Glass in cosmetic packaging

Glass – a material with a fairly extensive history – is a raw material with universal and varied use. Not only in the cosmetics industry, but also in the food, construction, optics and even automotive industries. Every branch of modern industry uses glass as an essential material not only for the production of packaging, but also for various everyday objects. However, we will focus on the extremely important role that glass plays in the cosmetic packaging industry.

It is worth mentioning that glass has come a long way over the centuries, evolving to the form we meet today on the market, and this was largely due to the development of new technologies for its production and the invention of machinery that supports this process. Originally glass produced by volcanic processes, it has become a luxury material that few could afford. Today, although glass is a common material and its production does not require special skills and craftsmanship as it used to be, it can still be regarded as a «top shelf» material.

The use of this raw material in cosmetic packaging has many advantages that you should know about in the process of planning the final design of the products we produce.

VERSATILITY

Any type of product can be stored in the glass. Regardless of its consistency, composition or purpose. It is a chemically inert material, so it does not affect the contents of the packaging made of it in any way. Glass does not react with the substances contained in the product stored in it, thus it perfectly protects it against the loss of smell or microelements, and because it does not contain any harmful chemicals, we do not have to worry that the product will be contaminated with undesirable compounds, as is the case with some other packaging. Modern technologies also allow glass to be formed into any shape, thanks to which it can be used both as a material for a shampoo bottle and a cream jar.

DIVERSITY

And here we smoothly move on to another advantage, which is diversity. A bottle or jar of any shape can contribute to brand recognition. And this is an extremely important element in the design of the packaging. Every company wants their product, visible from a distance, not only due to the label or logo, to be associated with the brand and its assumptions. If this can be achieved by giving the packaging specific, sophisticated shapes, then we can take our product to a higher level of originality. There are almost no limits to glass forming, so whether we want to create a square, rectangular, cylindrical, hourglass-shaped packaging or whatever our imagination tells us, it is probably possible.

COLOR

In the longer term, the various colors of the glass are an inseparable element ensuring the diversity of the glass. Today, glass can be tinted in many colors, as well as left transparent, depending on the needs. Dark glass – black, brown, green or blue, not only can protect the product against UV rays, but also gives it a prestigious look. Just like white glass with a frost effect or crystal clear packaging that allows you to look inside without the need to open it. Product visibility is brand visibility, so it’s no wonder that, as manufacturers, we want our products to stand out on store shelves.

ECOLOGY

While the glass itself is not biodegradable, glass packaging is definitely an ecological choice. Mainly due to the possibility of their multiple use. Glass is also perfectly recyclable, without losing its properties after melting, so that glass packaging can be successfully recovered in the recycling process. In today’s world, it is an extremely important aspect in the context of the need to care for the natural environment. After all, we do not want to generate more waste, and the company, whose one of the priorities is to care for the planet, gains a friendly and admirable image. The glass is very easy to clean from dirt and re-used – even if the packaging has a non-standard shape, it is often easy to clean with an ordinary brush or dishwasher, which allows the glass to remain in constant use.

SECURITY

As mentioned above, glass does not contain harmful chemicals, and glass packaging does not react with its contents. Its structure and smoothness prevent the growth of bacteria on its surface, thus protecting the product enclosed in it and extending its usability. Being a completely neutral material, it does not affect the fragrance or texture of the cosmetic. This raw material also does not produce hazardous substances in the decomposition process.

POTENTIAL

Glass is a material with almost unlimited possibilities, which makes it an excellent marketing tool. It is not only the possibility of forming it into various shapes or dyeing various colors that makes it unique. Glass packaging is a great background for decorations that can distinguish the brand from others. Various forms of decoration can be used on glass – from painted, through printed, metallized, to laser methods. Glass packaging can be decorated directly by screen printing, i.e. by fusing the paint into the raw material in the heat treatment process. Painting, on the other hand, is the overall decoration of products with the use of spraying with paints that allow you to obtain a matt or gloss effect. You can also paint the glass by hand or apply a decal. On the other hand, the hot-stamping method makes it possible to obtain metallic prints that can be felt to the touch. All these steps boil down to one thing: the product becomes recognizable and, in a way, identifies the brand among many others.

Do any of the above-mentioned properties and advantages of glass in cosmetic packaging seem to be more or less important? We believe that all these features form a coherent whole and it is impossible to distinguish between them. After all, when choosing solutions, we are guided by not one, but many factors. Undoubtedly, glass is one of the best solutions in packaging cosmetic products, not only guaranteeing the safety and quality of the product, but also its visual superiority over plastic packaging.