Yes, traditional Vaseline (petroleum jelly) counts as a liquid, gel, or paste for airport security, meaning it falls under the 100ml/3.4oz hand luggage restrictions, while solid forms like a jelly stick do not. Security classifies it as a semi-solid item with the consistency of creams, gels, and pastes, so it must fit in your clear, resealable bag with other toiletries.
Vaseline (petroleum jelly) is classified as a liquid or gel, which means it's subject to the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) 3-1-1 rule. To adhere to these liquid rules, Vaseline must be in travel-sized containers of 3.4 ounces (100 millilitres) or less.
This ultimately means that travelers who wish to bring some Vaseline along in their carry-on must stick to the TSA's 3-1-1 rule, which states that liquids and creams can't be any larger than 3.4 ounces, and all of your liquids must fit in a single quart-sized bag per passenger.
It is a semi-solid, in that it holds its shape indefinitely like a solid, but it can be forced to take the shape of its container without breaking apart, like a liquid, though it does not flow on its own.
Gels are things that can take the shape of the container, like peanut butter, icing, toothpaste. Aerosols are any can that contains something under pressure and sprays it, such as hairspray, WD-40, Redi-Whip. Vaseline is petroleum jelly... which is a gel. Hence, it falls under the 3.4oz/100ml size restriction.
Liquids That Do NOT Go In Bag for TSA (Regular Airport Security)
Does Vaseline need to go in a clear bag at the airport?
The 100ml/100g rule
All liquid containers in your hand luggage must be under 100ml/100g each (that includes creams, pastes, lotions and gels). Please keep your liquids inside your bag for security screening (a plastic bag is no longer required).
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.
As a petrolatum product, Vaseline is used as a topical moisturizer which assists with skin water retention by acting as an occlusive agent that prevents evaporation of water from the stratum corneum (outermost skin layer) and seals out external water.
Do I need to put my cream, blush, and mascara in a bag for the airport?
Liquid and cream makeup products (such as foundation, concealer, liquid highlighter, cream blush, mascara, liquid eyeliner, lip gloss, and setting sprays) must be in containers 3.4oz/100ml or smaller and must fit in one quart-sized clear plastic bag.
Lipsticks, lip balms and stick deodorants are not classed as liquids. Always check in any liquid over 100ml and if you're unsure whether an item will be allowed through, please always check it in with your hold luggage.
Liquids include: all drinks, including water. liquid or semi-liquid foods, for example soup, jam, honey and syrups. cosmetics and toiletries, including creams, lotions, oils, perfumes, mascara and lip gloss.
All liquids should be carried in a single, transparent, re-sealable plastic bag of up to 20cm x 20cm with a total capacity of up to 1 litre; You must be able to completely seal the bag and be able to fit it in your hand baggage; The bag of liquids must be taken out of other hand baggage to be screened separately.
Solid shampoo bars, solid conditioners, solid deodorants, and toothpaste tablets are not considered liquids by the TSA and can be packed freely in your carry-on.
You can pack liquids, gels, and aerosols under 100ml each in your hand luggage. Liquids under 100ml no longer need to be in a plastic bag and can be left in your hand luggage. Because of this limited liquid allowance on flights, we recommend packing liquids in your hold luggage if possible.
Is 100% pure petroleum jelly the same as Vaseline?
Petroleum jelly and Vaseline differ in manufacturing processes, quality standards, and use. Regular petroleum jelly contains hydrocarbon mixtures with different purity levels. Vaseline uses a patented triple-purification process that delivers consistent quality and better performance.
Studies show that petrolatum may contain impurities such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. These may have toxic, mutagenic and carcinogenic properties. Petrolatum can potentially trap bacteria and other pollutants on the skin's surface.
If you are using it for cracked heels, elbows and dry skin, yellow is better. However, if you are using it everyday then white works better because it is lighter and less greasy.
Jam is regarded as a liquid, therefore, it is transported in hand luggage according to the rules for transporting liquids in containers up to 100 ml. The total volume of all liquids in hand luggage should not exceed 1 liter. In luggage, jam is transported without restrictions, the main thing is to reliably pack it.
