Last Updated on March 28, 2023
Key Takeaways
- Liquid toiletries can be brought on the plane only in travel sized containers that are less than or equal to 3.4 oz
- Solid toiletry items are allowed on the plane in carry-on luggage unless they have a blade
It’s natural that when we travel we want to bring with us items for cleaning and grooming.
You can bring any toiletries or toiletry items on a plane unless they have the potential to be used as a weapon.
Liquid toiletries are not prohibited from passing through airport security but you do need to follow the Transportation Security Administration liquid rules that limits the amount you can bring.
All liquids, gels, pastes, and aerosols must be in small containers no larger than 3.4 ounces (100 ml).
You’ll need to pack them in a TSA approved toiletry bag which as basically a quart-sized bag that is resealable.
As per the TSA rules Liquid toiletries don’t need to be in a clear plastic bag but it’s recommended.
You can only bring one quart size bag per passenger.
The smart way to pack toiletries is to bring a larger bag for non-liquid toiletries and a quart size bag for travel size containers of liquid toiletries.
Toiletries You Can Bring In A Carry-On Bag With Restrictions
You can bring the following liquid toiletries in small containers that are less than 3.4 oz:
- Toothpaste is considered a liquid
- Lotion counts as a liquid
- Skin care products
- Face wash
- Mouthwash
- Body Wash
- Liquid Laundry Detergent tide pods
- Body Spray
- Contact Lens Solution can be in bottles larger than 3.4 oz but they will need to be screened separately
- Liquid Or Cream Sunscreen
- Vaseline
- Shampoo
- Dry Shampoo
- Nail polish
- Shaving Cream
- Perfume
- Cologne
- Hair gel
- Hairspray
- Rogaine
- Nail scissors that are smaller than 4 inches measured from the pivot point
- Lip gloss
- Lip balm
- Liquid foundation
- Cream makeup
Medically necessary liquids don’t need to be in containers smaller than 3.4 oz.
So you can bring liquid medication on a plane.
You just need to notify the TSA agent that you are bringing a medically necessary liquid and they will carry out additional screening.
Remove any liquid medication from your carry-on bag and place it in a tray so it can be screened separately.
The same exemption applies to breast milk and drinks for infants.
The TSA liquids rule only applies to carry-on baggage. If you want to bring larger quantities of toiletries you can pack them in a checked bag.
Keep in mind that flammable liquids are also prohibited from checked baggage because of the fire risk.
Toiletries You Can Bring In A Carry-On Bag Without Restrictions
Toiletries are not only liquid soaps and lotions.
There are also solid products and all the grooming paraphernalia.
You are allowed to bring solid toiletries through airport security so long as they don’t have a significant blade that could be used as a weapon.
Solid toiletries don’t follow the 3-1-1 liquids rule:
- Electric toothbrush
- Electric Razor
- Beard trimmer
- Hair clippers
- Hair straighteners
- Hairdryer
- Disposable razors
- Dental Floss
- Comb
- Wet wipes
- Solid sunscreen blocks
- Solid shaving cream
- Lipstick
- Chapstick
- Nail clippers
- Scissors smaller than 4 inches as measured from the pivot point
- Tweezers
- Soap
- Baby powder, talcum powder
- Powdered makeup
Wet wipes are a notable entry on this list.
Even though wet wipes are wet they don’t count as liquids. This means if you are struggling for space in your liquids toiletry bag you can sometimes replace the liquid product with a wet wipe version of the product. For example, makeup remover wipes rather than liquid cleanser.
The same goes for solid versions of products that are usually sold as liquids. Shower gel needs to be packed in a your quart bag but a solid bar of soap doesn’t.
Toiletries You Can’t Bring On A Plane
Here are the items you might find in a typical toiletry bag that you can’t bring on a plane:
- Safety razors
- Cut throat razors
- Scissors longer than 4 inches
- Liquid, gel, pastes, or aerosols in containers larger than 3.4 ounces