Yes, lotion is fine in hand carry if each bottle is 3.4 oz/100 ml or less and all fit in one clear quart-size bag; bigger bottles go in checked bags.
Bringing Lotion In Your Hand Carry: Rules That Matter
Lotion counts as a liquid or cream at security. That means travel-size only in the cabin. The common standard is the 3-1-1 rule: 3.4 oz or 100 ml per item, one quart-size bag, one bag per traveler. Anything bigger belongs in checked luggage. The rule covers creams, gels, ointments, and pastes, so hand cream and body lotion sit in the same bucket as shampoo.
Security officers need a clear view of liquids on the X-ray. Keep your lotion bottles in a single resealable bag and place it in the tray. If a bottle is above the limit, expect it to be rejected or poured out. If it looks borderline, decant it into a labeled 100 ml travel bottle before you leave home.
You can verify the carry-on limits on the official TSA liquids rule, which also lists creams and lotion as part of the 3-1-1 setup.
| Item | Hand Carry | Checked Bag |
|---|---|---|
| Regular lotion bottle 200 ml | Not allowed | Allowed |
| Travel lotion 100 ml or 3.4 oz | Allowed in quart bag | Allowed |
| Solid lotion bar | Allowed, no 3-1-1 limit | Allowed |
| Prescription or medically needed lotion | Allowed in reasonable amounts after screening | Allowed |
| Baby cream | Allowed in reasonable amounts after screening | Allowed |
| Aerosol body spray with lotion | Limited by 3-1-1 and aerosol rules | Allowed; check airline limits |
| Duty-free lotion in tamper-evident bag | Allowed when sealed with receipt | Allowed |
What Counts As Lotion Under Liquid Rules
If it squeezes, pumps, or smears, treat it as a liquid. That includes hand cream, body butter, after-sun gel, ointments, and serum-like lotions. Thick texture does not change the rule. Security checks volume printed on the bottle, not how sticky it feels. An unlabeled container still must meet the 100 ml cap.
Some products sit on the line between liquid and solid. Balms in tins may pass as solids if they hold their shape at room temp. If the balm is glossy and goopy, pack it with liquids to avoid delays. Stick moisturizers and lotion bars are a smart workaround because solids do not count toward the quart bag.
Can I Pack Full-Size Lotion In Carry-On?
Full-size bottles above 100 ml do not pass the checkpoint. Decant what you need into small bottles. Write the product name on painter’s tape so you can spot the right one fast. Place all the little bottles in a single clear bag that seals flat. Keep only what you will use on the trip to save space for other toiletries.
If your skin care routine needs more product than a small bottle holds, move the extra to your checked bag. As a backup, you can buy a travel bottle at your destination. Many pharmacies and convenience stores stock 50–100 ml sizes near the front counter.
Traveling With A Baby Or Medical Need
Rules make space for baby care and medical needs. Baby creams and diaper ointments can exceed 100 ml when you are traveling with the child. Medically required creams and lotions can exceed the cap as well. Tell the officer at the start of screening and remove the items from your bag. Extra screening may apply.
If you carry a large tube for a skin condition, keep it in original packaging when possible. A copy of a prescription or doctor’s note helps move screening along. Requirements vary by country, so local staff may ask a few quick questions. Reasonable amounts pass once cleared.
Packing Strategy That Saves Space
Start with the quart bag. Use flat, flexible bottles so the bag closes without stress. Aim for one body lotion, one hand cream, and one face moisturizer at most. Two multipurpose products beat five single-use bottles. A solid bar can replace a large body lotion for short trips.
Seal every cap with a small strip of tape. Then place each bottle in a snack-size bag before it goes into the quart bag. Pressure changes in flight can push lotion through pumps. Nested bags contain leaks and keep the rest of your items clean.
Consider scent strength. Strongly scented lotion can linger on clothes. Travel with a milder formula to keep peace in a crowded cabin.
Airport Variations And New Scanners
Most airports still use the 100 ml liquid cap. A growing number use CT scanners that allow larger amounts. The UK explains that some airports can now accept up to 2 litres in carry-on when the new scanners are live. See the official guidance under “Liquids” on GOV.UK. Rules differ by terminal and date, so check your departure and return airport before you pack.
Even at airports with newer lanes, staff may ask you to present liquids separately during busy periods. When in doubt, follow the 3-1-1 setup. That approach works across regions and avoids surprises on multi-stop trips.
What Happens At Security
Place the quart bag in a tray by itself. Keep jackets and belts off to speed screening. If an officer flags a bottle, stay calm and answer questions briefly. The goal is to confirm size and contents. If the item is above the limit and not exempt, you can surrender it or step out to pack it in checked baggage if time allows.
Loose jars without labels cause delays. Clear, labeled travel bottles move faster. If a bottle opens during screening, ask for a wipe and reseal it in a spare bag. Carry a second empty quart bag in case the first one tears.
Bringing Lotion In Checked Luggage
Checked bags have far more room for skin care. Full-size lotion travels best when double-bagged and cushioned by clothes. Twist caps tight, add tape, and use a zip bag. Pumps can open under pressure, so a screw-top bottle is safer for long flights.
Temperature swings can separate some formulas. Give the bottle a shake at your hotel and test a small patch first. If your bag will sit in heat, a solid lotion bar avoids mess and keeps weight down.
Lotion Scenarios: Quick Answers
Hand cream tube 50 ml? Fine in the quart bag. Pump bottle 150 ml? Cabin no, checked yes. Hotel sample sachets? Fine in carry-on; count each one toward the quart bag space. Refill pouches? Count as liquids; stay at or under 100 ml for carry-on. Face SPF lotion? Treated like any other lotion, so use a travel size for the cabin.
Body butter in a jar? If it’s soft and spreadable, treat it as a liquid. Pet care lotion? Same volume rules apply. Fragrance lotion sets? If any bottle is over 100 ml, move it to checked baggage or split it into smaller bottles.
Carry-On Lotion Size Cheatsheet
| Container Size | Carry-On | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 30–50 ml minis | Allowed | Best fit for short trips |
| 100 ml / 3.4 oz | Allowed | Upper limit per item |
| 120–150 ml | Not allowed | Pack in checked bag |
| 200–500 ml | Not allowed | Checked only |
| Solid bar | Allowed | Not part of 3-1-1 |
Step-By-Step Packing Checklist For Lotion
Choose What You Need
Pick one lotion for hands, one for body, and one for face. Multi-use formulas keep the bag light. Skip backups unless you know you will run out.
Move To Travel Bottles
Use 50–100 ml bottles with leak-proof caps. Pour slowly to avoid air bubbles. Label each bottle with a short name and the use area.
Seal And Stage
Tape the caps, slide each bottle into its own small bag, then place all of them into one clear quart bag. Keep the bag near the top of your carry-on so you can reach it fast in the line.
Know The Exceptions
Baby care items and medically needed creams can exceed 100 ml after extra screening. Tell the officer and present them separately.
Have A Backup Plan
If a bottle gets tossed at security, buy a replacement at your destination or switch to a solid bar for the rest of the trip. Keep a small spare mini in a side pocket for backup.
Final Pack-Ready Summary
Lotion in hand carry is simple. Keep each container at 100 ml or below, pack everything in one quart-size bag, and present it at screening. Larger bottles live in checked luggage. Baby care and medical creams can exceed the cap when presented for inspection. If your airport uses new scanners that permit larger amounts, follow local signs; the 3-1-1 setup still works everywhere.
International Trips And Connecting Flights
Carry-on limits apply at every checkpoint you pass. A bottle cleared at one airport can still be taken at the next if you re-screen. Keep duty-free lotion sealed in a tamper-evident bag with the receipt until the final leg. If you change terminals landside, place any big bottles in checked luggage to avoid losing them during a later check.
Labeling, Allergies, And Courtesy
Short labels help you grab the right bottle fast. Mark HB for hand balm or FL for face lotion. Choose unscented formulas if seatmates are scent sensitive. Dry hand wipes ride outside the quart bag; if a pack feels wet, count it with liquids and keep the lotion small. Bring spares too.