Last Updated on January 16, 2021
This post is about taking shaving cream on a plane.
We cover whether the rules allow you to bring shaving cream when you take a flight.
We also talk about size limits, how you should pack it, and offer you a few tips and tricks that you should consider.
Let’s get started.
TSA Shaving Cream Rules
The Transportation Security Administration is responsible for what can and can’t be taken on to airplanes.
They’ll be checking what’s in your suitcase at the security checkpoint so it’s best to pack correctly!
Here is a screengrab from their website about shaving cream:
So there is the answer right there, but I promise it there is a little more to it than that. Keep reading the rest of this article so you’ll be clued up and know exactly what is best for you to pack.
Can You Bring Shaving Cream In Carry-On Luggage?
The TSA considers shaving cream, shaving foam, shaving oil, shaving butter, and shaving gel to be a liquid.
As you will be aware there are restrictions around traveling with liquids.
Any item that you can pump, squeeze, spread, smear, spray or spill must follow the TSA liquids rule in carry-on bags.
This means that the container can’t be more than 3.4 oz (100 ml). And that you must pack your shaving cream in your quart-size liquids bag.
Drugstores sell shaving foam in canisters that are under this limit, they are not hard to find.
Here is Jet Set Nom getting the thumbs up from the TSA about their 2 oz Gillette shaving foam:
Often it’s difficult to fit all your toiletries in your 1 permitted toiletry bag.
And aerosol shaving creams are rather bulky.
A 2 oz shaving cream like the one below might be enough for 20 shaves and it’s going to take up a lot of real estate in your tiny little plastic toiletries bag.
If you are only going for a short break you might not need a 3.4 oz can.
A better option might be a shaving gel since they are less bulky. This one is 3.3 oz and would last for ages. Shop around for a smaller one if space in your toiletries bag is limited.
For a great compact option consider a shaving oil like this.
Can You Bring Shaving Cream In Checked Luggage?
Yes, you can bring shaving cream in checked luggage.
While aerosols are often banned from checked luggage shaving cream is permitted because it is classified as a toiletry.
This is a size limit though. You can’t bring shaving cream in canisters over 18 oz. Since regular shaving cream comes in 7 oz cans you won’t need to worry about that!
Here is Connor getting the green light to bring his Nivea shaving foam in his checked baggage.
Why You Shouldn’t Take Shaving Cream On A Plane
As mentioned above if you are going to take a liquid shaving cream then shaving oil will take up the least amount of space in your toiletries bag.
There is another option that you might not have thought about…
A bar of shaving soap is solid and doesn’t not fall under the TSA liquids rule, so it doesn’t need to be packed inside the toiletries bag at all.
For long term travelers solid shaving soap and a travel soap dish is the best option.
A single bar of shaving soap can last for 6 months.
You can throw it anywhere in your bag and won’t need to worry about any TSA restrictions.
And you get to use an old fashioned shaving brush too!
The Verdict
You can bring shaving cream on an airplane but it is considered to be a liquid by the TSA and hence should be in containers smaller than 3.4 ounces for carry on.
Shaving cream in checked luggage is permitted and should be in containers smaller than 18 oz.
People Also Ask
- Can you bring a razor on a plane?
- Can you bring an electric shaver on a plane?
- Will aerosols explode in checked luggage?