You can bring lotion on a plane in both your carry on and checked bags, though if packed in your carry on, lotion should be in containers that are no larger than 3.4oz/100ml due to the TSA’s 3-1-1 rule.

Can You Bring Lotion on a Plane?

Carry on Bags

The TSA has a rule called the 3-1-1 rule that prohibits passengers from packing any liquids, gels, and aerosols in their carry on if they exceed 3.4oz/100ml.

This includes lotion.

So as long as the lotion is in a bottle that is no larger than 3.4oz/100ml, you can pack it in your carry on.

Note that the important thing to remember is that it is the size of the bottle that matters.

So even if you have 50ml of lotion in a 4oz. bottle, it won’t be allowed through airport security and will be confiscated by a TSA agent.

Checked Bags

If you want to bring lotion in containers larger than 3.4oz/100ml, you should pack them in your checked bag, as checked bags aren’t subject to the same restrictions as carry on bags.

The same applies to other liquids, gels, and aerosols that exceed 3.4oz/100ml that you want to bring.

Domestic vs. International Flights

While it might not be known as the 3-1-1 rule worldwide, the same restrictions apply.

So if you’re flying internationally from the U.S., to the U.S., or between any other country, you can only bring lotion on a plane in your carry on in containers that are no larger than 3.4oz/100ml

By Airline

Regardless if you’re flying with Southwest, Delta, JetBlue, American Airlines, United, or any other major or regional air carrier, you can only pack lotion in your carry on if the containers don’t exceed 3.4oz/100ml.

This is because all airlines follow TSA regulations.

There Are Exceptions For Medically Necessary Lotions

The TSA makes exceptions for “medically necessary liquids, gels, and aerosols” in reasonable quantities.

This doesn’t apply to your over the counter acne cream, but only to lotions/creams/gels that have been prescribed.

So if the lotion you want to bring is used to treat a medical condition and has been prescribed, you can pack it in your carry on in containers larger than 3.4oz/100ml.

You just need to inform a TSA officer that you have a medically necessary item and separate it from other belongings before screening begins, so it can be screened separately.

You can also bring things like baby food and baby formula on a plane in your carry on in containers larger than 3.4oz/100ml.

How to Pack Lotion for Air Travel

If you want to bring lotion on a plane in your carry on, make sure you do the following:

  • Separate your lotions that are in containers that are no larger than 3.4oz/100ml from those that exceed this amount.
  • For lotions that are within TSA’s 3-1-1 rule, you can place them in a clear, resealable single quart-sized bag.
  • For lotions that are larger, you can either pack them in your checked bags, or buy some travel-friendly containers and put the lotion in them.
  • When you get to airport security, place the bag that contains your lotion into a screening bin.

You Can Bring a Decent Number of Bottles of Lotion in Your Carry on?

In total, you can take 32 ounces (or 1 quart) of lotion on a plane.

But as the containers themselves will take up space in the single quart-sized bag, you won’t be able to take a full 32 ounces of lotions in your carry on.

You will be able to bring about 25 ounces in total, in 7 or 8 travel-sized 3.4oz/100ml containers onto a plane in your carry on.

You Won’t Be Able to Carry Lotion in Your Purse

As lotion will need to be screened as you pass through airport security, it will need to be packed in a clear, single quart-sized bag and placed in a screening bin.

So you will need to take any lotion out of your purse and place it into a clear, single quart-sized bag, which you can then put back into your purse after you have passed airport security.

Only items that are not subject to the TSA’s 3-1-1 rule can be left in your purse, such as stick concealer and lip balm.

There Are No Exceptions for Makeup

According to TSA regulations, you can bring makeup on a plane in both your carry on and checked bags, though if the makeup product is either a liquid, gel, or aerosol and is packed in your carry on, it must not exceed 3.4oz/100ml.

Makeup is not allowed in your purse unless it is a non-liquid item, like stick concealer.

And Not Even Sunscreen

While you can take sunscreen on a plane in your checked bags, the TSA state that you are only allowed to bring sunscreen in containers that are no larger than 3.4oz/100ml in your carry on bags.

Again, it won’t be allowed in your purse.

What Toiletries Can You Bring on a Plane?

Hair Care Items

  • Shampoo: Yes, but the container must not exceed 3.4oz/100 ml if packed in your carry on.
  • Dry Shampoo: Yes, but the container must not exceed 3.4oz/100 ml if packed in your carry on.
  • Hair Gel, Pomade, Wax: Yes, but the container must not exceed 3.4oz/100 ml if packed in your carry on.
  • Hairspray: Yes, but the container must not exceed 3.4oz/100 ml if packed in your carry on.
  • Hair Dryer: Yes, in both your carry on and checked bags.
  • Hair Clippers: Yes, in both your carry on and checked bags.
  • Hair Straighteners: In both your carry on and checked bags. If they contain batteries or gas/fuel cartridges, they must be packed in your carry on.
  • Curling Irons: In both your carry on and checked bags. If they contain batteries or gas/fuel cartridges, they must be packed in your carry on.

Hygiene Items

  • Cologne: Yes, but the container must not exceed 3.4oz/100 ml if packed in your carry on.
  • Perfume: Yes, but the container must not exceed 3.4oz/100 ml if packed in your carry on.
  • Electric Toothbrush: Yes, but the container must not exceed 3.4oz/100 ml if packed in your carry on.
  • Toothpaste: Yes, but the container must not exceed 3.4oz/100 ml if packed in your carry on.
  • Deodorant: Yes, but the container must not exceed 3.4oz/100 ml if packed in your carry on.
  • Shaving Cream: Yes, but the container must not exceed 3.4oz/100 ml if packed in your carry on.
  • Bar of Soap: Yes, in both your carry on and checked bags.
  • Hand Sanitizer: Yes, but the container must not exceed 12 ounces  if packed in your carry on.

Nail Care Items

  • Nail Clippers: Yes, in both your carry on and checked bags
  • Nail File: Yes, in both your carry on and checked bags
  • Cuticle Pusher: Yes, in both your carry on and checked bags
  • Nail Brush: Yes, in both your carry on and checked bags
  • Nail Buffer: Yes, in both your carry on and checked bags
  • Nail Polish: Yes in both your carry on (if less than or equal to 3.4oz/100 ml) and checked bags
  • Nail Polish Remover: Yes in both your carry on (if less than or equal to 3.4oz/100 ml) and checked bags

Ella Dunham, a Freelance Travel Journalist and Marketing Manager, boasts an impressive career spanning eight years in the travel and tourism sectors.

Honored as one of "30 Under 30" by TTG Media (the world’s very first weekly travel trade newspaper), a "Tour Operator Travel Guru" and "Legend Award" winner, Ella is also a Fellow of the Institute of Travel, a Member of the Association of Women Travel Executives, has completed over 250 travel modules, and hosts travel-focused segments on national radio shows where she provides insights on travel regulations and destinations.

Ella has visited over 40 countries (with 10 more planned this year).