8 Packaging Tips: Natural And Organic Cosmetics

Gorgeous packaging is a temptation for us all; in the end, that is why we decided to develop packaging solutions. As stated many times before: packaging is the first impression your products make, and that is why it is so important. With the rapid emerging of new brands of organic products, we prepared 7 tips that will help you choose packaging for your skin care products.

Packaging: It Matters More Than You Think

There are a lot of things that you must consider when you choose packaging for your natural and organic skin care line. The packaging must visually reflect your values, your commitments and your brand. If being green is important for you and your brand, you need an eco-friendly packaging and a packaging solution that is up for the task.

Brand Promise: The book is judged by its covers

Sometimes you open a package and realize that the product isn’t up to your expectations and the packaging’s promise? Other times you don’t want to buy a product due to an unattractive packaging and then you discover that the products are amazing. This is why we advise you to answer these 4 questions when choosing your brand expression on packaging:

1. What type of container best matches my brand?
2. What colors best match my brand?
3. Do I want an innovative packaging like bags?
4. Do I want my customers to recycle or reuse my packaging?

Product Delivery: Match the packaging with the environment

Farmer’s Markets, festivals, spas, salons, e-commerce, traditional retail… Where will you be selling your product? Whatever you chose, keep in mind that the packaging should match the buying environment. Secondly, you should take into account how you will transport your products. If you intend to sell your product through retail, think about shelf-ready packaging solution. If you plan to ship larger amounts of product to your distributers, read more about case packers and palletizers.

Pricing: It’s More Than Just the Cost of a Container

So, private label manufacturing is new to you? Prepare to learn how to include costs for filling and labeling and also the shipping fees in your packaging cost. Let’s say that you fell in love with a 4-ounce hexagon glass jar with a silver twist top. Classy, fun, and above all, it is within your budget of less than a dollar for the entire container. Now you need to know the cost of the packaging equipment for this packaging format. If your packaging equipment manufacturer can’t easily handle this type of jar, you might get charged more than you might for a packaging solution for different format. If you plan to ship this product across the country, the shipping cost will probably be higher than what the cost would be for a light-weight plastic jar. We don’t say you should give up on the hexagon glass jar; just need make sure that your end price allows you to make money without going beyond your brand’s price point. 

The Lid: Make or brake the experience

If something can make or break the product experience, it is the lid. If you’re selling a liquid product, like a facial toner, you need to put it in a bottle with a spray pump or a disc cap to make it easier for the customer to use and to avoid spilling out. Container lid types include:

• Dispensing Caps (disc caps, spout caps, orifice reducer caps, flip tops, shaker tops) – Appropriate for lotions, washes, serums, cleansers, toners, powders or any product where you don’t need to remove the lid to use the product
• Pumps (Treatment Pump, Up-Lock Pump, Down-Lock pump, airless, foamer) – Ideal for lotions, washes, serums, cleansers, conditioners, soaps
• Sprayer/Mister – Good for toners, misters, air fresheners, linen sprays, body perfumes
• Non-Dispenser Tops (Jar or Tub Lids, Phenolic Lids) – good for cremes, balms, essential oils (phenolic), powders or any product where you have to remove the lid before product use
• Droppers (euro and pipette) – most often used for essential oils, mixed carrier oils, toners or serums
• Brush Caps – mixed carrier oils for cuticle care
• Sealers and liners – can only be used with dispensing and non-dispensing caps. This is for added protection to show that the product hasn’t been tampered with.

Packaging format: Convenience and costs

Tubes are just perfect for some products and cylindrical bottles with treatment pumps are convenient for others. Besides finding a way for the customer to enjoy your product in the best manner, you must think about how costly it will be to pack. Before you pay for expensive product designs, it’s important to choose the container parts—container, lid, liner, brush and the packaging solution. If a manufacturer has to develop a packaging solution for you from scratch, it will cost more. Some manufacturers rely on modular design. They can make you a solution from existing modules, so it will cost you less.

Be cautious with refurbished equipment

Be very cautious if you consider buying a second hand or refurbished packaging machine. It can cost less initially, but there is a risk from hidden costs. The machine you purchased can turn out to be inefficient and unreliable.  There is also a question of spare parts and service. Are they available? Can you acquire them easily? Don’t forget about safety standards that are constantly rising. Can a refurbished machine meet them? There is also a risk of unpleasant surprises like expensive modification of a machine in order to make it work for you. Finally, warranties on used machines don’t usually cover all the important components, that is, if there even is any warranty. Read more about new and refurbished packaging equipment.

Labeling

Labeling can be critical for natural and organic cosmetic products. You want the label to match your brand and your distribution channels while remaining compliant with FDA Labeling Guidelines. A good label has to describe the product and specify its contents, identify the product or brand, show the grading of product, help in promotion of products and provide information required by Law. Read more about proper labeling.

Instead of a conclusion

It’s good to do some focus groups with your product using the hand-filled versions of your product packaging ideas. This will provide you with good feedback about usability, value vs. perceived value, and whether or not your customers will fall in love with your entire product. Once you choose a primary packaging, the rest is easy. Check out our cartoners, case and tray packers and palletizers for full end-of-the-line packaging solutions.