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Tuesday, 01 March 2022 15:33

Airless packaging - what is it?

cosmetic airless packaging cosmetic airless packaging pixabay

In the production of food, drugs, dietary supplements or cosmetics, there are three key parameters that characterize the product.

The first is the quality of the raw materials used, the second - its composition, the third - the method of its stabilization, including the process of its storage.

There are many ways to ensure that a product, especially one containing natural ingredients, retains its quality parameters. These are, for example, exposure to ionizing radiation, storage at low temperatures or finally the use of airless packaging.

Now we will take a look at the last mentioned method used in the cosmetics industry.

Important issues regarding cosmetics

A cosmetic product in the legislation of the European Union means any substance or mixture intended to be placed in contact with the external parts of the human body or with the teeth and the mucous membranes of the oral cavity with a view exclusively or mainly to cleaning them, perfuming them, changing their appearance, protecting them, keeping them in good condition or correcting body odors.

What is important, the indication of the minimum durability date is not mandatory for cosmetic products with a shelf life of more than thirty months.

According to European Union standards, a cosmetic product should be safe for the health of the consumer under normal or foreseeable conditions of use, within the declared date of use.

Top-quality packaging for cosmetics

After the introduction, describing what cosmetics are, we can move to the characteristics of innovative packaging, which is airless packaging.

So, it is a method of storing a liquid or a solid, which prevents the contact of atmospheric air with the preparation inside. The first solutions of this type appeared in the 1980s.

Why airless packaging for cosmetics is so important?

Our environment is full of microbes or pollutants that are not always beneficial to our health. It is about harmful bacteria, viruses, fungi, yeasts, allergens and metal compounds. We can meet them in the soil, at home, at work and in the air. In addition, most cosmetic substances, especially of natural origin, are subject to oxidation processes.

That is why it is so important that the ingredients sensitive to oxidation are protected thanks to theĀ cosmetic airless packaging formula.

How does an effective airless mechanism work?

The mechanism built into the packaging consists in sucking a small piston towards the upper pump, which then moves the substance. However, air is not sucked in. There is an opening under the plunger in the base of the package, allowing pressurized air to be introduced under the plunger, which begins to move upward.

The use of the cosmetic airless packaging mechanism described above also means that the expiry date of the ingredients can also be extended up to fifteen percent.

Which products benefit from airless packaging for cosmetics?

Airless packaging is often used for the so-called white cosmetics - face and eye creams, toothpastes, cleansing emulsions, medical and paramedical products, used, for example, in podiatry and beauty salons.It is worth emphasizing that these packages do not only concern the segment of luxury products, although the consumers of these products were the first to experience this technology.

Products from the anti-aging category, due to their sensitivity, most often use airless packaging for cosmetics solutions. Airless packs can range from 3 to 1,250 ml.

Advantages of airless packaging

Finally, lets summarize the advantages of the packaging in question. First of all, they extend the life of products and protect not only from contaminated air, they can also defend from the effects of light and UV rays. They keep the product in the right humidity.

The application system stops the cosmetic product flowing back into the packaging. The substance therefore remains sterile.

In addition, we have a maximum product utilization that ranges 95-99%. Some solutions even guarantee that the cosmetic does not come into contact with the plastic elements of the packaging.

Moreover, the point application of the product is more precise. Manufacturers are also working on environmentally friendly solutions in the production process of these packaging to optimize their recycling.

Airless packaging market

According to Transparency Market Research, the global airless packaging market continues to grow. In 2024, it should exceed $ 6 billion. The dynamics of growth can of course be even greater, so it is worth of considering to implement an airless solution as soon as possible before they become a common standard.