VRCA
Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Biotechnology
Market Cap$142M
5Y Perf.-91.0%
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Stock Comparison
VRCA vs SKIN vs PRGO vs ELF
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
SKIN
The Beauty Health Company
Household & Personal Products
Market Cap$118M
5Y Perf.-91.0%
PRGO
Perrigo Company plc
Drug Manufacturers - Specialty & Generic
Market Cap$1.61B
5Y Perf.-75.7%
ELF
e.l.f. Beauty, Inc.
Household & Personal Products
Market Cap$3.44B
5Y Perf.+184.2%
VRCA vs SKIN vs PRGO vs ELF — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | VRCA | SKIN | PRGO | ELF |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industry | Biotechnology | Household & Personal Products | Drug Manufacturers - Specialty & Generic | Household & Personal Products |
| Market Cap | $142M | $118M | $1.61B | $3.44B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $36M | $296M | $4.18B | $1.52B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-18M | $-6M | $-1.82B | $104M |
| Gross Margin | 93.8% | 64.9% | 34.2% | 70.3% |
| Operating Margin | -34.2% | -3.6% | -4.1% | 11.1% |
| Forward P/E | — | — | 5.6x | 19.9x |
| Total Debt | $2M | $379M | $3.97B | $313M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $30M | $233M | $532M | $149M |
VRCA vs SKIN vs PRGO vs ELF — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
VRCA
SKIN
PRGO
ELF
| Stock | Nov 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verrica Pharmaceuti… (VRCA) | 100 | 9.0 | -91.0% |
| The Beauty Health C… (SKIN) | 100 | 9.0 | -91.0% |
| Perrigo Company plc (PRGO) | 100 | 24.3 | -75.7% |
| e.l.f. Beauty, Inc. (ELF) | 100 | 284.2 | +184.2% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: VRCA vs SKIN vs PRGO vs ELF
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: PRGO leads in 3 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for valuation and capital efficiency and capital preservation and lower volatility. Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for growth and revenue expansion and recent price momentum and sentiment. ELF also leads in specific categories worth noting. This set spans 2 sectors — these stocks serve different portfolio roles, not just different price points.
VRCA
Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc.
The Growth Play
VRCA is the #2 pick in this set and the best alternative if growth exposure is your priority.
- Rev growth 370.2%, EPS growth 88.6%, 3Y rev CAGR 57.9%
- 370.2% revenue growth vs SKIN's -10.0%
- +101.5% vs PRGO's -51.2%
Best for: growth exposure
SKIN
The Beauty Health Company
The Quality Angle
SKIN lags the leaders in this set but could rank higher in a more targeted comparison.
Best for: consumer defensive exposure
PRGO
Perrigo Company plc
The Income Pick
PRGO carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and sleep-well-at-night.
- Dividend streak 10 yrs, beta 1.18, yield 9.8%
- Lower volatility, beta 1.18, current ratio 2.76x
- Beta 1.18, yield 9.8%, current ratio 2.76x
- Lower P/E (5.6x vs 19.9x)
Best for: income & stability and sleep-well-at-night
ELF
e.l.f. Beauty, Inc.
The Long-Run Compounder
ELF is the clearest fit if your priority is long-term compounding.
- 133.1% 10Y total return vs PRGO's -77.7%
- 6.8% margin vs VRCA's -50.3%
- 4.5% ROA vs VRCA's -42.3%
Best for: long-term compounding
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | VRCA | 370.2% revenue growth vs SKIN's -10.0% |
| Value | PRGO | Lower P/E (5.6x vs 19.9x) |
| Quality / Margins | ELF | 6.8% margin vs VRCA's -50.3% |
| Stability / Safety | PRGO | Beta 1.18 vs ELF's 2.36 |
| Dividends | PRGO | 9.8% yield; 10-year raise streak; the other 3 pay no meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | VRCA | +101.5% vs PRGO's -51.2% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | ELF | 4.5% ROA vs VRCA's -42.3% |
VRCA vs SKIN vs PRGO vs ELF — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2025
FY 2025
Segment breakdown not available.
VRCA vs SKIN vs PRGO vs ELF — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 4 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLELFLAGGINGSKIN
Who Leads Where
ELF leads in 3 of 6 categories
PRGO leads 2 • VRCA leads 0 • SKIN leads 0 • 1 tied
Explore the data ↓SKINThe Beauty Health Com…
0leads
VRCAVerrica Pharmaceutica…
0leads
PRGOPerrigo Company plc
2leads
ELFe.l.f. Beauty, Inc.
3leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs PRGOvs VRCAMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
ELF4/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
PRGO4/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
ELF6/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
ELF4/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
Tied
—
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
PRGO1/1
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
ELF leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
PRGO is the larger business by revenue, generating $4.2B annually — 117.4x VRCA's $36M. ELF is the more profitable business, keeping 6.8% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to VRCA's -50.3%. On growth, VRCA holds the edge at +13.8% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | VRCAVerrica Pharmaceu… | SKINThe Beauty Health… | PRGOPerrigo Company p… | ELFe.l.f. Beauty, In… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $36M | $296M | $4.2B | $1.5B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | -$11M | $9M | $58M | $235M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$18M | -$6M | -$1.8B | $104M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$18M | $29M | $108M | $215M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +93.8% | +64.9% | +34.2% | +70.3% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | -34.2% | -3.6% | -4.1% | +11.1% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -50.3% | -2.0% | -43.5% | +6.8% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -49.5% | +9.8% | +2.6% | +14.1% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +13.8% | -6.7% | -7.2% | +37.8% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +73.4% | +38.0% | -56.4% | +116.7% |
ELF leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
PRGO leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
On an enterprise value basis, PRGO's 7.4x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than SKIN's 7331.2x.
| Metric | VRCAVerrica Pharmaceu… | SKINThe Beauty Health… | PRGOPerrigo Company p… | ELFe.l.f. Beauty, In… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $142M | $118M | $1.6B | $3.4B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $113M | $264M | $5.1B | $3.6B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | -4.90x | -5.69x | -1.14x | 32.18x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | — | — | 5.56x | 19.89x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — | — | 0.79x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | — | 7331.15x | 7.42x | 17.85x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 3.98x | 0.39x | 0.38x | 2.62x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 3.55x | 2.02x | 0.55x | 4.74x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | — | 3.17x | 11.12x | 29.86x |
PRGO leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
ELF leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
ELF delivers a 8.9% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $9 in annual profit, vs $-2 for VRCA. VRCA carries lower financial leverage with a 0.07x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to SKIN's 6.20x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), SKIN scores 7/9 vs PRGO's 4/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | VRCAVerrica Pharmaceu… | SKINThe Beauty Health… | PRGOPerrigo Company p… | ELFe.l.f. Beauty, In… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -2.4% | -9.4% | -50.7% | +8.9% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -42.3% | -1.2% | -19.8% | +4.5% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | — | -6.8% | +3.7% | +13.5% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -42.8% | -4.5% | +4.3% | +16.6% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 6 | 7 | 4 | 7 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.07x | 6.20x | 1.35x | 0.41x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$29M | $146M | $3.4B | $164M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $30M | $233M | $532M | $149M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $2M | $379M | $4.0B | $313M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | -1.33x | 0.81x | -7.20x | 6.48x |
ELF leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
ELF leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in ELF five years ago would be worth $20,505 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $707 for SKIN. Over the past 12 months, VRCA leads with a +101.5% total return vs PRGO's -51.2%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors ELF at -11.8% vs SKIN's -56.4% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | VRCAVerrica Pharmaceu… | SKINThe Beauty Health… | PRGOPerrigo Company p… | ELFe.l.f. Beauty, In… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -0.7% | -35.0% | -13.5% | -20.6% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +101.5% | -35.9% | -51.2% | -7.2% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -87.6% | -91.7% | -58.1% | -31.4% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -92.8% | -92.9% | -60.1% | +105.0% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -95.3% | -91.6% | -77.7% | +133.1% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -50.1% | -56.4% | -25.2% | -11.8% |
ELF leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — VRCA and PRGO each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
PRGO is the less volatile stock with a 1.18 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than ELF's 2.36 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. VRCA currently trades 83.9% from its 52-week high vs SKIN's 33.8% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | VRCAVerrica Pharmaceu… | SKINThe Beauty Health… | PRGOPerrigo Company p… | ELFe.l.f. Beauty, In… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 2.19x | 2.00x | 1.18x | 2.36x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $9.82 | $2.69 | $28.44 | $150.99 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $3.28 | $0.76 | $9.23 | $58.05 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +83.9% | +33.8% | +41.2% | +40.9% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 75.4 | 52.1 | 60.9 | 42.3 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 110K | 760K | 3.4M | 2.3M |
Evenly matched — VRCA and PRGO each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
PRGO leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Analyst Outlook
Analyst consensus: VRCA as "Buy", SKIN as "Hold", PRGO as "Hold", ELF as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 106.3% upside for VRCA (target: $17) vs 42.9% for SKIN (target: $1). PRGO is the only dividend payer here at 9.81% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | VRCAVerrica Pharmaceu… | SKINThe Beauty Health… | PRGOPerrigo Company p… | ELFe.l.f. Beauty, In… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Hold | Hold | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $17.00 | $1.30 | $20.00 | $95.17 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 10 | 13 | 36 | 27 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | — | +9.8% | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | — | — | 10 | 1 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | — | $1.15 | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | +1.9% |
PRGO leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Key Takeaway
ELF leads in 3 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). PRGO leads in 2 (Valuation Metrics, Analyst Outlook). 1 tied.
Best Overalle.l.f. Beauty, Inc. (ELF)Leads 3 of 6 categories
Loading custom metrics...
VRCA vs SKIN vs PRGO vs ELF: Key Questions Answered
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is VRCA or SKIN or PRGO or ELF a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc.
(VRCA) is the stronger pick with 370. 2% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -10. 0% for The Beauty Health Company (SKIN). e. l. f. Beauty, Inc. (ELF) offers the better valuation at 32. 2x trailing P/E (19. 9x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc. (VRCA) a "Buy" — based on 10 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which has the better valuation — VRCA or SKIN or PRGO or ELF?
On forward P/E, Perrigo Company plc is actually cheaper at 5.
6x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — VRCA or SKIN or PRGO or ELF?
Over the past 5 years, e.
l. f. Beauty, Inc. (ELF) delivered a total return of +105. 0%, compared to -92. 9% for The Beauty Health Company (SKIN). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: ELF returned +133. 1% versus VRCA's -95. 3%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — VRCA or SKIN or PRGO or ELF?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Perrigo Company plc (PRGO) is the lower-risk stock at 1.
18β versus e. l. f. Beauty, Inc. 's 2. 36β — meaning ELF is approximately 100% more volatile than PRGO relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc. (VRCA) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 7% versus 6% for The Beauty Health Company — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — VRCA or SKIN or PRGO or ELF?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc.
(VRCA) is pulling ahead at 370. 2% versus -10. 0% for The Beauty Health Company (SKIN). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc. grew EPS 88. 6% year-over-year, compared to -723. 2% for Perrigo Company plc. Over a 3-year CAGR, VRCA leads at 57. 9% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
06Which has better profit margins — VRCA or SKIN or PRGO or ELF?
e.
l. f. Beauty, Inc. (ELF) is the more profitable company, earning 8. 5% net margin versus -50. 3% for Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc. — meaning it keeps 8. 5% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: ELF leads at 12. 0% versus -33. 6% for VRCA. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — VRCA leads at 93. 8%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
07Is VRCA or SKIN or PRGO or ELF more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Perrigo Company plc (PRGO) trades at 5.
6x forward P/E versus 19. 9x for e. l. f. Beauty, Inc. — 14. 3x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for VRCA: 106. 3% to $17. 00.
08Which pays a better dividend — VRCA or SKIN or PRGO or ELF?
In this comparison, PRGO (9.
8% yield) pays a dividend. VRCA, SKIN, ELF do not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
09Is VRCA or SKIN or PRGO or ELF better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Perrigo Company plc (PRGO) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 1.
18), 9. 8% yield). Verrica Pharmaceuticals Inc. (VRCA) carries a higher beta of 2. 19 — meaning larger drawdowns in market downturns, which matters significantly when you cannot wait years for a recovery. Both have compounded well over 10 years (PRGO: -77. 7%, VRCA: -95. 3%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
10What are the main differences between VRCA and SKIN and PRGO and ELF?
These companies operate in different sectors (VRCA (Healthcare) and SKIN (Consumer Defensive) and PRGO (Healthcare) and ELF (Consumer Defensive)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.
In terms of investment character: VRCA is a small-cap high-growth stock; SKIN is a small-cap quality compounder stock; PRGO is a small-cap income-oriented stock; ELF is a small-cap high-growth stock. PRGO pays a dividend while VRCA, SKIN, ELF do not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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