Cosmetic Tube Packaging: A Guide to Materials

Q: When is single-layer PE enough vs. COEX/laminate?

Use single-layer PE for standard creams and gels. Choose COEX with EVOH or ABL/PBL laminate when formulas are oxygen or fragrance-sensitive or contain solvents/actives needing higher barrier.

Q: When should I consider aluminum tubes?

For maximum light, oxygen and moisture barrier and premium positioning (e.g., retinol, vitamin C, OTC). Pay attention to crimping style and liner compatibility.

Q: What about PCR and bio-PE?

PCR-PE reduces virgin plastic; bio-PE uses sugarcane feedstock. Both can match standard PE performance; validate printability and color control.

Q: How does material affect recyclability?

Mono-material PE tubes with PE caps are easier to sort; multilayers and heavy metallization reduce recyclability. Provide resin IDs and component weights for EPR.

Q: How do I check formula compatibility with the tube?

Run compatibility and aging tests: fill/stand, hot-cold cycles, migration (where applicable), fragrance/solvent stress, and torque/leak/pressure tests.

Home » News » How to choose the right material for cosmetic tube packaging?

When selecting suitable materials for cosmetic tube packaging, you need to consider multiple factors, including product properties, intended use, market positioning, environmental friendliness, and cost. The following are some key factors and commonly used material types to help you make the best choice:

1. Product Properties and Ingredients

The type and ingredients of cosmetics determine the packaging material requirements:

Acidity and Alkalinity: If the product contains acidic or alkaline ingredients, the packaging material must be corrosion-resistant.
Volatile Substances: If the product contains a strong or volatile liquid (such as perfume or essential oils), the packaging material must have a good seal to prevent odor loss.
Water-Solubility or Oil-Based: Water-based and oil-based cosmetics have different material requirements. Oil-based cosmetics may require better oil and moisture resistance.

2. Common Material Types

Depending on functional requirements, the following types of tube materials can be selected:

① Aluminum Tube

Features: It has excellent barrier properties, effectively preventing the ingress of air, moisture, and light, thereby protecting product quality.
Applications: Widely used in products requiring a long shelf life, such as skincare products and ointments.
Advantages: Lightweight, recyclable, and offers excellent sealing and oxidation resistance.
Disadvantages: Compared to other materials, it creases easily and is not as flexible as plastic tubes.Aluminium Collapsible Tubes

② Plastic Tube (PE, PBL)

PE (Polyethylene) Tube:
Features: Lightweight, impact-resistant, low cost, and flexible.
Applications: Suitable for most skincare and shampoo products, with excellent oxidation and moisture resistance.
Advantages: Highly resistant to pressure and easily recyclable.
Disadvantages: Not as good as aluminum tubes in terms of barrier properties.
PP (Polypropylene) Tube:
Features: More heat-resistant than PE, suitable for use in higher temperature environments.
Applications: Suitable for some high-temperature processes or temperature-sensitive products.
Advantages: Corrosion-resistant, suitable for use in higher temperatures, and high hardness.
Disadvantages: Relatively rigid, less comfortable to use than PE.

③ Composite Tubes (Aluminum-Plastic Composite Tubes)

Features: Combining aluminum foil with plastic, it combines the advantages of both, offering the barrier properties of aluminum tubes with the flexibility of plastic.
Applications: Widely used in high-end cosmetics, serums, and more.
Advantages: Good barrier properties, attractive appearance, and relatively durable.
Disadvantages: Relatively high cost and difficult to recycle.

3. Sealing and Anti-Counterfeiting Functions

Sealing: Tube packaging requires a good seal to prevent air contamination and extend shelf life. For cosmetics that are easily oxidized or volatile (such as serums and creams), consider hoses with sealing rings or press-fit designs.

Anti-Counterfeiting: To prevent counterfeiting and leakage of product information, hoses can be made with anti-counterfeiting labels or coatings to enhance brand protection.

4. Environmental Friendliness

Recyclability: Choosing recyclable materials such as PE, PP, and PET meets environmental requirements. With increasing consumer awareness of environmental protection, choosing materials that meet environmental standards can also help enhance brand image.
Biodegradable Materials: Biodegradable materials such as PLA (polylactic acid), while currently less commonly used in cosmetics packaging, are being explored by some high-end brands.

5. Cost Control

Depending on brand positioning and budget, the cost of material selection is also an important factor. Generally speaking:

Aluminum tubes and Composite tubes are more expensive, but offer better protection and are suitable for high-end cosmetics.
PE and PP plastic tubes are less expensive and are suitable for brands with bulk products or limited budgets.

6. Consumer Experience

The consumer experience with tube packaging is also crucial:

Flexibility: The softness of the tube affects whether consumers can easily squeeze the product out.
Design: This includes factors such as opening size, tube design, and ease of flow control, all of which can influence the user experience.

7. Appearance and Printing

Print Quality: Choosing the right material ensures clear and easy printing of images and text, enhancing the product’s appeal.
Gloss: Aluminum and composite tubes typically offer a higher gloss, making the product appear more premium.

Key Takeaways

Selecting suitable materials for cosmetic tube packaging involves considering product properties, market positioning, environmental impact, and cost.
Key materials include aluminum tubes for long-lasting protection, plastic tubes (PE, PP) for cost efficiency, and composite tubes for flexibility and barrier properties.
Sealing and anti-counterfeiting features enhance product protection and brand reliability in cosmetic tube packaging.
Environmental friendliness plays a crucial role; recyclable and biodegradable materials can bolster brand image.
Design and consumer experience are vital, affecting how easily consumers use the packaging and how appealing it looks.

When choosing the right cosmetic packaging material, it’s crucial to comprehensively consider factors such as the nature of the product, target market, budget, and environmental requirements.

Choosing Materials for Cosmetic Tubes – Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers on PE/PP, COEX, ABL/PBL, aluminum, PCR & bio-PE, barrier needs (EVOH), compatibility, recyclability, decoration, MOQ and timelines.

1) What are the most common materials for cosmetic tubes?

PE (including LDPE/HDPE), PP, COEX multilayer, laminated ABL/PBL, and aluminum. Eco options include PCR-PE and sugarcane-based bio-PE.

2) When is single-layer PE enough vs. COEX/laminate?

Use single-layer PE for standard creams/gels. Choose COEX with EVOH or ABL/PBL laminate when formulas are oxygen/fragrance-sensitive or contain solvents/actives needing higher barrier.

3) How do ABL and PBL differ?

ABL includes an aluminum foil layer for strong barrier and a metallic look edge; PBL is all-plastic high-barrier with better recyclability potential.

4) When should I consider aluminum tubes?

For maximum light/oxygen/moisture barrier and premium positioning (e.g., retinol, vitamin C, OTC). Note crimping style and liner compatibility.

5) What about PCR and bio-PE?

PCR-PE (post-consumer recycled) reduces virgin plastic; bio-PE uses sugarcane feedstock. Both can match standard PE performance—validate printability and color control.

6) How does material affect recyclability?

Mono-material PE tubes with PE caps are easiest to sort; multilayers and heavy metallization reduce recyclability. Provide resin IDs and component weights for EPR.

7) How do I check formula compatibility with the tube?

Run compatibility & aging: fill/stand tests, hot-cold cycles, migration (where applicable), fragrance/solvent stress, torque/leak/pressure tests.

8) Does material choice limit decoration or finishes?

PE/PP support silk screen, offset, hot-foil, soft-touch, pearl, label. Laminates allow high-resolution graphics. Surface treatment/ink systems must match substrate.

9) What’s the impact on cost and MOQ?

Single-layer PE is most cost-effective with lower MOQs. COEX/ABL/PBL and aluminum add barrier and visual benefits but increase unit cost and typical MOQ (often 5,000–10,000 pcs/design).

10) How do opacity and light protection factor in?

Use opaque or pigment-rich PE, internal liners, or ABL/PBL for light-sensitive actives. Clear/translucent sleeves favor visual appeal but reduce light barrier.

11) Are there temperature or transport considerations?

Yes—spec heat/ultrasonic seals, headspace, proper orifice for viscosity, and perform drop/pressure/transport simulations to prevent leaks and deformation.

12) What’s a typical development timeline?

Sampling ~7–10 days after artwork & spec lock; mass production ~25–30 days after sample approval (varies by finishes/season and component sourcing).

Ready to customize your packaging? Contact our team for detailed pricing, MOQ flexibility, and fast production samples.

Request Quote Ask for Sample