The Unexpected Skincare Item TSA Considers To Be A Liquid (And They'll Flag You For It)

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If there's any rule that Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents take very seriously, it's the 3-1-1 rule. Liquids, gels, and aerosols must be packaged in a 3.4 ounce or smaller container, must be packed in one, quart-sized resealable bag, and each traveler is entitled to one of those bags in their carry-on luggage. What constitutes as a liquid (or gel, or paste, or cream) can be a bit ambiguous though, and sometimes an item that you wouldn't think is monitored can get flagged when you're going through security. This is true for body scrubs, the unexpected skincare item TSA considers to be a liquid.

Given a body scrub's more solidified state than, let's say, a perfume or even shampoo, some may think it to be one of the more bizarre items that TSA considers to be a liquid. But as is the case with other, thicker materials like pastes or creams, a body scrub's semi-liquid state is enough for it to be flagged. If it's able to be squeezed through a tube, or doesn't hold its shape without a container, then it's considered liquid-enough, and needs to abide by the rules dictating size and amount ... or else you risk confiscation and disposal. While there are some exceptions to TSA's 3-1-1 rule, sadly body scrubs aren't on that list of exemptions.

Luckily, there are TSA-friendly alternatives that you can bring in your carry-on that won't trigger an additional search or confiscation. Dry body scrubs with small amounts of essential oils, for instance, are unlikely to be flagged as a 3-1-1 rule violation, unless there is an excess amount of oil pooling in the container. Same goes for exfoliating, solid soaps too. These soaps bars, like Marlowe's Body Scrub Exfoliating Soap Bar, have a gritty, lightly abrasive ingredient in them, like fruit seeds or oatmeal, that does the job of a traditional body scrub but in a solid form. That makes these polishing bars TSA-friendly and not subject to the liquid rule. 

Of course, if you can't live without your favorite body scrub while traveling, then you'll need to check a bag instead. There isn't necessarily a limit to the amount of liquids you can have in your checked bag, but as is true with suspiciously excessive amounts of any material, the TSA does have the ability to conduct an additional screening of your checked bag. Additional airport screenings are not totally random, as are bag searches; if for some reason the TSA feels the bag contains items in need of more scrutiny or the passenger warrants questioning, they can do so. Such searches can result in damaged packaging, so keep that in mind when you're packing your beauty products. All in all, if you stick to the 3-1-1 rule, and leave your bigger containers of liquids, gels, creams, and body scrubs at home, you shouldn't have an issue going through airport security.