How to Choose a Hand Cream Tube? From Design and Material Selection to Sustainable Packaging

A hand cream tube is not just packaging; it’s the first impression that showcases your brand’s charm. From basic moisturizing products to professional medical-grade and sunscreen hand creams, the characteristics of different formulas influence the choice of packaging materials and design. Want your hand cream product to stand out and leave a lasting impression in the market? This article provides a practical guide covering material selection, key design points, and the customization process, helping you easily create the perfect hand cream tube that combines quality and sustainability.
〈Related Article:：The Ultimate Lotion Tube Guide ! Best Lotion Tube Suppliers You Should Know〉

What Materials Are Hand Cream Tubes Made Of? Plastic vs. Aluminum — Which Is Right for You?

Choosing the right packaging material is crucial for product protection, sustainability, and user experience. Here are the two most common materials for hand cream tubes:

Plastic Tubes

Hand cream tubes commonly use PE (polyethylene) materials such as LDPE, LLDPE, MDPE, and HDPE. LDPE is soft and easy to squeeze; LLDPE offers high toughness and puncture resistance; MDPE provides good stiffness and excellent printability; HDPE is lightweight, chemically resistant, and performs well at low temperatures, maintaining tube integrity despite temperature changes. These tubes can be made in various shapes: round flat-head tubes, oval tubes, ultra-flat tubes, or twist tubes. The shape and material affect the squeezing feel, tube resilience, and printing quality.
〈Product Recommendations：Round Cosmetic Tube、Oval Cosmetic Tube〉

Aluminum Tubes

Aluminum tubes offer excellent light-blocking, gas barrier, and moisture resistance properties, making them especially suitable for formulas containing natural or active ingredients. Their metallic appearance conveys a high-end, premium look, commonly used for luxury creams, hand creams, and ointments. However, unlike plastic tubes, aluminum tubes do not rebound or reshape after squeezing; once the contents are dispensed, the tube cannot return to its original form.

One Chart to Understand the Differences in Hand Cream Tube Materials

Why Do Brands Love Using Hand Cream Tubes? 4 Major Practical Design Advantages

Hand Cream Tube Benefit 1: Highly Portable

Hand cream packaged in soft tubes is lightweight and easy to carry. Whether you keep it in your purse, pocket, or makeup bag, it saves space and doesn’t add extra bulk. For users on the go, commuting, or traveling, applying hand cream becomes more convenient and intuitive.

Hand Cream Tube Benefit 2: Secure Sealing

To maintain the quality of the hand cream, companies like I.TA Plastics Tube offer single-layer and multi-layer tube designs that effectively prevent exposure to air and light. This helps avoid oxidation or spoilage of the contents, ensuring peace of mind with every use.
〈Related Article：Lip Balm Squeeze Tube Material Selection Without Mistakes! Create Your Own Brand Packaging〉

Hand Cream Tube Benefit 3: Controlled Dosage

With various shapes and sizes, hand cream tubes allow precise control over the amount dispensed. For example, ultra-thin small tubes are perfect for travel and sample sizes, while wide-mouth tubes make it easier to squeeze out thicker textures like creams or balms.
〈Related Article：What Is a Foundation Tube? Understanding Key Choices from Packaging Material and Design to Brand Value!〉

Hand Cream Tube Benefit 4: Flexible Design

Taking I.TA Plastics Tube as an example, hand cream tubes can be customized according to brand style by selecting different materials, shapes, and printing methods. From vibrant prints to gold stamping, these options not only greatly enhance product recognition but also create a unique visual and tactile experience for consumers.

Don’t Just Look at Price When Choosing a Supplier! 6 Key Points to Know Before Purchasing Hand Cream Tubes

Selecting a high-quality hand cream tube supplier requires a comprehensive evaluation of factors such as eco-friendly materials, international certifications, professional expertise, material quality, industry reputation, and innovative design. Choosing the right partner to meet your brand’s needs can help enhance product competitiveness and market performance.

1. Eco-Friendly Materials and Sustainability Commitment

With growing awareness of sustainability, consumers increasingly value environmentally friendly packaging and are more willing to choose products made from recycled materials. For example, hand cream tubes made from PCR (post-consumer recycled plastic) contribute to protecting the planet and strengthen your brand image.

2. International Certifications and Quality Assurance

Choosing a hand cream tube supplier with international certifications such as ISO, GMP, or FDA ensures that every stage—from raw materials and manufacturing processes to finished products—undergoes strict selection and quality control.

3. Professional Technology and Supply Capability

Take I.TA Plastics Tube as an example: they offer EVOH high-barrier five-layer co-extrusion technology, which effectively improves airtightness and preserves the contents. Compared to traditional single- or double-layer tubes, the five-layer structure provides more stable adhesion and reduces oxidation risk, enhancing overall product quality. Besides technology, it’s crucial to consider whether the supplier’s production is stable and if they can deliver on time, as this directly affects your product launch schedule.
〈Related Article：Cosmetic Tube Types & Trends: Features of Cosmetic Squeeze Tubes at a Glance〉

4. Material Quality and Product Safety

Choosing raw material suppliers that comply with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) for cosmetics ensures packaging quality and product safety. It is recommended to use multi-layer tubes with high barrier properties, commonly PE with a middle EVOH layer, which effectively blocks oxygen, moisture, and UV rays, improving product stability and extending shelf life.

5. Industry Reputation and Collaboration Experience

When selecting a hand cream tube manufacturer, beyond pricing, it’s important to understand their past reputation. Experienced and reputable suppliers can precisely control the thickness and adhesion of each layer in the hand cream tubes and rigorously ensure that every batch shipped maintains consistent quality.

6. Customization and Innovative Design Capability

Today’s consumers prefer packaging that is distinctive and instantly recognizable. Suppliers with innovative design capabilities can meet brand packaging needs by incorporating creative ideas in shape, printing, and details, helping products stand out on shelves while balancing user experience and brand style.

How to Customize Hand Cream Tubes? A Full Disclosure from Material Selection to Shipping Process

Customizing hand cream tubes is a process of bringing your brand concept to life and is a crucial factor in ensuring product quality and market competitiveness. Below is the complete process from design to mass production to help you successfully complete your customized packaging:

1. Needs Confirmation：Before communicating with the manufacturer, confirm the hand cream tube’s capacity, material, appearance, and printing requirements. This helps with subsequent design proofs and smooth mass production.

2. Design and Sampling：Based on the confirmed requirements, proceed with the appearance design, including tube size, color, and printing patterns, and create samples for customer review and adjustments.

3. Mold and Production Preparation：After sample approval, mold development and production scheduling will begin, entering the formal mass production preparation stage.

4. Mass Production：Manufacture, print, and assemble the tubes according to the confirmed design and specifications. Quality and progress are controlled throughout the process to ensure stable delivery of the required large quantities within the agreed timeline.

5. Quality Inspection and Packaging：A professional hand cream tube manufacturer will oversee the entire process from raw materials to finished products. Inspection items include color matching, print adhesion, tube thickness measurement, and seal testing. Only after passing these checks will the products be packaged and shipped.

Can Hand Cream Tubes Be Both Eco-Friendly and Eye-Catching? Don’t Miss the New Trend in Sustainable Packaging

A wave of “sustainable aesthetics” is sweeping through the beauty packaging industry. Brands are no longer just focused on eye-catching appearances; they are placing greater emphasis on whether packaging materials are eco-friendly and earth-conscious. I.TA Plastics Tube has been deeply involved in plastic tube production for many years. From raw material selection and tube design to cap manufacturing, we strictly control quality at every step. We are committed to providing high-quality packaging solutions that align with environmental trends, allowing your hand cream tubes to showcase premium texture, feel, and environmental responsibility, while also enhancing consumer goodwill toward your brand.

Upgrading Packaging Quality! I.TA Plastics Tube, Protecting Your Brand Image

Upgrade the quality of your hand cream tube packaging by choosing the right manufacturing partner. I.TA Plastics Tube insists on designing, producing, and manufacturing entirely in Taiwan. We have a comprehensive quality management system, inspection equipment, and multiple testing procedures. Whether you select PE, multilayer co-extruded, or PCR eco-friendly materials for your tubes, we strictly follow ISO international certification standards. Every production process retains complete parameter records, giving you peace of mind with every order. Contact us，now to create your exclusive high-quality hand cream tube packaging!
〈Related Article：New Trends in Lip Gloss Squeeze Tube Packaging — Key Design Tips and Supplier Selection Guide〉