What does an 18/410 neck finish mean?

18/410 is a screw neck standard. 18 millimetres diameter, 410 thread style. Serum droppers and treatment pumps lock to this size. It is not the FEA crimp used on perfume.

How does airless cosmetic packaging work?

An inner piston rises on vacuum so air does not enter on each stroke. It is preferred for retinol, vitamin C and niacinamide formulas.

What is the difference between an ABL tube and a PE tube?

PE tubes are flexible and economical. ABL tubes carry an aluminium barrier layer and cut oil, SPF filter and fragrance migration.

Why run a compatibility test on cosmetic packaging?

The formula also touches the gasket, pump spring and dip tube. Essential oils can swell PE. Testing before filling prevents scrap.

Cosmetic Packaging Guide | Neck Finish, Materials, Airless

01

Neck first. Closure second.

In cosmetic packaging the neck finish is how the bottle mouth mates with a pump, dropper or spray. The two systems do not interchange. We sample body and closure as a set.

Screw · 18/410, 20/410, 24/410

First number is millimetre diameter, second is thread style. Serum droppers and treatment pumps lock on 18/410. Lotion pumps often use 20/410 and 24/410.

Serum, face oil, lotion
Glass or plastic body
Dip tube length is cut on the sample

Crimp · FEA 15 / FEA 20

A perfume atomiser is locked with an aluminium collar. A screw pump will not seat on an FEA neck. FEA is the European perfume standard.

Perfume and essence
Flint glass body
The overcap carries the luxury cue

02

The material sits next to the formula.

The right cosmetic packaging keeps chemistry and resin on the same line. This pairing is the sourcing brief.

Soda-lime flint glassPerfume, toner

Chemically inert, weight in hand, takes screen print and glass painting.

Amber glassActive serum

Cuts UV. Often pairs with an 18/410 dropper.

Airless PP + pistonRetinol, vitamin C

No oxygen in. Evacuation above 95 percent.

PP bottle / pumpSPF, lotion

Heat and chemical resistance. 20/410-24/410 lotion pump.

PET bottleMicellar, shower gel

Light, clear, economical wholesale cosmetic packaging.

PE / ABL tubeHand cream, SPF

Squeeze use. ABL is the oil and odour barrier.

SAN / PMMA / ABSLipstick, compact

Gloss and metallised overcaps in makeup cosmetic packaging.

03

Terms used at the table

These words show up in quotes, samples and production. All of them stay visible.

Treatment pump: Screw pump for serum and lotion. Actuator, piston, dip tube and overcap are one set. Dose follows viscosity.
Dropper: Pipette, bulb and screw collar. Precise dose on glass serum bottles. The tip must not hit the shoulder.
Dip tube: The hose that reaches the floor. Too short and product looks empty; too long and the pump draws air.
Overcap: Protective cap over pump or spray. Acrylic, PP or metallised.
Airless piston: Vacuum inner piston. No air in on each stroke. Standard for retinol, vitamin C and niacinamide.
EVOH: A layer that lowers oxygen transmission. Extends formula life in airless bodies and laminate tubes.
ABL / PBL: ABL is aluminium-barrier laminate. PBL is plastic-barrier laminate. They cut leaks in SPF and oily cream.
PCR: Recycled PET or PP. Sustainable lines need a separate talk on MOQ and colour shift.
Soft touch / UV coat: Velvet hand-feel or gloss protection. Screen print and hot foil sit above or below this layer.
MOQ: Minimum order quantity. Lower on stock cosmetic packaging. Custom moulds and multi-colour screen print usually start at 10,000 units.

04

Which formula?

Read the path top to bottom. Pause here before you open the catalogue.

Perfume and essence

Flint glass, FEA 15-20 crimp, atomiser. Alcohol wants glass. A screw pump will not seat.

Serum and actives

Amber glass 18/410 dropper or an airless piston. Light and oxygen cut potency.

Cream and mask

Plastic jar for daily lines, glass jar for luxury, airless jar for hygiene.

Sunscreen

PP pump or ABL tube. UV filters and oil phase can swell PE.

Makeup

SAN, PMMA, ABS bodies. Pad print and metallised overcaps set the shelf language.

05

Compatibility before filling

The formula also touches the gasket, pump spring and dip tube. This check cuts scrap on wholesale cosmetic packaging.

+Alcohol. Glass and a crimp atomiser. Do not weaken the gasket.
+Essential oil. PE can swell. ABL or PP is safer.
+SPF filters. Heat and chemical resistance. PP pump or ABL tube.
+Retinol / vitamin C. Oxygen and light. Airless or amber dropper.

06

The guide ends. The catalogue starts.

Glass, airless, plastic, sunscreen and makeup live on the cosmetic packaging page. Model, sample and door-to-door supply run from there.

Cosmetic packaging catalogue