Travel
Sunscreen in your carry-on: the 100 ml rules + packing checklist
Flying somewhere sunny? Liquids rules decide which sun protection boards with you. Here's exactly what's allowed in your hand luggage, what goes in the suitcase, and a checklist so nothing gets left behind.
The rule in one paragraph
Both EU airports and the US TSA limit liquids, creams, gels and sprays in hand luggage to containers of max 100 ml (3.4 oz), all fitting in one resealable transparent bag of about 1 litre. Sunscreen lotion, spray and after-sun all count as liquids. Stick formats (lip balm, solid sunscreen sticks) are generally not treated as liquids by the TSA — the easiest carry-on option there is. Airline rules can be stricter than airport rules, so check yours for aerosols.
What flies in the cabin?
| Sunscreen cream/lotion ≤ 100 ml | ✓ carry-on (in the liquids bag) |
| Sunscreen stick / SPF lip balm | ✓ carry-on, easiest option |
| Spray or aerosol ≤ 100 ml | ✓ usually — check your airline |
| Bottles over 100 ml | ✗ checked luggage only |
| After-sun 200 ml+ | ✗ checked luggage — or buy a travel size |
Your sun-protection packing checklist
Tick items off as you pack. Links open the pick for your region — we may earn a commission.
-
Lip Protection carry-on ✓ alwaysSun Bum SPF 30 Lip Balm 3-Pack →
-
Daily Face SPF carry-on ✓La Roche-Posay Anthelios UV Pro-Sport SPF 50 →
-
UV400 Sunglasses carry-on ✓SOJOS Retro Polarized UV400 →
-
Kids Sunscreen SPF 50+ look for ≤100 mlBlue Lizard Kids Mineral SPF 50+ →
-
High Protection Face look for ≤100 mlEltaMD UV Sport SPF 50 →
-
UPF 50+ Clothing carry-on ✓BALEAF UPF 50+ Sun Protection Hoodie →
-
Body Sun Protection checked luggageBanana Boat Sport Ultra SPF 50 →
-
After-Sun Care checked luggageSun Bum Cool Down Aloe Vera Gel →
-
Gradual Self-Tan checked luggageJergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer →
Travel sizes under 100 ml
Most brands sell 50–100 ml travel formats of their standard SPF. Browse travel-size options with one search:
Browse travel-size sunscreen →
Popular destinations
Tenerife · Lanzarote · Gran Canaria · Dubai · Hawaii · Cancún
Frequently asked questions
What size sunscreen can I take in my carry-on?
Containers of max 100 ml (3.4 oz) each, and everything must fit in one resealable transparent bag of about 1 litre. The bottle's printed size counts, not how much is left inside.
Can I bring spray or aerosol sunscreen on a plane?
In hand luggage: yes, within the 100 ml liquids rule. In checked luggage aerosols are allowed with the cap on. Some airlines restrict aerosols further, so check yours before you fly.
Is SPF lip balm allowed in hand luggage?
Yes — stick formats like lip balm are generally not counted as liquids, so they don't take up space in your liquids bag. It's the single easiest SPF to carry on board.
Should sunscreen go in hand luggage or the suitcase?
Big bottles (200–400 ml body sunscreen, after-sun) go in checked luggage. Keep one travel-size SPF and a lip balm in your carry-on so you're protected the moment you land.
How many bottles can I bring?
As many as physically fit in the one-litre liquids bag — the limit is per container (100 ml), plus the single-bag rule.
Check the UV where you're going
Landing somewhere sunny? Check the live UV index for Palma, Tenerife, Cancún, Honolulu or any of 420+ cities on the homepage.