If you have traveled more than once in your life, you have probably experienced a perfectly nice human being losing their entire sense of composure at a TSA checkpoint. Nothing transforms an otherwise reasonable person into a surprised toddler quite like the moment a TSA officer pulls their favorite lotion, half-finished water bottle, or Costco-sized face serum out of their carry-on bag and drops it into the bin of no return.

This is the moment when the traveler screams, “But it’s not even open!” as if the seal protects them from federal rules. Sadly, it does not.

As we close in on 2026, the TSA 3-1-1 rule is still alive and well, and judging by the number of products abandoned at airports every single day, it is still wildly misunderstood. The good news is that once you know what the rules actually mean, you will never again stand at the front of the security line doing quick math on the volume of your shampoo bottle while fifty people behind you collectively decide your fate.

Today we are breaking down what TSA will instantly toss, what you can safely bring, and which skincare products confuse travelers the most.

So, let’s open the bag, take a deep breath, and start with the biggest misconception of them all.

The 3-1-1 Rule Is Not Optional

If you can spread it, smear it, rub it, pump it, shake it, or spray it, TSA considers it a liquid or gel. It does not matter whether the product looks solid, smells solid, or was purchased in the solid aisle. If it behaves like it could sneak out of a bottle during turbulence, TSA files it under the 3.4 ounce rule.

This includes:

• Cleansing balms
• Jellies
• Gel-based moisturizers
• Serums
• Toners
• Liquid makeup
• Sunscreen
• Hair spray
• Lotions

If it moves, it counts.

That means if your cleansing balm melts slightly in warm weather and can be spread like butter left too close to the stove, it belongs in your quart-size bag. This one has even gotten me when I brought my favorite charcoal face soap (which I thought surely was a solid) and held up the line while the agent happily tossed my expensive soap. Travelers love to argue about this one, usually while explaining the chemistry of their favorite beauty balm to the TSA officer who has heard this story ten thousand times.

The rule stays the same. If it spreads, it goes in the bag.

Why TSA Will Toss Full Containers Even If They Are Unopened

One of the most common phrases overheard at TSA is, “But it’s unopened.” A closed, factory-sealed container over 3.4 ounces still gets tossed. TSA goes by container size, not the amount inside it or the emotional attachment you have to it.

If you are carrying your pristine twelve ounce lotion, TSA will admire your commitment to hydration, then place it directly into the bin of broken dreams.

If you purchased a full-size liquid in a duty-free store, that is the only exception. The seal, the receipt, and the tamper-proof bag work together to grant the product a magical bubble of permission. Anything bought at home is a different story.

The Empty Bottle Trick Will Not Save You

If you have ever thought, “I’ll put one ounce of cleanser into my giant eleven ounce bottle, TSA will understand,” let me stop you right there.

They will not.

The officer is not judging your skincare routine. They are not concerned that your bottle is mostly empty. They are looking at the number on the bottom of the container. If it says anything larger than 3.4 ounces, the bottle will be removed from your bag and escorted to its final resting place.

My best advice is simple. Use travel bottles designed for this exact purpose. Your luggage will be lighter and your soul will take far fewer hits.

What About Powders? Here Is the Real Rule

Powdered skincare has exploded in popularity. There are powdered cleansers, powdered serums, powdered sunscreens, and probably powdered personality boosters if you look hard enough.

The rule is refreshingly simple. TSA allows up to 12 ounces of powdered substances in your carry-on. More than that might require additional screening, and you could be asked to open the container.

Twelve ounces may not sound like much, but unless you are traveling with a year’s supply of powdered skincare, you are unlikely to hit that limit.

Sheet Masks, Wipes, and Other In-Flight Spa Products

If you are the kind of traveler who loves a little spa moment while sitting at the gate, good news. Individually packaged sheet masks are allowed. Baby wipes and makeup wipes are allowed too.

They are considered solids. Solid skin care is the golden ticket of air travel. TSA will smile at your sheet mask and wave you through.

Just do not wear the mask through security. You will confuse facial recognition technology and possibly startle everyone in a twenty foot radius.

Solid Skincare Sticks: Your Travel BFF

You may have noticed online beauty publications suddenly recommending an entire lineup of balms, sticks, bars, and stones. That is not coincidence. These solid-format products were basically made for air travel. They are compact, they last forever, and best of all, they do not have to go into your quart-size bag.

Serum sticks, retinol sticks, moisturizer bars, sunscreen sticks, and solid cleansers are all carry-on friendly. You could build an entire skincare routine out of TSA-proof products and still have room left in your quart bag for emergency chocolate.

The key takeaway is this. If it is a solid, you are in the clear.

The TSA List of Things They Will Toss Instantly

Here is the simplified version, based directly on current TSA guidelines and trends I have researched. These are the items most frequently removed from traveler bags. Important note here: TSA rules change faster than we can keep up with them sometimes, so if you have any questions check out the TSA.gov website for current regulations, or you can actually call ahead before your trip and ask questions about the products you plan to bring.  

1. Any liquid, gel, cream, paste, or aerosol over 3.4 ounces.

If it spreads or squirts, it is gone.

2. Any oversized container, even if almost empty.

Container size matters, not contents.

3. Any powdered skincare over 12 ounces.

Not banned, but heavily screened.

4. Any “mystery consistency” product that behaves like a liquid.

Cleansing balms are a common casualty. (this is the one that got me – I still miss my poor soap.)

5. Duty-free liquids not sealed in official packaging.

If you opened it between terminals, TSA will take it.

Everything else is fair game as long as it fits the 3-1-1 rule.

Tips for Blind and Low-Vision Travelers Navigating TSA

Traveling non-visually through security is an entirely different experience, because textures, sounds, and patterns become your guideposts.

Here are a few techniques I personally find helpful.

Use a consistent packing system

I always place my quart bag in the same pocket of my carry-on. That way, when I reach the belt, I already know exactly where it is, which cuts my stress down considerably. TSA officers appreciate this too.

Tell the agent immediately that you are blind or low vision

They will talk you through the process and usually clear a path so you do not end up doing the airport security cha-cha down the wrong lane.

Use tactile markers on bottles

A small rubber band or tactile sticker helps me distinguish cleanser from shampoo without guessing.

Ask for help when needed

There is no medal for struggling. TSA is used to assisting travelers with disabilities. They will guide you, your dog, and your bags if you simply ask.

Arrive Early, Because Everything Takes Longer Thee Days

TSA has warned that the busiest hours nationwide are:

• Early morning 4 a.m. to 7 a.m.
• Afternoon 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

If you need to check a bag, build in extra time. There is nothing worse than sprinting to security while chanting, “Please don’t take my lotion” under your breath.

I always suggest booking the first flight out, not just because TSA lines are usually shorter, but because it can just be more comfortable navigating the airport with fewer people, especially during holiday or peak travel times.  You can read my article on early flight at the link below.

Why I Always Book the Early Flight (and Why You Should This Holiday Season)

Arrive early, breathe, and give yourself plenty of margin.

The Real Secret to Getting Through TSA Without Losing Your Stuff

The secret is knowing the rules. Respecting the rules and not trying to lawyer your way through them with logic like, “But it’s technically a jelly, not a gel.”

TSA has one job. Keep people safe. They are not skincare chemists. They process thousands of bags each hour, and the more we organize our stuff ahead of time, the happier everyone becomes.

If your product is:

• Smaller than 3.4 ounces
• In a properly sized container
• In your quart bag
• Or a true solid

Congratulations. You have just saved yourself from the heartbreak of standing at security watching a stranger toss your favorite item into a garbage can the size of a small SUV.

The rules are not personal. They are just consistent. Once you pack with those in mind, your travel day becomes infinitely smoother.

Final Thoughts

Navigating airport security can feel like you are on a game show with confusing rules, bright lights, and a countdown timer. But once you understand the TSA 3-1-1 rule, powdered product guidelines, and the difference between a true solid and a spreadable product, everything becomes much easier.

And if you travel with a guide dog, a cane, low vision, or no vision at all, knowing exactly what TSA expects ahead of time is one more way to reduce stress in a space that is already full of noise, chaos, and a surprising number of bins.

Pack smart, stay calm, keep your quart bag handy, and enjoy your trip. The world is waiting, and it is a lot more fun to explore when TSA is not tossing half your toiletries.

Do you have a TSA horror or hero story? I’m assembling reader stories for an upcoming article, drop me a line on the social media links below or on the contact form here on Blind Travels.

See you at the Gate!

Ted and Fauna