Leaking, oxidized, or discolored oils? Poor packaging might be silently ruining your essential oil products.

Yes, essential oils should be stored in glass bottles—especially amber or cobalt blue—to preserve their potency, prevent chemical reactions, and ensure product safety.

Many new beauty and wellness brands overlook how packaging affects product integrity. But trust me—as a packaging supplier with 13+ years in the industry—choosing the wrong bottle material can be a costly mistake. Let's dive into the details.

Is it okay to put essential oils in plastic bottles?

You’re trying to cut costs. Plastic seems cheaper. But have you checked your oils lately?

No, it's generally unsafe to store essential oils in plastic bottles because the oils can degrade the plastic, leach toxins, and alter the oil’s quality.

Why plastic fails for essential oils

Essential oils are highly concentrated, especially those with citrus (like lemon or orange oil). These compounds can break down most plastic types, particularly PET and HDPE, over time. Here’s what typically happens:

Plastic Type	Reaction with Essential Oils	Suitability
PET	May degrade over time	Poor
HDPE	Somewhat resistant	Temporary
PVC	High risk of chemical leach	Unsafe
PP	Slightly better	Short-term use only

The result? Distorted bottles, leaky packaging, off-smelling oils, and customer complaints.

Besides safety, there’s the customer perception. Plastic often feels cheap, unrefined, and untrustworthy—especially in the wellness space where purity is everything. Packaging isn’t just storage; it’s part of your brand story.

Why are essential oils in glass bottles?

Why do all premium brands default to glass, especially amber glass?

Because glass is non-reactive, airtight, and UV-resistant when tinted—making it the safest material for preserving essential oil quality.

How glass protects your formula

Here at PauPack, we manufacture essential oil bottles with a focus on glass clarity, UV protection, and chemical stability. Amber glass blocks harmful ultraviolet rays that degrade oil components like terpenes and phenols.

We often recommend:

• Amber or cobalt glass: excellent UV protection

• Dropper caps: for accurate dispensing

• Thick-wall glass: ensures durability during transport

These small packaging decisions dramatically impact shelf life and customer experience—especially when selling on Amazon or in hot climates.

Glass as a signal of quality

Let’s not forget the psychological effect. Customers equate glass with quality, especially in aromatherapy, skincare, and natural products. Glass feels premium in hand. It’s cool, weighty, transparent. A bottle that sells the oil before the scent even reaches the nose.

Is it okay to put oil in a plastic bottle?

Let’s revisit this in practical terms. Maybe your filling line prefers plastic. Is there a workaround?

For very short-term use (like samples or travel kits), food-grade plastic may be acceptable—but only for diluted oils, not pure essentials.

When plastic is sometimes okay

At PauPack, we do supply airless PET pumps and PE squeeze tubes for pre-diluted massage blends or water-based sprays. But we never recommend plastic for undiluted oils.

Here’s a rule of thumb:

Scenario	Is Plastic Okay?	Recommendation
Long-term retail packaging	❌	Use glass
Travel/sample use (<1 week)	⚠️	Use PP/HDPE sparingly
Industrial bulk use	⚠️	Use HDPE only with caution

Even then, plastic has limitations:

• Poor seal integrity over time

• Potential leaching and discoloration

• Weak UV protection

When in doubt, go glass. Or, ask us—we offer consultation and compliance advice for each region’s safety standards.

What is the best bottle to store essential oils in?

Still unsure what’s best for your new aromatherapy line or product launch?

The best bottle is a UV-resistant amber or cobalt glass bottle with a leak-proof closure such as a dropper, rollerball, or mist spray—customized to match your branding.

Our top picks for your oil packaging

With PauPack, you can choose from a wide range of essential oil bottles tailored for your use case:

Volume Options	Bottle Type	Closures	MOQ
5ml / 10ml	Amber glass	Dropper / Roller	1000 pcs
15ml / 30ml	Cobalt blue	Pump / Dropper	1000 pcs
50ml / 100ml	Clear glass	Mist / Screw Cap	1000 pcs
Custom Shapes	OEM molds	Private Labeling	3000 pcs

We help brands like yours with:

• Logo printing (silk screen or hot stamping)

• Leak testing and drop resistance assurance

• Eco-friendly materials like recycled glass or bamboo caps

• Fast lead times via our 3000+ product warehouse system

Want a bottle that reflects your brand’s essence? We can design and manufacture it—end to end.

Conclusion

Glass is not just better—it’s essential when it comes to storing essential oils safely and professionally.