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The Importance of plastic jar in cosmetic packaging.
Plastic jars play a critical role in cosmetic and personal care packaging, especially for cream,balm,body butter,and semi-solid formulations.Compared with glass, plastic jars offer advantages in weight, safety, cost efficiency, and design flexibility, making them widely used in global cosmetic beauty brands. As a professional custom plastic packaging manufacturer, Zhenghao help brands balance functionality, aesthetics, sustainability, and cost control through tailored plastic jar solutions.
This guide will help you quickly understand the relevant industry knowledge of plastic jars, so that you can quickly achieve the selection and customization of products.
1.Common Types of Cosmetic Jars by Application Scenario
Skin Care Plastic Jar
◇ Cream Jars for Skincare Products: Skincare products packaged in plastic jars are typically cream,balm or semi-solid formulas that are applied directly to the skin.These products require high material safety, chemical stability, and a premium tactile experience.
◇ Typical Skincare Applications Include: Like face cream jars (day cream / night cream),moisturizing cream jars ,body cream jars,lip balm jars,scrub & exfoliating cream jars and more.
◇ Packaging Requirements for Skincare Jars:Usually, brand owners choose Non-reactive materials like PET because of its glass-like transparency, thick walls or double layer structure, which aligns with the brand's high-end positioning. At the same time, they also pay more attention to the functionality of the optional inner cover, effectively enhancing hygiene and leakage protection.
Skincare jars focus more on sensory experience, hygiene perception, and brand aesthetics, because the consumer interacts with the jar frequently and closely.
Hair Care Plastic Jar
◇ Cream Jars for Hair care Products: They are usually used for thicker, heavier, and more functional formulations, often in salon, professional, or intensive treatment scenarios. This category is often underestimated, but in reality, it has very strong and stable demand.
◇ Typical Haircare Applications Include:hair mask Jar ,scalp care cream, hair styling cream
◇ Packaging Requirements for Haircare Jar :For hair care cream cans, brand manufacturers mostly use HDPE material. HDPE has high strength, durability and toughness, and is not easy to react with the product. At the same time, for hair mask cans, wide mouth and larger volumes are very common. Whether in terms of packaging applicability or cost input, HDPE is the best choice.
2.Common Materials Used for Plastic Jars
PET Plastic Jars
◇ Advantages：high transparency, lightweight and recyclable,belongs highly recyclable plastic.
◇ Limitations:less resistant to high heat，not ideal for very oily formulas，the chemical resistance and moisture barrier are average
◇ Best for:transparent cosmetic jars，gel or visually appealing creams
HDPE Plastic Jars
◇ Advantages:strong, impact-resistant, slightly flexible,provides excellent chemical resistance,weith good moisture barrier,belongs to recycled materials and features sustainable development
◇ Limitations:The content is not visible and which may not be suitable for products that require visibility.
◇ Best for :large-capacity body care jar,professional salon products
PP Plastic Jars
◇ Advantages:It has strong heat resistance, chemical resistance, corrosion resistance, impact resistance, etc
◇ Limitations：Its transparency is not as good as that of PET, and it has a slightly hazy appearance. In terms of recyclability, it is not as widespread as PET and HDPE
◇ Best for: Cosmetic Jar
3.Key Factors to Consider When Customizing Plastic Jars
Regulations & Safety Compliance
◇ Material Certifications: All materials can meet cosmetic-grade or food-grade standards when required.This helps ensure the packaging is safe for direct contact with skincare, cosmetic, or food-related products.
◇ Compatibility Testing: Compatibility testing is important to make sure the container does not react with the product inside. This helps prevent changes in formula, color, smell, or container deformation over time.
◇ Environmental Regulations: If you plan to sell in specific markets or make eco-friendly claims, materials such as PCR plastics or biodegradable options should be considered to meet local environmental regulations.
Design & Function
◇ Appearance & Size: Share your ideas or references with us. Our team will turn your concept into reality through graphic design and 3D modeling before production.
◇ Sealing & Product Protection: Common sealing solutions include inner plugs with outer caps, screw caps with sealing liners, and airtight structures. For products with active ingredients that oxidize or evaporate easily, strong sealing performance is essential.
◇ User Experience: Options include tamper-evident features such as pull tabs or break rings for first opening. We can also add spatulas or scoops, and design inner lids with slots or holders for better organization and hygiene.
Production & Manufacturing Process
◇ Molds: If you choose our existing jar designs, no new mold is required and samples can be produced quickly.For custom jar designs, a new mold is needed, which requires additional model cost and ◇ ◇ Lead time. This should be planned in advance for new product launches.
◇ Manufacturing Process: We operate advanced injection molding and injection stretch blow molding lines, allowing us to support custom production across different materials and industries.
◇ Secondary Processing: We offer various surface finishes such as matte, frosted, spray coating, and soft-touch effects. Logo decoration options include silk screen printing, hot stamping, labeling, and heat transfer printing and more.
Supply Chain Advantages
◇ Certifications: we are certified with ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 management systems, ensuring quality control and environmental responsibility.
◇ Production Capacity: With multiple production lines and over 30 injection and blow molding machines, we offer strong manufacturing capacity and support small batch orders starting from 5,000 pieces.
◇ Supply Stability: Supplier stability is often overlooked but is critical for brand growth. Located in Shenzhen, close to major ports, Zhenghao ensures fast delivery. With over 20 years of custom packaging experience, our skilled production team maintains consistent quality and reliable lead times.
4.Future Trends & Brand Opportunities in Custom Plastic Jars
The future of custom plastic jars is moving toward practical sustainability and functional design, rather than complex structures or purely decorative packaging. Brands are increasingly focusing on recyclable materials, simplified jar constructions, and packaging that supports product stability and real usage scenarios. PCR plastics and mono-material designs are becoming more common, driven by regulatory requirements and consumer expectations rather than marketing trends alone.
At the same time, plastic jars are being used more strategically to support product performance and brand positioning. For skincare and haircare products with active ingredients or high-viscosity formulas, well-designed jars with proper sealing and durability help protect formulas and improve user trust. Instead of fully custom shapes, many brands choose proven standard jar structures and differentiate through surface finish, color, and material choice, allowing faster launches and better cost control.
For brand owners, plastic jar packaging is no longer just a container, but a tool to communicate product value, safety, and responsibility. Choosing the right jar structure and material allows brands to align with market trends while building long-term brand credibility.
Choosing the right plastic jar is a balance between material, function, cost, and brand direction. With professional manufacturing support and a clear understanding of product needs, plastic jars remain one of the most flexible and reliable packaging solutions for modern cosmetic and personal care brands.
