As more beauty brands and product developers seek sustainable solutions, the custom lip balm paper tube has become a star choice. Eco-friendly, biodegradable, and beautifully minimal, it fits today’s conscious consumer demands.
However, some brands have encountered an annoying technical issue — oil sticking or residue adhesion inside the paper tube’s inner wall after filling the balm. If not properly addressed, this problem can affect product performance, appearance, and even customer satisfaction. Let’s dive deep into why this happens and how to fix it — professionally and efficiently.
What Exactly Is Oil Sticking?
Oil sticking refers to the phenomenon where part of the lip balm formula clings or smears onto the inner wall of the custom lip balm paper tube instead of forming a clean, smooth stick inside.
Common symptoms include:
Balm surface unevenness
Visible oil film or wet spots on the inner wall
Difficulty in smoothly pushing up the balm
Occasional leakage or staining outside the tube
In short, it compromises both functionality and presentation — two things no beauty brand can afford to ignore.
What Causes Oil Sticking?
After gathering real-world feedback and technical insights, here are the main causes identified:
1. Formula Composition
Formulas that contain a high percentage of oils (especially low-viscosity carrier oils) tend to separate during cooling. Lighter oils migrate toward the walls, causing sticking.
2. Overheating During Filling
Filling balm at excessive temperatures breaks the balance between waxes and oils. Overheated oils lose bonding strength and are more prone to separation and adhesion.
3. Insufficient Barrier Inside the Paper Tube
Standard untreated paper naturally absorbs oil. Without a proper oil-resistant lining inside the custom lip balm paper tube, oils can easily penetrate and stick to the tube walls.
4. Improper Cooling Process
If the filled tubes are not cooled correctly or rapidly enough, phase separation occurs before solidification, leaving free oil on the tube surface.
Proven Solutions to Prevent Oil Sticking
If you’re planning to adopt custom lip balm paper tube packaging for your products, here’s how you can minimize oil sticking issues:
1. Optimize Your Lip Balm Formula
Increase the ratio of waxes like beeswax, candelilla, or carnauba for better structure.
Limit the use of thin, low-melting-point oils.
Conduct pre-production lab tests to observe how your formula behaves inside paper tubes.
2. Control the Filling Temperature
Ideal pouring temperature is typically between 65°C to 75°C (149°F to 167°F).
Never overheat to above 80°C, as this will increase the chance of separation.
3. Choose Tubes with a Proper Inner Barrier
At All Paper Tube Co., all custom lip balm paper tube products are carefully engineered with professional inner coatings:
Food-grade wax paper linings for basic protection
PLA biodegradable film linings for premium eco options
Aluminum foil barriers for very sensitive or oily formulations
Our liners dramatically reduce oil absorption and sticking risks.
4. Implement Correct Cooling Techniques
After filling, let tubes cool gradually at room temperature.
Avoid placing them directly into cold rooms or freezers.
Allow full solidification before applying caps or moving the product into storage.
Why Choose All Paper Tube Co. for Your Custom Lip Balm Tubes?
When you partner with All Paper Tube Co., you’re not just buying packaging — you’re investing in a full-service solution.
We provide:
Professional advice on tube materials matching your balm formula
Various eco-friendly and oil-resistant barrier options
Custom sizing to ensure perfect product fit
Short lead times and strict quality assurance
Continuous technical support, including filling and sealing tips
Whether you’re a startup launching a natural lip care line or an established brand upgrading your sustainable image, we are here to ensure your custom lip balm paper tube packaging looks good — and performs even better.
Conclusion: Get the Eco Beauty Right from Inside Out
Oil sticking in custom lip balm paper tubes is a solvable challenge — when you know the causes and apply the right solutions.
From smarter formula design to choosing the right paper tube supplier like All Paper Tube Co., you can achieve a flawless, customer-loved eco-friendly product.
Ready to create packaging that’s just as beautiful on the inside as it looks on the outside?
Let’s make it happen — clean, green, and powerful.
