As the lines between beauty categories become increasingly blurred, multifunctional and hybrid products are finding their way to consumers. It’s a trend creating hype in Asian and European markets, and influencing packaging design, as Dominique Huret of Cape Decision observed for PKN at the recent edition of Paris Packaging Week.
Pinnacle of packaging functionality
Based in Miami Florida, Nuon Medical Technology is a healthcare technology company focused on developing advanced medical devices and digital health solutions. The Nuon technologies integrate artificial intelligence, data analytics, and precision engineering to enhance patient care, streamline diagnostics, and improve treatment outcomes. The company is a pioneer in Beauty Tech. Among Nuon’s 200 patents, there are several functional packaging solutions, mostly caps.
The first cap enhances the absorption of active ingredients while targeting wrinkles or acne through the combined effect of red-light therapy (anti-ageing) or blue light therapy (anti-acne), therapeutic heat, and massage beads. The reversible cap ensures a simple application. (Image 1)
Second, the LED Facial Sculpt Ring combines light therapy and therapeutic heat for skin care and enhanced formula results. The removable ring features a magnetic system for handling and repositioning. (Image 2)
The third cap provides a vibration massage that enhances the action of microcurrents, heat, and light. The lower part allows for disinfecting the cap applicator with blue light. All these packaging components are rechargeable via USB-C. (Image 3)
Droppers tailored to fit all shapes and sizes
It was the first show for PSB Industries since its subsidiary Texen joined Quadpack to form a single group. The combination places PSB Industries in the top five cosmetics packaging companies worldwide. The Dropify Bottle was the star of its official launch. This is the first solution to come out of Quadpack’s new dropper development platform. Dropify embodies Gen Z cool, with a fresh new look, one-handed usage and in-built sustainability features. Practical and hygienic, it is aimed at minimalist skincare routine that enables brands to adapt to changing consumer behaviour. (Image 4)
Quadpack’s new Huki tottle combines sleek, minimalist design with rounded edges for a modern touch. Perfectly versatile, it is aimed at skincare and makeup formulas. Its compact, portable construction ensures mess-free use on the go. Mono-layer and three-layer bottles, and double wall cap with post-consumer recycled (PCR) content are all available options. (Image 5)
Albea Cosmetics & Fragrance was proud to showcase Pure Drop, its 30ml 100 per cent polypropylene (PP) push button dropper. Stem, button, collar and spring are all made from PP; quite a technical achievement composed of only three pieces, with no material mix; it is compatible with a glass bottle. Made in Brittany, the dropper is still a prototype but will be on the market in the coming months. (Image 6)
Embracing refillable beauty
Dispensing giant Aptar Beauty introduced Nomad Refill, a purse spray refillable in less than five seconds. It is compatible with all perfume bottles using an SNI 15 screw pump. The design simplifies the refill process: unscrew the fragrance pump, remove the bottom cap from the base of Nomad Refill, screw the connector, flip upside down, and activate the refilling process. Refilling will stop automatically when it’s full, avoiding overfilling and keeping pressure within safety limits. (Image 7)
Hyléance Beauté is a new cosmetics division of Hyléance Group, a family-owned French company and expert in plastic packaging. The group operates five manufacturing sites in Europe. Hyléance Beauté is putting a clear focus on the 3Rs and has no intention of renouncing plastic, rather working on reduction and recyclable refill solutions. Its puRe Stick is based on the principle of a solid formula moulded into a cupula and fitted to the base attached to the lid. Its puRe Roll-on is based on a roller ball fixed to a removable part with a shape and rotation capacity that guarantees application of the formula, without wastage. It can be taken apart and is washable, and suitable for deodorants, suncare, and creams and liquid or solid refills (diluted powders). puRe Twist made its debut at the trade show. Based on a mechanism similar to that of a lipstick, the solid bulk is moulded onto a base that allows its application as soon as it is fitted inside the mechanism. The only waste to be thrown away is the ring (10 times less plastic to recycle). (Image 8)
Another French company, Medicos showcased its flagship item, Melvita Refillable Inner Jar, with the innovative Re-CliCK refill system, a Medicos patent. Combined with a refillable glass jar, the refill system is intuitive and easy to use. (Image 9)
Medicos’ Armani Refillable Foundation packaging solution allows both the glass bottle and the plastic refill to be embellished. The four injected parts are manufactured in Medicos factories without carbon black, hot-stamped, and then varnished for protection. (Image 10)
Pumped up sustainable beauty
Aptar Beauty has also redesigned versions of two of its top-selling pumps. The newly coined GSA Advance and PZ Advance are now made entirely of plastic to facilitate recycling. The GSA Advance is a full-cartridge PP and PE needing only a smooth actuation force. Rated as highly recyclable when paired with HDPE, PP or PET, it is also PCR capable. The twist-to-lock system allows it to be sealed in the open and closed positions, making it suitable for on-the-go use. It is Ista-6 compliant, polyoxymethylene (POM)-free and fully interchangeable with its bestselling GSA dispensing pump. PZ Advance is a high-performance spray pump delivering 190mcl dose. It is POM-free, PCR capable, features twist-to-lock, and is Ista-6 optimised. This spray pump has application for a wide range of viscosities and is especially suited to suncare and on-the-go usage. (Image 11)
This article was first published in the March-April 2025 print issue of PKN Packaging News, p38.
