Packaging sells the product. Nowhere is this more true than in the cosmetics industry. A premium jar, an elegantly coated cap, a flacon with a flawless surface: all of this helps determine whether a product attracts attention on the shelf. Coating cosmetics packaging is therefore far more than pure aesthetics. It is a central element of brand communication.

At the same time, the cosmetics industry places particularly high demands on packaging surfaces. Resistance to creams and lotions. Skin compatibility. Durability under everyday use. Anyone looking to coat cosmetics packaging must master appearance and function equally.

Typical products in the cosmetics industry

The range is enormous. Nearly every component of a cosmetics package can be coated. The following products are especially common in the coating line:

• Caps and lids. They are the first thing the customer touches. Here, not only the look matters, but also the feel.
• Jars and containers. Whether cream, gel, or powder: the jar defines the overall appearance.
• Pumps and dispensers. Technically demanding, because moving parts must not stick.
• Lipstick cases. Small parts, high volumes. Ideal for drum coating.
• Mascara containers and applicators. Often finished with special soft-touch coatings.
• Perfume flacons and atomizers. High-gloss metallic effects or matte premium surfaces dominate here.

Most of these components are made of plastic. ABS, PP, PE, or SAN are common materials. Each has its own coating requirements.

What the coating must deliver

Coating cosmetics packaging is technically demanding. The surface must not only look good. It must also perform under real-world conditions.

Chemical resistance as a basic requirement

Cosmetic products contain a wide range of chemical substances. Oils. Alcohols. Fragrances. Emulsifiers. All of these can come into contact with the packaging surface. The coating must not be attacked by them. No discoloration. No delamination. No change in surface structure.

High-fat creams and alcohol-based products such as perfumes are particularly critical. Coating systems must be formulated accordingly.

Abrasion resistance for everyday use

Cosmetics packaging is handled daily. Often multiple times. The surface must withstand this continuous use. Fingerprints should be easy to remove. Scratches from fingernails or jewelry must not become visible immediately. High-quality coatings withstand these loads over months.

Skin compatibility and safety

Packaging comes into contact with skin. Lipsticks even come into contact with lips. Strict requirements therefore apply regarding safety. The coating systems used must not release harmful substances into the content or onto the skin. Migration tests ensure these requirements are met.

Adhesion on difficult plastics

Polypropylene is cost-effective and versatile. But it is also notoriously difficult to coat. Its non-polar surface offers few anchoring points. Without special pretreatment or adhesion promoters, the coating quickly peels off again. At Special Coatings, we therefore rely on tailored coating systems that also adhere reliably to PP.

How quality is verified

Quality is not a coincidence. It is tested. In coating cosmetics packaging, various standardized test methods are used.

• Cross-cut test to DIN EN ISO 2409. The classic method for assessing adhesion. A grid is cut into the coating layer, then adhesive tape is applied and removed. Evaluation is based on a scale from 0 to 5.
• Artificial perspiration test to DIN 53160. Simulates daily skin contact. Coated parts are treated with a perspiration solution and examined for changes.
• Saliva test to DIN 53160. Relevant for all packaging that may come into contact with the mouth. Lipsticks. Lip gloss. Lip care products.
• Migration test to EN 71-3. Originally developed for toys, but also relevant in cosmetics. It checks whether harmful elements can migrate out of the coating.
• Chemical resistance tests. Individual tests with the specific ingredients of the cosmetic product. The most demanding test of all.

All coating systems from Special Coatings undergo these tests. This is the only way we can ensure that our decorative surfaces also perform in real use.

Current design trends in the cosmetics industry

The cosmetics industry is trend-driven. What is modern today may be outdated tomorrow. However, some developments persist.

• Matte surfaces. The high-gloss boom is over. Today, velvety matte finishes dominate. They look premium but not loud. Fingerprints are barely visible. Matte electroplating look is especially in demand.
• Soft-touch coatings. The surface feels warm and pleasant. Like rubber, but without a rubber-like appearance. Perfect for products that should convey care and well-being.
• Metallic accents. Gold, silver, rose gold. Metallic-effect coatings create accents and signal premium quality. Often only individual elements are coated metallic, while the rest remains matte or transparent.
• Natural appearance. Earth tones. Stone looks. Wood imitations. Natural cosmetics need packaging that conveys naturalness. Special coating systems can implement these effects convincingly.
• The most important trend of all. Recyclable packaging. Less material. More environmentally friendly coating systems. The coating must fit the brand’s sustainability strategy.

Why drum coating is particularly suitable

Cosmetics packaging is produced in large quantities. Thousands, often millions of identical parts. Classic individual coating on racks is uneconomical here. Drum coating solves this elegantly.

The parts are fed as bulk material into the rotating drum. The coating is applied via the hot spray process. Each part is coated evenly from all sides. The process is fast, efficient, and reproducible.

Coating efficiency is around 95 percent. Almost no material is wasted. This saves costs and protects the environment. At the same time, the process enables short lead times. From sampling to series production often takes only a few weeks.

Detailed information on contract coating of mass small parts can be found on our website.

From the first idea to series production

A typical project starts with an inquiry. You describe your product, the desired look, and the quantities. We check whether your parts are suitable for drum coating.

Next comes sampling. You receive coated sample parts in different shades or surface variants. You can test them, check them with your product ingredients, and align internally. Only when everything fits do we move into series production.

Upon request, we handle the complete project planning. From coating development through sampling to series supply. One contact person. One process. One result.

All details on the sampling process have been compiled separately on our sampling page.

Packaging that strengthens brands

Coating cosmetics packaging combines aesthetics with function. The perfect surface protects the product, delights customers, and strengthens the brand. Matte or glossy, metallic effect or soft-touch: technical options are more diverse today than ever.

What matters is the combination of the right coating, the optimal process, and the experience to coordinate both perfectly. At Special Coatings, we have been bringing these elements together for over 25 years.

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Frequently asked questions

Which cosmetics packaging can be coated?

In principle, all mass small parts made of plastic, metal, or other materials can be coated. Typical products are caps, jars, pumps, lipstick cases, mascara containers, and perfume flacons. Suitability is verified during sampling.

Are the coatings suitable for skin contact?

Yes. The coating systems used at Special Coatings meet strict requirements for skin compatibility and safety. They are tested to DIN 53160 for resistance to artificial perspiration and saliva. Migration tests to EN 71 ensure that no harmful substances are released.

How resistant is the coating against cosmetic products?

The coating systems are tailored specifically to cosmetics requirements. They withstand contact with creams, lotions, oils, and alcohol-based products. Ideally, resistance tests are carried out with the actual ingredients to ensure optimal results.

Can difficult-to-coat plastics such as PP also be coated?

Yes. Polypropylene is demanding, but it can be coated reliably with special adhesion promoters and adapted coating systems. Special Coatings has many years of experience with PP and other challenging substrates.

Which surface effects are possible?

The spectrum ranges from high-gloss and matte electroplating look to soft-touch surfaces. Metallic effects in gold, silver, or rose gold are possible, as are natural looks in earth tones or wood effects. The specific design is coordinated during sampling.

How long does it take from inquiry to series delivery?

That depends on project complexity. For standard applications, only a few weeks often pass from the initial inquiry through sampling to series start. For special developments, coating development may require additional time. A detailed schedule is created after the first project discussion.