Why do cosmetics companies use PE plastic bottles
Cosmetics companies widely use PE (polyethylene) plastic bottles, mainly due to their multiple advantages such as safety, processing adaptability, cost-effectiveness, and functional adaptability, which can meet the full process needs of cosmetics from production, storage to use. Here are the specific reasons:
1、 The material is safe and stable, meeting the hygiene requirements of cosmetics
1. Strong chemical inertness and high compatibility
PE plastic is an inert macromolecular material, which is resistant to acid, alkali, grease and other chemicals. It is not easy to react with cosmetic ingredients (such as surfactants, essence, preservatives) to avoid polluting the contents.
For example, lotion, make-up water, shower gel and other aqueous or emulsion products are not easy to deteriorate after long-term storage in PE bottles.
2. Environmental compliance and safety certification
Food grade PE raw materials (such as HDPE, LDPE) comply with international cosmetics regulatory standards (such as EU EC 1935/2004, US FDA), can directly contact the skin and mucous membranes, and have guaranteed safety.
The "recyclable PE bottles" launched by some companies are in line with environmental trends and reduce plastic pollution.
2、 Good processing performance, meeting diverse packaging needs
1. Simple molding process and flexible shape
PE can be easily made into various shapes (such as round bottles, square bottles, and shaped bottles) through blow molding, injection molding, and other processes to meet the design needs of different products.
Example: Squeezed hose bottles (made of LDPE material) are suitable for cream products (such as hand cream) and use their softness to control the dosage; The rigid HDPE bottle is suitable for pressing the pump head design (such as essence liquid).
2. Adjustable transparency and shading properties
Transparent PE (such as LLDPE) can display product color (such as perfume and essence); PE bottles with added sunscreen (such as brown or blue) can block ultraviolet rays and protect easily oxidizable ingredients (such as vitamin C skincare products).
3. Strong sealing, leak proof and durable
The PE bottle body and cap (mostly made of PP or PE material) can be tightly matched through threads, buckles, and other structures to effectively prevent liquid leakage, making it suitable for travel or portable products.
3、 Low cost, suitable for large-scale production
1. Low raw material prices and high production efficiency
PE is one of the most widely produced plastics in the world, with lower raw material costs than materials such as glass and metal; And the processing cycle is short (blow molding only takes a few seconds), suitable for large-scale industrial production.
Example: Small and medium-sized enterprises commonly use 500ml HDPE bottles for shampoo and shower gel, and the cost per bottle can be controlled within 0.5 yuan.
2. Lightweight reduces transportation costs
Under the same volume, the weight of PE bottles is only 1/5~1/3 of that of glass bottles, significantly reducing logistics costs during storage and transportation, especially suitable for cosmetics companies engaged in cross-border sales.
4、 Strong functional adaptability, enhancing user experience
1. Anti drop and wear-resistant, suitable for complex scenes
PE plastic has good toughness, impact resistance, and is not easily broken like a glass bottle. It is suitable for outdoor, travel or children's contact products (such as sunscreen spray, baby lotion).
2. Rich surface treatment enhances enterprise recognition
Personalized decoration can be achieved through processes such as screen printing, hot stamping, and labeling to enhance product aesthetics and corporate recognition.
Example: PE bottles for skincare products often use matte or metallic coatings to create a delicate texture.
3. Easy to use and control dosage
Extruded PE bottle can control the flow rate through the elasticity of the bottle body, which is suitable for lotion, gel and other products that need the correct dosage; Paired with a pump head or dropper design, it further enhances the convenience of use.
5、 Industry Trends and Alternative Advantages
1. A cost-effective alternative to glass/metal
Compared to glass bottles, PE bottles have no fragility risk and lower production costs; Compared to aluminum packaging, PE bottles have stronger corrosion resistance and are suitable for acidic or high humidity environments.
2. Adaptability to sustainable development
Recyclable PE (such as PCR plastics and post consumer recycled plastics) is gradually becoming popular, and some companies have launched "full PE recycling packaging", which meets the environmental protection demands of Generation Z.