Yes, body scrub is allowed: carry-on jars must be 3.4 oz/100 mL or less in a quart bag, while larger tubs go in checked baggage.
Body scrub sits in a gray zone at security. It’s not quite a liquid, yet it’s also not a hard bar. Screeners treat most exfoliating scrubs—salt, sugar, coffee, or clay blends—as creams or pastes. That means they follow the same rules as other toiletries in hand baggage.
If you plan to fly with your favorite scrub, a little prep keeps things smooth. This guide lays out what fits in a carry-on, what belongs in checked luggage, and the best way to pack so lids stay tight and clothes stay clean.
Bringing A Body Scrub On A Plane — Rules And Tips
For hand baggage, the 3-1-1 rule applies: each container must be 3.4 oz/100 mL or less, and all of your liquids, gels, creams, pastes, and aerosols need to fit inside one quart-size, clear, resealable bag. Body scrubs with a semi-solid texture fall under that rule, just like lotion or toothpaste. See the TSA liquids rule for details.
Anything larger than 3.4 oz/100 mL rides in checked luggage. If the jar is over the limit—even if it’s only half full—it won’t pass the checkpoint. That’s why travel-size pots or decanted minis are the simplest way to bring a scrub onboard.
| Scrub Type | Carry-On (3-1-1) | Checked Bag |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar or salt scrub in oil (jar or tub) | Allowed in carry-on only if each container is 3.4 oz/100 mL or less and fits in the quart bag. | Fine to pack; place the jar upright, tighten the lid, and bag it against leaks. |
| Coffee-based scrub (paste) | Same as above—counts as a cream/paste for 3-1-1. | Pack upright and double-bag to prevent staining. |
| Clay or charcoal scrub/mask | Treat as a paste under 3-1-1 limits. | Pack larger tubs in the middle of the suitcase with padding. |
| Scrub bar or solid exfoliating cube | Not liquid; can ride outside the quart bag. | Pack anywhere; wrap to keep crumbs off clothing. |
| Dry powder exfoliant (mix with water) | Not liquid; may be screened if carried in a large quantity; small jars are routine. | Pack securely; keep label visible for easy ID. |
| Travel sachets or sample packets | Count toward the 3-1-1 bag; each packet must be 100 mL or less of product. | Good option for short trips; bag against punctures. |
| Foaming scrub in an aerosol can | Allowed if the can is 3.4 oz/100 mL or less and in the quart bag. | Permitted as a toiletry; protect the cap to prevent discharge. |
| Glass-jar scrub | Allowed under 3-1-1 if travel size; glass is fragile so pack carefully. | Wrap well and place away from hard edges to prevent breakage. |
Carry-On: Make The 3-1-1 Bag Work
Choose wide-mouth, leak-resistant containers for thick pastes. Silicone travel pots seal well and make it easy to scoop product without mess. Label each pot so screeners can see it’s a cosmetic, not food or clay for crafts.
Group the scrub with your other toiletries in one quart-size bag and place the bag at the top of your carry-on. If officers want a closer look, you won’t need to unpack your whole suitcase.
Decanting Without The Mess
Stir the scrub so the oil and grit are evenly mixed. Use a small spatula to transfer it into a travel pot; avoid funnels, which clog with dense grains. Leave a few millimeters of headspace so expansion during flight doesn’t push product under the lid.
Wipe the rim, twist the lid on firmly, and add a strip of tape around the seam. Slip the pot into a small zip bag before it goes into the main quart bag. This two-layer method stops oily seepage from touching electronics or documents.
What About Scrub Bars And Dry Powders?
Solid scrub bars and dry powder exfoliants don’t count as liquids, so they can stay out of your quart bag. They’re also spill-proof, travel light, and last longer than tiny jars.
If you’re carrying a large jar of salts or a big tin of powder, screening officers may ask you to place it in a bin for a closer look. Keep containers factory-labeled where possible, and pack them where they’re easy to reach.
Checked Baggage: Pack Bigger Tubs Safely
Full-size tubs are simplest in checked luggage. Pressure swings and rough handling can nudge oily scrubs to leak, so treat them like any spill risk. Tighten the lid, add tape, and place the jar upright inside a sealable plastic bag.
Cushion the bag with soft clothing near the center of the suitcase. Avoid packing next to shoes or hard objects that could crack a glass jar. If the tub is soft-sided, nest it in a small box so weight from other items can’t crush it.
If Your Scrub Comes In An Aerosol Can
Some brands sell foaming scrubs in aerosol cans. Those count as toiletry aerosols. In hand baggage they must follow the 3-1-1 rule. In checked luggage, there’s a cap on total toiletry aerosols per person, and each can needs a protected nozzle. Refer to the FAA toiletry aerosol limits if you fly with cans.
Stick with small cans, make sure the cap is on, and don’t pack any workshop or cleaning aerosols with toiletries—they’re not allowed with passengers.
Airline And Country Rule Variations
Security standards are broadly similar worldwide, yet details differ by country and even by airport. Plan for the strictest version: 100 mL containers in a one-liter bag for your carry-on, and larger jars in checked baggage.
If you’re connecting through multiple airports, follow the rules for the tightest checkpoint on your route so items aren’t binned mid-trip. Duty-free liquids are a separate case and must stay sealed in the official bag until you reach your final destination.
Smart Packing Steps For Body Scrub
- Pick the format that fits your trip: solid bar or dry powder for light travel, travel-size pot for carry-on, full tub for checked luggage.
- Decant only what you’ll use; most travelers need 1–2 tablespoons per shower.
- Use wide-mouth pots with screw-on lids; avoid flip-tops that pop open in transit.
- Add a strip of tape around the lid seam and press it tight.
- Place each pot in its own small zip bag, then load the quart bag.
- Pack the quart bag where you can reach it quickly at screening.
- For checked bags, store jars upright and surround them with soft layers.
- Carry a small wipe to clean oily residue from hands after screening.
| Scenario | Where To Pack | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Weekend with only a carry-on | Carry-on, in a 3.4 oz/100 mL pot | One or two minis are plenty; stash in the quart bag. |
| Two-week trip with checked luggage | Checked baggage | Bring the full tub; double-bag and cushion. |
| Gift set with several minis | Carry-on | All minis must fit in the single quart bag; extras go in checked baggage. |
| Spa day straight from the airport | Carry-on | Pack a mini plus a small loofah or mitt; keep both near the top. |
| Connecting flight with tight layover | Carry-on | Keep your quart bag accessible so you can re-screen fast if asked. |
| Backpacking where weight matters | Carry-on | Choose a scrub bar or dry powder to avoid leaks and save space. |
| Bringing a glass-jar artisan scrub | Checked baggage | Wrap in clothing and place mid-bag away from hard edges. |
| Aerosol foam scrub | Carry-on or checked | Follow 3-1-1 in hand baggage; in checked bags cap the nozzle and pack small cans. |
Quick Answers To Edge Cases
- Half-full 8 oz tubs won’t pass the checkpoint; officers judge the container’s size, not the amount inside.
- Multiple minis are fine as long as they all fit into one quart-size bag.
- Scrub bars and dry powders do not count toward the quart bag; they pack with solids like soap.
- A strong scent can travel; seal pots well and consider a small odor barrier bag.
- Glass is allowed but fragile; wrap and place away from corners and wheels.
- If you need to carry large medical creams, keep prescriptions handy; regular cosmetic scrubs don’t qualify for special allowances.
- Avoid metal lids with sharp edges; plastic or silicone lids are friendlier to luggage lining.
- Label homemade blends with the product name to speed any secondary screening.
Carry-On Or Checked: Which Is Better For Body Scrub?
If speed and light packing matter, use a solid bar or a 100 mL pot in your carry-on. If you want your daily routine without rationing, pack the full tub in checked luggage and protect it like any liquid toiletry. Pick the route that matches your trip, not the shelf size at home.
Clear Answer On Body Scrub Rules
Yes—you can bring body scrub on a plane. In hand baggage, stick to 3.4 oz/100 mL containers inside one quart-size bag. For anything bigger, use checked luggage and seal the jar well. Choose solids or dry powders when you want to dodge leaks and space limits. For full details on hand-bag limits, the TSA liquids rule is the best reference.