Anonymous wrote:What if you buy too much? You just throw it away? Or too little and have to go shopping again on your vacation? Seems a lot simpler to me to just check a freaking bag.

? Throwing away or buying an extra is way easier than checking a bag, waiting for it at the carousel which in some airports can take 40 minutes and risking it never arrives.

Anonymous wrote:We mostly use sunscreen sticks. But, I have not had a problem putting a 4 oz tube in my carry on toiletries.

+1 I’m surprised this is an issue. I mostly check, but this spring I did a lot of carry on and never have issues with my full toiletries bag, which includes drunk elephant sunscreen in 3 oz tube, plus shampoo + conditioner, other small lotion tube, and several oils and serums.

Of course, now I’ve just jinxed myself. 😜

Anonymous wrote:Nutrogena Sheer is 3oz, so I pack two of those. They were more than enough for three people in the Caribbean last month.

Two 3oz tubes for three people’s entire bodies? For how many days? Did you reapply???

Nutrogena Sheer is 3oz, so I pack two of those. They were more than enough for three people in the Caribbean last month.

For a week long trip to Roatan, my traveling companion and I bought a small thrift store suitcase, filled it with things we couldn't buy there (our brand sunscreen, conditioner, LOTS of mosquito/tick spray-on repellent, etc).
There was plenty left in the bottles at the end of the week. We offered it to the hotel staff - they snatched up the repellent FAST! - and left the suitcase behind at the end of the trip. (Everything was taken by various staff, and they were very appreciative).
That way we had to check a bag only one way, and our most important stuff - swim gear, snorkels and masks, etc. - was in our carry-ons.

Another vote for buy it when you get there.

What if you buy too much? You just throw it away? Or too little and have to go shopping again on your vacation? Seems a lot simpler to me to just check a freaking bag.

i usually buy some overseas
or carry some in several 3 oz bottles

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They have stores where you're going. Buy toiletries there if they don't fit in carryon.

Uh maybe not. We travel to plenty pretty small islands and other places that definitely don't have a CVS or anything just small local stores with limited supplies. Don't assume your travel destinations are like everyone elses.

I don't think it is a reach that most people travel to locations with stores of some type

I bring a small container and then I buy there. France has better sunscreen so it wasn’t a big deal.

Anonymous wrote:They have stores where you're going. Buy toiletries there if they don't fit in carryon.

Uh maybe not. We travel to plenty pretty small islands and other places that definitely don't have a CVS or anything just small local stores with limited supplies. Don't assume your travel destinations are like everyone elses.

For my good stuff, I have small containers, the rest I have shipped to the resort.

Sunscreen stick plus small container of facial liquid sunscreen

A 3oz container is usually enough to last me for a week. I'm really fair skinned and NEED sunscreen if I'm on a beach vacation.

Actually, if I'm on a beach vacation, I'm checking a bag to bring my beach tent. But my sunscreen can go in my carry-on.

Buy on arrival. I will almost never check a bag no matter how long the trip.