Summer is scorching, and besides enjoying an ice lolly to cool down, sunscreen protection is also indispensable! Speaking of sunscreen, sunscreen lotion is definitely essential. Sunscreen lotion refers to cosmetics that shield or absorb ultraviolet rays, and reduce skin damage, melanin deposition, and skin aging caused by sun exposure. With people’s pursuit of health and beauty, sunscreen products have become increasingly important in modern life. The packaging of sunscreen products has also become an important medium for direct communication between brands and consumers. Good packaging design not only attracts consumers’ attention but also conveys brand concepts, enhancing the value of the product. So, what are the packaging concepts and methods for sunscreen products? Next, we will explore how to choose suitable sunscreen product packaging to ensure the quality of our products and provide consumers with the best protection and care for their skin!
Selection of Packaging Materials
UV Protection Performance: Choose materials with high UV barrier properties to effectively prevent UV penetration and damage to the active ingredients in the product. The materials should have good stability, able to maintain their protective performance when exposed to UV radiation for extended periods without fading or degradation. Ensure that the selected materials can block both UV-A and UV-B radiation to comprehensively protect the skin from UV damage. Some commonly used materials with good UV protection performance include special polymer plastics, glass, metal, or plastics with UV antioxidant additives. When selecting materials, reference relevant test reports or technical data provided by manufacturers to ensure that the chosen materials meet the expected UV protection requirements.
Preservation Performance: Common packaging materials with preservation performance for sunscreen products include plastic, glass, and metal. Plastic materials are typically lightweight and cost-effective, but it’s essential to choose plastic types with excellent UV barrier and sealing properties. Glass materials have excellent sealing and UV barrier properties but are relatively heavy and prone to breakage. Metal materials are often used for packaging sunscreen sprays, with good heat resistance and abrasion resistance but higher cost. Since sunscreen products are often used outdoors, packaging materials should have good heat resistance to resist the effects of sunlight and high temperatures, ensuring product stability and quality. When selecting packaging materials with preservation performance for sunscreen products, it’s essential to consider the product’s characteristics and usage scenarios and choose the most suitable materials to ensure product quality and safety.
Considerations of Packing Design
Sun protection effectiveness highlighted: The packaging design should highlight the sun protection effectiveness of the product, such as indicating the SPF value and sun protection level on the packaging to attract consumers’ attention. A higher SPF value indicates a stronger sun protection effect the product provides. If the product has passed relevant sun protection product certification or testing, corresponding certification marks can be labeled on the packaging to enhance consumers’ trust and reliability in the product. In addition, highlighting the sun protection features of the product on the packaging, such as waterproof, sweat-proof, long-lasting sun protection, etc., to meet the needs of different consumers. You can also visually showcase the sun protection effect of the product through images or icons, such as using elements like sunlight, beaches, etc., allowing consumers to feel the sun protection efficacy of the product intuitively.
Convenience of use: In the packaging design of sun protection products, considering ease of carrying and use is very important because consumers typically use these products outdoors or while traveling. The packaging design should be compact and lightweight enough for consumers to carry in handbags, backpacks, or pockets. Designing compact bottles, squeeze tubes, or spray bottles can facilitate easy carrying for consumers. Convenient spray bottles or squeeze tubes allow for easy control of product dosage without the need for additional tools, making it easy for consumers to use outdoors.
Aesthetics: Although the main function of sun protection products is to protect the skin from UV damage, aesthetically pleasing packaging design can attract consumers’ attention and increase the product’s appeal and competitiveness. The packaging should display the brand logo and logo to enhance brand recognition and image. Product recognition and brand awareness can be enhanced through unique brand identity design. The packaging design should be simple and generous, in line with current design trends and aesthetic standards, and can use attractive colors and patterns to make the product more eye-catching on the shelves. The shape and structure of the packaging also affect its aesthetics. It can be designed with sleek lines and curves to make the product look more fashionable and attractive. In addition, using high-quality printing technology can ensure that the patterns and text on the packaging are clear and visible, with bright and lasting colors. Special printing techniques or decorative effects such as hot stamping in gold or silver can be considered to enhance the luxury and texture of the packaging.
Packaging form selection
We have compared the packaging forms and textures of sunscreens for your reference.
Bottles VS tubes：
Design form：
- Bottles: Bottles typically refer to using bottles or containers to package sunscreen products, often equipped with pump or flip-top designs for convenient dispensing of the product in desired amounts. Bottles can be made of plastic or glass and usually feature a simple appearance, suitable for liquid or lotion sunscreen products.
- Tubes: Tubes refer to packaging sunscreen products in soft or squeeze tubes, allowing users to dispense the product in desired amounts by squeezing the tube. Tubed packaging is commonly used for lotion or gel sunscreen products, featuring a compact appearance that is convenient for carrying and usage.
Convenience of use:
- Bottles: Bottles are typically equipped with a pump or flip-top design, allowing users to conveniently dispense the desired amount of product without wastage during use. They are suitable for daily and household use but may not be very portable.
- Tubes: Tubes, on the other hand, utilize soft or squeeze tubes, allowing users to control the amount of product by squeezing the tube. They are easy to use and have a compact design, making them suitable for travel or outdoor activities.
Product Stability：
- Bottles: Bottles are usually equipped with well-sealed caps or flip-top designs, which effectively prevent air, light, and moisture from entering, helping to maintain the stability and freshness of sunscreen products.
- Tubes: Tubes typically use soft tubes or squeeze tubes. Although they are well-sealed when not in use, once opened, the tube opening is exposed to the external environment, which may affect the product and reduce its stability.
Spray VS Liquid:
Spray
- Lightweight Texture: Sprays typically have a lightweight and refreshing texture, making them easy to spray onto the skin surface, forming a uniform sun protection film.
- Even Application: Sprays can evenly cover large areas of the skin, making application more convenient and quick.
- Quick Absorption: Due to the thin texture of sprays, they are usually quickly absorbed by the skin without leaving a sticky or greasy feeling.
Liquid
- Soft Texture: Liquid sunscreen products typically have a soft texture, making it easy to spread and blend on the skin, forming a thin and even layer of sun protection.
- Long-lasting Hydration: Some liquid sunscreen products contain moisturizing ingredients, providing long-lasting hydration to the skin after application, keeping the skin moisturized.
- Suitable for Spot Application: Due to the relatively thick texture of liquid products, they are usually more suitable for spot application, such as on the face and neck, to achieve better sun protection.
Therefore, spray sunscreen is suitable for applying to the entire body or large areas, with a lightweight texture that is easy to apply, while liquid sunscreen products are suitable for spot application, with a soft texture and long-lasting moisturizing effects. Consumers can choose sunscreen products with textures and packaging forms that suit their preferences and needs.
Choice of Capacity Specifications
Based on market demand and consumer usage frequency, design sunscreen products in various capacity specifications to meet the needs of different consumer groups. The common capacity specifications include the following three options:
Small capacity (e.g., 10 milliliters to 30 milliliters) is suitable for travel convenience and trial size, catering to the needs of travelers and those seeking to sample the product.
Medium capacity (e.g., 50 milliliters to 100 milliliters) is the most common specification, ideal for daily use and full-body application, meeting consumers’ daily sun protection needs.
Large capacity (100 milliliters and above) is suitable for long-term use and family sharing, catering to consumers who require large quantities for application or prolonged sun protection.
Packaging Safety and Quality Assurance
Packaging Safety：
- Material Selection: Choose materials that comply with relevant safety standards and regulations, avoiding those containing harmful chemicals such as BPA. Opt for food-grade or medical-grade materials to ensure they do not contaminate or pose risks to the product.
- Sealing Performance: Packaging should have good sealing performance to effectively prevent the entry of air, light, and moisture, reducing the risk of oxidation and contamination for the product. This is crucial for the stability and effectiveness of sunscreen products.
Quality Assurance：
- Supplier Selection: Choose reliable suppliers and manufacturers to ensure that the selected packaging materials meet high-quality standards and undergo rigorous quality control and inspection. This helps to ensure the safety and reliability of the products.
- Durability: The packaging materials should have sufficient durability to protect the sunscreen products from external environmental and physical damage, ensuring that product quality and stability are not compromised. Testing should be conducted for pressure resistance, drop resistance, etc., to ensure that the packaging does not break during transportation and use.
Environmental Considerations
Choose Recyclable Materials: Prioritize packaging made from recyclable materials such as recyclable plastic, glass, or aluminum. These materials can reduce resource consumption and minimize negative environmental impact.
Reduce Packaging Waste: Design economically efficient packaging to minimize unnecessary packaging waste. Promote the use of reusable packaging, such as recyclable bottles or containers, to reduce waste from materials like plastic and paper.
Consider the Environmental Impact of Packaging Design: Design simple, easily decomposable packaging to reduce unnecessary packaging materials and complex designs. Avoid using multi-layered packaging or materials that are difficult to decompose to lessen environmental impact.
Promote Environmental Awareness: Label environmental information on product packaging to encourage consumers to recycle and reuse packaging materials. Additionally, raise consumer awareness of environmental issues through promotion and educational activities to foster environmentally friendly behavior.
When choosing packaging for sunscreen products, several factors need to be considered, including protective performance, usability, aesthetics, and environmental friendliness. Firstly, the packaging must effectively shield the product from external environmental factors such as light, air, and moisture. Secondly, packaging design should prioritize user convenience, including ease of carrying, use, and dosage control. Additionally, aesthetics play a crucial role, highlighting the product’s features and advantages while aligning with the brand image. Lastly, environmental friendliness is increasingly important to modern consumers, necessitating the selection of packaging made from recyclable, reusable, or biodegradable materials to reduce negative environmental impact. By considering these factors comprehensively, the most suitable sunscreen product packaging can be chosen to enhance competitiveness and user experience!
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