When choosing packaging materials for skincare cream bottles, consideration should be given to content protection, user experience, brand tone, and regulatory compliance. The following are the packaging material adaptation solutions and selection points for cream products:
1、 Types and characteristics of mainstream cream bottle packaging materials
- Plastic bottles (mainstream choice)
PP (polypropylene):
Advantages: Strong chemical resistance, high temperature resistance (steam sterilization), environmentally friendly and recyclable, low cost (mold fee ¥ 8000-20000)
Applicable scenarios: Mid to low price cream, such as basic moisturizing cream and body lotion.
Process: Injection molding, thick bottle wall, can be frosted or magnetic white to enhance texture
PET (Polyethylene terephthalate):
Advantages: High transparency, lightweight and drop resistant, suitable for displaying cream like texture (such as gel cream).
Attention: Long term exposure to high-fat paste may cause slight swelling and compatibility testing is required.
Acrylic (PMMA):
Advantages: Extremely strong permeability, outstanding sense of visual luxury (common in noble face cream, such as the mystery of sea blue).
Limitations: An inner liner barrier paste is required, as overfilling can easily cause the inner liner to crack; High cost (30-50% more expensive than ordinary plastic)
- Glass bottle (preferred for high-end)
Wide mouthed bottle+aluminum cap:
Advantages: Strong chemical inertness, zero migration risk; Thick texture enhances brand grade.
Process: Spray coating (matte/pearl), hot stamping, silk screen printing with high-temperature ink (not easy to peel off).
Applicable scenarios: Active ingredient cream (such as retinol, peptides), choose brown/black glass (UV blocking>90%) for light avoidance requirements.
- Flexible hose (portable and precise access)
Five layer composite aluminum-plastic pipe:
Advantages: High barrier properties (oxidation resistance), lightweight and easy to squeeze, suitable for small capacity products such as eye cream and travel gear.
Structure: Outer printing layer+adhesive layer+aluminum foil barrier layer+inner PE protection.
Trend: The ultra flat tube design saves space, and the pointed tip cover is suitable for local application (such as acne cream).
- Vacuum bottle (high active ingredient protection)
Airbag pump/vacuum pump:
Principle: Using air pressure to push the piston, the paste is only discharged unidirectionally from the outlet, isolating air contact.
Application: Easily oxidized vitamin C, coenzyme Q10 and other efficacy cream (such as Xiulike AGE face cream).
Cost: The mold is complex (minimum order quantity is 10000-20000 pieces), and the unit price is 40% higher than that of ordinary bottles.
2、 Match packaging materials according to cream characteristics
Cream type&recommended packaging materials:
- High activity (vitamin C/A alcohol) recommended dark glass bottle+vacuum pump, light proof+oxygen isolation, to prevent ingredient inactivation, brand recommendation: Xiulike CE essence cream
- Oil based cream (makeup remover cream) PP thick walled bottle+inner stopper sealing lid, resistant to grease corrosion, leak proof
- Water based gel (aloe vera gel) PET transparent bottle with wide mouth cap, high transparency to display texture, lightweight and anti drop
- Lady cream (anti-aging cream): acrylic bottle+ceramic liner, luxurious touch+dual protection
- Medication (Acne Cream): Aluminum tube/composite hose+pointed tip, precise control of dosage, blocking bacterial contamination
3、 Key points of environmental protection and regulatory compliance
- Material safety:
The Chinese Regulations on the Supervision and Administration of Cosmetics require that packaging materials must not migrate harmful substances (such as fluorescent agents and plasticizers).
EU EC 1223/2009 requires the assessment of prohibited substances for packaging material migration, such as nickel and formaldehyde.
- Plastic reduction and recycling:
PCR plastic (recycled material): Procter&Gamble and other brands promote 30%+recycled PET bottles.
Lightweight glass: reduces thickness by 30% and lowers transportation carbon emissions.
New packaging regulations: China’s GB/T 31268-2024 restricts excessive packaging: packaging layers ≤ 4 layers, cost proportion ≤ 20%.
The EU PPWR 2040 requires a glass recycling rate of 65%.
