There are always some things that you start to notice when you spend a lot of time studying the cosmetics natural beauty products formulation process. You start to look critically at the change in the consistency of your favorite serum over 3 years. You wonder why your beloved oil serum has started to separate. You collect amber glass bottles in your bathroom as you painfully realize the importance of the right packaging.
When I started working with brands, my understanding of the bottles was very limited. I thought that a cosmetic packaging was only a nice accessory to the product.
When I started to work with independent beauty brands, I realized that it was not the case. I saw how the quality of the ingredients could be compromised due to the wrong type of packaging. I saw how the wrong closure could ruin the product and how the whole batch could be thrown away due to the negligence of one worker.
There are many reasons why you should choose the right packaging and closures for your cosmetic product. I would like to share some important tips with you on how to avoid the most common mistakes.
Why the Bottle Matters
One of the most common questions I get from beginner formulators is about what to do when they create their first product, spend a lot of time on it, and choose the ingredients they like. Then they pick the packaging based on their esthetic appeal.
Such an approach lacks understanding of how much the packaging affects the content of the bottle.
Light, oxygen, and temperature are critical factors that damage natural cosmetics. Your natural-based serums and skincare products will start to oxidize when exposed to light.
Skincare products containing natural ingredients and antioxidants need to be protected from UV light, and amber glass helps prevent oxidation and keeps active ingredients in your serum or cream. The container and its packaging play an essential role in preserving the content and keeping it safe.
The Worst Choice – Clear Glass
Let me give you an important tip when working with natural-based serums, creams, and cosmetics. If your product is in a clear glass bottle and is placed somewhere where it will be exposed to light, it will start to deteriorate.
Clear glass looks pretty in a medicine cabinet, but it is highly advisable not to use clear glass for storing your natural beauty products, as UV light will compromise the active ingredients in your formulation. The light will oxidize essential oils in the serums and damage the pharmaceutical ingredients in your cosmetics.
I saw how a client of mine, a manufacturer who made various serums, faced customer complaints about her serum. She had put her serum in clear glass bottles as she liked the esthetic appeal of it. Her customers started saying that the serum did not work anymore, even though most of them bought the product in small sizes.
It turned out that her serum formulation had oxidized considerably due to exposure to light. She ruined almost a year of her work with the wrong packaging choice.
Amber Glass Is Perfect for Day-to-Day Use
Amber glass is probably my favorite type of cosmetic packaging, as it is strong enough for everyday use. It looks great in any setting and is a safe choice for those who want to keep their serum or essential oil in a place where there might be exposure to light.
The amber glass is preferred for storing essential oils as it prevents oxidation while maintaining the therapeutic qualities of the content. It is used for pharmaceuticals to keep the medication safe from UV light exposure.
UV light exposure can damage the ingredients of your skincare products. The most efficient way to prevent it is to store your formulation in a glass bottle of amber color. The amber glass effectively protects the content from damaging UV rays penetrating the walls of the bottle. At the same time, you will be able to see the content of the bottle, as it only filters out UV light. For best results, use dark glass for serums, oils, and tinctures.
Violet Glass Is for the Serious Beauty Enthusiasts
Another option is to use violet glass or Miron glass, which is used in high-end beauty serums. It is an expensive option, as the production technology requires the glass to be heated at a very high temperature. The violet glass is a great choice for those who want to have full control of the content of their serum or medication and do not mind spending extra money on the right packaging.
Violet glass is the best option for medications, serums, supplements, and skincare products that require protection from UV light. The technology behind the violet glass is complicated, but the main advantage of such packaging is that it allows the beneficial wavelengths of light to penetrate the walls of the bottle, thus protecting the content from oxidation.
In my opinion, it is an unnecessary expense for most of the serums and cosmetics, as amber glass provides sufficient protection from UV light. It is not worth the price for most of the formulations unless you know for sure that your serum or medication has a lot of labile ingredients that are unstable under the influence of light.
Opaque Black Glass Is for Medications
There is also a black glass, which is an opaque glass that prevents UV radiation from penetrating the walls of the bottle. It is used to store light-sensitive cosmetic and pharmaceutical ingredients and is often used when the customer needs to store medication away from sunlight.
The black glass is an option for those who want to be fully protected from the harmful effects of UV light. It prevents oxidation of the ingredients of your formulation.
The glass is not transparent, so it is a good choice for storing essential oils, serums, and medicines when the visual appeal is not important, and the safety of the content is. It is a great option for pharmaceutical serums and creams and essential oil products.
The Closure Is as Important as the Bottle Itself
One of the biggest mistakes I see beginner formulators making is paying too much attention to the material and color of the cosmetic packaging and not enough attention to the closure.
Closures play a critical role in maintaining the quality of your formulation. The most important role of the closure is to prevent oxygen from getting to the content of the bottle. Oxidation of the product’s ingredients is what makes it lose its beneficial effects and change its texture. A good closure also prevents the contamination of the product with foreign organisms.
I prefer using dropper bottles as closures, as they provide the best protection from oxygen and, therefore, from oxidation. Using dropper bottles with a good tight lock is vital for serums to keep the serum from being oxidized and spoiled.
For creams and balms, I recommend using glass jars with a good weighty closure rather than magnetic ones. The heavier the closure, the better. You should also pay attention to the first use of the product, as the initial oxygen exposure will affect the quality of your product.
Glass vs. Plastic
Many manufacturers ask me about the advantages and disadvantages of using plastic packaging for their serums, creams, and medicaments. The truth is that it is a controversial topic, and the choice of the material depends on what product you want to put it in.
Plastic packaging does not allow light to penetrate it, thus protecting the content from UV radiation. At the same time, it is a porous material, meaning that the air can get to the product over time and damage it. Glass is a non-porous material, meaning that it prevents oxygen from getting to the content of the bottle.
On the contrary, plastic is a great choice for formulations that have a long shelf life and do not need light protection. It is also a lightweight material that is easy to transport. The same goes for serums and creams packed in non-transparent plastic. Plastic is cheaper than glass and may be a good option for entry-level formulations with short shelf life.
The problem with plastic is that most natural-based skincare products and cosmetics have unstable ingredients that need protection from light, air, and moisture. I have yet to see a natural skincare brand regret choosing glass, whereas natural cream formulation put in plastic packaging often tends to fail.
The Size Matters Too
One of the most common mistakes I see beginner formulators making is choosing the size of the packaging based on their expectations of the size of the product their customers will buy.
When I consulted with one beauty brand, they decided to launch their serum in three sizes. It turned out that they were different, and the quality of the content varied significantly.
The 15 ml serum bottles kept their initial consistency and quality for 18 months. The 50 ml serum kept their good quality for about 16 months. The 200 ml serum bottles started to oxidize after only 14 months.
The reason for this was the amount of oxygen in the headspace of the bottle. Each time a customer uses the product, they allow air into the bottle, thus accelerating the oxidation process. The bigger the size of the bottle, the more oxygen it will contain when it is empty.
If you have a serum that needs protection from oxygen, it is a good idea to recommend your customers to buy a smaller size of your product more often to minimize the amount of exposure to air.
Choosing the Right Cosmetic Packaging for Different Product Types
The choice of the right packaging and closure depends on the type of the product and the ingredients in it.Serums, tinctures, and creams with vitamin C, retinol, or other light-sensitive ingredients. Such products need to be stored in dark glass, preferably amber-colored.
Plant oils and essential oils also need to be stored in a dark glass to prevent oxidation.
Moisturizers and body creams usually do not need special protection and can be stored in either clear or dark glass. Use darker glass for sensitive skincare products that need protection from UV light.
Mineral sunscreens do not need special protection from light, so clear glass is a good option for them. Sunscreens are also usually packed in plastic.
Probiotic skincare products, medications, and supplements need to be stored in black glass to keep light away from them.
Your formulation should be the basis for choosing the right type of cosmetic packaging. I see so many beginners choosing the packaging based on their esthetic appeal and then being disappointed with the quality of their product. The product’s content should dictate the choice of the package, not the other way around.
Storage Conditions Are Also Critical
Storing the product in the wrong conditions can lead to faster oxidation and deterioration of the product’s quality. I believe that the right bottle plays the biggest role in preventing the product from oxidizing, but the storage conditions are also critical. Even if you put your serum in a dark glass bottle, leaving it in the window of your bathroom will expose it to high temperatures that will damage it nonetheless.
Therefore, it is a must to add a note to the customer about the storage conditions for the product. If you have a serum, you can write something like “keep your serum away from sunlight.” If you have a cream, you can write “keep your moisturizer in a cool and dry place.” Storing the serum in the fridge is also an option.
The truth is that no matter how good your serum is, if you put it in a wrong bottle, your customers will stop buying it. The same goes for the storage conditions. If a customer leaves the serum in the sunlight, it will oxidize faster regardless of the bottle material. The right packaging will reduce the risk, but it will not eliminate it.
Bottle Suppliers What to Look For
When choosing a supplier for your cosmetic packaging, it is essential to choose the one that you can rely on. Some suppliers will provide you with great quality of packaging, while others will fail to deliver on their promises. Here are some valuable tips on choosing a supplier.
First of all, I recommend that you work with a supplier with whom you have already worked on a small scale. It is essential to test the quality of the packaging they provide. I always have a sample of my current formulation in different types of packaging to see which one will serve me best in the long run.
I look at the visual appeal, aroma, and consistency of the product after 3 months of storage. This will show me which packaging was the most protective.
It is also essential to look for a supplier that understands the needs of your formulation. The right supplier will advise you on what kind of packaging to choose for your product.
A good supplier should have knowledge of formulation and chemistry and understand what kind of packaging will protect your product best. If the supplier only sells packaging, but has no knowledge of formulation and chemistry, they will not be able to give you the best advice.
The Cost-Efficiency of Cosmetic Packaging
The right choice of cosmetic packaging is essential for the quality of your product, but it is also important to pay attention to the cost efficiency. Unfortunately, the most protective packaging will also be the most expensive one.
I work with many independent cosmetic manufacturers, and I understand the importance of finding a balance between quality and cost. When we talk about cost efficiency, the key metric to look at is the cost per unit. I will give you an example of approximate rates.
Clear glass, 100 units: $0.5 per unit.
Amber glass, 100 units: $1.5 per unit.
Violet glass, 100 units: $3 per unit.
These are just rough estimates, but you can see that the price grows exponentially with the protective qualities of the packaging.
When choosing the right packaging for your product, it is essential to take into account your profit margins. If your product has fairly low margins, you will want to choose a cheaper option of packaging. If your product has high margins and targets the high-end market, you will want to choose the most expensive and protective option of packaging.
If you manufacture natural serums, creams, and cosmetics, you will want to choose the option that will keep your product stable for as long as possible. A 18-month serum has better chances of keeping its quality than a 12-month serum. In the long run, it will contribute to a better customer experience and higher sales.
My Final Advice on Choosing Cosmetic Packaging
When it comes to advice on choosing the right cosmetic packaging, there is always an infinite number of details to consider. I am always amazed by the number of questions my colleagues ask me on the topic. Here are the most common questions I get from beginners in the natural cosmetics formulation industry.
When can I use clear glass?
Clear glass is only suitable for short-term storage of your product. Even then, I would not recommend using clear glass for storing your natural-based product as the esthetic appeal is not worth the risk.
Can I use the same packaging for different types of formulations?
In most cases, you will not be able to use the same packaging for different formulations due to the risk of cross-contamination. Some products may also leave stains on the glass, especially when it comes to dark herbal infusions.
Do I need special packaging for organic-based products?
No, you do not need special packaging for organic-based products. At the same time, I would not recommend using cheap packaging as customers will expect a higher quality for organic-based products and will associate cheap packaging with cheap product.
How often do I need to check the content of the bottles for quality?
To know how often you need to check the content of the bottles for quality, you need to know the shelf life of your product. For products with an 18-month shelf life, it is a good idea to check the content at least 3 times a year. You can start with visual inspection, then move to smell and consistency. After that, you can check it once a year.
Can I refill the product in the same bottles the customers have purchased from me?
Technically, there is nothing wrong with it. However, I would strongly advise against it. First of all, you will not know the conditions in which the customer has stored the product, and you will not be able to ensure the quality of the product. Secondly, you will not know whether the customer has bought the product in the same packaging or not, and there is a possibility of cross-contamination if the customer has used the same bottle for a different product.
Final Thoughts
There is no doubt that the choice of the right packaging plays a crucial role in the quality of your natural cosmetics product. I wish someone would have told me about the importance of the right cosmetic packaging when I first started formulating in this industry.
Every day, natural cosmetic products are being spoiled in clear glass bottles due to wrong choice of packaging. It is a preventable mistake, and I hope that now, after reading this article, you will not make it.
When you create a quality product, it is essential to protect it and preserve its beneficial qualities. I hope that now you know what questions to ask when choosing the right cosmetic packaging for your natural-based serum or cream.
