Sustainable packaging is a top priority for beauty brands trying to offer alternatives that benefit the environment and excite their consumers. In this blog, we discuss five sustainable skincare packaging trends that your brand can launch next year.
Sustainable skincare is the future of the beauty industry. However, sustainability in beauty goes beyond the product itself; for a product to truly be sustainable, all aspects of it need to be beneficial to the environment.
While many beauty brands are focusing heavily on formula ingredients and testing methods, packaging cannot be forgotten — right now, there are 27 million tons of plastic in landfills across the U.S. So, even if a skincare product has an organic formula with beneficial ingredients, after it is placed inside unsustainable packaging, all notions of true sustainability go right out the window.
How can beauty brands package skincare products sustainably and convey to consumers that the environment is a priority? It starts with these five sustainable packaging trends for skincare products.
#1 — Refillable Packaging
Refillable packaging can significantly reduce waste while making life easier for your consumer. With this packaging method, they only need to purchase the refillable exterior packaging one time, and then can buy refills as needed. This type of packaging can be used for nearly every type of skincare product — popular with both powder and liquid formulas.
#2 — Eco-Friendly Films
Face masks and patches typically come in a high barrier pouch or sachet that consumers tear open and immediately throw away. It can take up to 450 years to break down in landfill (it won’t ever fully decompose, but more on that in a bit).
Sustainable films are a great alternative solution. They retain the high barrier aluminum layer, but replace the outer layers with paper—reducing the plastic 20% over traditional sachets and using a reduced-plastic bi-layer.
#3 — Multi-Pack Options
Some beauty brands are going one step further by eliminating single-use plastics by opting to package face masks in multi-pack zip lock sachets or flow pack packages. Consumers can use one at a time and then close the package so the rest of the product doesn’t dry up.
Multi-pack packaging not only works for face masks but also for facial wipes and eye and lip masks. Depending on formulation, specifics and sizing, there could be 30, 50, 100 or more products within the same multi-pack. Multi-packs can be:
- Jars: Recyclable or made from post-consumer recycled content (PCR)
- Flowpacks: Think makeup remover wipes
This packaging significantly reduces single-use plastic disposal and pollution while saving customers money (bulk products are a low cost-per-use alternative to individually packaged products).
#4 — Sustainable Materials
According to the Plastic Soup Foundation, all plastic that has ever been produced is still present in the environment in some form or another. When this plastic gets into our oceans and other bodies of water, fish and other animals experience severe pollution that can lead to their death.
Thankfully, there are plenty of ways we can mitigate this problem — starting with sustainable materials. If all beauty brands stopped using plastic, there would be less pollution and fewer animal deaths, and it would be safer for humans to consume water from glaciers and rivers. To help combat this global issue, there are several alternative sustainable materials your beauty brand can use.
- FSC Folding cartons: These cartons are made from Forest Steward Council (FSC) certified paper, which is responsibly sourced wood fiber. This material doesn’t come from new trees; it is entirely recycled or reclaimed and can be recycled again after use.
- Aluminum tins: Aluminum can be fully recycled, which means using it for packaging won’t negatively impact the environment.
- Glass: Glass is also endlessly recyclable and can be re-used by consumers for different needs.
#5 — Meaningful & Luxurious Branding
Your consumers first interact with your brand in the aisle by judging your beauty solution’s packaging. This means the visual appeal of your skincare product packaging is instrumental in your brand’s success.
Along with the most sustainable features, your packaging needs a ‘wow’ factor with eye-catching designs and meaningful branded elements that stands out from the rest (especially as more sustainable packaging becomes commonplace). Consumers want the appeal of sustainability without sacrificing performance – and luxury suggests performance.
If your beauty brand is making a conscious effort to create sustainable products and packaging, don’t be afraid to lean into that with your branding. Neutral colors, textures that emulate plants, and shapes that mirror natural elements (like leaves, flowers, etc.) are known to inform consumers of sustainable packaging — but be sure to balance these elements with your company’s existing branding.
Final Thoughts
Sustainability is a key element in the skincare product creation process. When you make the effort to incorporate it into your brand, eco-conscious consumers will notice. With these five sustainable packaging trends, your beauty brand will remain ahead of the competition in 2023.
Ready to incorporate sustainable packaging into your skincare line? Contact TaikiUSA to get started.