Yes—spray sunscreen is allowed: keep each can at 3.4 oz/100 ml in your quart bag for carry-on, and pack larger cans in checked bags within FAA limits.
Sun safety matters on trips as much as at home. The twist comes when that sun protection is inside a pressurized can. Airline security treats spray cans as liquids and aerosols, which means size caps in the cabin and special limits in the hold. This guide lays out clear rules, practical packing moves, and edge cases so you breeze through screening and reach the beach with the sunscreen you like.
You’ll see exact carry-on limits, the checked-bag caps many travelers miss, and simple ways to prevent leaks. Links to the official pages are included so you can check details before you fly. No fluff—just straight answers that match current rules.
Bringing Aerosol Sunscreen On A Plane: Carry-On Rules
Spray sunscreen counts as a liquid in a can. In the cabin you’re bound by the 3-1-1 liquids rule: each container must be 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less and all your liquids, gels, and aerosols must fit inside one clear quart-size bag. That single bag rides in your carry-on and goes through screening as a unit.
Want a bigger can? Place it in checked baggage instead. In the cabin, oversize spray cans will be pulled. Stick sunscreen is a handy workaround because solids are not part of 3-1-1. A small pump mister under 100 ml also works well if you don’t need a fine mist.
Carry-On And Checked At A Glance
| Item | Carry-On | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Aerosol sunscreen ≤ 3.4 oz / 100 ml | Allowed in quart bag | Allowed |
| Aerosol sunscreen > 3.4 oz | Not allowed | Allowed within FAA limits |
| Pump spray ≤ 3.4 oz | Allowed in quart bag | Allowed |
| Lotion ≤ 3.4 oz | Allowed in quart bag | Allowed |
| Stick sunscreen (solid) | Allowed outside quart bag | Allowed |
| Bag with multiple travel-size cans | Allowed if all fit in one quart bag | Allowed within FAA totals |
| Damaged or missing cap/nozzle lock | Risk of removal | Pack only with a cap or cover |
| Butane/propane camping fuel | Prohibited | Prohibited |
| Self-tanning aerosol | Same as spray sunscreen | Same as spray sunscreen |
| Baby or sensitive-skin formulas | Same size limits | Same FAA limits |
Aerosol Size Limits And 3-1-1
The quart-bag rule is the part that trips people up. You can bring more than one travel-size can as long as all your liquids and gels still fit in that single clear bag. If the bag won’t close, you’re over the limit. Put extras in the checked suitcase.
Cap And Lock The Nozzle
Screeners look for a cap or other cover that prevents an accidental spray. That small detail keeps cabins tidy and protects workers who handle bags. If your can has a twist-to-lock button, engage it and add a small strip of tape over the actuator.
Quick Fix For Loose Caps
No cap on a travel-size can? Slip a snug bottle sleeve or a small piece of plastic wrap under a rubber band to cover the head, then tape the band to the can. It’s a simple way to show the valve is secured.
Make It Pass Screening Without Leaks
Place the can upright in a zipper pouch inside the quart bag. Keep the nozzle facing up, then squeeze out extra air before sealing the pouch. That small move reduces pressure changes pushing liquid into the cap. At the checkpoint, set the quart bag in its tray so the line keeps moving.
Can You Take Spray Sunscreen In Checked Luggage?
Yes. Checked bags can hold full-size aerosol sunscreen within well-defined caps. The FAA PackSafe page groups spray sunscreen with “medicinal and toiletry articles.” There are two limits: each container up to 500 ml (17 fl oz or 0.5 kg), and a per-person aggregate cap of 2 L (68 fl oz or 2 kg) across all such items. That total includes hairspray, deodorant, shaving cream, and similar cans in the same suitcase.
You also need a cap or other protection over the release device. Many cans come with a plastic top; keep it on the can in transit. If the cap is lost, use a snug cover or tape to immobilize the button. Pack the cans in a firm section of the case and pad them so heavy items don’t press the valve.
Aggregate Limits That People Miss
That 2 L / 2 kg cap is per traveler, not per bag. A single person with two checked suitcases still has the same total across both. Families can spread cans across travelers to stay within the per-person cap.
Where Airlines May Add Their Own Conditions
Airlines sometimes post extra packing tips or limits for pressurized cans. If your can volume sits near 500 ml or 18 oz, check the label and the airline page so you don’t face a desk-side repack.
Rule Sources You Can Trust
Need the rule in black and white? See the TSA page for sunscreen in the What Can I Bring? list and the main 3-1-1 liquids rule. For checked-bag totals and nozzle covers, rely on FAA PackSafe. A past rumor about full-size sunscreen in cabin bags was corrected by TSA; the standard 3-1-1 limit applies.
Picking The Right Container And Format
Spray Can
Great for quick coverage and hard-to-reach areas. Travel-size cans fit the cabin rule; full-size cans ride in the hold within FAA totals. Shake well before use so propellant and product mix as intended.
Pump Mister
Often smaller than classic sprays and easy to refill at home from a big bottle. Keep the pump under 100 ml if you want it in your carry-on. Engage any lock on the pump head and add a small clip or tape to stop press-downs in transit.
Lotion Tube Or Bottle
Budget-friendly and steady in heat. Choose 100 ml or less for the cabin. For larger bottles, move them to checked baggage. A small tube in your personal item makes top-ups during a long day easy.
Stick Sunscreen
Solid sticks don’t count as liquids. They can live outside the quart bag, which frees space for other items. They shine on noses, ears, and around eyes and they pair well with makeup. A stick plus one travel-size spray is a strong one-two combo for most trips.
Pre-Trip Packing Checklist
- Pick one travel-size spray for the cabin; pack larger cans in the hold.
- Cap every can. Lock the actuator or tape it down.
- Place cabin sprays in one clear quart-size bag with other liquids and gels.
- Keep the quart bag near the top of your carry-on for quick screening.
- Pad checked cans with soft clothes and keep them away from hard edges.
- Split checked cans across travelers to stay within the per-person totals.
- Bring a small lotion or stick for face touch-ups during the flight.
- Check the SPF and water resistance you need for your destination.
- Replace old cans that feel light, rattle, or have clogged nozzles.
- Photograph the front and back labels in case you need details later.
Common Scenarios And Clear Answers
| Scenario | Carry-On | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| One 6 oz spray can | No | Yes, counts toward 2 L / 2 kg total |
| Two 3 oz spray cans | Yes, inside one quart bag | Yes |
| Four 3 oz liquids plus one 3 oz spray | Yes, if all fit in the quart bag | Yes |
| Eight travel-size sprays in one bag | Yes if the bag closes | Yes, still within FAA totals |
| One spray with missing cap | Risk of removal | Pack only with cap/cover |
| Stick sunscreen only | Yes, outside quart bag | Yes |
| Pump bottle 150 ml | No | Yes |
| Sports aerosol labeled “flammable” | 3.4 oz max in cabin | Up to 500 ml per can, 2 L total |
| International connection in the U.S. | U.S. 3-1-1 applies after customs | Yes |
| Arriving late and gate-checking a bag | Keep the quart bag with you | Gate-checked items ride in the hold |
International Notes
Many countries mirror the 100 ml cabin limit and the 500 ml per-can checked cap with a 2 L total. Screening routines and wording can differ, so check your departure country’s aviation site and your airline page. When you re-screen in the United States after a connection, the U.S. rules apply again at that checkpoint.
Quick Safety Notes
- Don’t pack cans near sharp objects, cookware, or heavy gear that could press the valve.
- Keep sprays away from heat sources and irons in hotel rooms.
- Test a short burst outdoors after arrival to clear any residue in the nozzle.
- Never use a dented or rusted can. Swap it before you leave.
- Read the label for reapply timing, water resistance, and skin directions.
Bottom Line For Aerosol Sunscreen On Planes
Carry one or two travel-size sprays in your quart bag and place full-size cans in checked baggage with caps on. Keep each can under 500 ml in the hold and stay under 2 L across all toiletry aerosols. With those simple steps and a quick glance at the TSA and FAA links above, you’ll board with confidence and land ready for the sun.