CORE MATERIAL STRUCTURES & PERFORMANCE DEMYSTIFIED
Compare the structural layerings, barrier ratings, and application scenarios across our 5 primary cosmetic tube material categories.
Thickness: 0.38–0.55 mm
Ratings: Barrier: ★★☆☆☆ | Light: ★☆☆☆☆ | Bounce-back: ★★★★★
Best For: High-value, cost-effective solutions for mild formulas
Applications: Cleansing gels, exfoliators, body lotions, toning creams
Thickness: 0.38–0.55 mm
Ratings: Barrier: ★★★★☆ | Light: ★★★☆☆ | Bounce-back: ★★★★★
Best For: Mid-to-high end skincare requiring oxidation & fragrance protection
Applications: Serums, eye creams, sunscreens, BB/CC creams, ampoules
Thickness: 0.3–0.6 mm
Ratings: Barrier: ★★★★★ | Light: ★★★★☆ | Bounce-back: ★★★★☆
Best For: High-potency active formulations with long shelf life
Applications: Active serums, anti-aging night creams, specialized hair treatments
Thickness: 0.225–0.4 mm
Ratings: Barrier: ★★★★★ | Light: ★★★★★ (100% Block) | Bounce-back: ★☆☆☆☆
Best For: Maximum oxygen & light protection with a metallic finish
Applications: Pure VC / Retinol serums, sunscreens, hair dyes, ointments
Thickness: 0.3–0.5 mm
Ratings: Barrier: ★★★★☆ | Light: ★★★★☆ | Bounce-back: ★★★★★
Best For: Premium metallic sheen with high bounce-back resilience
Applications: BB/CC creams, primers, concealers, face creams
FORMULATION & BARRIER THICKNESS MATCHING MATRIX
Match your formulation’s key ingredients and active risk levels with the ideal tube structure and barrier thickness.
Formulation Risk Category: Medium-Low Risk (Contains Volatiles)
• Representative Ingredients:
Essential oils, natural botanical plant extracts, aromatic facial oils.
• Formulation Risk:
Volatile aromatic compounds can permeate through standard plastic walls, leading to fragrance loss or stress-cracking of the inner tube layer.
• Key Barrier Recommendation:
EVOH Thickness: 15–25 μm & Inner PE Thickness: ≥ 100 μm (prevents stress cracking & permeation).
• Recommended Tube Type:
5-Layer PE, PBL, PML
Formulation Risk Category: Special Risk (Low pH & Potentially Corrosive)
• Representative Ingredients:
Fruit acids (AHA), Salicylic acid (BHA), Mandelic acid, Hair dye creams (p-Phenylenediamine).
• Formulation Risk:
Highly acidic or chemically active formulas with potential risk of tube wall delamination or container corrosion.
• Key Barrier Recommendation:
Aluminum Foil Thickness: ≥ 9 μm (ABL).
• Recommended Tube Type:
Prefer ABL (Note: PML requires strict compatibility testing)
Formulation Risk Category: Photo-Sensitive / Migration Risk
• Representative Ingredients:
Chemical sunscreen agents (Avobenzone, OMC), broad-spectrum UV protection lotions.
• Formulation Risk:
UV active filters degrade easily under light and carry a high risk of active ingredient migration into standard plastic tube walls.
• Key Barrier Recommendation:
Aluminum Foil Thickness: ≥ 9 μm (ABL).
• Recommended Tube Type:
ABL
Formulation Risk Category: Special Premium Look (Metallic & Flexible)
• Representative Ingredients:
Concealers, BB creams, CC creams, primers, liquid body highlighters.
• Formulation Risk:
Requires a premium metallic mirror appearance combined with smooth, long-lasting squeeze bounce-back resilience.
• Key Barrier Recommendation:
MPET Metallized Layer Thickness: 12–36 μm (PML).
• Recommended Tube Type:
PML
TUBE DIAMETER – LENGTH – CAPACITY REFERENCE CHART
