Introduction
Plastic containers are the standard packaging for skincare products. Skincare bottles on the market are mainly made of plastic and glass. Plastic features diverse materials and rich shapes. For new purchasers, it is difficult to select the right bottle type and understand the characteristics of different plastic bottles. This article introduces basic knowledge of plastic bottles for your quick reference, with professional guidance integrated from Auber Packaging.
1. Product Definition
In the cosmetics industry, plastic containers are packaging products made of acrylic, PET, PCTG, PETG, AS and other plastic materials with relevant additives, used for containing creams, lotions, liquids and other contents. They are generally called plastic bottles. According to the content properties, they are also named lotion bottles, perfume bottles, cream jars, serum bottles, toner bottles, wash bottles, etc.
Auber Packaging Tip:Auber provides full-series plastic cosmetic containers with stable materials, safe formulation compatibility and customizable appearances for high-end skincare brands.
2. Manufacturing Process
1. Forming Process
| Process Type | Common Materials | Key Features | Typical Applications |
| Injection-molded bottles | PP, PETG, Acrylic, ABS | High precision; smooth surface; acrylic bottles require an inner liner to prevent chemical reactions | Cream jars, caps, stoppers, gaskets, pump heads, dust covers |
| Blow-molded bottles | PET | Two-step forming; preform injection + final blowing; recognizable by a convex dot at the base; high transparency | Serum bottles, lotion bottles, toner bottles, wash bottles |
| Injection-blow bottles | PP, PE | Integrated injection + blowing in one mold; recognizable by a bonding line at the base | General-purpose plastic containers for daily cosmetics |
Auber Packaging Advantage:Auber adopts precision molding technology to ensure uniform wall thickness, high transparency and stable size for all plastic containers.
2. Surface Treatment
Bottle bodies support solid color, transparent and crystal-clear effects. Acrylic bottles often use spray coating for light-reflecting looks. Caps and pumps can be processed by spraying, vacuum plating, aluminum plating, brushed gold/silver, secondary oxidation for personalized design.
Auber Packaging Advantage:Auber supports high-end surface treatments such as electroplating, frosting and coloring to enhance luxury brand texture.
3. Printing & Decoration
Plastic bottles and caps are usually printed with screen printing, pad printing, hot stamping, heat transfer, water transfer to show brand logos and patterns.
Auber Packaging Advantage:Auber provides durable UV screen printing and hot stamping with strong adhesion and high gloss for premium branding.
3. Product Structure
1. Bottle Body Classification
| Classification Item | Details |
| By material | Acrylic, PET, PCTG, PETG, AS |
| By shape | Round, square, pentagonal, oval, spherical, gourd-shaped |
| By usage | Lotion bottles, perfume bottles, cream jars, serum bottles, toner bottles, wash bottles |
| By structure | Single-layer, double-wall, airless bottles |
| By process | Injection-molded, blow-molded, injection-blow |
| Regular weight | 10g, 15g, 20g, 25g, 30g, 35g, 40g, 45g |
| Regular volume | 5ml, 10ml, 15ml, 20ml, 30ml, 50ml, 75ml, 100ml, 150ml, 200ml, 250ml, 300ml |
2. Neck Size
Common neck finishes:Ø18/410, Ø18/415, Ø20/410, Ø20/415, Ø24/410, Ø28/410, Ø28/415
3. Matching Components
Plastic bottles are mainly equipped with caps, pump heads, sprayers, etc.Cap materials: PP, PS, ABS, acrylic.Cap types: press-top caps, flip-top caps, screw caps.Accessories: inner gaskets, pull caps, inner plugs, spoons, droppers for better sealing and usability.
Auber Packaging Tip:Auber provides full-set matching components including pumps, sprayers, flip caps and inner plugs with perfect fit and reliable sealing.
4. Cosmetic Applications
Plastic bottles are widely used in the cosmetics industry for:
- Cream jars
- Lotion bottles
- Serum bottles
- Liquid toner bottles
Auber Packaging Full Solution
| Cosmetic Product | Auber Recommended Packaging |
| Creams & Balms | White cream jars, premium low-profile jars |
| Serums | Dual-wall airless bottles |
| Toners & Liquids | Fine mist spray bottles, PET blow-molded bottles |
| Lotions | Double-wall acrylic bottles |
| Full customization | Custom materials, volumes, colors, printing |
5. Purchasing Considerations
1. Minimum Order Quantity
Generally 3,000–10,000 pcs. Custom colors are available (frosted, milky white, pearlescent). Color difference may occur between bottle and cap due to different materials.
Auber Packaging Support:Flexible MOQ and professional color matching system to reduce deviations.
2. Production Lead Time
About 15 days. Screen printing: cylindrical bottles = 1 color; flat/special-shaped bottles = 2+ colors.Screen printing cost: ¥0.08–0.1 per color per piece.
3. Mold Cost
Blow mold: ¥1,500–4,000Injection mold: ¥8,000–20,000Stainless steel molds are more durable.
Auber Packaging Advantage:Rich standard mold library to save mold cost; stable quality and short lead time for custom molds.
4. Printing Notes
UV ink provides better gloss and 3D effect. Hot stamping suits hard and smooth surfaces. Avoid too fine lines or small text.
Auber Packaging Tip:Auber provides pre-production sample confirmation to ensure consistent and high-end printing effects.
We Look Forward to Cooperating With You
If you are looking for safe, durable, luxury plastic packaging solutions, Auber Packaging provides one-stop service including material selection, mold development, surface treatment and printing. We welcome you to consult catalogs, request samples, discuss custom projects or place bulk orders. Let us build long-term partnership and create competitive premium packaging for your brand!