Sustainable cosmetic packaging is no longer a trend—it’s a beauty industry standard. With consumers demanding environmentally friendly products and brands striving for circular solutions, designing cosmetic packaging that is both sustainable and high performing has become a critical challenge. 

Creating sustainable packaging with effective moisture barriers using mostly natural or bio-based materials requires a design innovation approach that combines material science with environmentally responsible design. This involves exploring biodegradable and compostable options such as plant-based polymers, natural waxes, cellulose fibers, and bioplastics, which can offer moisture resistance while reducing environmental impact. Maintaining product integrity, particularly when dealing with formulas that are sensitive to moisture or oxidation, has been difficult to solve. Until now.   

The pace and rate of barrier innovations is catching up with demand with a range of options available: 

• Bio-Based Barriers: Companies are developing plant-derived coatings that provide high moisture resistance while being fully compostable, such as Hydroblox™.
• Mono-material Solutions: Packaging made from a single type of recyclable material, such as PET or PP, simplifies recycling and extends durability. Albéa’s Metamorphosis Paper Tube exemplifies how brands can create fully recyclable, FSC-certified solutions.
• Molded Fiber Technology: Advanced molded pulp packaging with water-resistant coatings offers a plastic-free alternative for compacts and jar, COLOURFORM™ and collaboration with Lancome® is a great example of how a luxury beauty brand can maintain a premium look and be sustainable. 
• Fungi-Based Polymers: Mycelium-grown packaging is emerging as a high-performing alternative to traditional plastic and foam.
• Bacterial Cellulose Films: Developed from microbial fermentation, these materials offer a biodegradable and transparent alternative to plastic wraps.
• Marine-Safe Biopolymers: Next-generation algae-based plastics designed to break down in ocean environments without harm.
• Waxed Paper: A natural and biodegradable option for moisture protection.
• Candelilla wax is a plant-based alternative to beeswax and is often used in combination with other natural fibers. It provides a moisture-resistant barrier and can be formulated to offer some UV protection.
• Upcycled Beauty Waste Packaging: Innovations that repurpose cosmetic byproducts—like crushed shells or spent coffee grounds—into durable, unique packaging materials.

The design innovation required to create sustainable packaging, particularly in beauty, is not simple; it takes time, resources, imagination and a human-centered design approach.    

About the Author 

Deb Adams is Chief Creative Officer of domo Marketing and a lifelong environmental activist. She advocates for sustainable packaging and leveraging design as a powerful tool to empower people and brands to positively impact our world. To connect with Deb, go to https://www.linkedin.com/in/debadams/.