Buying guide for best TSA-approved travel bottles
When you find the perfect skin care, hair care, or beauty product, it becomes a part of your daily routine. When you’re traveling, there’s no need to interrupt your personal care regimen. TSA-approved travel bottles let you bring your favorite products aboard the plane without worrying whether they’re the right size to meet federal regulations.
TSA-approved travel bottles are designed to be 3.4 ounces or smaller, which is the maximum amount for liquids allowed in carry-on luggage in the United States. Made of durable plastic or silicone, these squeezable bottles are equipped with squirt caps to easily dispense your shampoo, body wash, or moisturizer. There’s no need to worry about confusing your products either, as most TSA-approved travel bottles come with a labeling system. Best of all, when you travel with TSA-approved travel bottles in your carry-on, you’ll still have everything you need in the event that your checked baggage gets lost.
Key considerations
TSA requirements
The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has strict requirements when it comes to air travel with liquids, gels, and aerosols in your carry-on luggage. Liquids are limited to 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters in your carry-on, and larger bottles are confiscated when passing through security. TSA-approved travel bottles are 3.4 ounces or smaller, so you can always enjoy hassle-free travel. Additionally, liquids should be packed in a transparent, quart-sized bag with a closure that can be easily accessed if necessary. This expedites the screening process. Most TSA-approved travel bottle sets come with a regulation bag.
Capacity
The maximum capacity for any TSA-approved travel bottle is 3.4 ounces, though you can find a variety of bottles with smaller capacities, too. Two-ounce bottles are common, and there are some 1.5-ounce bottles. Cream jars are also popular in TSA-approved travel bottle sets, and these generally hold between two and three ounces.
Travel bottle sets
TSA-approved travel bottles are usually sold in sets. All sets include bottles that are ideal for liquids and lotions, including shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and moisturizer. Many sets also include cream jars and spray bottles. Cream jars are perfect for thicker lotions and body butters that are easier to get out of a jar than a squeeze bottle. Jars are also good for holding scrubs, hair gel, and other products that you use only in small amounts. Spray bottles are ideal for hair spray or makeup setting spray.
While the most basic sets include just two to four bottles, other sets also include cream jars, silicone face scrubbers, toothbrush covers, and small spatulas. Spatulas can be used to scrape out the last product from a bottle or to dispense product from a cream jar without using your fingers. Most sets come with a clear zip case that is also TSA-approved.
For your safety
If you use products that contain alcohol, salicylic acid, hydrogen peroxide, or silicone, opt for all-plastic TSA-approved travel bottles. Silicone bottles will react with these ingredients, degrading the bottle and the product.
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Features
Materials
Many TSA-approved travel bottle sets are made of flexible silicone with plastic caps. There are also some sets that are completely plastic. Silicone bottles are popular due to their puncture-resistant, multi-walled construction. However, some ingredients are incompatible with silicone, including alcohol, salicylic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and silicone itself. If your products contain these ingredients, use plastic travel bottles and jars instead. Some TSA-approved travel bottles are also BPA-free and food-grade, which means they’re safe enough to hold edible items like salad dressings or condiments.
Convenience features
TSA-approved travel bottles generally have additional convenience features, many of which are geared toward saving space. Some bottles have loops or holes so that they can be hung in a shower or from a towel rack. Others have strong suction cups that can be affixed to a shower or mirror to free up counter space.
There are also different labeling systems to help you identify the bottles. These labeling systems can be as simple as a sticker set or as sophisticated as a turn dial that displays the names of common products. Some travel bottles have large mouths for easy filling or come with a funnel to make filling up the bottles easy.
Colors
TSA-approved travel bottles come in dozens of colors, though not every set features a variety of colors. Some sets are clear, some are all the same color, and others feature a different color for each container. There are also travel bottle sets that include caps in different colors for identifying your products.
TSA-approved travel bottle prices
Sets of TSA-approved travel bottles cost between $10 and $20. At the low end, between $10 and $12, are bottle-only sets with regular squeeze caps.
Mid-range travel bottles cost between $13 and $15, and these sets include multiple bottles as well as additional accessories like cream jars and toothbrush covers. They come in clear zip bags.
For $15 to $20, you’ll find TSA-approved travel bottle sets with reinforced leak-proof walls and higher-quality carrying cases. These sets are often BPA-free, and some are food-grade as well.
Expert Tip
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Tips
Consider which products you’ll actually use. When you’re packing, stick to the essentials. If you’re only going to use a facial scrub or mask once, consider leaving it at home to lighten your load.
Keep gel in a jar instead of a bottle. Hair gel is thick and sticky, and you could have trouble getting it out of a bottle. Add a couple of spoonfuls to a cream jar in your TSA-approved travel set, and it will be much easier to use. The jar will also be easier to clean.
Leave the body wash at home. Most hotels include bar soap or body wash in the room. If you’re not married to your body wash, free up that container to use for something else.
Think of everyday uses. TSA-approved travel bottles are the perfect size for keeping liquids in your purse, briefcase, or gym bag.
Get a set for kids’ overnight visits. If your children are staying with their grandparents or friends overnight, TSA-approved travel bottles are the perfect size for their favorite shampoo and body wash.
- Check the seals before packing. Once you’ve filled and closed your bottles and containers, double-check that each one is tightly sealed to avoid leaks.
FAQ
Q. What if I need more product than what will fit in a TSA-approved travel bottle?
A. If you’ll be traveling for an extended time or need a lot of one product, fill up two or more containers from your set. To avoid any confusion or accidental product waste, be sure to label the containers when you fill them.
Q. What should I do with product that’s left over in a TSA-approved travel bottle after my trip?
A. If you travel often, just save it for an upcoming journey. If not, simply use up what’s left in the travel bottle before moving on to your full-size products. You could also use a small spatula to scrape out any last bits of product, which will also make cleaning the bottle easier.
Q. The labels on my TSA-approved travel bottles have worn off. What’s the best way to label the containers?
A. You could use a permanent marker, though that’s not ideal if you plan to change the contents with every use. Another option is to use a label maker to print out a label that will hold up to water from the shower and sink. Some of these labels peel off quite easily, or you can simply place a new label over the old one if you want to change the bottle’s contents.
