Lip Balm Tube, plastic, red

Lip balm container is a plastic tube with a twist-up mechanism, designed for solid lip balms, stick treatment products and solid perfumes. The fill is poured in molten form and after solidifying it is dispensed by twisting up the bottom part. This is the classic format familiar from drugstores: practical for handbags and pockets, with a cap that protects the contents from contamination.

The tube is made from polypropylene (PP), a lightweight and shatterproof plastic that tolerates contact with oils, butters and waxes — the typical components of balms. The red colour is opaque, so the contents are not visible and are partially protected from light. The tube can also serve as a bold element of your own colour line.

Suitable applications

• Solid lip balms – classic formulas based on beeswax or plant waxes, butters and oils that hold their shape after solidifying and are applied directly from the tube.
• Stick treatment products – cuticle balms or targeted dry-skin treatments, provided the formula has sufficient hardness.
• Solid perfumes – wax base with a fragrance composition or essential oils in a compact, portable format.
• Tinted balms and colour sticks – the opaque red tube complements coloured formulas and conceals any uneven pigmentation of the contents.

Filling and working with the tube

The balm is filled hot, immediately after melting the waxes and butters, so the mixture flows freely. Before filling, twist the mechanism all the way down so the inner piston is at its lowest position and the full cavity is available. Pour slowly and steadily. Pouring too quickly creates air bubbles that appear as voids in the stick after solidifying.

After pouring, leave the tubes to set at room temperature without moving them. Rapid cooling in a refrigerator is not recommended — the stick may crack or a depression may form in the centre. Fit the cap only after the contents have cooled completely; otherwise moisture condenses on the inside of the cap and the balm sticks to it.

Nominal and total volume

The nominal volume is the volume for which the container is designed under normal filling conditions. The total volume to the brim is the physical volume up to the top edge of the tube and is always greater. The difference provides a margin for the cap and for the slight change in volume of the contents during cooling and temperature fluctuations during use. The tube should therefore be filled to the nominal volume, not to the brim. Overfilling would cause the balm to press against the cap and deform on the first twist-up.

Useful information

• Preparation before first fill – new tubes should be inspected, rinsed if needed, sanitised with isopropyl alcohol or ethanol and allowed to dry completely. Residual moisture in an anhydrous balm reduces its stability.
• Formula hardness – a tube with a twist-up mechanism requires a balm that holds its shape at body temperature. A mixture that is too soft will break during application or fail to retract. Hardness can be adjusted by the proportion of wax.
• Essential oils and plastic – polypropylene is resistant to common oils and waxes. For formulas with a higher proportion of essential oils or with solvents, we recommend testing the behaviour of the tube on a trial sample.
• Heat – the tube tolerates the warmth during filling, but the contents are more sensitive. Filled balm should not be stored in sunlight or in a car, where it may melt and lose its shape upon re-solidifying.
• Labelling – a narrow wraparound label or a sticker on the cap works well. Label dimensions are listed in the product parameters.
• Reuse – once empty, the tube can be washed with warm water and detergent, freed of wax residue and, after sanitising, refilled.
• Contact with cosmetics – the container is suitable for use with cosmetic products. The declaration is stated in the product parameters.
• Recycling – polypropylene is among the commonly recycled plastics. An empty, cleaned tube can be placed in the plastics recycling stream.

Frequently asked questions