1.Primary and secondary packaging
Primary packaging is in direct contact with the product: bottles, jars, airless bottles, pumps and caps. It must be compatible with the formula and protect it from air, light and contamination.
Secondary packaging is the outer box or carton that holds the primary pack and carries consumer information. BTB Packaging supplies primary packaging.
2.Types of cosmetic packaging
Every formula has its ideal container. These are the most common solutions in cosmetics:
- Airless bottles: dispense the product without exposing it to air. Ideal for serums, face creams, eye contour and delicate formulas.
- Bottles: the most versatile format, for shampoos, conditioners, cleansers, lotions and body creams. They pair with dispensers, sprays or caps.
- Jars: for thick creams, masks and butters, taken out with fingers or a spatula.
- Dispensers: pumps that deliver a consistent dose with every press: perfect for cleansers, liquid soaps, lotions and gels.
- Sprays: mist sprayers for fragrances, scented waters, toners and hair sprays.
- Flip top caps: open and close with one hand: practical for shampoos, shower gels and body creams.
- Foamer and talc bottles: for foaming cleansers and powder products.
3.Materials: PP, PET, HDPE and PE
The material affects strength, transparency, weight and compatibility with the formula. The most common in cosmetic packaging are:
- PP (polypropylene): rigid and resistant to many chemicals. The typical material for airless bottles, jars and closures.
- PET (polyethylene terephthalate): light and impact-resistant, and it can be transparent: it shows the product and suits bottles and foamers.
- HDPE (high-density polyethylene): opaque, sturdy and resistant: the classic choice for shampoos, cleansers and body creams.
- PE (polyethylene): softer and more flexible, suited to small bottles.
4.Necks and closures: what 24/410 and 18/415 mean
Neck sizes follow an international standard. The first number is the neck diameter in millimetres; the second is the thread style: 410 is about one and a half turns, 415 about two turns.
A closure only fits a bottle when both numbers match: a 24/410 pump fits a 24/410 bottle, not an 18/415 one. For dispensers the dip tube length also matters and is chosen to match the bottle capacity.
These are the compatible combinations in our catalog:
| Neck | Bottles | Compatible closures |
|---|---|---|
| 18/415 | Flacone 30 ml Pescara | Spray 18/415, Flip Top 18/415 |
| 24/410 | Flacone 100 ml Roma, Flacone 150 ml Venezia, Flacone 200 ml Milano, Flacone 250 ml Livorno, Flacone 500 ml | Dispenser 24/410 100 ml, Dispenser 24/410 200 ml, Dispenser 24/410 500 ml, Spray 24/410, Flip Top 24/410 |
5.How to choose the right packaging
Before ordering, it helps to answer these questions:
- What formula are you packaging?: air-sensitive formulas are best in an airless bottle; fluid ones in a bottle with a dispenser or spray; thick ones in a jar.
- How will customers use it?: pumping, spraying, pouring or scooping: the dispensing method decides the closure.
- Which capacity?: small sizes (30–50 ml) for face treatments and samples; large sizes (200–500 ml) for body and hair products.
- Is the material compatible?: always check the compatibility and stability of the formula in the chosen container before production.
- What image do you want for your brand?: colour, transparency, shape and screen-printed branding make the product recognisable on the shelf.
6.Minimum order quantities and customization
Minimum order quantities depend on the item: in our catalog they range from 112 to 1000 pieces. Stock availability is updated in real time on every product card.
Bottles can be customized with screen printing: for a quote we need the quantity and the artwork to apply.
Cosmetic packaging FAQ
What is the difference between an airless bottle and a bottle with a dispenser?
In a dispenser bottle the pump draws the product up through a dip tube and air enters the bottle. An airless bottle has no dip tube: an internal piston pushes the product up without letting air in, so the formula stays protected down to the last dose.
What does 24/410 mean on a bottle?
24 is the neck diameter in millimetres and 410 is the thread style. A closure only fits if it has the same code as the bottle.
Which material is best for shampoos and cleansers?
HDPE is the most common choice because it is sturdy and resistant; PET is the one to pick when you want a transparent bottle that shows the product.
What is the minimum order quantity for cosmetic packaging?
It depends on the item: in the BTB Packaging catalog it ranges from 112 to 1000 pieces. You'll find the minimum order on every product card.
Working on a cosmetic packaging project?
Tell us the formula, capacity and quantity: we'll recommend the right container and closure and prepare a quote.