Traveling as a family of 10 is always a bit of a challenge. In fact, when the children were little, it was quite the circus. Fortunately, we've figured out how to make it as pain-free as possible.
It involves packing lists, matching suitcases, dressing all of us in matching shirts, and lots of marching in single file with continuous head counts!
Years ago, we flew from Indiana to California to appear on the television show, The Doctors. We packed carefully and brought LOTS of soap with us to share with everyone we met on the journey.
As we went through the TSA line at the airport and had our luggage scanned, we got flagged and had to open up all our carry-on cases. The TSA agents wanted to know what all the rectangular objects were.
When we told them it was soap, they were a bit confused why we had over 50 bars of soap spread out amongst all our carry-on luggage. So we pulled out several of our Banner mini-magazines and showed them what we do.
Ten minutes later (after answering a lot of Goat Milk Stuff questions), we were on our way!
While we got flagged because of how many soaps we had with us, the fact that it was soap was not an issue. Let's talk for a moment about the TSA travel restrictions for your bath and body products.
 "Thank you for great, wholesome products. I truly love them and even give some to loved ones. I love doing business with small family run companies and your family has great business practices. I'm a new customer and am enjoying trying the great variety of scents you offer." - Lisa S. |
TSA Travel Restrictions for Soap
According to the TSA website,
You are allowed to bring a quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes in your carry-on bag and through the checkpoint. These are limited to travel-sized containers that are 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item. Placing these items in the small bag and separating from your carry-on baggage facilitates the screening process. Pack items that are in containers larger than 3.4 ounces or 100 milliliters in checked baggage.
Based on this, there is no limit to bringing bar soap with you in either your checked or carry-on baggage. Since you don't need to worry about bar soap spilling and getting on your clothes, this is the optimal choice for travel.
But if you prefer to bring liquid soap, you will need to keep it under 3.4 oz in your carry-on case. Anything over that will need to be checked in your regular suitcase.
If you choose to travel with our liquid soap foamer bottle, you will need to put it in your checked luggage since it contains 4 oz. We also strongly recommend double bagging it in a sealable plastic bags in case the pressure in the airplane cargo causes any leaks.
 "The Honeysuckle Liquid Soap smells so good. I really enjoy using the goat milk soaps. I like the way it makes my skin feel so soft." - Merry B. |
And keep in mind that it is the container size and not the amount of product inside that counts. As the TSA website says, "Containers that are larger than 3.4 oz (100 ml) regardless of amount inside must be in checked baggage."
But what about lotion?
TSA Travel Restrictions for Lotion
Let's look back at the TSA website:
You are allowed to bring a quart-sized bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes in your carry-on bag and through the checkpoint. These are limited to travel-sized containers that are 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters) or less per item. Any liquid, aerosol, gel, cream or paste that alarms during screening will require additional screening.
And since according to the TSA guidelines, any substance that is free-flowing or viscous is considered a liquid, commercial liquid lotions definitely are affected by this rule.
Hopefully you are aware of how dangerous liquid lotions can be and you've stopped using them. If you've switched to our Solid Goat Milk Lotions, you've experienced how wonderful they are for your skin.
But solid lotions are also much more convenient to take with you when you travel. Even if a TSA agent considered the solid lotions a cream (which they technically aren't), our large stick size is 2 oz which is below the 3.4 oz limit. So you can take our small and large lotions sticks with you in your carry-on luggage.
But whether you pack your solid goat milk lotions in your carry-on or checked baggage, there are never any concerns about it leaking all over your clothes and other packed items!
 "I just ordered more solid lotion - I have had problems with one of my elbows for years. Through the years I have tried numerous things, even some from my doctor. I have rubbed the Lavender solid lotion on every night—in just a few weeks the skin is perfect!!!" - Grace B. |
Let's summarize the TSA rules for traveling with your toiletries...
- You can pack any of our goat milk soaps (bar form) in either your carry-on or checked luggage.
- You can pack any of our solid lotion sticks in either your carry-on or checked luggage.
- You can pack our liquid soap in your checked luggage only.
Our Favorite TSA Friendly Travel Soaps
Now that you know what (and where) the TSA will allow you pack, I want to share a list of some of our favorite travel soaps.
Unscented Goat Milk Soaps
Although many people prefer soaps with strong scents, unscented soaps offer tons of benefits including:
Unscented soaps are great for sensitive skin. If you are searching for the best TSA bar soap for sensitive skin, unscented goat milk soaps are ideal. They are perfect for those suffering from skin conditions such as eczema, acne, or psoriasis. Also, if you’re undergoing procedures such as chemotherapy or radiation, these soaps are safe for you as well. And since traveling can negatively impact your skin, choosing an unscented soap can be beneficial during your travels.
Unscented soaps are highly moisturizing. Another benefit is that they are highly moisturizing and include vitamins, alpha hydroxy acids, and minerals, which are great for the skin.
Unscented soaps are considerate of others. Although you may not personally have any sensitivity to scents, there may be others traveling near you that are. When traveling in close confinement (as you do on a plane), using unscented soaps may prevent others around you from being triggered by any strong scents.
Your options for unscented soaps include:
- Purity Soap: A mild soap with a faint yet pleasant aroma, purity soap is ideal for those who suffer from eczema and other related skin conditions.
- Activated Bamboo Charcoal Soap: This is another excellent unscented travel friendly soap. Activated Bamboo Charcoal Soap is a mild yet effective bar soap that can help with exfoliation, odor control, and much more.
- Purity Oats Soap: Purity Oats Soap includes highly beneficial ingredients such as gluten-free oats which can help with any itching that occurs while you travel.
- Castile Soap: Free of colors and fragrances, Castile Soap is luxurious and hydrating to the skin.
- Calendula Soap: Since Calendula flowers are often used to treat burns, bruises, cuts, etc., Calendula Soap has similar effects. This anti-inflammatory soap can help fight viruses, fungi, bacteria, and more.
Unscented soaps are also great for traveling because you can pack them without worrying about the scent transferring to other objects in your suitcase or travel bag.
 "I have been very satisfied with my Purity Goat Milk Soap, I love the way it cleans and moisturizes my skin and also how quick my orders are sent and delivered. Also I like using pure and healthy products on my skin, and I’m glad that I have found your products to be just that!" - Kelly B. |
Other TSA Friendly Soap Options
If you are interested in TSA friendly Goat Milk Soaps that are scented, here are some great choices:
- Lavender Soap: Sometimes it's hard to sleep when you travel. Lavender has been show to promote relaxation that can lead to better sleep.
- Bug Out Soap: If you're going to an area with lots of biting insects, the Bug Out is one more line of defense against mosquito bites and mosquito borne illnesses. This soap may also help prevent tick bites if traveling in tick infested areas. Tick borne illnesses are on the rise and this is a great addition to help protect yourself.
- Tea Tree Soap: Tea tree is naturally antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal. It's a great soap to have with you to if you are traveling to very humid areas or if you are likely to get any cuts or scrapes that need to be carefully washed out.
- Jewelweed Soap: Nothing can ruin a vacation faster than a nasty case of poison ivy. Help protect yourself if you may be exposed to this nasty plant during your travels.
- Shampoo Soap: No need to worry about packing a big bottle of shampoo and a separate bottle of conditioner. The shampoo soap will clean your hair and is much more travel friendly.
- Shaving Soap: Skip the shaving cream and grab one of these natural soap bars instead. No matter if you're shaving your face, armpits, legs, or anywhere else, these soaps help to moisturize and soothe the skin while also preventing razor burn.
- Pet Soap:. If your pets are joining you, being able to bathe them if they need it is important. Because this is a solid pet soap, you don't need to worry about the difficulties of transporting a liquid soap on the plane.
 "I love the Bug Out Soap, it has a pleasant scent and when I went out, I did not get one bite. Mosquitos normally love me." - Aloma M. |
TSA and Travel Friendly Lotions
When it comes to traveling and skincare, it's best to always be prepared. If you are traveling to places that are especially cold, hot, or dry, packing the proper skincare items is essential. Solid Goat Milk Lotions are a great, easy to pack option that will help care for your skin no matter where you're traveling. And they benefit your skin without the unnecessary additives such as chemicals and preservatives found in commercial liquid lotions.
Consider packing any of these Solid Goat Milk Lotions depending on where you're traveling...
- Bug Out: As with the Bug Out soap, this lotion is a great way to naturally help protect you from biting insects and any disease they may carry.
- Cold Relief: This lotion can help relieve any cold symptoms you develop during your travels.
- Lavender: If you can't fall asleep, try applying some lavender lotion and breathing deeply of the calming scent.
- Tea Tree: The anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory properties of tea tree make this a great option for skin that is chapped by extreme cold during any winter holidays or extreme heat during tropical getaways.
 "I ordered a variety of the small stick lotions. They all smell amazing. My favorites so far are the Almond and Black Raspberry. I wasn’t sure if I would like the stick lotions, but I do. They are easy to apply. These will great for traveling. Will definitely be ordering some of the bigger sticks for home." - Mary B. |
Another Travel Necessity
There are three more items that our family never travels without. We all have these in our travel toiletry kits and they've come to the rescue more than once.
- Arnica Salve: You may often find yourself with sore muscles on your travels. This can happen because you are moving more than you are used to moving or because you are working different muscles. Regardless of the cause, arnica salve can help relieve muscle aches which will help to keep you moving and enjoying your trip.
- Comfrey Salve: We designed the comfrey salve for cuts and scrapes, but we have found that it is magical (at least we think so) for sunburns. As a family, we've all applied comfrey to a part of our sunburned skin and seen that the comfrey coated skin has healed much faster from sunburn than the skin that was either left alone or had aloe applied. We LOVE the comfrey for sunburns and never travel without it.
- Jewelweed Salve: Most people don't encounter poison ivy on their vacations, but if you find yourself with a poison ivy rash, the Jewelweed salve is definitely your friend.
 "I recently received the Arnica for Sore Muscles Salve. I must admit I wasn’t expecting it to do much, but I was pleasantly surprised! My daughter and I used it for our neck and shoulder pain and we both noticed a difference in how we felt. It definitely relieved some of the soreness. At first I thought that the container was so small that the salve would be gone quickly but a little goes a long way! If you suffer from sore muscles, definitely give this a try!" - Connie |
Each of these salves are under the TSA minimum weight and are approved for packing in either your carry-on or checked baggage. We recommend keeping them in a resealable plastic bag to keep them from getting on your clothes or other travel items.
Stress Less, Enjoy More!
With summer travel going strong, I've been getting a lot of questions lately about whether our products can safely travel on an airplane. I hope this blog post removes any concerns about whether or not your Goat Milk Stuff products are TSA and travel friendly - they are!
You can absolutely pack your favorite Goat Milk Stuff items to bring with you as you travel. The soaps and lotions can safely handle the pressure and temperature differentials if they travel in your checked baggage. They are also TSA-friendly so you don't need to worry about them being confiscated.
Packing for a trip does not have to be a stressful experience, especially where your skincare is concerned. So take the time to prepare for your trip by selecting your favorite Goat Milk Stuff soaps, lotions, and salves to travel with.
We pray you enjoy safe travels and lots of wonderful new memories!
PJ & Crew