When it comes to sustainable packaging, plastic is overlooked as people consider it non-biodegradable. Furthermore, the energy consumption during the production of plastic cosmetic packaging is also high making it a less favored option for cosmetic packaging.
But, plastic is one of the cheapest materials used in making customer cosmetic packaging and its lightweight and sturdy design makes it suitable for convenient shipping as well.
Therefore, you can incorporate plastic in your custom cosmetic packaging without compromising sustainability by choosing the right type of plastic for making your personalized cosmetic jars.
In this article, we will explain the 8 types of plastics used in cosmetic packaging along with the reasons why you should choose plastic.
Why Choose Plastic Packaging for Cosmetics?
You don’t have to give up on plastic packaging just because it is considered wasteful. Rather, here is how plastic packaging for cosmetics proves to be a useful choice.
1. Durable and Shatter-proof
Plastic cosmetic packaging offers a durable solution for keeping and transporting different types of beauty products. Unlike glass cosmetic bottles which can shatter as soon as they drop accidentally on the floor, cosmetic plastic jars are shatter-proof. The consumers of your brand do not have to worry about spilling an expensive product mistakenly.
Additionally, plastic cosmetic jars are resistant to rusting and dents in contrast to metal cosmetic packaging.
2. Lightweight and Versatile
One of the ways to make glass jars shatter resistant is using thick glass packaging. However, it comes with a heavy weight.
The heavier the weight, the more difficult it is to transport the product, and hence the greater is the cost. The same is the case with sturdy wood/bamboo packaging. On the other hand, plastic is lightweight.
Therefore, the weight of the plastic cosmetic jar barely adds to the weight of the product itself. Moreover, the ease of molding the plastic into different shapes and obtaining any color you want makes it a versatile packaging material.
3. Cost-Effective Option
When it comes to selecting the most budget-friendly material for cosmetic packaging, no other material can beat plastic. Here the the reason why plastic is a cost-effective option for startups,
- The production and processing cost of plastic is lower as compared to metal, bamboo, and glass
- Its lightweight reduces the shipping cost
4. Easy Storage and Portability
Yes, glass is an inert material and works great for most cosmetic products. But, do you know that plastic can protect cosmetic products from environmental effects as well?
The sturdy build of plastic containers does not allow the entry of air, microbes, moisture, and other impurities.
Thus, it works effectively for the storage of the products. These properties of plastic along with its low weight and durable structure make it easily portable and travel-friendly as well.
5. Recyclable Solution
All types of plastic are not biodegradable. However, it does not mean that plastic is an entirely unsustainable material. You can make plastic eco-friendly through recycling and reusing.
For recycling the empty plastic beauty jars, you can clean the bottles and send them to your local plastic recycling units. Additionally, plastic jars can be repurposed for storing objects like jewelry, hairpins, and hair ties.
9 Different Plastic Cosmetic Packaging Materials
Here are the 9 types of plastics used for cosmetic packaging.
1. PET
PET, abbreviated as Polyethylene Terephthalate, is a thermoplastic polyester polymer resin.
Common Uses
It is commonly used for making haircare and skincare product packaging like,
- Shampoo or conditioner bottles
- Cosmetic cream jars
- Face and body lotions
- Body and face washes
Benefits
PET is one of the top choices for cosmetic jars because it offers the following benefits,
- Non-toxic and BPA-free
- Provides a luxurious look
- Can be recycled in various ways
- Is sturdy and wear and tear-resistant
Drawbacks
Here are some drawbacks of PET,
- Melts as soon as the temperature reaches 90 degrees Celsius making its sterilization difficult
- Cannot resist the effects of chemicals like concentrated alcohol and essential oils
2. HDPE
High-density polyethylene is another thermoplastic polymer. But it belongs to the ethylene family having a low gravity.
Common Uses
As the name suggests, plastic bottles made of HDPE are hard. Thus, they are commonly used to make,
- Shampoo and body wash bottles
- Jars for thick creams and lotions
Benefits
Being one of the most used plastic in the cosmetic packaging industry, HDPE offers,
- Low cost
- High durability and impact resistance
- Chemical resistance
- Sustainability
- Versatility
Drawbacks
Below are the reasons why you might want to reconsider using HDPE for your brand,
- It has a low transparency making the cosmetic jar look average
- It does not offer any barrier to oxygen which causes product degradation
- Allows UV rays to pass through it and cannot be used for UV-vulnerable products
3. LDPE
Low-density polyethylene is one of the plastics of the PE family used in making plastic jars. In contrast to HDPE which is hard, LDPE is squeezable.
Common Uses
The flexibility without distortion of the shape allows LDPE to be used in manufacturing,
- Squeezable face lotions, sunscreen, and face wash bottles
- Bottle-containing gels and masks
Benefits
LDPE has the following advantages,
- It can resist extreme temperatures for a specific time
- It is available in both translucent and opaque forms
- It resists moisture and impact
- It is inert to chemicals
Drawbacks
Unfortunately, LDPE is prone to degeneration by the action of UV light. Thus, it cannot be stored in cool, dark, and dry places.
4. PP
Polypropylene is a semi-crystalline material with a glass transition temperature of -20 degrees Celsius.
Common Uses
Durable but not as hard as PE, PP is used for making containers for,
- Lipsticks containers
- Sunscreen sticks (with a coating of UV protective material)
- Lip balm sticks
- Cosmetic bottle pumps and caps
Benefits
PP is beneficial as,
- It does not melt under high heat
- It is lightweight
- It resists chemicals and mechanical force
- It is cost effective
Drawbacks
Although it can resist heat, it is easily affected by UV rays. Thus, it does not serve as a great choice for UV-vulnerable cosmetic packing.
5. PS
Polystyrene is a thermoplastic polymer made of styrene subunits that makes it a good electric insulator.
Common Uses
In the cosmetics industry, it is used for making packaging for,
- Foundation
- Foundation powder
- Eyeshadow palettes
- Face creams
- Facial and body oils
Benefits
PS plastic is mainly used for makeup products because,
- It is transparent and shiny and offers a glass-like look
- It is available at a low price
- It is hard
- It can be recycled with ease
Drawbacks
Just like it appears like glass, it is brittle as well. Moreover, it does not resist the action of chemicals present in products like makeup removers and chemical exfoliants and has low heat resistance.
6. PVC
Polyvinyl chloride plastic is mainly used for the production of large plastic items like PVC pipes. However, it can be used to make cosmetic containers because of its strength and durability as well.
Common Uses
It is used to make,
- Plastic cosmetic bottles
- Blister packs
- Clamshell containers
Benefits
Here is why PVC is used for cosmetic bottle manufacturing,
- It is resistant to the effects of strong chemicals, moisture, temperature extremes, and UV rays
- It has a low production cost
Drawbacks
Here are the reasons why reliable plastic cosmetic packaging manufacturers like VCPAK choose against using PVC,
- It might release toxins like dioxins and hydrogen chloride fumes when burnt
- It is flammable
7. ABS
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene is a versatile form of plastic that offers benefits of all major types of plastic. It has a low melting point and high tensile strength making it very resistant to physical impacts and chemical corrosion.
Common Uses
It is used for making premium product packaging for,
- Eye shadow or blush pellets
- Contour packaging
- Lipstick tubes
- Compact boxes
Benefits
ABS is one of the best plastics to pack cosmetics as it has these advantages,
- Rigid and impact-resistant
- Amorphous solid with weather, moisture, electric, chemical, and mechanical resistance
- Gives cosmetics cream jars a fine glass-like finish
- Compatible with sustainable packaging
Drawbacks
ABS is generally an expensive material that is damaged by UV rays, and strong acids and alkalis.
8. PMMA
Polymethyl methacrylate is a polymer belonging to the acrylic family. PMMA plastic is known by several different names, including Plexiglas and acrylic.
Common Uses
It is commonly used for,
- Premium cosmetic packaging
- UV-resistant skincare packaging
Benefits
Mainly used for high-quality and luxurious product packaging, PMMA has the following benefits.
- Resists extremes of weather and sun rays
- Gives an illusion of glass with its transparency but it is lighter in weight
- Environmental friendly
- BPA-free and non-toxic
Drawbacks
Here are the reasons why you might not consider PMMA for your product packaging,
- High production cost
- Brittle
- Reactive with chemicals
9. PCR
PCR is short for Post-Consumer Recycled Material. It is made up of recycled plastics including PET, PP, and HDPE. These plastics are processed and refined to make new plastic that can be used for several purposes including packaging of different products.
This type of plastic is popular as it is made from already used plastic, thus reducing the overall carbon footprint by reducing landfills.
Several countries worldwide are enforcing legislation for companies to adopt the use of PCR plastic and be more eco-conscious. As such, to develop a circular economy and a sustainable future, European Plastic Producers have called for a specific recycled content target of 30% by 2030 for plastic packaging. This makes it crucial for packaging companies to adopt this directive and ensure their role in saving the environment for future generations.
Common Uses
Since it includes a range of plastics, therefore the material has several uses including:
- Used in making bottles such as beverage bottles or water bottles
- Used in production of the cosmetic tubes, jars, and bottles
- Can also be utilized for external packaging or making wrappers
Benefits
- An environment-friendly option
- Makes your brand look more eco-responsible
- Requires less energy for processing
- Reduces carbon footprint
Drawbacks
- Maybe difficult to process
- The color may contain small flecks
Choose VCPAK for Cosmetic Plastic Packaging
According to Statista, the global plastic packaging market is valued at $265.5 billion in 2024 and is going to reach a market size of $385.5 billion in 4 years. If plastic was only creating waste, there would be no reason for such a massive increase in the size of the plastic industry.
Thus, using plastic to make your cosmetic containers is safe when you use the right type of plastic. We talked about 8 types of plastics with the reasons why you should or shouldn’t use them in making cosmetic containers for your brand.
Furthermore, we can help you achieve ergonomic and eco-friendly plastic cosmetic jars at an economical price. So, feel free to contact us for consultation or requesting a quote.
