You have perfected your body butter, whipped your first batch of face cream or are launching a small skincare brand - now you need the right packaging. The jar you choose affects how long your product stays fresh, how easy it is to use and how professional it looks on the shelf. Here is a simple guide to choosing cosmetic jars and bottles.
1. Choose the right size
| Capacity | Best for |
|---|---|
| 200ml jar | Face and body creams, balms, lip and hand butters in larger sizes, trial sizes of scrubs and masks |
| 500ml jar | Body butters, sugar and salt scrubs, bath salts, hair masks, salon and spa sizes |
| 240ml bottle | Shampoos, conditioners, lotions and massage oils for retail |
| 480ml bottle | Family-size shampoos and shower gels, salon and spa refills |
Tip: fill a jar to about 1 cm below the rim. Whipped products increase in volume, so a 200ml jar usually holds around 150-170 g of whipped body butter.
2. PET, glass or PP?
- PET plastic - light, shatterproof, recyclable and affordable. Ideal for shipping by post, for the bathroom and for travel.
- Glass - feels premium, but it is heavy, breakable and more expensive to post.
- PP plastic - more heat-resistant, but usually less glossy and more opaque in appearance.
For most handmade cosmetics sold online, PET offers the best balance of look, weight and price.
3. A wide neck makes life easier
Thick products like body butters, balms and scrubs are much easier to fill and to scoop out of a jar with a wide opening. Our jars have an 89mm neck, so your customers can reach every last bit.
4. Black or white?
Many natural ingredients - plant oils, butters and essential oils - are sensitive to light. Black jars protect the contents from light and give a classic, premium look. White jars look clean and fresh and suit bright, minimalist branding.
5. Hygiene before filling
- Wash jars and lids with warm soapy water and let them dry completely.
- Wipe the inside with 70% alcohol and let it evaporate before filling.
- PET is not designed for very hot fillings - let melted mixtures cool until warm, not hot, before pouring.
- Close the lid only when the product has fully cooled to avoid condensation.
6. Labelling
The smooth surface of PET jars and bottles is easy to label. If you sell your cosmetics in the UK, remember that every product needs a safety assessment, must be notified on the UK Submit Cosmetic Product Notification portal and needs a label with the ingredients (INCI), your details, the batch number and the period after opening.
Save with value packs
Buying for your brand, salon or next market stall? Our value packs lower the price per piece:
| Product | Single | Pack of 25 | Pack of 50 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 200ml White PET Jar | £0.90 | £19.99 | £35.99 |
| 200ml Black PET Jar | £0.90 | £19.99 | £35.99 |
| 500ml Black PET Jar | £1.70 | £37.99 | £67.99 |
| 240ml Black PET Bottle | £1.10 | £24.99 | £43.99 |
| 480ml Black PET Bottle | £1.70 | £37.99 | £67.99 |
Browse all our empty cosmetic packaging - shipped from Scotland with fast UK delivery.
