Not really, simply say sorry the kits are unsealed they had to be opened for inspection at the airport. In this day and age if an adult, especially a family member receiving them can not understand that, they probably should not be given alrline amenity kits or perhaps any gift.

As for the OP, as you described, an over zealous screener. We have all dealt with them at one point or another. That said I can understand them wanting to see the cream rather than have it enclosed in the kit. No one every said the rules had to make sense, let alone common sense.