Packaging Your Future

Cosmetic Packaging Trends Steering a Sustainable Future


The road to net-zero is filled with twists and turns and, over the last decade especially, has become ever-more circuitous for the beauty industry. As the market moves forward at such a rapid pace, it takes on radical efforts and changes in adapting both formulation and packaging to satisfy 
environmentally sound goals, governmental regulations, and consumer support.
According to Statista, the value of the cosmetics market worldwide is expected to reach $758.4 billion by 2025.

As to the Cosmetic Packaging Market, in particular, a report by Verified Market Research, valued the market at $34.98 billion in 2020 and projected it would reach $53.78 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 5.76% from 2021 to 2028.

Brands and suppliers are not the only parties that have a lot to gain with a turnover to sustainable packaging. Nobody can overlook the effect on the Earth and the economy, and the consumer sentiment that lies behind the movement. Response from the cosmetics industry has been swift as innovative suppliers and brands have invested in increased R&D and taken great strides to “sustainable-ize” in just the past few years


Benefits of Sustainable Skincare Packaging

If you’re a business owner in the skincare industry, opting for eco-friendly cosmetic packaging has many benefits. Additionally, using eco-friendly packaging can help reduce waste and carbon emissions, which contributes to a healthier planet. It also positions your brand as socially responsible and can help improve brand equity. By making the switch, you’ll not only improve your bottom line, but also contribute to a more sustainable future for us all. 

1. Reduces Environmental Impact: Sustainable packaging materials minimize the negative impact on the environment compared to traditional packaging options. By using recyclable, biodegradable, or compostable materials, sustainable packaging reduces the consumption of non-renewable resources and decreases waste generation. This also helps reduce waste and carbon emissions, which contributes to a healthier planet.
2. Consumer Appeal: Using sustainable packaging material shows your commitment to the environment and helps you stand out in a crowded market. Consumers are increasingly aware of environmental issues and are willing to pay more for sustainable products. By switching to sustainable materials, you can tap into this market and boost your sales. It also positions your brand as socially responsible and can help improve brand equity. By making the switch, you’ll not only improve your bottom line, but also contribute to a more sustainable future for us all.
3. Consumer Engagement and Education: Being a brand known for using sustainable skincare packaging allows brands to prove themselves as thought leader in the sustainable skincare space and this can lead to educating consumers about responsible consumption. Additionally, brands can talk more in-depth about the sustainability initiatives they have implemented, and talk about the benefits of sustainable packaging. This also helps build trust between brands and consumers.
4. Cost-Effective Advantages: By using sustainable materials, you can reduce the use of non-renewable resources, save energy and reduce waste, thus lowering the overall production cost of your packaging. Choosing sustainable materials can also lead to increased functionality and durability of your packaging. For example, recycled materials such as paperboard and glass are more durable than their non-recycled counterparts, helping to prevent damage to your products during shipping and handling. This ultimately reduces the need for replacements, saving you money in the long run.
5. Health and Safety Benefits: Natural materials such as bamboo, glass, and cork are non-toxic and free from harmful chemicals commonly found in plastic containers. This reduces the risk of skin irritation and other conditions caused by toxic exposure. They also have antimicrobial properties that prevent the growth of harmful bacteria, keeping your skincare products fresh and safe for longer periods.
6. Circular Life Cycle Approach: A circular life cycle approach to sustainable packaging is increasingly popular. This is a process where packaging can be used, reused, and recycled in a closed loop. This focuses on the entire lifecycle of the product, even from the very beginning sourcing raw materials. This process can get even more granular which involves analyzing the amount of energy used to produce the packaging, greenhouse gas emissions, and water consumption. Even though the circular life cycle approach is difficult to achieve, it has many environmental benefits. One of the best ways companies can adopt a circular life cycle approach is to use refillable packaging. That way, consumers can reuse the same packaging multiple times and prevent the need to produce more waste.




Best Sustainable Skincare Packaging

Refillable Containers

Refillable packaging is a great option for skincare packaging because it is the best way to minimize waste. For skincare brands, you can experiment with offering refillable bottles and encourage consumers to bring back the bottle to get refills. This reduces the consumption of single-use packaging. This sustainable packaging method is great for creating a circular life cycle.

Recycled Plastic Packaging

While plastic is generally associated with environmental concerns, using recycled plastic in skincare packaging can help address these issues. Brands are increasingly incorporating post-consumer recycled plastic (PCR) or ocean plastic into their packaging materials. This reduces the demand for virgin plastic, conserving fossil fuel resources and diverting plastic waste from landfills and waterways. By choosing skincare products packaged in recycled plastic, consumers can contribute to a more sustainable future and support the circular economy.

Bamboo Packaging

Bamboo packaging is starting to gain more popularity because it is a highly sustainable material that can quickly regenerate. In fact, it’s one of the fastest-growing plants. Try incorporating bamboo packaging for lids and cosmetic spatulas. Bamboo is also biodegradable and compostable. Many consumers also like the texture of bamboo since it has a very organic appeal.

Metal Tins and Aluminum Packaging

Metal tins and aluminum packaging is a sustainable option for skincare packaging. This material is great for products like butters, balms, and soap bars. Recycling aluminum is more sustainable than producing new aluminum. Additionally, this kind of packaging gives your product a premium feel and it can be easily reused.

Glass Jars and Bottles

Glass is a great option for sustainable skincare packaging because it’s made with natural materials and is recyclable. Glass can be recycled endlessly, reducing the need for new production and the associated energy consumption. Glass is also a non-toxic material, and skincare products can stay safe. This is a great material to store creams, moisturizers, serums, and oils. It also gives off a very luxurious feel for consumers which makes them likely to become a repeat customer.



What type of packaging is most sustainable?

Dedicing which packaging is most sustainable depends on various factors, including the specific product, its lifecycle, and the availability of materials. However, there are several packaging options that are widely recognized as being highly sustainable.

One of the most sustainable is glass packaging. Glass is considered one of the most sustainable materials due to its recyclability and durability. It can be recycled indefinitely without losing its quality, making it an excellent choice for skincare products. Glass packaging also has the advantage of being non-toxic and impermeable. Refillable packaging is another sustainable option gaining popularity. By allowing consumers to replenish their skincare products without the need for new packaging, refillable containers significantly reduce waste generation. This approach promotes a circular economy and minimizes the reliance on single-use packaging materials.

Recycled plastic packaging is also noteworthy for its sustainability. By utilizing post-consumer recycled plastic (PCR) or ocean plastic, brands can reduce the demand for virgin plastic and divert plastic waste from landfills and oceans. This approach contributes to resource conservation and mitigates the environmental impact associated with plastic production.


Recent patented innovations within refillable packaging 

  1. In September 2021, the French-based perfumes and toiletries startup Innovescence filed a patent application on a refillable packaging device for a cosmetic composition.
  2. In March 2023, the London-based design and innovation consultancy, Morrama, unveiled its latest project in the cosmetics sector: Maya, a collection of refillable packaging created in collaboration with the Shanghai-based packaging producer PPK. Acknowledging that consumers often do not use up a whole stick of lipstick, their design features a detachable mechanism that stores refills in separate board-based packaging, similar to crayons. This patented design allows for easy selection and insertion of the preferred lipstick shade into the case.


In conclusion:

The use of more sustainable skincare packaging is a big step forward to help reduce our environmental impact and encourage more responsible consumption. The packaging materials listed above are just some examples of how brands can incorporate more sustainability into their packaging.

Even though there have been lots of improvements in this space, there is still more to be done. Brands and consumers together can both take an active part to contribute. Brands can make more changes to the types of materials they’re using and consumers can take an active part in purchasing from more brands that have sustainable packaging.

By choosing brands that embrace sustainable packaging practices, consumers can actively contribute to the planet and live a more environmentally friendly lifestyle. It’s encouraging to see more brands striving to make a positive impact by incorporating eco-friendly packaging.


Post time: 2024-07-23 10:30:15
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