Cosmetics in carry-on luggage – what you need to know?
You can take plenty of cosmetics in your carry-on, but some of them are treated as liquids at the airport. This applies not only to perfume or shampoo, but also to creams, gels, pastes, mascara, liquid foundation and lip gloss.
The most important rules for carrying cosmetics on a plane:
- every cosmetic in a liquid, gel, aerosol or semi-liquid form must be in a container with a capacity of no more than 100 ml,
- what counts is the capacity of the container, not the amount of product inside.
Cosmetics treated as liquids include, among others:
- body lotion,
- shower gel,
- shampoo,
- toothpaste,
- perfume,
- mascara,
- liquid foundation,
- roll-on deodorant.
An important question also comes up here – “Is a cream a liquid?”. On a plane, all creams are treated as liquids.
Cosmetics in solid form are usually easier to carry, for example:
- bar soap,
- solid shampoo bar,
- stick deodorant.
And what about an aerosol deodorant in your carry-on? You can carry it in your hand luggage, but only if the container holds no more than 100 ml. Before packing, it is best to check each product separately. This makes it easier to prepare your toiletry bag and avoid problems during the security check.
How to pack cosmetics in your carry-on according to the 100 ml and 1 litre rule?
If you are taking cosmetics on a plane, it is best to treat packing like a simple routine. The rule we already mentioned applies: every cosmetic in a liquid, gel, aerosol or similar form should be in a container with a capacity of no more than 100 ml. In addition, all such products must be placed in a single transparent, resealable bag with a capacity of up to 1 litre.
How to pack cosmetics for a flight to avoid problems at the security check?
- check the capacity of each container,
- pour the product into a smaller bottle if the original container is too big,
- seal everything tightly so the cosmetics do not leak during the journey,
- place it on top of your carry-on so you can quickly take the bag out at the check.
In practice, this means it is worth putting into the transparent bag, for example:
- a miniature shampoo,
- a small shower gel,
- a face cream,
- toothpaste,
- perfume in a travel-size container,
- an aerosol deodorant of up to 100 ml.
And if you are wondering how to carry mascara in your hand luggage, it is the same as other liquids – in a transparent bag with a capacity of 1 l.
It is also worth remembering that all liquids in your carry-on should be kept in one place. That way you do not have to look for individual cosmetics during the check.
Which cosmetics are better placed in checked luggage?
It is best to pack into your checked luggage those cosmetics that come in containers larger than 100 ml. This applies, for example, to:
- large shampoos,
- body lotions,
- micellar waters,
- shower gels,
- perfume in a full bottle.
This is a good solution especially for longer trips, when small travel-size containers might not be enough. If, on the other hand, you are flying for just a few days, miniatures in your carry-on may be more convenient.
It is also better to place larger aerosols in your checked suitcase, such as:
- hairspray,
- shaving foam.
And can you carry deodorant in checked luggage? Yes, you can. This also applies to spray deodorant, but you need to keep a few safety rules in mind. A single toiletry article or aerosol may not exceed 0.5 kg or 0.5 l, and the total quantity of such products per person may not be greater than 2 kg or 2 l. It is worth remembering, however, that such products must also be well secured. That way they will not open during the journey.
How to cut down on the number of cosmetics and not overpay for luggage?
The simplest way is to take only those cosmetics you really need for the duration of your trip. Many people pack a toiletry bag for a flight “just in case,” and later it turns out that half of the products were unnecessary. If you are flying for 2–4 days, small containers of basic cosmetics are usually enough: washing gel, shampoo, cream, toothpaste and deodorant.
Choosing multi-purpose cosmetics also helps. Instead of several separate products, you can take, for example, a cream that both moisturises and protects the skin, or cosmetics in solid form, which are simpler to carry than liquids. This is especially important when you want to stay within carry-on limits.
It is also worth adjusting the contents of your toiletry bag to the length of the trip. For a short trip it is better to take miniatures or pour your cosmetics into small travel bottles. Full-size containers mainly make sense for longer holidays, and in that case it is better to put them in your checked luggage.
A good practice is to pack your cosmetics ahead of time rather than right before departure. That way you can calmly check the capacities, avoid packing in a hurry and more easily plan your whole departure day. It is a small step, but it makes organising the trip much easier.
What to check before packing cosmetics for a flight?
Packing cosmetics for a flight does not have to be hard if you check a few basic rules in advance. The most important thing is to remember the 100 ml limit per container in your carry-on, pack liquids into a transparent, resealable bag and set aside the cosmetics that are better carried in checked luggage. In practice, it is best to approach it calmly and step by step. Simply choose only the products you will really need, check their capacity and prepare your toiletry bag ahead of time.
