Packaging Sourcing For Cosmetics Brands In 2025
Getting your packaging right is one of the most important yet challenging tasks for beauty brands in 2025 and beyond.
Between rising packaging costs, a lack of consistency in quality, and limited options, approaching the packaging selection process can be overwhelming for beauty entrepreneurs.
Given these challenges, it can pay off to seek professional assistance.
That’s why we’ve created a brand new bespoke packaging sourcing service that helps take the guesswork out of finding your perfect packaging fit!
Our in-depth guide below is the blueprint you need to find the best packaging for your brand’s unique needs.
We provide an analysis of the current packaging market (and how it is evolving), the top four factors you need to consider to find the perfect packaging, and a full overview of our entire bespoke packaging consulting services that does all the hard work for you.
Keep reading to learn how to bring your packaging vision to life!
The Cosmetics Industry’s Packaging Problem in 2025
Consumers absolutely judge a book by its cover – especially when it comes to cosmetics.
You could have the most groundbreaking formula, but if your packaging doesn’t speak directly to your target market, your products may never get the chance they deserve.
However, limited options and sky high costs makes it difficult to source quality packaging that both fits within your budget and aligns with your vision.
A huge chunk of the problem is the industry’s reliance on China, which has dominated the cosmetics packaging market for decades.
China’s Dominance In Cosmetic Packaging: Is It Coming To An End?
Indexbox reported that China's packaging materials exports fell by 15% in 2023.
Part of this shift can be attributed directly to the impact of tariffs. As outlined by the Tax Foundation, in 2019 the US imposed tariffs up to 25% on Chinese goods, with Vogue Business reporting a further tariff of 10% on Chinese imports in 2025.
The cost increases over the past decade are not just a consequence of a trade war.
The industry faced huge packaging price hikes in 2017 as a result of Chinese government crackdowns on illegal/high pollution levels emitting from factories paired with rising raw material costs. Read more about the packaging price increases of 2017 in our full blog post here.
Although there is a gradual move to sourcing elsewhere, China remains the primary manufacturer of cosmetic packaging for the foreseeable future.
Some notable exceptions include limited amounts of glass and plastic packaging made in the US, and glass bottles coming from Italian manufacturers. In these cases, expect prices to be 2-4 times higher than Chinese alternatives.
In time, we expect the market to correct and offer a more diverse and cost-effective range of cosmetic packaging. For now, finding high-quality, affordable packaging remains difficult for smaller brands, especially when you’re just getting started.
That’s why, at Innacos, we offer bespoke packaging sourcing consultancy services to help you find the best possible packaging for your unique brand’s unique needs. Learn more about our packaging consulting services here.
Four Key Factors That Make Or Break Your Packaging
The packaging selection process can be overwhelming.
Where to start?
Begin by considering the four key elements of good packaging sourcing:
Selecting The Correct Packaging Types For Your Products
First, you must get clear on the types of cosmetics you want to create. Communicate your vision with your cosmetics manufacturer early on to ensure your packaging is compatible with your formulas.
In many cases, the packaging solution for a formula is obvious. For example, using a shampoo bottle instead of a squeeze tube for liquid shampoo.
However, choosing the right packaging often requires a more advanced knowledge of how your cosmetic formula works.
Ever noticed that Vitamin C serums are typically sold in dark glass bottles? It’s not a coincidence. As dermatologist Dr. David explains to Skincare.com, vitamins C, E, and ferulic acid contain powerful antioxidants that degrade easily when exposed to light or oxygen.
Always research how your ingredients and formulations are best stored to maximize shelf-life and improve the consumer experience.
Choosing Sturdy, Sustainable Materials
The cosmetics industry has a plastic problem. Clean Hub reports that the beauty industry alone generates 120 billion units of plastic packaging waste each year. The same study also found that 81% of consumers believe cosmetics brands should reduce their reliance on plastic.
The more sustainable your brand claims to be, the more onus you face to reduce the environmental impact of your products.
One of the most effective ways to do this is to consider eco-friendly reduced plastic options. Post Consumer Resin (PCR), a type of recycled plastics, is a popular alternative to traditional plastic packaging.
Thanks to ongoing innovations, more and more plastic alternatives are emerging each year.
BeautyMatter spotlights Sway Packaging, a compostable seaweed-based alternative to plastic, while a study from Belgrade Polytechnic, reports the use of cornstarch, mushroom fibers, and avocado nut in new plastic-free packaging technology.
Unfortunately, making the switch to more environmentally-friendly packaging is not as straightforward as it first seems.
As discussed in Happi, while glass is a popular choice for luxury cosmetics, the industry’s demand for unique colors and decorative packaging finishes makes it harder to recycle.
Learn more about building a ‘blue beauty’ brand in our full blog post here.
Perfecting Your Branded Packaging Design
Sustainable, sturdy packaging is key, but consumers have equally high expectations for your packaging’s aesthetics.
The look and quality of your packaging are particularly important for luxury brands. According to PackMojo, 65% of luxury buyers in 2024 expect cosmetic packaging to reflect the luxury status of the brand, an increase from just 18% a decade prior.
To set your business up for success, work with an experienced graphic designer who understands box die lines, delivers professional results, and can bring your brand’s vision to life.
Your designs may look pretty, but are they legally compliant? Remember – all of your packaging must follow US regulations. Read more about how to comply with FDA guidelines in our full post here.
Sourcing High-Quality Packaging That Fits Within Your Budget
Does your packaging vision include layers of tissue paper, luxury folding boxes with liners, and foiled product labels? These premium extras come with a premium price.
Be realistic about your packaging options in the early stages of your business. Focus on developing attractive designs and choosing packaging materials that provide good value for your money. Remember, you can always invest in improving the look and feel of your packaging as your business grows.
If this entire process seems overwhelming, don’t panic! Innacos is here to help you make packaging sourcing a lot more simple:
Packaging Sourcing Made Simple With Innacos: Our New Bespoke Packaging Consulting Services
Between navigating increased packaging costs, sourcing sustainable materials, and searching for the highest quality options within your budget, finding the best packaging for your business is no easy task.
Although we no longer offer packaging directly at Innacos, we want to be a part of the solution to this problem.
That’s why we now provide a bespoke consulting service to help you find the perfect packaging solution for your brand’s unique needs!
Here’s how our packaging consulting service works:
1. Discovery: Identifying Your Ideal Packaging
We start by gathering your packaging preferences. The more details you can provide, the better! This includes discussing potential packaging concepts, mood boards with your preferred style, packaging types, sizes, materials, feasible MOQ ranges, and your budget.
2. Sampling: Sourcing The Best Options
Once we have enough information about your packaging goals, our team works hard to source samples and liaise with multiple factories to explore the best options for your exact packaging goals.
3. Selection: Choosing Your Favorite Samples For Review
We present the concepts to you via PowerPoint or Zoom for review. Once you've selected your preferred samples, we arrange for them to be sent directly to you.
4. Connection: Continue By Partnering With Your Best Packaging Fit
After you've made a final choice, we introduce you to the right factory or (most common for low MOQ orders) agent to proceed with production, custom samples, and optional extras like color matching, screen printing, and foil stamping.
Since every project is unique, our consulting service is tailored to your specific needs.
To get started, simply complete the form linked here outlining your requirements. Once received, we’ll assess the scope, provide a quote, and send you a contract for our consulting services.
In sum, sourcing high-quality yet affordable packaging for your cosmetics brand is more difficult than ever:
Regulations and tariffs are exacerbating already high costs, as the industry’s reliance on China is expected to continue into the near future
Navigating these increased costs, choosing the correct packaging types, sourcing sustainable materials, and finding the highest quality options within your budget is particularly difficult for small beauty brands without existing connections in the industry
At Innacos, we want to be a part of the solution. Our bespoke consulting service will help you find the perfect packaging solution by analyzing your packaging vision and connecting you with the factories that best match your brand’s unique needs
Looking for packaging sourcing assistance? Our packaging consulting service helps take the guesswork out of sourcing your packaging. Learn more by contacting us via phone call: +18123291105 or email: customerservice@innacos.com
