You’re in a pharmacy, holding a tiny bottle of medication. The label looks simple—until you peel back a layer and reveal a detailed dosage guide, multilingual instructions, and safety warnings. This is called a peel and reveal label, and it’s changing how regulated products communicate with consumers.
In industries like pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, where space is limited but information requirements are growing, traditional labels just can’t keep up. From clinical trial data to multilingual safety warnings to allergen disclosures, today’s brands need a way to say more—without cluttering the front of the package.
Peel and reveal labels have become the go-to solution for this challenge. Their clever, compact design offers both form and function, making them a rising star in sectors where regulatory compliance, consumer engagement, and premium branding all matter. And the boom isn’t slowing down, especially in pharma and cosmetics.
What Are Peel and Reveal Labels?
Peel and reveal labels—also known as extended content labels, booklet labels, or multi-layer labels—are a type of packaging innovation that allows additional information to be printed beneath the top layer of a label. Instead of cramming all the content onto a single surface, brands can tuck extra messaging into fold-out or peel-back layers that consumers can open like a miniature booklet.
These labels typically consist of at least two layers. The top layer is partially or fully removable, either permanently (dry-peel) or resealable (wet-peel), depending on the use case. Beneath that layer lies more real estate for instructions, ingredients, translations, coupons, usage diagrams, or legally required disclosures.
From the outside, peel and reveal labels often look like regular stickers or shrink sleeves, maintaining the product’s sleek design. But with a simple peel, they transform into interactive touch points—offering critical product details in a compact, easy-to-read format. This clever use of space makes them especially valuable for small containers like pill bottles, serums, or lip balms, where traditional labels fall short.
How They’re Made
Creating peel and reveal labels is a highly specialised process that combines precision printing, advanced adhesives, and thoughtful layering. The goal is to produce a label that can carry extra information while remaining durable, legible, and easy to use.
The process usually begins with the base layer, which is printed with part of the content—this could include regulatory details or multilingual translations. A silicone release coating is then applied in specific zones to allow the top layer to peel back cleanly. After that, an adhesive is applied, followed by the second printed layer, which carries additional content. This sandwich-like construction can be expanded further, depending on how many layers are needed.
Modern peel and reveal labels can include up to five or more printed panels—essentially turning a small product into a miniature pamphlet. Manufacturers can use a range of materials, such as paper, polypropylene, or even metallic foils. To boost performance or shelf appeal, they often add finishes like UV varnish, matte laminates, or tactile coatings.
All of this must be done with tight registration to ensure layers align perfectly when peeled. Adhesives also need to be carefully selected to ensure that the label sticks when needed and peels smoothly without tearing or leaving residue.
Types & Functionality
Peel and reveal labels come in several formats, each designed to meet specific needs depending on the product type, regulatory requirements, and user interaction.
A primary distinction is between wet-peel and dry-peel labels. Wet-peel versions are resealable, making them ideal for items like prescription bottles or skincare products, where users need to reference instructions more than once. Dry-peel labels, by contrast, are meant for one-time use—common in promotional campaigns where a coupon or contest code is revealed under the top layer.
Beyond that, there are several structural styles:
• Booklet labels unfold like a small pamphlet, offering room for multilingual content, ingredient disclosures, or legal disclaimers.
• Hinge labels peel open from one side but stay attached, creating a smooth and reusable flap.
• Piggyback labels stack one label on top of another; the top layer can be removed and reapplied elsewhere, often used for logistics or rebate submissions.
• Nested labels hide additional layers within folds or perforated sections, making them perfect for compact packaging with dense information needs.
What these designs share is an emphasis on user experience. Clear peel prompts, smooth opening mechanisms, and carefully engineered adhesives ensure the labels are intuitive and durable. In regulated industries like cosmetics and pharma, even the smallest packaging details must work flawlessly—and peel and reveal labels are built for exactly that.
Key Benefits
Peel and reveal labels solve practical challenges while enhancing the overall user experience—especially in industries where space, regulation, and design must work together.
• Space-saving design
Many pharmaceutical and cosmetic products come in small containers that can’t physically accommodate all the required information. Peel and reveal labels unlock extra space by adding hidden layers, making it possible to include ingredients, instructions, warnings, and translations without cluttering the primary label. This is especially helpful for tubes, bottles, and other compact packaging formats.
• Interactive consumer experience
These labels do more than inform—they engage. Peeling back a layer adds a tactile moment of discovery that can be used to deliver tutorials, brand stories, or surprise promotions. It’s an especially powerful tool in cosmetics, where storytelling and user education are part of the brand experience.
• Compliance without compromise
Regulatory bodies often require detailed disclosures, particularly in the pharmaceutical and personal care sectors. With peel and reveal labels, companies can meet multilingual and legal content requirements without crowding out visual design elements or reducing font size to unreadable levels.
• Built-in traceability and safety features
Beneath the peel, brands can include batch numbers, manufacturing dates, or tamper-evident seals. Some labels even house scannable QR codes for verifying product authenticity or accessing digital support tools—an important layer of protection in the fight against counterfeiting.
• Sustainable packaging alternative
By eliminating the need for separate inserts or folded leaflets, these labels help reduce packaging components and material waste. Many are printed on recyclable materials or incorporate post-consumer content, making them a more eco-conscious choice for brands and consumers alike.
Why Pharma Embraces Them
In pharmaceuticals, packaging must do more than look good—it needs to inform, protect, and comply with complex regulations. Peel and reveal labels meet these demands by offering extra space for critical details like dosage instructions, side effects, and storage guidelines—especially useful on small containers like vials or pill bottles.
They also simplify multilingual labelling. Instead of printing separate inserts for each region, brands can include multiple translations in a single, compact label—reducing inventory complexity and ensuring consistent messaging.
These labels support patient safety as well. Hidden information stays protected from wear, and the interactive format encourages users to read it. Many labels now include QR codes linking to dosage reminders, video guides, or digital health tools—making it easier for patients to follow instructions and stay on track.
Cosmetics Sector Boom
In cosmetics, packaging must balance regulatory compliance with aesthetics and customer experience. Peel and reveal labels help brands achieve this by offering space for detailed information—like ingredients, allergy warnings, and multilingual instructions—without crowding small, design-focused containers such as lipsticks or serums.
These labels keep the outer packaging clean and brand-aligned, while the inner panels carry legally required content. This separation allows brands to stay compliant without sacrificing visual appeal.
They also create new opportunities for engagement. Many cosmetics companies use the extra layers to share skincare tips, routine guides, or QR codes linking to videos and loyalty programs-turning the label into a post-purchase experience.
For sustainable and premium brands, peel and reveal labels cut packaging waste by removing the need for separate inserts. This blend of function, compliance, and sustainability is a big reason why they’re gaining traction across the beauty industry.
Regulatory & Design Considerations
Peel and reveal labels may offer design freedom and flexibility, but they must still meet strict regulatory and functional standards—especially in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, where non-compliance can have serious consequences.
In pharmaceuticals, labels must adhere to regulations set by authorities like the FDA in the United States and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in the EU. These rules often mandate that certain information—such as active ingredients, dosage instructions, side effects, and contraindications—must be clearly presented and accessible. In Europe, the Falsified Medicines Directive also requires tamper-evident features and product traceability. Peel and reveal labels offer a streamlined way to meet these requirements without increasing packaging size or complexity.
Cosmetic products are regulated under laws like the FDA’s Fair Packaging and Labeling Act or the EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009. These require full ingredient lists, usage guidelines, allergy information, and warnings. Additionally, ISO 22715 outlines how this information should be visually organised. Peel and reveal labels make it possible to meet all of these criteria while maintaining a brand-forward appearance on the outer layer.
From a design standpoint, usability is just as important as compliance. The label must include a clear indicator—like “Peel here” or a small tab—so the consumer knows how to access the information inside. Folded sections need to open smoothly without tearing, and the adhesive must be engineered to balance secure closure with easy repeat access. On products exposed to water, oil, or handling—like face creams, serums, or pill bottles—durability and resistance to smudging or fading are essential.
Material selection also plays a role. Many peel and reveal labels use layered paper or film substrates with special coatings that resist moisture and chemicals. Recyclable or post-consumer materials are increasingly in demand as sustainability becomes a design priority.
Ultimately, the best peel and reveal labels strike a balance between form and function—looking good on the shelf, holding up in real-world conditions, and checking every box for legal and safety compliance.
Future Trends & Innovations
As peel and reveal labels become more mainstream, innovation in this space is accelerating—driven by rising regulatory demands, consumer expectations, and sustainability goals.
One major trend is the integration of smart packaging technology. Brands are embedding QR codes, NFC tags, or augmented reality triggers beneath the peel to unlock new layers of digital content. A user might scan the label to access application tutorials, safety data sheets, refill reminders, or even loyalty rewards. For pharmaceutical brands, this tech can also serve as a channel for real-time patient support or to validate product authenticity in regions plagued by counterfeit drugs.
Another development is the shift toward eco-friendly materials and processes. Labels are being designed to reduce overall material use, with thinner liners and recyclable films replacing traditional substrates. Digital printing methods allow for shorter runs and personalised messaging, which is especially useful for limited-edition cosmetics or regional pharmaceutical variations. Some manufacturers are even exploring biodegradable adhesives and compostable label layers to align with zero-waste goals.
Customisation at scale is also on the rise. As brands compete for consumer attention, they’re using peel and reveal labels to offer personalised content-whether that’s skincare routines tailored by region or medication instructions based on dosage strength. This ability to print variable data across layers helps meet both compliance and marketing needs.
Conclusion
Peel and reveal labels may have started as a practical solution to a space problem, but they’ve quickly become essential in industries where packaging must do more than just protect a product. In pharmaceuticals, they support patient safety, regulatory compliance, and secure traceability. In cosmetics, they offer a balance between brand storytelling and transparency, all while preserving clean, minimalist design.
They’re becoming popular because of their adaptability. As regulations become more complex and consumers demand more information, these labels provide a flexible format for delivering everything from dosage instructions to QR-enabled video tutorials. At the same time, they support modern goals around sustainability, personalisation, and digital engagement.
