Yes. Stick lip balm (ChapStick) and lipstick are allowed in carry-ons without using your liquids bag. Liquid lip gloss, lip oil and pot balms are liquids or gels, so keep them 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less in your quart bag.
TSA allows ChapStick and lipstick in carry-on bags with no liquids-rule limit. Liquid gloss, lip oils and soft balms in tubes or pots fall under the 3-1-1 rule for gels and creams: 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less, in your quart-size bag.
All lip products are allowed in checked bags without restriction.
Checked against official TSA, FAA and government pages on . These are US rules unless we say otherwise; the TSA officer at the checkpoint makes the final call.
The rules in numbers
- Stick lip balm and lipstick: no carry-on liquids limit
- Liquid lip gloss, lip oil, gel or cream balm in carry-on: 3.4 oz (100 ml) per container, in your quart-size bag
- Checked: no limit
Packing tips
- Keep a stick balm in your pocket: it can stay out of the quart bag and cabin air is very dry.
- Petroleum-jelly or squeeze-tube balms count as gels; tuck them in the quart bag to avoid a bag check.
Outside the US
- UKGOV.UK specifically lists lip gloss as a liquid, limited to 100 ml per container at most UK airports (some allow up to 2 litres). Source
- EULiquid and gel cosmetics must be 100 ml or less per container in a transparent bag of up to 1 litre. Source
Flying somewhere else? See the rules for the UK, EU, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Japan.
Questions people ask
Does ChapStick have to go in the TSA liquids bag?
No. TSA lists ChapStick as allowed in carry-on bags without a liquids limit.
Is lip gloss a liquid at airport security?
Yes. Liquid lip gloss falls under the 3-1-1 rule, so it must be 3.4 oz (100 ml) or less and go in your quart bag.