What are the best practices for storing empty lipstick tubes before filling

Whether you are a cosmetics startup preparing for your first production run or an established brand scaling up operations, the way you store empty lipstick tubes before filling has a direct impact on product quality, safety, and manufacturing efficiency. Improper storage can lead to contamination, deformation, color fading, or mechanical failure of the twist-up mechanism, all of which result in costly rework or rejected batches. This guide outlines the best practices for storing empty lipstick tubes to ensure they remain in pristine condition until the moment they are filled.

1. Control Temperature and Humidity

Plastic lipstick tubes, particularly those made from ABS or polystyrene, are sensitive to temperature extremes. Exposure to high heat can cause warping or softening of the tube body, while extreme cold can make the plastic brittle and prone to cracking during assembly.

The ideal storage temperature range is 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F), with relative humidity kept below 60%. When humidity levels rise too high, moisture can condense inside the tubes, creating an environment where mold and bacteria can thrive. This is especially critical for brands handling natural or organic formulations that do not rely on heavy synthetic preservatives.

2. Protect from Light and UV Exposure

While empty tubes do not contain product, prolonged exposure to direct sunlight or strong UV light can degrade the plastic material over time. ABS and certain colored plastics may fade, discolor, or become brittle when exposed to UV radiation for extended periods. This is particularly important for transparent or translucent tubes, which offer less natural protection against light.

Store all empty lipstick tubes in a dark or dimly lit environment. If your storage area has windows, use opaque curtains or UV-blocking window films. For opaque tubes, this is less of a concern, but it remains a good practice to avoid unnecessary light exposure for all packaging components.

3. Maintain a Dust-Free and Clean Environment

Dust and airborne particles are among the most common causes of contamination in cosmetic packaging. Empty tubes stored in open bins or on exposed shelving will inevitably collect dust on internal surfaces, threads, and caps. When these tubes are later filled, the dust becomes trapped inside the product, compromising both appearance and safety.

The best practice is to keep empty lipstick tubes in sealed containers or resealable plastic bags at all times when not in active use. For larger volumes, plastic bins with tight-fitting lids work well. If your operation handles lipstick tubes wholesale in bulk quantities, consider storing them in their original manufacturer packaging until immediately before filling.

4. Keep Tubes in the Correct Orientation

The orientation of empty lipstick tubes during storage can directly affect the integrity of the twist-up mechanism. Tubes should be stored vertically with the cap facing upward. This position prevents the weight of stacked tubes from pressing down on the threaded base or the twist mechanism, which could cause misalignment or deformation over time.

When tubes are stored horizontally or haphazardly in bulk bins, the threads and the spool (the internal platform that holds the lipstick) can become compressed or scratched. Even minor damage to the threads can result in a jerky or uneven twist action, which end users will immediately notice and complain about.

5. Segregate by Type, Size, and Batch

If your production line uses multiple sizes, colors, or material types of lipstick tubes, clear segregation is essential. Mixing up a 12mm inner diameter tube with an 11mm one can cause filling issues, and using the wrong cap style can create packaging inconsistencies that confuse customers or breach regulatory labeling requirements.

Label each storage container or shelf section clearly with the following information:

• Product specification: Inner diameter, capacity, material type, and color
• Batch or lot number: For traceability back to the supplier and production date
• Quantity: Current count for inventory management
• Receipt date: To support FIFO (First In, First Out) rotation

6. Implement FIFO Inventory Rotation

Even though empty plastic tubes have a long shelf life, they are not immune to gradual aging. Plasticizers can slowly migrate out of the material, and components stored for years may become slightly more rigid or discolored. Implementing a First In, First Out (FIFO) system ensures that older stock is used before newer arrivals, reducing the risk of quality degradation from prolonged storage.

A practical approach is to place newly received inventory behind existing stock on shelving, or to use color-coded labels that indicate the quarter or month of receipt. Combined with regular inventory audits, this simple practice can prevent the unpleasant surprise of discovering a batch of tubes that has sat unused for three years.

7. Handle with Clean Hands or Gloves

Every time an empty tube is handled, oils and residues from fingers transfer onto the surface. These residues can attract dust, interfere with printing or labeling adhesion, and in worst-case scenarios, introduce bacteria into the product during filling. Staff handling empty tubes should wear clean, powder-free nitrile gloves and minimize direct contact with the internal cavity of the tube.

This practice is standard in GMP-certified facilities and is a hallmark of quality-focused manufacturers. When sourcing from a custom lipstick tubes manufacturer, it is worth confirming that the supplier follows similar hygiene protocols during production and packaging, so that the tubes arrive at your facility already clean and uncontaminated.

8. Inspect Before Filling

No matter how carefully tubes are stored, a pre-filling inspection step is non-negotiable. Before loading tubes onto the filling line, conduct a quick visual check of each batch for the following issues:

• Cracks or chips: Any visible damage to the tube body, base, or cap renders the tube unusable
• Warping: Tubes that no longer sit flat or have distorted shapes should be discarded
• Mechanism function: Twist the base fully up and down to confirm smooth operation
• Dust or debris: Use compressed air or a lint-free cloth to remove any visible particles
• Cap fit: Verify that caps snap on securely and do not come loose with light pressure

Catching defective tubes before filling saves far more time and money than discovering the problem after the product has been packaged and shipped. A single warped tube that jams on the filling line can halt production and waste an entire batch of lipstick formula.

9. Plan Your Storage Space Thoughtfully

Storage space is often overlooked until it becomes a bottleneck. As production volumes grow, the number of empty tubes waiting to be filled can quickly overwhelm a small storage area. Plan your space with enough capacity to handle at least two to three weeks of inventory at your peak production rate, plus a buffer for new shipments arriving before existing stock is fully depleted.

Shelving should be sturdy, level, and made of non-porous materials that are easy to clean. Avoid wooden shelving, which can harbor moisture and pests. Stainless steel or powder-coated metal shelving is the preferred choice in professional cosmetic manufacturing environments.

10. Choose a Quality Supplier from the Start

The best storage practices in the world cannot compensate for poorly manufactured tubes. Tubes that arrive from the supplier already warped, scratched, or contaminated will create problems regardless of how carefully they are stored. This is why selecting a reliable manufacturer is equally as important as maintaining proper storage conditions.

MGG Group, with over 16 years of experience in plastic packaging manufacturing, produces lipstick tubes in ISO 9001:2015 certified and GMP-audited facilities. All products are manufactured in a 100,000-class dust-free workshop using food and medical grade materials. Each tube undergoes rigorous quality inspection before leaving the factory, ensuring that your storage efforts start with a product that is already clean, consistent, and ready for filling.

MGG offers a full range of lipstick tube options including standard plastic tubes, aluminum-look finishes, magnetic closure designs, and refillable systems. Custom mold design, 3D printing for prototypes, and free testing molds are available to brands looking to develop unique packaging. With a monthly capacity exceeding 60 million moldings and a daily output of 200,000 units, MGG is equipped to support both small-batch startups and large-scale production runs.