Here's how to keep your must-have skin-care products out of the TSA's trash
The TSA Will Toss These Trendy Skin-Care Products If You Try to Carry Them On
Published on Nov. 27, 2024
Listen up, skin-care junkies: While you might be tempted to stuff your carry-on luggage with your favorite hydrating, brightening and wrinkle-reducing products, you may want to think again. A lot of trendy skin-care products are likely to get flagged by the TSA as you pass through the security checkpoint. Being asked to remove these items can be a big bummer, especially considering how pricey they can be.
By now, frequent fliers are well acquainted with TSA carry-on rules, including the 3-1-1 rule for taking liquids through security. According to TSA regulations, each liquid or gel item must be in a container that holds 3.4 ounces or less. All of your containers must fit into a single quart-sized bag, and each traveler is allowed to take only one bag through security.
But which skin-care products count as liquids and gels? Is your go-to balm safe as a solid, or will the TSA confiscate your must-have item? With so many skin-care products available (in so many formulations), it can be confusing to figure out which you can bring in your carry-on and which are best left in your checked luggage. Keep reading to find out how to pack your skin-care products so you get through the TSA checkpoint without a hitch.
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What trendy skin-care products might get flagged by the TSA?
If you don’t want a TSA agent to stop you at security and ask you to toss your pricey skin-care faves before boarding your flight, be sure to follow TSA regulations when packing. While plenty of beauty products will pass through security with flying colors, others will meet the same fate as full bottles of water or booze.
If you plan to stash the following skin-care goodies in your carry-on for your next flight, you’ll need to follow the 3-1-1 rule. At more than 3.4 ounces, these items will get you flagged by the TSA:
- Balms and jellies. We love a good cleansing balm or jelly, but products that you can easily spread or rub into the skin are considered liquids, so your container of each shouldn’t exceed 3.4 ounces. Larger jars and bottles will likely get flagged by the TSA.
- Gels, lotions, sprays and serums. The TSA views all of these items as liquids or gels, so you have to check them if they’re over 3.4 ounces, even if they are unopened. Can’t live without that aloe vera gel or peptide serum? Better pack travel-size containers. The only full-size liquid skin-care products permitted through security are those purchased within the airport from duty-free shops.
- Full-size bottles containing small amounts of product. Containers over 3.4 ounces are not allowed through security—even if the large bottle contains only 3.4 ounces (or less) of your favorite liquid or gel skin-care product. The TSA flags items based on container size, not the volume of product in the container. If a bottle can hold more than 3.4 ounces, it belongs in your checked luggage. And if you have only a tiny amount of product left in it, transfer it to a smaller container.
What trendy skin-care products does the TSA allow?
Not all skin-care products are created equal. If they’re not considered liquids or gels, you don’t have to follow the 3-1-1 rule. You can toss them into your carry-on, and you’re good to go. Yes, even if they exceed the 3.4-ounce TSA liquid limit.
The 3-1-1 rule doesn’t apply to these TSA-friendly items:
- Powdered products. Skin-care brands are getting wise to our carry-on conundrum, so they’ve created new products, including sunscreens and cleansers, in powder form. Travelers are allowed to pack up to 12 ounces of powdered substances in their carry-on luggage.
- Sheet masks. Sheet masks add a little luxury to long flights and layovers, and they’re totally TSA approved. Mid-flight self-care session? Don’t mind if we do.
- Baby wipes and makeup wipes. Even though wipes contain liquid, these items are good to go through security.
- Solid skin-care products. When a skin-care product comes in stick form (like a stick balm), the TSA considers it a solid. These items easily pass through security without being flagged.
So next time you prep for air travel, be sure you’re divvying up your skin-care products properly. And don’t forget to slip a sheet mask into your carry-on for some self-care during the flight. After waiting in the security line, you’ve earned it.
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