Glass bottle, vial, blue, 5 ml

A blue glass vial with a capacity of 5 ml is a small bottle for products used by the drop or in small amounts: essential oil blends, oil serums, fragrance oils, plant extracts, or samples of new formulations. Blue glass filters out light that accelerates the degradation of oils and fragrances. Glass is also inert to its contents, making it suitable even where plastic could cause issues.

Vial refers to the shape: a cylindrical body with a narrow threaded neck onto which a closure is fitted according to the dispensing method. The small volume is appreciated for travel-size packaging and for products containing expensive active ingredients that would not make sense to fill into a larger container.

What the 5 ml vial is suitable for

• Essential oils and blends – glass tolerates even concentrated essential oils and does not allow the scent to permeate, so the blend retains its character.
• Oil serums and concentrates – the small volume is used up quickly, which is an advantage with plant oils prone to oxidation.
• Fragrance oils and alcohol-based perfumes – glass tolerates ethanol without any change in appearance and does not introduce off-notes into the fragrance.
• Plant extracts and infusions – blue glass reduces the effect of light on the colour and composition of the extract.
• Samples and test batches – 5 ml is sufficient for trialling a formulation on the skin or as a sample for a customer.

Nominal and total volume

Two volumes are stated for packaging. The nominal volume is the amount the bottle is intended to hold under normal filling conditions — in this case 5 ml. The total brim-full volume is the physical capacity up to the neck and is slightly larger. The difference between the two serves as headspace for the closure or dropper insert and for thermal expansion of the contents. The bottle should therefore be filled to the nominal volume, not to the brim.

Closure and neck

The bottle is supplied without a closure. Closures with the same neck type as specified in the product parameters, as well as ready-made bottle-and-closure combinations, are available in the Handymade range. When assembling your own combination, we recommend verifying the seal, dispensing behaviour, and compatibility of the packaging with the specific formulation. Simply fill the bottle, lay it on its side for a day, and check whether any contents have leaked.

What to know before filling

Preparing the container. Before first use, wash the bottle, rinse it, sanitise with isopropyl alcohol or ethanol, and allow it to dry completely. Residual water is undesirable in anhydrous products because it introduces moisture into the oil that the formulation does not account for.

Cosmetic suitability. The container is suitable for contact with cosmetic products. A declaration of suitability is available on the product page.

Type of contents. Glass is suitable for oil-based, alcohol-based, and water-based contents. However, the choice of container does not replace preservation. Products containing water require a preservative just as they would in any other container.

Label. The available label area on a small bottle is limited and the surface is curved. The dimensions required for label design are listed in the product parameters. The glass must be dry and degreased before applying a label; on an oily surface the label will not adhere.

Frequently asked questions