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Should cosmetic packaging be sterilized before making a batch?
There are different opinions on this, and I feel like I’m a bit confused. Some say that there is no such need, because the packaging should be suitable for production and simply clean. Others say they always sterilize them.
In general, what I’m afraid of is that the packages are packed after production, then are printed, shipped, stored, and I wonder if they can still be clean enough after all these processes.
If they should be sterilized, then it should be done outside and inside? What about dust or other “things” that may have gotten inside? -
8 Replies
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1. Supplier should usually provide nice and clean packaging. If not, I would return it. Cleaning the packaging is not a good thing.
2. You should also conduct some microbial testing on a few packaging.
3. Your preservative system should be strong enough to avoid any issues.
(that is why you’re usually sending product in its original packaging for PET).
4. If you are making things at home (small batches), you can spray it with a rubbing alcohol.You usually do not need things to be sterilized. Sanitized? Yes.
Clean air and GMP is also important. -
It depends on when the package is made and how it is stored.
I order my packages, after production they store it in plastic bag and i purchase it the next day. At first they are clean because it is made in very high temperature and then it is stored in plastic bag closed so less chance of contamination.
For my situation PhilGeis said it is not necessary to sanitize the packages.If your situation is the same you May not need it too.
If you are using it for yourself or small quantities, filling a few bottles with alcohol and emptying it is not a big problem just to be more confident. -
No need and likely not feasible to sterilize. They should be clean - if you have the resources, check micro content on samples of a few lots.
Exception might be pumps - if preprimed or tested, may have residual water and that will have bugs. These can’t be sterilized - work with supplier to stop the practice or rinse with alcohol. -
@Paprik @Abdullah @PhilGeis Thank you all for your answers, it’s a great relief to have someone to ask in these situations. For now, I have samples from several manufacturers. The packaging looks clean, I haven’t tested it yet in lab. But they are transparent and I poured water into them and I can see something that looks like dust. They were packed in plastic zipper bags. Maybe it’s silly, but I always thought that such packaging are definitely cleaned just before production. This dust worries me. If the manufacturer store them for a while, then they will have to make printing on them, then they send them to me, after that I will also store them for a while, is it possible to avoid collecting dust? I wish there was no one at all. Is it better to rinse them to be sure in such a situation? How? It will be several thousand packages.
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Run micro of rinse water of a few lots.
Also - ask the supplier. -
@PhilGeis You mean: take the packages, pour the water, then send that water for testing? Should the microorganisms be completely undetected? What about the dust?
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Sort of - sterile water but sending it for testing won’t work. Bugs can grow in transit.
Ask the supplier about package quality. -
Or you can swab it. As you would do on your tables, equipment etc …
I believe some tests you can do even yourself. If you buy Agar plates, sterile swaps, nutrient liquid and incubator. You just need to know how to count colonies, what to look for etc .. Just an idea
Of course it is better to send it off to more qualified companies.
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