Why this matters

Sunscreen is the classic beach-trip confiscation: the bottles people actually use are 6oz or more, nearly double the carry-on limit, and they get pulled at security by the thousands every summer. Unlike toothpaste, a decent bottle of sunscreen costs real money — and buying replacements at a resort costs more. A minute of planning around the liquids rule saves both.

Note that TSA does not treat sunscreen as a medical liquid, even though doctors recommend it — the medical exemption does not apply.

Restrictions

In carry-on, sunscreen lotion, gel, and spray are liquids under the 3-1-1 rule:

  • Containers of 3.4oz (100ml) or less, judged by the printed container size.
  • Everything inside your one quart-size clear bag.

Solid stick sunscreen (and powder SPF) is not a liquid, so it travels in carry-on at any size — the best workaround for cabin-only packing.

In checked luggage:

  • Lotions and pump sprays: no size limit for personal use.
  • Aerosol sunscreen falls under toiletry aerosol limits — up to 17oz (500ml) per can and roughly 70oz (2L) total flammable toiletries per passenger, with the cap on to prevent accidental discharge.

Pack checked bottles in a sealed plastic bag; cabin-pressure changes squeeze liquid past pump tops more often than travelers expect.

What the official guidance says

TSA's sunscreen guidance applies the standard 3-1-1 liquids rule in carry-on and allows larger containers in checked baggage, with aerosol versions subject to FAA toiletry limits on container size and total quantity. The screening officer makes the final call on any container, and oversized carry-on bottles are surrendered at the checkpoint, so when a bottle is borderline, check it.