What are the best colours for skincare packaging?

In the cosmetics industry, where aesthetics extend beyond the texture and fragrance of a product, the choice of colours has become a strategic decision in its own right. One of the most frequently discussed questions today is: what colours work best for skincare packaging?

There are many questions to explore: which shades evoke purity, naturalness, performance or luxury? How can you ensure that your choice of colours strengthens both your brand identity and your commitment to sustainability?

Join us as we explore the major trends, the symbolism of colours, and their impact on the world of skincare. We will also see how, at mPackting, colour design is combined with sustainable materials to create packaging that is both sensory and coherent.

Why is packaging colour so important in the cosmetics industry?

In the world of skincare, the colour of packaging is never neutral. It acts as a visual promise, providing an immediate signal that influences emotion, intuition and purchasing decisions. Even before consumers read a word or test the product’s texture, it’s the colour that captures their attention and shapes their first impression.

In both physical stores and e-commerce platforms, colour plays a decisive role in differentiation. Packaging in muted, elegant tones can suggest high performance or minimalist luxury, while fresh, natural colours signal transparency, well-being and organic formulations.

However, colour also has an impact beyond aesthetics, as it can reinforce trust in the brand. When chosen coherently in line with a brand's values, commitments or target audience, it creates immediate recognition and consolidates loyalty. It is a powerful visual language that, when mastered, can transform a simple product into a sensory and emotional experience.

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Colour psychology: what do the shades say?

Every shade has an emotional charge, a symbolism that can strengthen product perception, reassure the consumer or assert a brand’s identity. Here is how the most used colours translate specific values in the cosmetics context, with concrete examples.

White: purity, safety, minimalism

White is ubiquitous in skincare. It suggests hygiene, transparency, mastered simplicity. It’s often used to inspire confidence, notably by dermatological or pharmaceutical brands such as La Roche-Posay or Avène. It evokes a no-compromise formula, focused on the essentials and without superfluous elements.

Green: natural, sustainability, freshness

A symbol of nature and eco-responsibility, green is the preferred choice of brands that highlight organic ingredients, short supply chains or a strong environmental conscience. It appears at Weleda, Sanoflore or Léa Nature, often combined with vegetal elements or kraft. It expresses a direct link to the earth and holistic health.

Blue: hygiene, efficiency, calm

Soothing and reassuring, blue is very present in ranges for sensitive skin, men, or hydration-focused lines. It evokes freshness, water and clean technology. Brands like Nivea or Biotherm use it to emphasise dermatological performance while creating a sense of serenity.

Pink / nude: softness, care, femininity

Powder pink, flesh tones or nude echo the softness of the cosmetic gesture, sensoriality and the feminine universe. These colours are frequently used for creams, oils or body milks at Caudalie, L’Occitane or Nuxe, reinforcing an image of delicate, caring treatment.

Black: luxury, sophistication, performance

Elegant and timeless, black is often associated with high-end or anti-ageing skincare. It underlines the power of a formula and confers a premium aura. It appears in exclusive lines from Chanel, Lancôme or Dr. Barbara Sturm, often paired with matte or glossy finishes to reinforce the exclusive character.

Beige / wood: authenticity, warmth, craftsmanship

Beige, sand tones or wood finishes recall the natural origin of ingredients and artisanal manufacturing. It’s a warm language, used by brands engaged in slow cosmetics or traceability approaches. Beige is often integrated into the designs of Absolution or in refillable wooden packs such as those offered by mPackting.

Colour trends for skincare in 2025

In 2025, the most prominent colours in skincare are neither loud nor artificial. They evoke nature, material, simplicity—everything sought by consumers who are conscious and sensitive to authenticity. The best colours for skincare packaging thus fall within a sensorial, ethical and visually soothing register.

✅ Earthy and mineral tones

Shades inspired by clay, stone, sand or sandstone—such as soft browns, warm greys or moss greens—express a direct link to nature and the elements. They’re ideal for brands that claim grounded, holistic cosmetics connected to natural resources.

✅ Desaturated pastels and “clean beauty” effect

Desaturated pastel tones (glacier blue, powder pink, diluted lavender) convey an uncluttered aesthetic. They suggest lightness, safety, technical minimalism. Perfect for dermatological, vegan ranges or formulas without controversial ingredients.

✅ Tactile finishes and raw materials

Alongside colour, packaging texture becomes a strong emotional argument. Matte, soft-touch finishes or the use of raw materials such as untreated wood enrich the sensory experience and reinforce coherence with natural formulations.

✅ The alliance of wood + organic tones

Combining naturally grained woods with organic chromatic palettes creates depth and harmony. This approach highlights artisanal quality while valuing the uniqueness of each piece—a strong direction in eco-responsible luxury packaging.

mPackting: chromatic design & sustainable commitment

At mPackting, we place chromatic customisation at the heart of our design approach. Thanks to our expertise in certified wood species (ash, maple, walnut…), we offer a wide range of natural tones, enhanced by soft, oiled or matte finishes.

Our inserts in mBlack™, a bio-based and biodegradable material, can be tinted or left in their original deep black to create subtle contrasts or tone-on-tone harmonies.

Each wood + insert + finish combination thus becomes a coherent aesthetic composition, capable of expressing a brand’s sensorial universe while affirming its responsible commitments.

At mPackting, we design skincare packaging that speaks to the eye, the hand and the conscience. Natural colours, tactile finishes, biodegradable inserts: every detail is conceived to create a sensorial and durable experience. Contact our team to imagine your next project together.