre of toothpaste last compared to a litre of gin?

HappiestSleeping · 07/08/2026 19:04

Bjorkdidit · 07/08/2026 16:59

I was careful about what I wrote for fear of the Mumsnet 'if you keep gin in the house it must mean you're an alcoholic' accusations.

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Yeah, my 'bovvered box' is empty 🤣

And if Bjork didn't do it, I can blame it on the boogie 🤣🤣🤣

DancingNotDrowning · 07/08/2026 18:17

I think it’s an interesting point OP

economies of scale, automated manufacturing and cheap ingredients should make the toothpaste significantly cheaper than gin.

I think it’s a case of the market dictates what people will pay rather than the cost being a true reflection of cost.

Bjorkdidit · 07/08/2026 16:59

HappiestSleeping · 07/08/2026 16:36

750ml of gin might last the evening 🤣

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I was careful about what I wrote for fear of the Mumsnet 'if you keep gin in the house it must mean you're an alcoholic' accusations.

HappiestSleeping · 07/08/2026 16:36

Bjorkdidit · 07/08/2026 16:27

How much of an item people use is probably relevant because it dictates how much someone spends a year on that product. A tube of toothpaste will last a few weeks, people probably use less than a litre per year. 75 ml of gin could be gone in one or two drinks (outside Mumsnet that is, where it would be the 'big special drink pushing the boat out at Christmas').

750ml of gin might last the evening 🤣

Bjorkdidit · 07/08/2026 16:27

How much of an item people use is probably relevant because it dictates how much someone spends a year on that product. A tube of toothpaste will last a few weeks, people probably use less than a litre per year. 75 ml of gin could be gone in one or two drinks (outside Mumsnet that is, where it would be the 'big special drink pushing the boat out at Christmas').

HappiestSleeping · 07/08/2026 16:18

I am with you @IHateShein in that it is surprising that toothpaste costs so much. Of course there are many reasons why this should be.

Then again, you can buy VOSS bottled water and pay more per litre than for petrol. Considering the earth's surface is 70% water, that really is a surprise. So, I suspect part of the reason is that people pay it.

Madamefroufrou · 07/08/2026 16:18

clean your teeth with gin! lots of it, also good to gargle

TeenLifeMum · 07/08/2026 16:16

I get sensodyne when it’s on offer but it can be very expensive. Sadly dd3 is allergic to Colgate.

Bjorkdidit · 07/08/2026 16:13

There could be endless reasons. You've got 10 x the number of packages for the same amount of product in the toothpaste for a start. The development costs are probably higher. The ingredients could be more expensive. Maintenance of machinery for filling toothpaste tubes could be more expensive compared with bottling plants.

And I suspect that Mermaid gin is a lot less 'small batch hand made' than you're imagining. They probably just mean 'small batch compared with Gordon's produce it by the millions of gallons a year'.

LaurieFairyCake · 07/08/2026 16:12

You’ve convinced me

off to buy gin before anyone else works this out…

Frostiesandmilk · 07/08/2026 16:00

IHateShein · 07/08/2026 15:58

I am asking why it is the same price.

It is the first word in my OP.

Why?

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And people have answered. Different ingredients, different processes, supply and demand. I imagine the company also have to do medically testing etc to make sure ingredients are in safe quantities blah, blah, blah. You can't simply compare one totally different thing with another and say it's overpriced.

Also you've just said you can get sensodyne from Aldi for £33.33 per litre equivalent and that gin is £58 a litre. That isn't even the same price the toothpaste is nearly half the price of the gin

HappiestSleeping · 07/08/2026 15:58

FeliciaFancybottom · 07/08/2026 15:46

Nope, I've never done that.

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You're potentially missing out on some good deals. Mostly, the bigger packs are cheaper, but it is surprising how often buying two of the smaller packs is better value when comparing by weight or volume. Especially when obfuscated by club card deals. Tesco are really good at this as they price to shift certain items / packs sizes at different times. Strawberries were like this recently, cheaper to buy two small packs than one large one. Don't know if it is like that still.

Original poster

IHateShein · 07/08/2026 15:58

Frostiesandmilk · 07/08/2026 15:55

What is your point exactly

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I am asking why it is the same price.

It is the first word in my OP.

Why?

OP posts:

ChoccyHobknob · 07/08/2026 15:57

I misread this and thought you said artisan toothpaste. My immediate reaction was "is nothing sacred"?!!

Original poster

IHateShein · 07/08/2026 15:57

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 07/08/2026 15:55

I buy cheap £1 toothpaste for sensitive teeth in Tescos. Called Pro Formula.

Edited

forehead slap emoji

OP posts:

Frostiesandmilk · 07/08/2026 15:55

IHateShein · 07/08/2026 15:55

No good - that Tesco one has Sodium Laurel Sulphate and Limonene in it which give both me and my son ulcers.

That's not the point anyway - as I keep repeating.

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What is your point exactly

Gonnagetgoingreturnsagain · 07/08/2026 15:55

I buy cheap £1 toothpaste for sensitive teeth in Tescos. Called Pro Formula.

Original poster

IHateShein · 07/08/2026 15:55

PrizedPickledPopcorn · 07/08/2026 15:52

Tesco own brand sensitive is as effective, for me. And cheap.

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No good - that Tesco one has Sodium Laurel Sulphate and Limonene in it which give both me and my son ulcers.

That's not the point anyway - as I keep repeating.

OP posts:

PrizedPickledPopcorn · 07/08/2026 15:53

IHateShein · 07/08/2026 15:46

I hate Amazon.

I can buy it for that price in Aldi - but everyone's missing the point.

I can afford it - but why is it the same price as something artisan made in small batches?

Are the toothpaste ingredients being being foraged by experts, hand blended by a willow whisk, steeped in pure copper casks, then packed into crates of meadow hay?

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Gin is significant quantities of water. I

PrizedPickledPopcorn · 07/08/2026 15:52

IHateShein · 07/08/2026 13:27

I just get the cheapest Sensodyne - I can't use anything else as my teeth will scream in agony within a week.

It shouldn't be as expensive as hand-made gin.

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Tesco own brand sensitive is as effective, for me. And cheap.

Dollymylove · 07/08/2026 15:51

Wisdom sensitive. £1.19 at Boyes

Frostiesandmilk · 07/08/2026 15:49

IHateShein · 07/08/2026 15:46

I hate Amazon.

I can buy it for that price in Aldi - but everyone's missing the point.

I can afford it - but why is it the same price as something artisan made in small batches?

Are the toothpaste ingredients being being foraged by experts, hand blended by a willow whisk, steeped in pure copper casks, then packed into crates of meadow hay?

Show quote history

It's a totally different product with different ingredients and packaging. £2.50 for a tube of toothpaste isn't what I would consider crazy pricing. You can get cheaper toothpaste, but sensodyne is better for people with sensitive teeth, therefore people are usually willing to pay a little more. Supply and demand and all that

Whosthetabbynow · 07/08/2026 15:49

Clean your teeth in gin

BitOutOfPractice · 07/08/2026 15:47

I’d buy the gin and then you won’t care if your teeth hurt!

seriously though that’s ridiculous isn’t it?