We regularly get asked what type of tests that should be carried out when selecting packaging for skincare.
Even based on our 20+ years experience we will guide you to packaging options but then the ultimate responsibility lies with you that is why we provide samples to carry our your tests.
All our containers and closures are tested with water. We can not know nor understand the products that the packaging is intended for or their exact formulation. On top of that we do not have the facility to test the packaging for your exact products.
What types of packaging tests for skincare should you carry out?
All packaging components must be subjected to the conditions that you intend for the finished goods and should be tested fully filled to ensure it passes the following
- Test the packaging for leaking.
- TEST Ensure that the packaging does not leak over time – in an upside down position, be aware that leakages of gases that will contribute to evaporation.
- TEST If the capping is to be done with automatic capper, please test this with the automatic capper and note the torque required on your machine, if capping manually, please ensure the trials are carried out with hand capping.
- TEST How you intend to ship the finished goods. Some products will not have a problem but sent via post without sufficient protection could cause the cap to undo or open resulting in leakage.
- Capacity requirements.
- There is a range of requirements required by your filler in terms of required head space or extra ullage required in the package that need to be in the package to allow for products that foam (like shampoo) that fluff (like powders) that react differently in temperature (like waxes). There should also be enough ullage to allow for the intended dispenser, i.e pumps take up room for their housing as opposed to a cap.
- Production circumstances can be different to hand filling so this should also be taken into account.
- You should talk this through with your filler to refine your specification.
- TEST fill it with your sample product and seal.
- Chemical compatibility
- TEST With your exact formulation and under stability testing different concentrations of different ingredients can react differently. This should be generally carried our for the intended shelf life of the product. Your filler or chemist may be able to assist with accelerated testing. We can suggest in broad terms what type of packaging should work but if you have slightly more of one ingredient this could change the packaging selection and this would be found out in stability. Check for discolouration, panelling (i.e. walls sucking in) etc.
- Dispensing closures – pumps, caps, airless, disc top caps
A couple of things to take into account when you are selecting your dispenser
- Oil based ingredients do not usually work well with mist sprays and liquids in a cream style do not mist spray well and may jet rather than fine mist.. This may not be evident till after a few weeks when product may have clogged up the spray.
- High viscosity liquids with low surface tension do not work well with lotion pumps.
- Air bubbles in airless containers can stop the airless system not to work. A lot of this can be overcome with our airless external spring systems but please check with your formulation.
- Disc caps can be knocked in transit causing the disc to partially open and therefore leak. We can supply wadded caps, minimum runs do apply.
- TEST check various sprays, pumps with your formulation over a period of time.