Glass bottle, pharmacy vial, green, 18 mm, 50 ml

A glass vial with an 18/410 thread and a nominal volume of 50 ml is designed for filling your own cosmetic preparations that are sensitive to daylight. Green glass reduces a portion of incoming light, making it suitable for facial serums, plant and herbal oils, alcohol tinctures, essential oil blends, or tonics in smaller quantities. The narrow neck makes precise dispensing easier, whether you pair the vial with a dropper, a spray pump, or a standard cap.

The 50 ml volume is practical for preparations that are used up within a few weeks to months: serums with active ingredients, oil blends for the face and scalp, or samples and test batches where you don't want to commit raw materials to a larger package.

Why choose green glass

• Light protection – green glass filters a portion of the light spectrum that accelerates the oxidation of oils, fading of colorants, and degradation of sensitive ingredients. It is not opaque, so the fill level remains visible.
• Chemical resistance – glass does not react with essential oils, alcohol, or most cosmetic raw materials that can over time soften or stain plastics.
• Non-absorbency – the glass surface does not retain fragrances or colorants. After thorough washing, the vial can be reused without transferring odours from the previous contents.
• Product line differentiation – the green colour visually distinguishes a product line or a specific type of preparation from packaging in brown or clear glass.

Nominal and total volume

When filling, distinguish between the two figures in the specifications. The nominal volume is the amount the vial is designed for under normal filling conditions and the value stated on the label. The total volume to the brim is the physical capacity up to the neck. The difference provides a margin for the closure or dropper, which displaces some of the contents when fitted, and for expansion of the contents with temperature changes. The vial should therefore be filled to the nominal volume, not to the brim.

Closures and combinations

Closures with the same neck size fit the 18/410 thread. In the Handymade range you will find standalone closures as well as ready-made combinations of the vial with a dropper, spray pump, or cap. When assembling your own set, verify the seal integrity, the dispenser behaviour, and the compatibility of the closure with your specific formulation. Alcoholic and oily contents put more stress on the seal than aqueous solutions.

What to know when filling

Before first use, wash the vial with warm water and detergent, rinse thoroughly, and disinfect with isopropyl alcohol or ethanol. Leave it to dry completely, neck down. Residual water would dilute an anhydrous preparation or add to the preservative burden of an aqueous product.

Glass tolerates disinfection with alcohol and hot water, but is sensitive to sudden temperature changes. Do not pour a hot emulsion into a cold vial or vice versa. Allow the contents to cool to at least lukewarm temperature, or gently pre-warm the vial first.

The packaging is suitable for use with cosmetic products and meets the applicable regulatory requirements; the declaration of conformity is available with the product. When designing the label, account for the cylindrical shape and small diameter, which limit its width. Dimensions are listed in the specifications.

When the vial is no longer in use, it belongs in glass recycling. Simply empty it and separate the closure, which is typically made from a different material.

Frequently asked questions