In this article, Lynn Sidebottom, Sales & Marketing Director at Beatson Clark discusses the many good reasons why amber glass containers are still amongst the most popular choices. Why are cough syrups, beer, skin-care products, and essential oils are usually sold in dark brown (or amber) bottles? Is it down to the whim of a creative in a design studio somewhere? Or, is there a more fundamental reason why amber works best for certain products? The fact is that, while the bottle shape is often a question of aesthetics, the colour of the glass is normally chosen for more practical reasons. The protective properties of amber glass are well known: Sunlight contains ultraviolet rays that cannot only damage our skin, but also change the components of different products. Amber glass offers protection by filtering out a broad spectrum of natural light and, by blocking a minimum of 90% of the UV rays, it protects the product and ensures that it isn't altered or degraded in any way. For this reason, amber glass has traditionally been used by breweries, pharmaceutical companies and producers of essential oils.
