Lip Balm Tube, plastic, blue

Lip balm container, plastic, blue

Lip balm tube with a nominal volume of 5 ml, made from polypropylene (PP), is designed for solid balms that, once set, are advanced by twisting the base and applied directly to the lips — just like standard stick balms from the drugstore. Suitable for lip balms, solid perfumes, and treatment sticks for dry or cracked skin areas (elbows, knees, cuticles).

The blue plastic limits light exposure to the contents, which is an advantage for balms containing vegetable oils and butters, as light accelerates their oxidation. Polypropylene is lightweight, shatterproof, and resistant to oils, waxes, and butters — exactly the ingredients balms are made from. The container is suitable for use with cosmetic products; a declaration of conformity is included with the product.

Why a tube and not a jar

• Hygienic application – the balm is applied directly from the tube without finger contact, which is especially appreciated for products intended for sale or gifting.
• Convenient dispensing – twisting the base advances only as much product as needed; the rest stays protected under the cap.
• Content protection – the closed tube limits air, dust, and moisture access to the balm.
• Compact format – the tube fits in a pocket or bag, making it suitable as a sample or complement to a larger product.

Nominal and total volume

Nominal volume is the amount the tube is designed for under standard filling conditions. The total volume to the rim is the physical capacity up to the top opening and is higher. The difference accounts for the advance mechanism and the cap: the product must sit below the rim so the cap can be placed without touching the balm surface and deforming it. When calculating your formula, use the nominal volume, not the brim-full volume. Dimensions for labelling can be found in the product parameters.

Use in formulation

The tube is intended for anhydrous solid preparations: blends of vegetable oils, butters, and waxes (beeswax, candelilla, carnauba, or rice bran wax), optionally with added solid emollients or colour pigments. The mass is melted, mixed, and poured into the tube; once cooled, it sets and holds the stick shape.

For the mechanism to function correctly, the balm must be sufficiently firm. A too-soft formula breaks when advanced, sticks to the tube walls, or collapses in warm weather. Test the wax-to-oil ratio on a trial batch: once set, the stick should advance and retract without breaking, and leave an even layer on the lips. Water-based, alcohol-based, and liquid oil preparations are not suitable for this tube — the advance mechanism is not sealed for liquids.

How to fill the tube correctly

• Mechanism down – before filling, twist the base so the inner platform is fully retracted to the lowest position. Pour the product into the space above the platform.
• Filling with warm mass – polypropylene tolerates filling with melted balm mass. Pour it immediately after melting and mixing so it fills the entire cavity before it begins to set against the walls.
• Dip in the centre – as the balm cools, the centre slightly sinks. This can be addressed by filling in two passes: pour most of the mass first, then, after partial setting, add a thin top-up layer to level the surface.
• Cap after setting – place the cap only after the balm has fully cooled; otherwise, moisture condenses on the inside and the balm surface deforms.

Good to know

Before the first fill, disassemble the tube, wash it, sanitise it with isopropyl alcohol or ethanol, and allow it to dry completely. Any residual moisture in an anhydrous balm shortens its shelf life and can be a source of microbial contamination. Reuse is possible, but the advance mechanism is harder to clean than a smooth jar; for products intended for sale, we recommend always using new tubes.

Higher concentrations of essential oils or menthol may affect some plastics over time. Polypropylene is among the more resistant types; nevertheless, for formulas with a high proportion of essential oils, we recommend monitoring the tube's behaviour over several weeks of storage. Store finished balm tubes away from direct sunlight and heat sources to prevent the stick from softening.

The tube is made from a single type of plastic; once empty, it can be sorted as plastic waste.

Frequently asked questions