Sunscreen in carry on?

[LaurenT]

I'm doing my first solo trip and I'll only be there 5 days. I really think I can get everything into one carry on size bag. I can put enough shampoo, conditioner, etc into small containers and get it all in a quart size zip lock to last me.
Am i really going to have to check my bags because of my sunscreen? I use neutragena weightless spray in a very high spf - I burn very easily and this is the one i trust. it's an aerosol can and they don't make them in 3.2oz sizes.
I saw someone post that she always takes her spray sunscreen in her carry on and never has a problem.... but the info I see online all says that liquid, gels and aerosols are all banned over 3.2oz.
so, is there anyone else who takes aerosol in carry on without a problem? I guess I'm being rhetorical.... I can't take the chance that it'll be taken away from me at security. I guess I'm just throwing it out there in case a whole bunch of people reply and tell me it'll be fine....which i don't think is going to happen, lol. but thanks for listening!

 

[Alesia]

You might get away with it, but probably not.

Why not just mail some to yourself at the resort?

 

[StitchesGr8Fan]

We accidentally got away with it. (Forgot it was in the diaper bag on the way home.)

 

[lions1995]

I can't tell you that it will certainly not be a problem. But if you have your liquids all in a quart bag, I highly doubt they will open it to inspect more.

But if you are that concerned, I would take the pp suggestion and mail it.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

This must go in your checked bag. Of course TSA sometimes misses things, but it's unlikely your sunscreen will not be confiscated.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

I can't tell you that it will certainly not be a problem. But if you have your liquids all in a quart bag, I highly doubt they will open it to inspect more.

But if you are that concerned, I would take the pp suggestion and mail it.

I don't understand what you are saying. OP's carry-on will be x-rayed, where the sunscreen will clearly be evident. Then her bag will be opened, her personal belongings will be gone through by TSA, and the sunscreen will be thrown away.

 

[LaurenT]

yeah - this is what i was expecting. I think the post i saw was someone who has been doing it and not realizing that it's not ok. I'm not willing to take that chance... then I'd be stuck with whatever is on the shelf in the gift shop.
Hmmm... does anyone know if they sell Neutrogena weightless spray SPF 70 or above at the orlando airport? Or how I can find out?
That would be a solution - otherwise I'll just check my bag and be done with it. Mailing it would be a hassle at this point, I leave on Sunday.

 

[nkereina]

How hard do you think it would be to get the top of it off so you can pour it into one of the travel size spray containers you can buy? I'm referring to the kind that usually come in a set that are 3.2oz and are sold in the travel section at Target or Wal-Mart. I'm pouring my hair products into these when we travel, but none of mine are aerosol. I'd think it would be worth it to try to get that top off somehow.

Not sure exactly which one you use, but a search of Neutrogena weightless sunscreen on Amazon returned sunscreen with SPF 70 in both stick and lotion form which would be easier to transport. The stick (solid) wouldn't need to go in the quart size bag and the lotion could be easily transferred to a 3.2oz bottle from Target.

 

[Alesia]

yeah - this is what i was expecting. I think the post i saw was someone who has been doing it and not realizing that it's not ok. I'm not willing to take that chance... then I'd be stuck with whatever is on the shelf in the gift shop.
Hmmm... does anyone know if they sell Neutrogena weightless spray SPF 70 or above at the orlando airport? Or how I can find out?
That would be a solution - otherwise I'll just check my bag and be done with it. Mailing it would be a hassle at this point, I leave on Sunday.

If they do have it, it will be ridiculously expensive. It would be cheaper to just order it online and have it shipped - it shouldn't take more than a few of days. You don't happen to have amazon prime, do you? Also, target offers free shipping if you pay with a redcard.

 

[LaurenT]

OK - so things to think about.
I don't think the can will be easy to open. It's not like a pump spray, it's a fine mist spray.
I thought about using the lotion, but I'm kind of attached to my spray - I'm not picky with most things - lucky me that this is one of the few I am picky about. In thinking about the hassle of checking my bag compared to the hassle of using lotion, I'd rather check the bag.
Shipping is another thing. I've never done it before, I don't have amazon prime or a red card, I'll have to look into that.
I could always claim my bag instead of leaving it for MDE - so that's an option too... or I can just do what I always do when I'm traveling with family and have too many bags anyway... spray myself down before heading to the airport and check my bag through to my room....
Thanks for everyone's input!

 

[kaytieeldr]

I think Target is offering free shipping for everyone through Christmas, but this may not be a product they sell online

 

[Detailor]

Why not forego the worry of whether they'll find it in your carry-on altogether and just buy a new one when you get there? Not to totally minimize the expense but aren't those $10-$12 in a Walgreens or a Target?

Dick Taylor

 

[anonymousegirl]

I have the same issues as a solo traveler, but I have an owner's locker so I buy a couple of spray cans (sprays are the only way a solo can get sunscreen on their back!) and do checked bag on the way down, then leave the sunscreen in Florida and do carry on on the way home.

 

[LaurenT]

Why not forego the worry of whether they'll find it in your carry-on altogether and just buy a new one when you get there? Not to totally minimize the expense but aren't those $10-$12 in a Walgreens or a Target?

Dick Taylor

I would totally do that if I were renting a car anyway. But taking a taxi to Target would be a bigger hassle than just checking my bag. I'd gladly pay a 100% markup to buy it in the POFQ giftshop... but I doubt they have it there.
I guess i should add that my issue isn't the money... I'm flying SW, I don't pay to check my bag. I just thought it would be nice to have it when I get to the hotel. I could claim it and then bring it to the ME bus... but that's another waste of time. I'm starting to feel silly about my first world problem.

 

[DebbieB]

I lost a brand new $18 tube of Clinique sunscreen when I accidentally put it in my carryon.

 

[bumbershoot]

This must go in your checked bag. Of course TSA sometimes misses things, but it's unlikely your sunscreen will not be confiscated.

I have the same issues as a solo traveler, but I have an owner's locker so I buy a couple of spray cans (sprays are the only way a solo can get sunscreen on their back!) and do checked bag on the way down, then leave the sunscreen in Florida and do carry on on the way home.

Watch the expiration dates. I got a couple mystery burns that I later realized were because I was using too-old sunscreen.

I would totally do that if I were renting a car anyway. But taking a taxi to Target would be a bigger hassle than just checking my bag. I'd gladly pay a 100% markup to buy it in the POFQ giftshop... but I doubt they have it there.
I guess i should add that my issue isn't the money... I'm flying SW, I don't pay to check my bag. I just thought it would be nice to have it when I get to the hotel. I could claim it and then bring it to the ME bus... but that's another waste of time. I'm starting to feel silly about my first world problem.

Just check your preferred sunscreen. If you don't have to pay for the bags, just do it. Buy a travel size of something else and put it in your 311 bag, check your preferred, and have the preferred a few hours after checkin.

I've consistently read that anything over spf 50 has no evidence that it helps more, though. Sure you have to stick with the spf 70? I rarely go above 30 because if I do I think I don't have to reapply and then the problems start... But I don't use spray stuff because it smells vile and when I get in the spray pattern of it I end up with asthma. (it's like the lungs don't WANT oil being inhaled or something...) So it's simple for me to find my Coppertone Sport and then decant it into 100ml bottles...

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

You might get lucky but more likely you will lose your sunscreen.

 

[SuzanneSLO]

Watch the expiration dates. I got a couple mystery burns that I later realized were because I was using too-old sunscreen.




Just check your preferred sunscreen. If you don't have to pay for the bags, just do it. Buy a travel size of something else and put it in your 311 bag, check your preferred, and have the preferred a few hours after checkin.

I've consistently read that anything over spf 50 has no evidence that it helps more, though. Sure you have to stick with the spf 70? I rarely go above 30 because if I do I think I don't have to reapply and then the problems start... But I don't use spray stuff because it smells vile and when I get in the spray pattern of it I end up with asthma. (it's like the lungs don't WANT oil being inhaled or something...) So it's simple for me to find my Coppertone Sport and then decant it into 100ml bottles...

As a follow up, in addition to causing discomfort in the lungs, most people don't spray enough sunscreen on. The recommended amount is about a shot glass full. Most should spray twice as long as they think is needed. -- Suzanne

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

As a follow up, in addition to causing discomfort in the lungs, most people don't spray enough sunscreen on. The recommended amount is about a shot glass full. Most should spray twice as long as they think is needed. -- Suzanne

My dermatologist, who has treated me for skin cancer, is fine with me using spray sunscreen.

 

[LaurenT]

Watch the expiration dates. I got a couple mystery burns that I later realized were because I was using too-old sunscreen.




Just check your preferred sunscreen. If you don't have to pay for the bags, just do it. Buy a travel size of something else and put it in your 311 bag, check your preferred, and have the preferred a few hours after checkin.

I've consistently read that anything over spf 50 has no evidence that it helps more, though. Sure you have to stick with the spf 70? I rarely go above 30 because if I do I think I don't have to reapply and then the problems start... But I don't use spray stuff because it smells vile and when I get in the spray pattern of it I end up with asthma. (it's like the lungs don't WANT oil being inhaled or something...) So it's simple for me to find my Coppertone Sport and then decant it into 100ml bottles...

yeah - I've read all the studies of higher SPF not being helpful. I can only go by what happens to me. If I use 30 or 45, I burn. If I use lotion, I invariably miss spots, especially on my back and arms - and I burn. When I use my preferred spray, I can be out all day without reapplying and without burning. So, I just do what works for me.