Lip Balm Squeeze Tube Material Selection Without Mistakes! Create Your Own Brand Packaging

In the highly competitive beauty market, lip balm packaging has long moved beyond the traditional twist-up tubes. More and more brands are opting for squeeze tubes that are easy to use, hygienic, and stylish, greatly enhancing the user experience. This article will quickly guide you through the material characteristics and packaging advantages of lip balm squeeze tubes, and share key points to keep in mind when customizing them. This will help you avoid pitfalls early in product development and create packaging that is more competitive in the market.
〈Related Reading：New Trends in Lip Gloss Squeeze Tube Packaging — Key Design Tips and Supplier Selection Guide〉 

What Materials Are Used for Lip Balm Squeeze Tubes?

Choosing the right material for lip balm squeeze tubes not only affects the product’s appearance and feel but also impacts cost, preservation, and brand positioning. Common materials include PE, LDPE, and CO-EVOH composite materials. Below is a detailed analysis and introduction of these three materials to help you find the best fit for your product positioning.

The Basic First Choice for PE Material Lip Balm Squeeze Tubes

Polyethylene (PE) is one of the most common plastic materials in everyday life. Compared to other plastics, it has a lower density and is lighter in weight. PE offers excellent impact resistance at low temperatures, good wear resistance, and outstanding chemical resistance and corrosion protection. For these reasons, it is the go-to entry-level choice for lip balm squeeze tubes, ideal for those seeking affordable yet durable packaging.
〈Recommended Brush Tube：Lip balm Tube〉

LDPE Material Lip Balm Squeeze Tube Offers an Upgraded Feel 

Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) is affordable and highly moldable. Compared to regular PE, it is softer and more flexible, allowing consumers to smoothly and precisely control the amount of balm with just a gentle squeeze. The tactile experience during use is also more comfortable and smooth, effectively enhancing the product’s quality and user experience. LDPE packaging is often available in semi-transparent and matte finishes, which can be customized with printing to match different brand styles.

The CO-EVOH Lip Balm Squeeze Tube: A Great Helper in Preventing Spoilage

The CO-EVOH composite material combines ethylene and ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer, offering excellent oxygen barrier and gas resistance properties. It effectively prevents oxygen infiltration and fragrance loss, helping the lip balm stay fresh and free from spoilage. When applied to lip balm squeeze tubes, it not only enhances packaging protection but also extends the product’s shelf life and ensures more stable quality.
6 Major Packaging Advantages of Lip Balm Squeeze Tubes

Advantage 1 of Lip Balm Squeeze Tube: Reduces Contact with Air and Bacteria 

Squeeze-type lip balm tubes feature a sealed design that allows precise dispensing of the product with just a squeeze. This significantly minimizes the product’s exposure to air, effectively preventing oxidation and bacterial growth. Compared to traditional jars or stick forms, which require frequent direct contact with the balm or air, squeeze tubes use a one-time release and resealing mechanism that better preserves the freshness and safety of the contents, reducing the risk of contamination. 
〈Related Reading：The Ultimate Lotion Tube Guide ! Best Lotion Tube Suppliers You Should Know〉

Advantages of Lip Balm Squeeze Tubes 2. Precise Dosage Control 

The design of the lip balm squeeze tube allows users to accurately control the amount dispensed each time. A gentle press delivers the desired portion, preventing overuse and waste. With various nozzle sizes and flexible tubes, users can enjoy a consistent and stable dosage experience, enhancing both user satisfaction and efficiency.

Advantages of Lip Balm Squeeze Tubes 3. Convenient to Carry and Durable 

Squeeze-type lip balm tubes are typically made from tough, durable plastic that resists crushing and dropping, making them less likely to crack or leak, thus protecting the balm inside. The lightweight and flexible tube design makes it easy to slip into a pocket or bag, making it ideal for busy modern users who need to carry it on the go for quick touch-ups.

Advantages of Lip Balm Squeeze Tubes 4. Diverse Appearance Designs

Lip balm squeeze tubes offer a wide variety of options in shape, size, and materials (such as plastic, aluminum, laminated, or eco-friendly materials). They can also be combined with high-quality finishing techniques like offset printing, screen printing, hot stamping, and matte finishes to create eye-catching packaging that enhances brand recognition.

Advantages of Lip Balm Squeeze Tubes 5. Environmental Sustainability

Consumers are increasingly valuing environmental protection, and lip balm squeeze tubes are no exception. For example, I.TA Plastics Tube manufacturer has been actively developing PCR (post-consumer recycled) tube packaging for many years. Using 100% post-consumer recycled materials (PCR) for packaging tubes can effectively reduce plastic waste and help brands lower their carbon footprint.

Advantages of Lip Balm Squeeze Tubes 6. Higher Cost Efficiency

Compared to traditional twist-up tubes, plastic squeeze tubes have a shorter production cycle, simpler molds and manufacturing processes, and lower unit packaging costs. Additionally, their lightweight and soft texture makes them easy to squeeze, while offering greater flexibility in appearance and printing. This allows for large-scale, rapid production, helping brands effectively control costs and improve production efficiency.

Squeeze Tube vs. Traditional Twist-Up Tube for Lip Balm

Lip balm may seem simple, but its packaging involves a lot of know-how. So, should you choose a squeeze tube or a twist-up tube? Below is a comparison of these two common packaging types to help you select the one that best fits your product’s characteristics and consumer needs.

Squeeze Tube Lip Balm | Pros and Cons Analysis

Squeeze tube lip balms are suitable for liquid or creamy products. By simply squeezing, the balm is dispensed. Many products come with a soft sponge or flat applicator, allowing for direct application without getting your hands messy, making it more hygienic to use. This design is especially convenient for those who like to quickly touch up anytime, keeping the inside of your bag clean and free from balm stains. However, uneven pressure can cause inconsistent amounts of balm to come out, and sometimes you might squeeze out too much.

Twist-Up Tube Lip Balm | Pros and Cons Analysis

Traditional twist-up tubes are more suitable for solid lip balms. They offer intuitive operation and a sturdy feel, but towards the end of the product, some residue may be difficult to retrieve due to structural limitations. The twist-up design allows precise control over the amount used each time, making it stable and reliable; however, it’s important to note that once the balm is twisted up, it cannot be retracted, so users should be careful to avoid waste. 
〈Related Reading：What Is a Foundation Tube? Understanding Key Choices from Packaging Material and Design to Brand Value! 〉
 

Lip Balm Squeeze Tubes vs. Traditional Twist-Up Tubes

How to Customize Lip Squeeze Balm Tubes:？5 Design Elements to Boost Brand

Modern consumers increasingly value unique experiences. Brands can create a distinctive style by customizing the tube diameter, firmness, nozzle design, and packaging details of squeeze tubes. Here are five major design points that can make your product stand out:

1. Tube Diameter and Capacity Design

Brands can choose tube diameter and capacity based on the intended use, such as travel kits, portable samples, or family-sized products. Squeeze tubes for lip balm typically range from 13 mm to 30 mm in diameter, with capacities from a compact 5 ml up to a practical 30 ml. Tubes with a 13 mm to 16 mm diameter are ideal for lightweight travel sizes or sample packs, making them easy to carry and share. The 19 mm to 22 mm diameter range is the most common for everyday use, holding about 10 to 15 ml, which meets the needs of most consumers. Larger tubes with diameters of 25 mm to 30 mm can hold 20 to 30 ml, suitable for home use or family-sized product lines.

2. Softness/Hardness and Material Selection

The softness or hardness of an extrusion tube directly affects the user experience and product protection. Brands can customize materials, such as using a PE+EVOH composite, to enhance the tube’s gas barrier properties and flexibility. For example, with five-layer tube technology, a "PE/adhesive/EVOH/adhesive/PE" structure is used. Special extrusion techniques ensure tight bonding and even distribution of each layer, effectively preventing product oxidation while providing the appropriate softness and hardness to meet customers’ high standards for texture and freshness preservation.

3. Nozzle Soft Tube Design

The design of the tube nozzle is crucial for the convenience and hygiene of lip balm products. I.TA Plastics Tube offers a variety of nozzle options, such as soft, skin-friendly TPE soft-touch lip balm tubes, classic round flat-head soft tubes, convenient pump-head soft tubes, and soft tubes paired with brush applicators, suitable for different lip balm textures. Additionally, all these nozzles feature leak-proof designs and easy-to-squeeze openings, making them more user-friendly, reducing product spillage, and enhancing user satisfaction. 
〈Product Recommended：TPE Lip Balm Packaging Tubes〉

4. Packaging Printing Techniques

Packaging printing techniques are important methods to showcase brand image and quality. The most common techniques include offset printing, screen printing, and hot stamping. Offset printing can produce detailed patterns and rich colors, making it especially suitable for mass production and cost-effective brands. Screen printing is ideal for designs with saturated colors and strong visual impact. Hot stamping creates a premium look and texture, enhancing brand value and recognition. Brands can choose the appropriate printing technology based on their aesthetic preferences and market positioning.

5. Environmental Protection and Sustainable Design

Most sustainable designs on the market use options such as PCR (post-consumer recycled plastic), plant-based bioplastics, and recyclable aluminum tubes. Among these, PCR is currently the most mature and practical eco-friendly material. I.TA Plastics Tube PCR tube is made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic, significantly reducing plastic waste and promoting a circular economy. These PCR tubes retain the durability and integrity of PE while offering a variety of sizes, colors, and surface finishes (such as matte or vibrant colors), combining a high-end feel with strong brand recognition.
〈Related Reading：Cosmetic Tube Types & Trends: Features of Cosmetic Squeeze Tubes at a Glance〉

Top Choice for Unique Lip Balm Squeeze Tubes: I.TA Plastics Tube

Since its establishment, I.TA Plastics Tube has focused on providing high-quality plastic packaging solutions. We offer a variety of polyethylene materials including LDPE, LLDPE, MDPE, and HDPE, as well as eco-friendly, sustainable PCR-PE recycled plastic packaging tubes. In the PE tube manufacturing process, we precisely cut tubes to the customer’s required length and add plastic color masterbatch during extrusion to customize tube colors. The PE tube heads are produced using vertical injection molding machines, capable of creating round, oval, custom shapes, and even two-shot molding to meet diverse brand needs. 

More Options with Composite Material Tubes

Many leading brands on the market still prefer composite material tubes for their lip balm squeeze packaging. Leveraging years of manufacturing experience, I.TA Plastics Tube has developed five-layer plastic tubes that offer superior gas barrier properties compared to single- or double-layer PE tubes. This effectively extends the shelf life of the contents, while the seamless exterior without weld lines provides a sleek, high-quality appearance. These tubes are especially suitable for customers with strict product stability and quality requirements, seeking brand differentiation and positioning in the premium market.

I.TA Plastics Tube Makes Your Lip Balm Squeeze Tube Packaging More Eye-Catching and Practical

Lip balm squeeze tubes have become a new trend in the lip color market in recent years. They not only clearly showcase the product inside but also offer consumers a more refined tactile experience and convenient squeezing. To create a product that combines quality and convenience, choosing premium materials and a professional manufacturer is key! I.TA Plastics Tube completes design, manufacturing, and production all in Taiwan. With a rich selection of materials, advanced manufacturing technology, and rigorous quality control processes, we can meet your brand’s unique needs—whether single-layer PE tubes, multi-layer composite tubes, or sustainable PCR materials. Contact us now and let I.TA Plastics Tube help you create lip balm packaging that truly captivates.