The cosmetics industry is no doubt one of the top industries in the world. Lots of industries rely on it, and you can imagine the reason. From general users to celebrities, everyone uses cosmetics, and the consumption rate is exceptionally high and consistent worldwide. Brands spend millions and billions of dollars on R&D to maintain high results. Moreover, intense spending on marketing makes this industry one of the most active in the world. Therefore, the cosmetic packaging must be perfect to meet the consumer's expectations. Even their simple designs can capture a massive market because of the perception they create in the consumers’ minds. Discover more, as there's a lot to explore in the blog.
Cosmetics have two ways to attract their customers: first, their proclaimed benefits, and second, their packaging. These two factors attract the customers more than anything else. Packaging reveals a great deal about the brand’s background and the quality used in production. Typically, high-grade packaging is associated with high-value cosmetics. It makes a strong impression on the target audience regarding the type of benefits they are focusing on. Whether it is about online buying behavior or in-store purchasing, the packaging makes a significant difference. Here are the factors that make an impact.
The visuals play a significant role in cosmetics packaging. Women use them to look beautiful, which means they will look for the benefits in the form of visuals on labels. The packaging and labeling both focus on the colors, themes, designs, and benefits mentioned on them.
Cosmetic packaging is usually focused on minimalist printing with a greater emphasis on colors. There are very few of them, and most of the space is empty. It is deliberately done to keep the packaging style minimalistic. Consumers expect more from a product with minimalistic packaging because their expectations shift from the packaging to the cosmetics inside. It is a psychological factor where users assume that high-quality products have simple packaging. It includes clean labeling, which demonstrates pristine and health-friendly results.
In this advanced technological world, packaging is also becoming increasingly futuristic. Instead of printing everything on a label, some brands print only QR codes. They incur a lower cost of labeling, and users receive more information on their smartphones simply by scanning the code. The overall printing cost decreases because many sections, such as precautions, benefits, imagery, and ingredients, are not printed. A QR code is enough to provide all the details, along with additional information. It also makes the labeling more minimalistic and pristine.
Some brands offer refillable and reusable solutions to their customers. It's a win-win deal for both parties. There is a lower cost of production and lower expenses for buyers. Buyers can obtain a refill service for cosmetics from the franchise of their desired brand, which means they can receive a refill at a lower price. There is no need to spend more money on the packaging when you have a refillable solution. However, only a few brands offer this service because it is not viable worldwide due to economic, demographic, and social factors.
Customization has changed many things. Now, brands can segment their target audience more effectively than before and at a lower cost. All they need to do is ask their supplier for custom cosmetic packaging to meet the expectations of their target audience. They can break down the segments and target each with specific customization in terms of colors and packaging sizes. That makes a lot of difference when you have various sizes of cosmetic packaging for each audience.
Customization also helps brands to launch limited editions. The urgency triggers impulsive buying behavior. That means the limited edition tactic works most of the time. Most customers fall into this tactic, which helps brands make sudden sales in off-seasons.
Sustainability and eco-friendly practices are becoming a mandatory part in most industries. Not only does the cosmetics industry have to comply with it, but almost every sector is bound to follow it. Many governments are implementing laws regarding the use of sustainable packaging, which means brands must comply with these regulations. It is for the protection of the environment because plastic pollution is causing severe damage to the land, water, and air.
Some sustainable materials have been adapted recently. Some are truly groundbreaking, such as bamboo, sugarcane, ceramic, and cornstarch packaging materials. They are plant-based materials that are environmentally friendly. Even the cosmetics remain safe inside their packaging. Besides, glass and ceramic are evergreen, sustainable materials, which might be less eco-friendly than plant-based materials, but are good enough.
Additionally, there are options like PCR plastic, which is made from recycled plastic. Although only around 5 or 10 percent of plastic is successfully recycled, it is usable. Aluminum packaging is also a sustainable packaging that has been in the industry for decades. These are some types of sustainable plastics that help brands meet eco-friendly requirements.
Another thing is the certification required for sustainable packaging. Not everyone can utilize these sustainable materials for production because numerous critical factors are involved. The production process must meet the safety of consumers and the environment when a brand chooses sustainable packaging. The recycled plastic must not leach chemicals into cosmetics. Additionally, numerous other factors are also considered. Therefore, the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council), Cradle to Cradle, and COSMOS are among the certifications that cosmetics brands must acquire.
There is a higher cost associated with choosing sustainable and eco-friendly packaging. Since sourcing and purification methods are more costly, eco-friendly packaging increases the overall production cost. Therefore, brands have to bear this cost to comply with environmental standards. However, consumers and governments tend to support cosmetic brands that adhere to these standards. It makes them way better and more responsible than the brands that don’t comply with eco-friendly standards. Their packaging is less harmful to the environment, humans, and animals because it has a higher decomposition rate.
The design factor must meet the frequently changing demands of consumers. Since the competition has increased much faster than before, the packaging solution has also become accessible for every brand. It can be said that the monopoly of some cosmetic brands has been damaged since low-cost and customized packaging have become accessible to small and medium-sized brands. However, every brand faces some challenges.
Sometimes the label is so attractive, but it fails to function well. Packaging must combine beauty and functionality to impress the customers. What if the packaging is very impressive, but the cosmetics are not safe from contamination? It will cause numerous problems for customers and negatively impact the brand image. Therefore, the packaging must maintain a balance between visual beauty and functionality.
It is a dilemma for cosmetic brands to maintain the durability of packaging along with sustainability. If they choose extremely heavy-duty packaging, it will not be sustainable. If they decide on highly sustainable packaging, it might compromise the safety and functionality of cosmetics. Brands must strike a balance between sustainability and durability when seeking an optimal packaging solution.
The biggest challenge arises from meeting consumers’ high expectations after making bold claims. Some brands use imagery and benefits on the labels, which creates hype about their cosmetics. Therefore, they must meet expectations by providing similar benefits if they are mentioned on the labels. Packaging must meet the functional requirements of cosmetics; otherwise, it could damage sales and the brand's reputation.
The use of materials, the design of packaging, and resistance to external factors must be optimal. Cosmetic packaging must comply with safety standards, as even a slight error could cause serious problems for consumers. Skin cancer, rashes, and any allergic reaction could take place if safety compliance is not followed. Brands must comply with FDA, ISO, EU, and various other global standards during the packaging process. Every detail must be present on the packaging, including the ingredients and a warning for consumers. These are some safety standards that are mandatory for brands to follow.
Some guidelines can make the selection process easy for any brand. First, look for a platform that offers a cosmetic packaging supplier who possesses all the following features.
These are the key factors to consider when selecting a cosmetic packaging supplier. You can easily find many options on B2B platforms. Besides, you can search with the right keywords on a search engine to get a reliable supplier. You can then further verify the quality of production and the supplier’s reliability through samples.
The industry is evolving rapidly with advancements in technologies and machines, including artificial intelligence, robotics, CNC machines, and eco-friendly materials. The future of cosmetic packaging is more advanced due to these technologies and virtual product testing.
What can be used for cosmetic packaging instead of plastic?
Brands can utilize materials such as glass, aluminum, cornstarch, bamboo, bagasse, and ceramic. These are some alternatives to plastic for cosmetic packaging.
PET and HDPE are the only two types of plastic considered safe for cosmetics.
FDA, FPLA, EU regulations, ISO 22716, and ISO 22715.
You can find it on B2B websites such as Alibaba.com, Tradewheel.com, and Made-In-China.com, among others.
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