The TSA will now let air travelers carry on a full-sized bottle of the essential protection. [UPDATE: or not]
Since 2006 the TSA has limited air travelers to 3.4 ounce containers of liquids that fit into a single quart-sized baggie. During the past twelve months, the agency has (finally) made some concessions.
The first was at the start of the pandemic, when it began allowing passengers to bring 12 ounces of hand sanitizer through the checkpoint separate from their baggie of liquids.
Now travelers can also bring a full-sized bottle/aerosol can of sunscreen as it’s been added to the TSA’s list of “medically necessary” liquids, gels, and aerosols. You are supposed to separately “declare” hand sanitizer and sunscreen at the screening checkpoint, and they may receive extra scrutiny. Note: this change only applies to US checkpoints; if you’re connecting through a foreign airport, you won’t be able to carry your sunscreen through security there.
All I can say is, “Hooray!” If you’re a fair-skinned, blue-eyed redhead, the sun is not your friend. I usually travel with carryon luggage only. (Even when traveling somewhere to do sport, I either ship my equipment ahead or rent it at my destination.) It drove me crazy to not be able to bring a regular-sized bottle of sunscreen to Australia (surfing), Colombia (kayaking), Palau (SCUBA), hiking (Croatia), and other countries (just walking around). In some places, only pharmacies (that closed at 6 PM) stocked the stuff; in tourist destinations, prices were often 3-4 times what they were at home. And no matter where I was, too often the selection was poor (no waterproof varieties or high SPF).
Given that nearly 10,000 people per day are diagnosed with skin cancer and “increasing sunscreen use by 5 percent per year over 10 years would lead to a 10 percent reduction in melanomas in the United States,” I am grateful to the Brown University skin cancer docs who led the push for this change by TSA. The average adult requires 1.4 ounces of sunscreen per application, and reapplication is recommended every two hours. Following that guideline, you’d use up the previous 3.4-ounce allotment after just two applications.
For the record, here are the sunscreens I look forward to carrying on:
For my body:
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen SPF 70 ($9)
High SPF, non-greasy, fast-absorbing.
For my face:
EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 Facial Sunscreen ($37)
Feels lightweight, doesn’t clog pours, and contains hyaluronic acid for an extra dose of hydration. Available in clear or tinted.
If I can want an all-in-one:
Cerave 100% Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50 ($14)
High SBF, oil-free, paraben-free, noncomedogenic; contains niacinamide (anti-inflammatory antioxidant) and cermamides (help skin retain moisture).
If I need to go chemical-free:
Blue Lizard Australian Sunscreen, Sensitive SPF 30+ ($10)
No potentially irritating chemicals, parabens, and fragrances; oxybenzone- and octinoxate-free to protect ocean reefs.
Now if only the TSA would reconsider its stance on bottled water…
Twist’s Take: Keep yourself protected on your next vacation; carry on that bottle of sunscreen!
UPDATE: A few hours ago the TSA changed its mind on sunscreen—again.
Per the TSA, “Our website incorrectly reported that sunscreen containers larger than 3.4 oz. were allowed in carry-on bags, if medically necessary. Travelers still need to ensure liquids, gels and aerosols in carry-on bags meet the 3-1-1 requirements and are no larger than 3.4 ounces.”
Well, darn. Despite evidence that 1) making it harder for people to use sunscreen causes considerable extra risk of skin cancer and 2) screening items like sunscreen is as effective as banning them in terms of safety, if you want sunscreen on your trip, you’ll need to check a bag, buy a bottle at your destination, carry a 3.4-ounce or less container of it through the checkpoint with you, and/or rely on a stick version that isn’t subject to the “liquids in baggie” rule.
My current fave stick sunscreens include:
For my face:
Supergoop! Glow Stick SPF 50 ($25)
This high-SPF, dry-oil formula gives my skin a nice glow.
For my body:
Supergoop! PLAY 100% Mineral Sunscreen Stick ($24)
Water-resistant, reef-safe, mineral-based (but without leaving a white cast on our skin), and high SPF makes this stick my carry-along when on the water all day.
Neutrogena Beach Defense Water-Resistant Body Sunscreen Stick with Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ ($9)
High SPF, PABA- and Oxybenzone-free, formula featuring Helioplex for superior broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protection really protects when I am near the equator or Down Under.
Twist’s (Updated) Take: Pack sunscreen sticks in your carry-on and hope the TSA changes its mind (again).
