Why the colour of a bottle matters
Skincare products deteriorate most when you’re not looking. Placed near a window or under bathroom lighting, they receive a daily dose of light. Over time, this exposure can trigger reactions in the formula such as oxidation, isomerisation, photochemical decomposition, or polymerisation. The possible result: less concentrated active ingredients, a changed texture, and unwanted byproducts.
The container is the first line of defence against this photodegradation. And its colour determines what reaches the product. That’s where violet glass makes a difference.
Miron violet glass in brief
Miron glass is a deep violet glass made in Europe since 1995 by the Dutch company Miron Violetglass, based in Hoogeveen. It was designed for a specific purpose: to act as a light filter for natural and sensitive products, rather than simply blocking all light.
The benefits of violet glass for your skincare products
Violet-tinted glass may seem like an aesthetic choice. Yet each of its properties addresses a very real challenge in cosmetic preservation.
A filter targeted at visible light
According to the manufacturer, violet glass blocks the entire visible spectrum—the portion of light it considers most damaging to formulas—while allowing some UVA and infrared rays to pass through. While clear glass lets in most light, violet glass filters what passes through it.
A formula preserved longer
By limiting exposure to light, violet glass slows down the natural degradation of the formula. The manufacturer cites three benefits: better preservation of colour, scent, and composition; a texture and viscosity that remain stable longer; and an extended shelf life. It is particularly suitable for natural formulas, products intended for long-term preservation, and oil-based preparations.
A colour throughout the glass
The violet colour is neither a varnish nor a coating: it is part of the glass itself. The protection does not wear out, peel, or disappear when washed, from the first day of use to the last.
An inert material
The manufacturer describes the glass as inert and resistant. The glass does not interact with the formula it contains: no migration, no transferred odours, and no reaction with the active ingredients or oils.
Reusable and recyclable
Designed to last, a violet glass bottle or jar can be washed and reused at home. The glass can also be recycled without any loss in quality. The only issue noted by Miron is that its tint can interfere with the optical sorters in some sorting centres, and the manufacturer is testing a formula update to address this.
Violet glass or amber glass: what sets them apart
Amber glass, the brown shade found on many bottles, blocks light broadly. Violet glass uses a more selective approach: it targets the visible spectrum and allows some UVA and infrared rays to pass through. According to Miron, this selectivity is what distinguishes violet from amber, green, blue, or clear glass.
These comparisons are based on the manufacturer’s data, which describes its glass in qualitative terms: to our knowledge, no published independent study quantifies the difference between the tints.
Violet glass, our choice for our face care products
Élixir Visage N°1 is packaged in a Miron violet glass bottle, while the Crème Visage N°2 comes in a jar made of the same glass.
Both formulas are 100% of natural origin and rely on marine active ingredients from Brittany, such as Iroise seawater or Molène seaweed. This is precisely the type of formula for which violet glass was designed. In Crème Visage N°2, vitamin E protects the formula from oxidation from within, while the glass protects it from light from the outside.
Properly preserving your skincare product, even in violet glass
Violet glass slows down degradation, but it does not prevent it. A few simple steps can extend its effects.
- Store your skincare product away from direct light and heat. Avoid placing it near a window or a radiator.
- Close it tightly after each use. Air also promotes oxidation.
- Give the container a second life. Once washed and dried, the jar or bottle can be reused at home.
- Otherwise, recycle it. Follow the sorting instructions printed on the packaging.