Which labels are right for cosmetics?

What’s the right label backing for cosmetics?

Cosmetics need the perfect label. But what is the perfect label? The answer depends on a number of factors, such as the type of cosmetic product, the desired appearance and the conditions under which the consumer will use the product. First and foremost, the label design must, of course, be attractive and in keeping with the brand. But it’s at least as important to choose the right label backing. For different types of cosmetics and conditions of product use, we recommend a number of appropriate materials and finishes*, because the label must remain attractive during use and must not wear or fade.

*) A finish is an optional extra for your label, which can be applied to labels after printing on paper or vinyl film. Examples: hot foil stamping, blind embossing, film lamination, digital spot varnish.

These materials are suitable for cosmetic products

1. Skin care products (creams, oils and serums)

Skin care products are generally applied to the skin with the fingers. It is impossible to prevent the cream or serum from coming into direct contact with the label, especially when closing the jar or bottle. The label backing must therefore be resistant to fats and oils.

Suitable materials include PP or PE films and Tyvek®.

Suitable finishes are :

• lamination (protects against moisture and oil).
• digital spot varnish (as an embellishment), available in combination with PP material.
• hot foil (embellishment), available in combination with PP and Tyvek®.

2. Make-up (lipstick, foundation, eyeshadow)

Make-up products often carry only small labels, on which the necessary information has to be placed. The solution may be outer packaging, such as a cardboard box, on which more information can be placed. Another solution for labels on cylindrical packaging is release varnish, as an alternative to multi-layer labels – see the image below and more on our small labels page.

This special varnish is invisible and, when applied to a vinyl film backing, allows the label to roll up on itself without permanently sticking. This allows the label to become much larger, and more text to be printed on it. The product’s user can now read the full text by unrolling the label, after which he or she can roll it up again.

3. Hair care products (shampoos and conditioners)

For hair care products, it’s important that labels are resistant to water and regular bottle handling. Here too, PP or PE film and Tyvek® are an excellent choice. PE film is recommended for flexible plastic bottles, as the material itself is also flexible. PE can be combined with protective lacquer and laminate finishes, in both matt and gloss. Laminating offers the best protection, particularly recommended if the product contains alcohol, oil or fats, as in hair toners.

4. Essential oils and perfumes

For products containing essential oils or fragrances, the chemical resistance of the label material is essential, so we recommend that you first test the chosen material with your product. High-quality glass and plastic such as acrylic are recommended as bottle supports, with high-quality paper or a high-end synthetic backing such as Tyvek® for the label. A simple, elegant design with touches of gold or silver hot stamping, for example, can underline the product’s luxurious appearance.

Last tip

When selecting labels, it is therefore important that they are not only aesthetically appropriate to the product and brand, but also functionally adapted to the product in terms of the label material, in order to effectively protect and present the contents.

It’s a good idea to always ask for samples of materials to test them under the specific conditions in which the product will be used, to ensure that the chosen material really works and that your product stays beautiful, for a long time to come.

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