Cosmetic products can come in a whole range of formulations – powders, creams, gels, oils and foams to name a few – and as such, are notoriously difficult to package. Businesses thus can encounter several challenges when looking to package and ship their cosmetic goods. Fortunately, well designed and resilient packaging can help curb these issues.
In this blog from Fillcon, we outline some of the challenges a business might face when packaging cosmetics. We then offer some tips on how to overcome these challenges, noting the value of making sure that a product is stored in durable and well protected packaging.
Challenges Faced When Packaging Cosmetics
Not only do cosmetics come in a variety of different forms, they can also be packaged using a variety of different materials. Depending on the form of a product and the material that product is packaged in, an item may encounter different packaging challenges. The combinations of these two features can make some product formats more breakable or challenging to ship.
Product Variation
A main challenge for packaging cosmetics is the sheer amount of variation that must be accounted for – both in terms of product and a business’ packaging/aesthetic preferences. As cosmetic science advances, we are seeing an increasing number of unique product forms, each of which will have unique packaging needs.
In addition, the rising pressure on brands to produce on-trend packaging that is also efficient and cost-effective creates a further challenge.
When matching a cosmetic product to its ideal packaging, some products are simply better suited to certain packaging varieties. For example, oils and other low viscosity formulations require packaging styles that are different to higher viscosity balms and creams.
Fragility
For cosmetic products such as pressed powders, fragility is a commonly encountered issue. It is important that packaging solutions offer suitable durability to protect fragile contents because after parting with their cash, customers expect their product to arrive in one piece.
Fragile packaging can also create issues with contamination. If a product is broken, it has potential to be contaminated by other broken products or external contaminants, which can make it unfit for use.
Shelf Life
Effective packaging for cosmetics also considers shelf life. Airtight, highly protective packaging can help maximise the shelf life of products with shorter expiration dates. Packaging that isn’t sufficiently secure may lead to products going off and becoming unusable. When customers receive a product, they expect to enjoy a product for the full length of its shelf life and without reductions due to unsuitable packaging.
Tips & Considerations for Packing Products for Shipping
While there are a host of challenges to be faced when packaging cosmetics, there are also a variety of measures that can be taken to protect products during the shipping process. We discuss some of these below.
Wrapping
One of the main ways that businesses can protect their cosmetic products during shipping is by effectively wrapping the product. Wrapping products prior to shipping offers an additional layer of protection for a product and its packaging, which in turn reduces the likelihood of product contamination.
A wide range of different materials can be used for wrapping. A particularly popular candidate is bubble wrap, which when used effectively can create a safe, shock-proof environment for the shipped items.
Each item will have unique wrapping requirements depending on fragility. For example, products stored in glass packaging may require more extensive wrapping to protect them from damage.
Choose the Correct Packaging
As noted previously, different products will simply be better suited to certain packaging varieties. As a result, choosing the correct packaging for your product in the first instance will have many benefits in terms of protection during shipping.
A lot of cosmetic products can melt or become damaged in the presence of moisture, so choosing airtight and shock proof packaging can make a real difference. Airtight seals also combat some of the challenges surrounding shelf life, reducing a product’s access to air and external contaminants allowing it to maintain its intended shelf-life post-shipping.
Outsource your Product Packaging Needs
For many cosmetic businesses, packaging products for shipping can be a confusing process. Deciding on the best packaging for your product could end up requiring large amounts of trial and error, which could reduce the quality of customer experience as teething issues are ironed out. Many businesses avoid this by outsourcing their packing needs to industry experts – like Fillcon – who can offer tailored advice and solutions to ensure your product is shipped both safely and cost-effectively.
Learn More with Fillcon
Here at Fillcon, we specialise in providing cosmetic packaging solutions to businesses in the health and beauty market. Our wide range of packaging solutions offers ideal solutions for all types of cosmetic products, including powders, gels and creams. Our services also include full customisation, meaning your packaging can stand out and highlight key elements of your brand.
To find out more, or to request a quote for your products, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team today.
