The Complete Guide to Making Lotion Bottle Labels

From brick & mortar shops to online sites like Etsy, consumers have an increasing selection of lotion and skincare options. It’s no surprise that the skincare market is growing, with an expected CAGR of 4.6% from 2022-2030. Effective branding is key to success in the industry, and packaging labels get consumers’ attention. Get an edge on the competition with our guide below on making great lotion bottle labels.

How to Get Your Lotion Brand Noticed with Product Labels

A welcoming brand is key to success in the market. For your lotion products, focus on eye-catching designs that align with your brand. The bottle should match your business’ similar products that will appear next to it on the store shelves. Several label styles work with lotion brands, and even more important is the label content.

Find the Right Label Style for Your Lotion Brand

Many lotion businesses choose one of two label styles for their bottles. Some brands prefer two labels, one for the front of the bottle and one for the back. Others use a single label that wraps all the way around the bottle. Below, we explore both label styles and explain the minimal labeling style for lotion bottles and jars.

Wraparound Labels

A wraparound label is a rectangular label meant to cover the full curvature of the bottle, wrapping around from front to back. This style allows for plenty of space for branding on the front of the bottle, saving the sides and back for small text as needed.

Wraparound labels look natural on circular bottles. Many lotion brands choose a flat color or transparency for wraparound labels, making images and text visible on the label.

Front and Back Labels

Many lotion brands use two rectangular or square labels for their glass bottles. The dual-label setup works well with lotion bottles regardless of whether it is round or rectangular. The best practice for this style is to use the front label for branding and key visuals. The back label provides space for an ingredient list, expiration date, and other necessary text. 

Minimal Labeling

Minimal designs are common for lotion bottles. Many brands opt for a large, front-facing label that does most of the in-store marketing. A transparent back label accommodates the ingredient list and warnings as necessary, while still keeping the design minimal.

Regardless of label style, open space on the label facilitates a clean design. To the same point, making the glass packaging prominent through or around the label contributes to a luxurious brand.

Label Styles for Glass Jars

Though bottles are more common, some skincare brands use glass jars for lotion packaging. These brands often use a single label on their jars. If you plan to use glass lotion jars, consider either a wraparound label or a rectangular label on the front of the jar. 

Select the Best Content for Your Label

The sections below cover five of the most important elements to include on your lotion bottle label, and tips for incorporating them into your design. Alongside these tips, make sure to read through the FDA cosmetic label guidelines before designing the bottle label for your lotion brand.

1. Product Name

Make the name of your lotion prominent on the bottle label. Customers will know the name of the product before purchasing, and more importantly, they will remember it once it’s in their homes. This allows customers to easily recommend the product to others by word of mouth.

2. Branding

Design your lotion bottle label with your logo and brand name clearly visible on the front of the bottle. Consider placing any important imagery that reflects the product on the front of the label as well. Many brands place a single, large image reflecting the product aesthetic in the center.

3. Ingredients

Customers are growing more conscious of the ingredients in their cosmetics. Ensure that your lotion label includes a complete list of ingredients used to make your product. As with many products, simple, easy-to-read ingredients are the most appealing.

An ingredient list is not only key to honest labeling, but it’s specified by the FDA. Per their guidelines, the ingredient list text must be at least 1/16 inches high. Or, if the labeling surface is less than 12 square inches, the text can be just 1/32 inches.

4. Use Directions and Warnings

If necessary, briefly mention the lotion’s intended use on the bottle label, whether for the hands, face, or body. 

Include label warnings that your customers should know before they use their product. This may be as simple as a note to avoid contact with the eyes and ingestion. The FDA requires that warnings be prominent and conspicuous, with bold text at least 1/16 inches in height.

5. Expiration Date

Though lotion has a long shelf life when stored properly, it does eventually expire. Expired lotion isn’t typically harmful to consumers, but the risk of bacterial infection increases. Consumers should know when their product begins to lose value, so make sure to include an expiration date on the packaging label.

Use Waterproof Labels

Customers often keep lotion bottles in their shower or by their bath. Thus, they are constantly exposed to water. Waterproof labels allow for a good user experience throughout the product’s lifetime. 

Conclusion

As you design the perfect labels for your lotion products, consider the customer’s experience as they shop. Cohesive branding will make your product line stand out. So to get started: take note of all the content needed on the label, then incorporate them in the design with the consumer in mind. 

Learn more about how to market lotion and other cosmetics to your customers with our comprehensive guide.