Yes, you can bring creams on a plane: carry-on up to 3.4 oz/100 mL in one quart bag; larger jars in checked, medical creams may exceed if declared.
Creams sit in the liquids and gels category at airport security. That covers face cream, hand lotion, ointments, balms, creamy makeup, and food spreads that smear. The rule for carry-ons is simple: pack small containers in a single clear quart-size bag, and put larger jars in checked luggage.
This guide shows exactly what fits in your cabin bag, how to pack creams so they pass screening fast, and where special cases like medical ointments and baby items fit in. You’ll see clear tables, plain steps, and real packing tactics that work.
Bringing Creams On A Plane — Rules And Exceptions
Security agents apply the 3-1-1 rule to creams in carry-ons. Each container must be 3.4 ounces (100 mL) or less, all containers must sit inside one quart-size clear bag, and each traveler gets one bag. The size printed on the jar or tube matters, not how much product is left inside. A half-used 200 mL tub still counts as 200 mL.
Checked baggage doesn’t share that carry-on limit, so full-size body cream or sunscreen can ride in the hold. Seal lids tight and add leak protection to avoid mess from pressure changes.
Two common exceptions exist. Medically required creams and infant items can be carried in quantities above 100 mL. Tell the officer you have them, separate them from the quart bag, and expect extra screening like swabs.
Rules match the same logic for lotions, gels, pastes, and liquid makeup. If it spreads or pours, treat it like a liquid for screening. Solid lotion bars and solid deodorants don’t fall under the liquid rules.
Cream Types And Where They Go
| Item | Carry-On Limit | Checked Bag |
|---|---|---|
| Face moisturizer | Up to 100 mL per container in quart bag | No volume limit |
| Hand cream | Up to 100 mL per container in quart bag | No volume limit |
| Sunscreen cream | Up to 100 mL per container in quart bag | No volume limit |
| Makeup cream foundation | Up to 100 mL per container in quart bag | No volume limit |
| Hair styling cream | Up to 100 mL per container in quart bag | No volume limit |
| Ointment (non-prescription) | Up to 100 mL per container in quart bag | No volume limit |
| Prescription cream | Above 100 mL allowed; declare for screening | No volume limit |
| Diaper rash cream | Above 100 mL allowed; declare for screening | No volume limit |
| Peanut butter / cream cheese | Up to 100 mL per container in quart bag | No volume limit |
| Solid lotion bar | Not restricted by liquid rule | No volume limit |
Travel tip: the quart bag is about 20 x 20 cm. Soft pouches flex and hold more mini jars than hard cases.
What Counts As A Liquid Or Gel At Security
Screening looks at behavior, not marketing words on a label. If a product spreads, smears, squeezes, pumps, or pours, it lands in the liquid or gel bucket. That’s why a creamy spread from the kitchen gets treated just like face cream. If it holds its shape like a bar, puck, or stick, it’s usually treated as a solid.
For each item in that liquid or gel group, the same carry-on limit applies. Decanting into travel pots works well, as long as each pot is 100 mL or smaller and the caps don’t leak.
Carry-On Packing Steps That Speed You Through
Set Up Containers
Pick travel pots or tubes that list 10–100 mL on the base or cap. Clear or translucent walls help officers see the contents, and screw-tops leak less than flip caps. Round silicone pots work well for thick balms and eye cream; soft tubes suit lotion and sunscreen.
Use One Quart Bag
Place every cream, lotion, gel, and liquid makeup item inside a single resealable quart bag. Keep that bag at the top of your personal item so you can place it in the tray without digging.
Separate Special Items
Keep medical creams, baby cream, and liquid nutrition outside the quart bag. Present them to the officer and mention they are needed during travel. Labels help, but plain packaging still goes through with extra checks.
Label And Protect
Write the product name on each travel pot with a paint marker. Add masking tape around threads for extra grip, and slip tiny jars into a snack-size zip bag to catch drips.
Medical Creams, Baby Items, And Special Needs
Travelers may carry medical creams in amounts above 100 mL when needed during the trip. Tell the officer before screening, remove them from your bags, and expect them to be opened or swabbed. Original boxes or a copy of the prescription speeds the process, though unlabeled tubes can still be screened.
Parents and caregivers can also bring diaper rash cream and other infant care creams in the quantities they need. Pack them together and present them with baby milk, formula, or purees if you carry those items.
Screening Notes
These items don’t go in the quart bag. Officers may ask you to place them in a separate tray. If an item triggers a test, you might be asked to open it. If you prefer not to open a sterile tube, ask about alternate steps like a pat-down or swab of the exterior.
Cold packs for medicine can be frozen or unfrozen. Gel packs that are partially melted can still travel when tied to medical items, but you’ll need to separate them for a quick check.
For the exact rules on liquids and creams in hand luggage, see the TSA’s liquids rule. Flying through the U.K. or connecting in Europe? The U.K. guidance on liquids in hand luggage matches the 100 mL cap at most airports.
Checked Luggage Rules For Creams
Full-size jars can ride in checked bags. Pack them so lids can’t twist open. A few layers of plastic wrap under the cap create a seal. Use tape around the lid, then place the jar inside a zip bag and wedge it between soft clothes. Pressure shifts can force air and product out of weak caps, so give jars a snug spot.
Avoid placing heavy glass jars near the edges of a suitcase where drops hit hardest. If you carry a glass face cream, cushion it inside a sock or a small hard case. For long trips, keep one small pot in your personal item so you aren’t stuck if a bag gets delayed.
Leak-Proof Packing Tricks
- Use screw-top travel pots for thick creams; they resist pressure changes better than snap lids.
- Lay a foil or plastic membrane under the cap for an extra seal, then twist tight.
- Bundle small pots into a larger freezer bag so any leak stays contained.
- Leave headspace in soft tubes so expanded air doesn’t squeeze cream out.
- Carry a tiny stain wipe in your quart bag to clean hands after screening.
International Rules When You’re Not Flying In The U.S.
Most airports worldwide apply a 100 mL cap for carry-on liquids and creams. Some airports are testing scanners that allow larger volumes, but many checkpoints still use the 100 mL rule. If your trip crosses borders, plan for the strictest stop on your route. Duty-free purchases in sealed tamper-evident bags usually connect through, so keep the receipt sealed with the item until the final leg.
If you change planes, liquids picked up after the first screening may be screened again. Keep your quart bag accessible through each connection. If you switch from an airport with looser rules to one with the standard cap, your bag may be searched and oversize items binned.
Special Cases For Creams
| Scenario | Carry-On Allowance | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Medical cream over 100 mL | Allowed in needed amounts | Declare and separate for swab |
| Baby rash cream | Allowed in needed amounts | Present with other baby items |
| Frozen gel pack with meds | Allowed with medical need | Separate even if partially melted |
| Duty-free skin cream 150 mL | Allowed when sealed in STEB | Keep receipt sealed until trip ends |
| Solid lotion bar | Not subject to 100 mL cap | Pack outside the quart bag |
Frequently Missed Details That Cause Bag Searches
Many travelers lose time at the x-ray because of container size mistakes. A 150 mL tub with only a smear left still breaks the rule in a carry-on. So does a second quart bag hidden in a jacket pocket. Another trigger is a mystery jar with no label. Officers may ask you to open it; keep lids you can reseal and avoid decanting into odd shapes.
Food cream often trips people up. Soft cheese and spreads fall under the same cap, even when packed for a snack on board. If you want larger portions, put them in checked baggage or buy sealed portions after screening.
Spray sunscreen cans belong to the liquids and aerosols group. Small cans fit the quart bag; full-size cans go in checked bags and must have caps on. Many airlines limit total aerosols in checked baggage, so keep the count small.
Smart Alternatives To Save Space
Switching one or two items to solid form clears room in your quart bag. Solid lotion bars, solid fragrance, and stick sunscreen pack easily and don’t count toward the liquid allowance. Sample sachets of face cream take less space than rigid pots and are easy to toss after use.
Another tactic is a refill routine. Carry a 15–30 mL pot for the cabin and keep the main jar in checked baggage. Top up at the hotel each night. For short trips, fill a single 30 mL pot and leave the full-size at home.
Quick Plan: What To Pack Where
Personal Item Or Backpack
One quart bag with all small creams, lotion, gel makeup, and sunscreen minis. Keep it on top for easy grab. Add medical or baby creams outside the quart bag so you can declare them. Bring a small cloth to wipe lids after inspection.
Checked Suitcase
Full-size jars and family-size tubs. Wrap lids, add tape, and double-bag them. Place jars in the center of the case, cushioned by soft clothes. Keep a small backup pot in your carry-on in case of delays.
At The Airport
Before the belt, take out the quart bag and any special items. Place them flat in a tray. Keep receipts sealed with any duty-free cream. After screening, check caps and wipe any residue so nothing leaks into your seat pocket.
Follow these steps and you’ll breeze through with your skincare, baby care, and snack spreads intact, no bin drama required.