Containers by formula
The right container protects the formula, doses it properly and suits how the customer uses it. Start from the texture and the most sensitive ingredient, not from the look.
- Pump bottle — Hygienic and easy to dose. Ideal for lotions, cleansers and medium-thick serums; very rich creams pump poorly.
- Airless pump — Protects oxygen- and light-sensitive actives such as vitamin C and retinoids, and empties almost completely. Costs more and needs testing with your viscosity.
- Jar — Suits rich creams and balms and is easy to decorate, but fingers go into the product, so the preservative system has to work harder. Consider a spatula.
- Tube — Light, squeezable and good value per unit for creams, gels and sunscreens. Printed tubes often come with higher minimums than bottles.
- Dropper — Precise for serums and oils, but the pipette returns to the bottle, and the bulb material must be checked against oils.
New and unusual containers
Korean suppliers are quick to offer new formats. The ones brands ask about most are refill systems with replaceable inner cartridges, mono-material containers that are easier to recycle, PCR (post-consumer recycled) plastics, paper-based tubes and boxes, single-dose ampoules, and stick or cushion formats for skincare as well as makeup.
Printing and finishing
- Labels — The lowest set-up cost and good for small runs or many SKUs, but they look less premium.
- Silk screen — Crisp and durable, priced per colour.
- Offset printing — Full-colour artwork, mainly on tubes.
- Hot stamping — Metallic foil for logos and accents. Premium, at a premium cost.
- Coatings and colour — Spray colour, metallising, and soft-touch, matte or gloss coatings change both the feel and the price.
The reality of sourcing
Photos and catalogue specifications do not show wall thickness, how frosted glass really looks, or how a pump feels in the hand, so always order physical samples. Container minimums are set by the packaging supplier, separately from the formula's. Stock moulds are faster and cheaper than custom ones, and coloured or printed parts need an approved colour standard and a check against it before production.
Compatibility testing (CT)
Before the container is final, the approved formula is filled into it and put through heat, cold, pressure and drop tests. The checks look for leaks, discolouration, deformation, pump failure and reactions between formula and material, for example oils attacking some plastics.
Only after the test is passed are the container and fill height fixed, and only then can the supplier issue the dieline for the box. A failed test means changing the container or one of its parts and testing again.