Jar packaging: yay or nay?
Once I was slightly woman, I used to be fascinated by my grannie’s potions and lotions. I’d watch as she opened these lovely jars, picked up a tiny quantity of cream together with her fingers, and utilized them gently throughout her face, eager for the day after I might lastly do the identical.
When that day lastly got here, I wasn’t eager about enjoying with them anymore. Typical, isn’t it? Don’t get me improper, my lovely good friend. I’m nonetheless eager about enjoying with skincare. Simply not when it is available in jars. No less than, till Drunk Elephant and a complete new technology of jars got here alongside. Let me clarify:
1. Jar Packaging Spoils The System
Retinol. Vitamin C. UV filters. Antioxidants. All of the goodies your pores and skin wants to remain younger and wholesome aren’t secure. Each time they’re uncovered to mild and air (each time you open the jar, principally), they lose a little bit of their effectiveness.
The scientific identify of this course of is oxidation. Oxidation begins from the very first second you open the jar, and continues with each use till one of the best components inside our lotions and potions turn into fully ineffective.
How briskly? There’s no technique to know for positive. Retinol, for instance, turns into ineffective in a month when regularly uncovered to mild. Frequently is the important thing phrase right here.
Oxidation occurs slowly. And largely to the highest layer. In case you shut that lid actually shortly after scooping up the product inside, likelihood is your retinol cream will nonetheless be efficient just a few months down the road. It’s whenever you depart that jar open in your lavatory counter for who is aware of how lengthy that retinol shortly spoils.
Most Delicate Elements To Jar Packaging
- Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid): Tremendous choosy. Breaks down if you happen to breathe close to it improper. The opposite types of Vitamin C are cool, they are often in a jar.
- Retinol: Delicate little diva. Hates mild and air. Similar for all different retinoids.
- Plant-based antioxidants: Suppose inexperienced tea extract, resveratrol, coenzyme Q10… they spoil quick if not saved proper. In case you’re unsure an antioxidant doesn’t like jar packaging, depart it on the shelf.
- SPF filters: Not all the time unstable, however you really need hermetic packaging right here to ensure you get full solar safety.
Associated: Frequent Antioxidants In Skincare Merchandise (That Ought to NEVER Be Packaged In Jars!)
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2. Jar Packaging Isn’t Hygienic
However what if you happen to’re already utilizing a primary moisturizer, like Nivea Creme? There’s nothing in there that would oxidise. So, we’re secure, proper?
Not precisely. Factor is, selecting up the cream with our fingers isn’t precisely essentially the most hygienic factor to do. Even when your palms look clear, there are many germs, filth, and a complete bunch of different stuff on them you don’t need in your skincare merchandise. And, as soon as they’re in our cream, it’s solely a matter of time earlier than they’ll find yourself on our face. Ewww!
In case your cream doesn’t have a great preservative system (trace: most pure skincare merchandise DON’T), any micro organism that finds their method inside them will begin reproducing and spoil it. They could even offer you an an infection…
P.S. Lately, some manufacturers will add a spatula into the cut price that can assist you scoop out the product safely. Use it!
Associated: The Battle Of The Preservatives: Which Is The Finest Different To Parabens?
If You’re Caught With a Jar, Right here’s How To Play Protection:
- Use a spatula (not your fingers!). Clear it with cleaning soap and water between makes use of.
- Maintain it in a cool, darkish drawer. Not your steamy lavatory shelf.
- At all times shut the lid instantly after scooping.
- Don’t double-dip. In case you’re scooping out with fingers (and also you haven’t washed your palms earlier than doing it), you’re principally inviting micro organism to dinner.
So Why Do Manufacturers Nonetheless Use Jars If They’re This Unhealthy?
Nice query. Three causes, actually:
- They’re low cost: Jars price much less to supply than airless pumps or tubes, which suggests manufacturers can get monetary savings (and let’s be trustworthy, they don’t all the time go these financial savings onto us).
- They look luxurious: That heavy glass jar with the gold lid? It screams “spa day,” and persons are extra possible to purchase one thing that feels fancy – even when it’s not doing their pores and skin any favours.
- Thick lotions are laborious to pump: Actually wealthy, buttery formulation don’t squeeze out effectively from tubes or pumps, so a jar is the best choice, even when it’s not one of the best for freshness.
The Exception To The Rule
Not all jars are created equal, my lovely good friend. Some manufacturers have truly discovered methods to give us that satisfying jar aesthetic with out ruining the components inside. Enter: airless jars.
These are fancy little containers that seem like jars however work extra like pumps. You press down on the highest, and the cream comes up via slightly gap. No fingers dipping in, no air speeding in, no mess.
Manufacturers like Drunk Elephant, Farmacy, and Glow Recipe are doing this very well. Their hermetic jars are designed to guard delicate components from oxidation and micro organism, whereas nonetheless providing you with that luxurious skincare vibe.
How Do You Know If Your Jar Is Airless? Look For:
- A stable high with a tiny gap or slit the place product comes out
- No seen technique to open it up and dip your fingers in
- Phrases like “airless,” “press jar,” or “vacuum-sealed” within the product description
If it’s only a common ol’ jar with a screw-on lid? Again away slowly.
Ought to You Keep away from Jar Packaging?
Jar packaging isn’t the easiest way to retailer skincare merchandise. But it surely’s not as dangerous as individuals suppose. For primary, however thick moisturiser, such a packaging is essentially the most sensible. Put that thick goop in a tube and also you gained’t be capable to get each final drop out. However, that you must watch out. At all times wash your palms earlier than you set them in a jar and shut that lid shortly!
When A Jar Is Truly Wonderful (And Sort Of Handy):
- Petroleum-based moisturizers: Like Aquaphor or Nivea, that are just about indestructible.
- Physique butters: They’re wealthy and secure, and also you normally use loads directly, so there’s much less time for spoilage.
- Merchandise you end quick: Like masks or travel-size lotions. Much less time = much less danger.
See a theme right here? If a product has a wealthy texture AND doesn’t include something too delicate too mild, a jar packaging is usually essentially the most sensible (let’s be trustworthy, a brilliant wealthy physique butter can’t be squeezed out of a tube!). Simply wash your palms effectively earlier than utilizing it to keep away from bacterial contamination.
The Backside Line
Jars might look fairly, however they gained’t defend your anti-aging skincare merchandise from spoilage and micro organism. In case you can, go for merchandise packaged in opaque and air-tight tubes and bottles. Or go for a contemporary airless jar.
About Gio
Hello, I am Gio. I am a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is pores and skin coach and author on a mission that can assist you obtain your finest pores and skin day ever – on daily basis. I bust skincare myths and debunk advertising jargon that can assist you determine what’s definitely worth the splurge and what’s finest left on the shelf – utilizing science, not hype. I additionally supply skincare consultations that can assist you create one of the best skincare routine to your distinctive wants.