Glass bottle, vial, clear 5 ml

A glass vial-shaped bottle with a volume of 5 ml is a small container for samples, trial batches and concentrated products dispensed drop by drop. Clear glass shows the colour and clarity of the contents. It is immediately apparent whether a serum has stayed clear, an oil has not gone cloudy, or a blend has not separated.

It is particularly well suited to facial serums and oils, essential oil blends, fragrance oils and travel-size packaging. Glass does not react with oils, alcohol or essential oils, making it suitable for contents that degrade plastic over time. The container is suitable for contact with cosmetic products.

What is the 5 ml vial suitable for

• Samples and formula testing – a small volume is enough to try out a new formulation or to prepare a sample for a customer without filling a large container.
• Concentrated products – serums with active ingredients, eye-area oils and essential oil blends are used drop by drop, so 5 ml lasts longer than it might seem.
• Fragrances and fragrance oils – glass retains no scent memory and does not affect the fragrance.
• Coloured contents – a macerate or coloured serum stands out in clear glass and its condition can be monitored at any time.

The vial is intended for liquid to mildly viscous contents. Thick creams and balms are difficult to fill and remove through the narrow neck; a jar is a more suitable option for these.

Nominal and total volume

Nominal volume is the quantity the bottle is designed for under normal filling conditions. Total volume to the brim is the physical capacity up to the neck and is slightly larger. The difference between them is not extra space for product. It is a reserve for the closure, the dropper tube or the pump tube, and for the expansion of the contents with changes in temperature. The bottle should therefore be filled to the nominal volume, not to the brim. Both values are listed in the product specifications.

Choosing a closure

The bottle is supplied without a closure. Closures with the same neck type as listed in the specifications, as well as ready-made bottle-and-closure combinations, are available from Handymade. When assembling your own combination, we recommend verifying seal integrity and dosing with the specific formulation. Thin alcoholic contents and thick oils dispense differently with the same closure.

What is worth knowing before filling

• Preparation – before first use, the bottle is washed, disinfected with isopropyl alcohol or ethanol and left to dry completely. Residual water is a particular risk with anhydrous products.
• Temperature – glass does not tolerate sudden temperature changes. Warm contents should be poured into a bottle at room temperature, not into a chilled one.
• Label – for a small diameter, a narrower label made from a more flexible material works well, as it does not peel away at the curve. The dimensions needed for label design are listed in the specifications.

Frequently asked questions