Many men and women and women use shaving cream as part of their daily or weekly beauty and skin care regime.
So you might be wondering if you can bring shaving cream on your next flight.
According to TSA regulations, you can bring shaving cream on a plane in both your carry on and checked bags, though if packed in your carry on, it must be in a container that is no larger than 3.4oz/100ml.
The TSA state that you can bring shaving cream on a plane in your checked bags in a total aggregate quantity of 2 kg (70 ounces) or 2 L (68 fluid ounces).
The capacity of each container must not exceed 0.5 kg (18 ounces) or 500 ml (17 fluid ounces).
Additionally, if packing an aerosol shaving cream, it must be protected by caps or other suitable means to prevent accidental release.
Therefore, if you want to bring a large bottle of shaving cream, packing it in your checked bag is definitely the way to go.
Bringing Shaving Cream in Carry on Bags
If you want to pack shaving cream in your carry on bags, the TSA’s 3-1-1 Rule applies.
This means that you can only bring shaving cream in your carry on bags if it is within a container that does not exceed 3.4oz/100ml.
Domestic vs. International Flights
It makes no difference if you’re flying domestically within the USA or internationally.
All aviation authorities impose a limit of passengers only being allowed to bring liquids in containers that don’t exceed 3.4oz/100ml in their carry on bags.
By Airline
It also makes no difference with what airline you are flying with.
All regional and major air carriers, including Southwest, United, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines etc. follow TSA regulations.
So this means that you are only allowed to pack shaving cream in your carry on bags in containers that do not exceed 3.4oz/100ml.
You Can Put Your Shaving Cream in a Different Container
The TSA state that they allow passengers to pack liquids, gels and aerosols in their own containers.
This includes shaving cream.
So you can transfer your shaving cream into individual 3.4oz/100ml containers and bring them on a plane in your carry on bags that way.
You will be able to pack 7-8 3.4oz/100ml containers in your carry on bags, which will amount to about 25ml of shaving cream if you are only planning on bringing shaving cream with you.
Shaving Cream Won’t Explode on a Plane
Even though shaving cream is usually stored in an aerosol container, it will not explode on a plane, as planes are pressurized and temperature controlled.
Bringing Shaving Soap Can Be a Better Idea
Bringing shaving soap on a plane can be a great idea.
This is because a soap bar is not part of TSA’s 3-1-1 Rule that limits passengers to only bringing 3.4oz/100ml containers that contain liquid, gel or aerosol in their carry on bags.
In other words, you can bring shaving soap on a plane in both your carry on and checked bags without any size or quantity limitations.
Regulations Apply for Shaving Foam and Gel
If you want to bring shaving foam or gel on a plane, the same rules apply.
So you can only bring shaving foam on a plane in your carry on bags if they are in a container that is no larger than 3.4oz/100ml.
Spare razor blades/cartridges can also be packed in both your carry on and checked bags.
Safety razors are only allowed in your carry on bags with the blade removed. The blade should be removed and stored in your checked luggage.
Straight razors are not permitted in your carry on bags. So if you want to take your straight razor with you, it should be packed only in your checked bags.
Instead of listing every other shaving supply in existence, the general rule is that it is in a container that exceeds 3.4oz/100ml it will not be allowed in your carry on bags.
This includes aftershave balm, moisturizer, cologne, beard shampoo, conditioner and oil etc.
It’s a Bad Idea to Shave on a Plane
If you want to shave on your next flight, you will be allowed to.
However, keep in mind that planes have restrooms that are very small with even smaller sinks, so shaving will not be the easiest thing to do.
If you experience even minor turbulence while shaving, there is also a possibility that you will cut yourself.
Shaving on a plane could also take a long time, which can frustrate other passengers who are waiting to use the bathroom.
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).
