Exploring 7 Common Cosmetic Packaging Materials: A Comprehensive Plastic Overview

The demand for private label cosmetics has surged in recent years. Choosing the right cosmetic packaging plays a vital role in presenting the product and ensuring quality. Plastic remains a popular choice for cosmetic packaging, but there are various types of plastic materials, such as PP, PE, PS, PET, PETG, AS, ABS, acrylic, among others.

In this article, we will look at 7 commonly used types of plastic packaging materials from different perspectives:

Private-label cosmetics packaging’s Plastic Raw Material

1. AS
AS, also known as SAN, is a copolymer of styrene and acrylonitrile, with higher impact strength and excellent heat resistance, oil resistance, and chemical corrosion resistance compared to polystyrene (PS). It has moderate hardness, tends to be brittle (produces a clear, crisp sound when tapped), and exhibits good transparency. It can be directly in contact with cosmetics and food. It is commonly used for the body of lotion bottles, vacuum bottles, and small cream jars, presenting a transparent appearance. It is used for cream jars, powder compacts, and eyeshadow palettes.

AS material

AS vs. ABS: AS has better transparency and toughness compared to ABS.

2. ABS
ABS, as an engineering plastic, is not environmentally friendly and has high hardness. It cannot come into direct contact with cosmetics or food. In acrylic cosmetic packaging, it is generally used for inner caps and shoulder sleeves and has a yellowish or off-white color.

It is important to note that if ABS packaging directly contacts the product, it must not contain aliphatic hydrocarbon-based lubricating oils, as this can cause non-crystalline absorption, leading to embrittlement and cracking.

ABS material

3. PP
PP is a polypropylene polymer, an environmentally friendly material that can come into direct contact with cosmetics and food. As a plastic, it is a non-toxic, odorless, and environmentally stable polymer with good heat resistance, cold resistance, and chemical stability. It does not easily change its chemical properties when exposed to strong acids or bases.

Characteristics: Milky white with semi-transparency, smooth and non-greasy texture. PP bottles are softer than PET bottles and easier to squeeze, but have lower transparency. Therefore, they are commonly used for opaque shampoo bottles (easy to squeeze). The colorization of PP materials involves the use of masterbatch pellets, which contain high concentrations of coloring agents and are mixed directly into the PP plastic during production, resulting in colored products.

PP material

4. PE
PE, or polyethylene, is an environmentally friendly material that can come into direct contact with cosmetics and food. It is generally opaque, relatively soft, and less glossy than PET.

Cosmetic applications: Soft tubes, lotion bottles, and bottle caps, among others.

PE material

5. PET
PET is relatively soft and is known by its Chinese name, “polyethylene terephthalate.” It is labeled as material No. 1 in international material markings. Its main features include high airtightness, good pressure resistance, high water resistance, and high transparency (up to 95%), surpassing the transparency of other commonly used plastic packaging containers. However, it is not heat-resistant. PET is an environmentally friendly material that can directly come into contact with cosmetics and food. It is a primary material for packaging organic skincare products and is commonly used for food and beverage bottles and cosmetic packaging. Due to its high airtightness and lack of micropores, it is often used for packaging alcoholic beverages.

PE material

6. PETG

PETG offers superior transparency compared to PET, but its usage in China is limited due to the high cost and waste production associated with it. It is a single-use material that cannot be recycled. PETG is commonly used for durable daily necessities such as cosmetic bottles, perfume bottles, and pharmaceutical packaging containers. In comparison to PET, PETG exhibits higher transparency, better chemical resistance, improved oil resistance, and enhanced weather resistance. The procurement cost of PETG is 2-3 times higher than that of PET.

petg material

7. Acrylics

Acrylics, also known as acrylic glass, are thick and hard materials that closely resemble glass. They are transparent and often appear white in color. To maintain a transparent aesthetic, acrylics are often internally sprayed or colored during the injection molding process.

The use of acrylic material for injection-molded bottles is limited due to its poor chemical resistance, making it unsuitable for directly containing cream-based formulations. An inner barrier is required to prevent such formulations from contacting the acrylic bottle and causing cracking. Strict packaging requirements during transport are necessary due to the visibility of scratches, despite the high transparency and thick appearance of the material.

Acrylics material

From above 7 types of plastic material details, you should now have a better idea of what material you would like to use when planning to develop مستحضرات التجميل ذات العلامات التجارية الخاصة product.

Ensuring the safety of cosmetic packaging materials is paramount, as it directly impacts the product’s impact on consumers. These materials should adhere to relevant national regulations and standards, devoid of harmful substances such as lead and mercury. Furthermore, the performance attributes of packaging materials, including stability, heat resistance, and corrosion resistance, must align with the product’s specific requirements. For products susceptible to high temperatures or oxidation, selecting packaging materials with superior heat resistance and oxygen barrier properties becomes crucial in safeguarding the quality and stability of the products.

If you are considering developing private label cosmetics, please contact us. We will guide you step by step to help you.