By Dr. Elinor Garely | InMyPersonalOpinion.Life
I spent a day wandering the sprawling, buzzing floor of The Make Up Show at New York’s Javits Center, not the glittery influencer playground you might expect, but a B2B manufacturing temple of containers. The glamour? Walls of identical, empty jars. Tubes shimmering under spotlights. Palettes waiting for product. The air pulsed with talk of injection molding, PCR materials, and MOQs. After hours of examining prototypes and datasheets, my legs ached, my head spun with specs, and I was left with a serious bone to pick with the entire industry.
The innovations, sustainable resins, magnetic closures, advanced airless pumps, were breathtaking. Technically speaking. But I wasn’t there for specs. I was there for wisdom. And I found it in a sold-out workshop titled, brilliantly, “Silver Is the New Cool.” Led by designers and market strategists, the room buzzed with quiet intensity. The focus? The most overlooked demographic in beauty: the 50+ consumer.
Expanding the Silver Market: A Demographic Powerhouse
The “Silver Economy” is projected to reach $8.5 trillion globally by 2032. In the U.S., 73 million Americans aged 50 and older are expected to grow to 88 million by 2050 (U.S. Census Bureau). Yet 78 percent of women over 55 feel invisible to brands (AARP). That’s not just a missed opportunity; it’s a market failure.
The Arthritis Effect: Not Just a Senior Problem
Arthritis affects 21.2 percent of U.S. adults, over 54 million people, and it’s no longer just a senior issue.
- 3.6 percent of adults aged 18–34 already live with arthritis
- 11.2 percent of adults aged 35–49 are affected
- Women are disproportionately impacted, with 21.5 percent reporting arthritis vs. 16.1 percent of men
- Arthritis is the #1 cause of disability in the U.S., surpassing heart disease and diabetes (Source: CDC, Arthritis Foundation)
This means millions of working-age adults, parents, professionals, creatives, are struggling with packaging that ignores their physical realities. The pain isn’t just in the joints. It’s in the design.
Packaging Pain: What the Data Reveals
According to the Arthritis Foundation’s 2024 Ease of Use Study:
- 70 percent of consumers with arthritis struggle with packaging that requires twisting or gripping
- 89 percent report physical pain from packaging, including cuts, wrist injuries, and even chipped teeth
- 86 percent of consumers with arthritis and 76 percent of general consumers say ease-of-use is a top priority when purchasing
- 66 percent would switch brands or pay more for easier-to-use products
The worst offenders? Twist-off lids, blister packs, childproof caps, heavy bottles, and deep jars. Sound familiar?
Market Potential Meets Design Failures
Surveys show that over 60 percent of older consumers struggle with standard cosmetic containers. The irony? Manufacturers can produce chemical-preserving pumps but overlook simple, effective solutions like textured grips or easy-open tabs. Many products scream “design for Gen Z” while forgetting those who need secure, ergonomic packaging the most.
Design Principles for the Arthritis-Affected Consumer
🧠 Want to win loyalty across generations? Start here:
✅ Easy-grip lids and rubberized textures
✅ High-contrast fonts and large labels
✅ One-handed open mechanisms
✅ Arthritis-friendly tabs and closures
✅ Clear instructions with visual cues
✅ Packaging that feels good in the hand—not just looks good on the shelf
The Business Case for Inclusive Packaging
Inclusive design isn’t charity, it’s strategy. Nielsen and Arthritis Foundation studies show that inclusive features can boost sales by up to 20 percent among older demographics. These features benefit everyone, from new moms to people with disabilities to Gen Zers with repetitive strain injuries. Accessibility is universal. And profitable.
Call to Action: Innovate or Miss Out
The data is clear: ergonomic packaging isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity. The industry is at the drawing board. Now’s the time to pilot weighted compacts, rubberized grips, and high-contrast fonts. Share feedback. Collaborate with accessibility experts. Adopt universal design standards. The next billion-dollar packaging solution won’t just look good—it’ll feel good in your hands.
Until then, industry talk of inclusivity remains lip service—probably housed in a tube that’s impossible to twist.
💬 What’s the worst piece of packaging you’ve ever struggled with? Sound off in the comments. Let’s turn frustration into innovation.
© 2025 Dr. Elinor Garely. All rights reserved. This editorial and its associated visual assets are protected under U.S. copyright law. Unauthorized reproduction or distribution is strictly prohibited.
