Cost-Effective: PP is generally less expensive than other plastics like PET or HDPE, making it an economical choice for brands.
Versatile for Manufacturing: It can be easily molded into various shapes, sizes, and colors. It also works well with different closure types (e.g., flip caps, pumps, screw lids).
Recyclable: PP is widely recyclable (though always check local recycling guidelines, as not all facilities accept it).
Safe for Topical Products: It is considered a safe material for packaging cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, as it doesn't leach harmful chemicals into the product.
Permeability to Gasses and Scents: Over very long periods, PP is not as good a barrier as other plastics (like PET) against oxygen and certain aromatic compounds. For most sunscreens (which are used within a year or two), this is not a significant issue.
Can Become Brittle: While durable, prolonged exposure to direct UV radiation from the sun can cause PP to become brittle over time. This is a minor concern for the product's lifespan, as the sunscreen inside should be used up long before this becomes a problem for the bottle.
Not Always Opaque in its Natural State: Pure PP can be translucent. Since sunlight can degrade the active ingredients in sunscreen, manufacturers often add titanium dioxide (TiO2) or use masterbatch to make the bottle opaque (usually white, blue, or other bright colors). This is a critical feature for protecting the formula inside.