How many times have you bought a skincare product because you were lured in by its pretty packaging? While companies today use the product’s package as a strong selling point, we have to look past it. I’m not only speaking in terms of how good the product works for you but also, how this packaging will affect the product itself. Because when it comes to your skin, you just can’t take any risk.
Is Your Skincare Product Packaging Bad for Your Skin?
Today, you will finally learn the good and bad about skincare product packaging. What should you look for? What should you stay away from? What is more hygienic? And what will make your product expire faster? It’s all here. Let’s start:
1. Airtight Pumps
This is probably one of my favorite product packagings. Airtight pumps offer hygiene and an airtight home for those sensitive ingredients like peptides, retinol, antioxidants and other actives. Since you only pump when you need it, there’s very low risk of contaminating the product.
2. Tubes
My second favorite kind of product packaging are tubes. They’re so easy to use and just like airtight pumps, there’s less air and contaminant exposure. You just squeeze when you need to use it. It’s great for creams and products with anti-aging powers!
Meanwhile, if you see lotion, cleansers or serums in tubes, do not buy it. Tubes cannot handle runny skincare products. Although I doubt there will be skincare companies who will package watery products in tubes, just take this as a word of caution.
3.Tubs or Jars
If your creams, ointments or moisturizers are in tubs, then that’s good. The vitamin C or skin-brightening agents in these products hold up well in tubs.
The only thing you need to worry about with tubs is if they are products that may get wet or where water can get in. For instance, hair masks or deep hair conditioners that you put in the shower along with your shampoo and conditioner. There’s always that chance of water getting in and the next thing you know, your hair mask is all moldy.
4. Small Pots
We love them because they’re small. These little things are easy to sort, organize and bring with you. But more than their size, small pots are great for products that only contain a little water like gel liners and lip balm in small pots.
On the other hand, what you should be wary about are creams and moisturizers in pots. Since small pots aren’t airtight, the antioxidants and retinol in the moisturizer can expire faster. Furthermore, regularly dipping your fingers in the tub is not a very hygienic process too. If you can use a tool to scoop out the product, that will be a lot better!
5. Droppers
Droppers have become an “in” thing in skincare. Droppers are great for essences, serums and face oils that do not contain sensitive ingredients. Dropper packages let air in, which can cause the product to expire faster.
6. Plastic Bottles
We like transparent glass or plastic bottles because they look pretty with the product inside. These clear bottles are often used for cleansers, toners, and makeup removers. They’re perfect for watery products.
However, transparent packaging is only good for products that do not contain sensitive ingredients. Its transparency doesn’t protect ingredients like vitamin C, retinol and antioxidants. Products with such ingredients should be packed inside opaque bottles instead to prevent UV light from penetrating the product.
7. Individual Peel Pads
So you wonder why peel pads have to be packed separately and why you can’t them in bulk all together? There’s good reason behind it.
Peel pads contain glycolic acids and other kinds of acids that can go unstable when exposed to air. If you buy 5 peel pads packaged into one, you’ll risk exposing the other peel pads that you won’t use. Individual packages are good for makeup removers and nail polish removers too. The only downside is that it isn’t particularly eco-friendly.
Now you can go out into the world, armed with the knowledge to make the best choices regarding skincare product pagacking.
