Popular Packaging Symbols on Cosmetics and Their Meaning

With your cosmetics containing so many different ingredients, it can be quite hard to learn information about them. This is where packaging icons come in to play in the world of beauty products. Not only can these little symbols tell you some real useful information about your makeup or skincare products, but they can also help you understand exactly what you’re applying on to your skin. The complicated part is that there are multiple different makeup symbols and so it can be confusing trying to figure out what they all mean.

If you know the cosmetology meaning or you’ve been around cosmetology, you might already know what they mean. However, if not, then keep reading to get a little insight.

Folded Arrows

The first cosmetic symbols to take notice of are the folded arrows. This symbol means that the package is recyclable. If this labels icon is by itself, it means that the entire packaging can be recycled. If there is a percentage next to the symbol, it basically means that it only has that percentage of recycled parts. For instance, if it has 80% by it, it means that the packaging is made from 80% recycled materials and 20% non-recycled materials. If your product is 100% recyclable, then you can throw the whole thing right in the recycling bin!

Cruelty Free

The cruelty free beauty sign is one of the most sought after icons. While there are a few different symbols that are used, they all practically mean the same thing. The symbols will be listed below, but all of them mean that the product is cruelty free. This means that the product hasn’t been tested on animals and none of their suppliers have tested on animals. In addition, these symbols indicate that the product doesn’t contain any ingredients that come from harming animals. The most common cruelty free symbols are:

  • a leaping bunny
  • the PETA bunny
  • a bunny that says: NOT TESTED ON ANIMALS

Flames

If the package has a picture of flames, it means that it’s flammable. To be on the safe side, make sure you don’t use the product near flames because you don’t want to risk it catching on fire. You also don’t want to use it around high heat because this can cause a fire too. The good thing is if the product doesn’t have this symbol, then it isn’t flammable and you don’t have to worry.

Small Pot with Number

The next symbol that you’ll see quite often on cosmetics is a small pot with a number on it. The number can be anything from 6M, to 12M, to 36M. This is an indication of the shelf life of the product. For example, 6M would be 6 months, 12M would be 12 months and 36M would be 36 months. Since this is the shelf life, you don’t want to use the product if it has passed that amount of time because it can be extremely dangerous.

Hands with Booklet

Look for a book with a hand pointing to it. This symbol indicates that there is a small booklet with the product that will give you further information. Oftentimes, it will be taped to the actual product or in the box it came in. These booklets will give you a lot of essential info. Some of this information will provide you details on how to use the product, how to store the product, what to avoid when using the product and ways to contact the company if need be.

Letter E

The final symbol that’s pretty common with cosmetics is a lowercase letter E. This one indicates that the product has been filled using something called the average fill system. So this means that you’ll get at least the amount that’s listed on the product. Keep in mind though that these are just estimates so it’s very likely that you’ll get a little bit more, but you won’t ever get less than what it says. This symbol should come right after amount. For example, if the package says there is 60oz in the container, the E will come right after that.

Now that you know what some of the most essential symbols mean, you’ll be able to understand the product that you are purchasing better. No longer you won’t have to wonder about the cosmetic symbols because you’ll be able to remember back to this article! If you prefer mixing ingredients and make homemade cosmetics with All in Packaging you can get the best packaging that provide safe storage of your products.

Meighan Sembrano

London based journalist Meighan Sembrano is an expert in beauty and skin related concerns and topics. She has contributed a vast range of research papers and features in the Health and Fitness field.