CeraVe Night Cream - Charles Austria

Brief

CeraVe is a popular skin care company that provides a variety of skin solutions including moisturizers, cleansers, and more. They are very ingredient focused and keep their packaging very simple and clean. While their products are well recommended, they are not easily used by the seeing impaired. Labels are stickers with no differentiation in the bottles and containers which can be a problem if you have multiple bottles.

Original CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream packaging

Research

Various methods to help the visually impaired enjoy the product easier were considered as well as an ergonomic design for those with motor issues. Braille and non braille indicators were made to identify the jar quickly. The shape of the container allows it to be opened by traditional methods but also using pressure with your palms. This was in consideration to conditions like arthritis or anything else that could impact strength.

Braille for text

"Skin Renewing Night Cream" rendered in Grade 2 Contracted Braille for the lid.

Non-Braille Indicators

Raised tactile indicators allow the jar to be identified without reading braille.

Ergonomic Reference

Existing containers with braille and non-braille indicators. Having the extra fins also creates an extra place to hold making it easier to open.

Reference

The main reference for many of the universal design cues were from the Humanrace products. Their design not only considers how to extend the lifespan of the product to make it more sustainable but also a more accessible and legible.

Humanrace Containers & Refills

Humanrace's refillable pod system: keep the outer container, swap the inner pod.

Pod System in Use

All the different components in humanrace packaging, the refill pod is removed and replaced, reducing packaging waste.

Sketches

Exploration began with sculptural forms before progressing toward more ergonomic shapes. The final chosen design balances the wide, grippable silhouette with a refined label band.

Progression from sculptural exploration to the final ergonomic form

Final Model

The final version features a wide, tapered container with a screw-off lid. The physical model (left) and 3D render (right) show the braille lid, label band, and overall proportions.

Physical Model

Hand-finished physical model showing the label wrap and overall form.

3D Render

Rendered version showing the final CMF — white ABS body with purple label band.

Features

Braille on Lid

Braille located on the lid of the bottle allows visually impaired users to identify the product by touch.

Pod Removal Gaps

Gaps in the container allow for the lotion pod to be easily removed and replaced.

Low-Start Threading

Threading starts lower on the container, making it easier to seat the cap with shaky hands.

Debossed Moon

A debossed moon on the lid helps quickly identify the container by touch, finding which cream is for night without needing to read the full braille.

CMF & Dimensions

Outer Container
ABS Plastic with Glossy Finish
Pantone 11-0601 TPX — Bright White

Refill Pod
HDPE with Glossy Finish
Pantone 2071 XGC — Lavender

Dimensions
Outer container: 66.8 × 66.8 mm, 27.69 mm tall
With lid: 62.73 × 62.73 mm
Pod: 52.6 × 52.6 mm, 35.56 mm tall, 46.5 mm inner depth

Outer container, assembled, and refill pod with annotated dimensions

Why a Pod?

Refillable systems are more sustainable as the life cycle of the main container is extended. Instead of disposing of the entire lotion container, the consumer throws out only the pod.

Refill pods could be sold in retailers, through e-commerce, or as a subscription service.

Exploded view showing the lid, refill pod, and outer container

In Context

The redesigned jar on a bedside table.