Start with the airports on your route
Before choosing which cosmetics will travel with you, check official information for your departure airport, any connecting security checks and the return journey. Instructions can change. A video about new scanners, or another traveller’s experience, is not confirmation of what will be permitted on your particular route and at the checkpoints you will use.
As a reference, Aena lists cabin liquids in containers of up to 100 ml, inside one transparent resealable bag of up to one litre per passenger. Perfumes, creams, aerosols, foams and gels are included. Check your airport’s current instructions before packing the bag and follow the directions given by security staff at the checkpoint.
Check capacity, not just the amount remaining
A large container holding a small quantity of product is not equivalent to a small container. The European guidance describes the limit in terms of container capacity. Read the volume printed on each cosmetic and leave out units that do not meet the applicable rule, even if they are almost empty or look surprisingly compact.
To keep things simple, choose compliant formats you already know instead of trying many unfamiliar products during the trip. If you need another size, check the manufacturer’s options and storage guidance. Test how everything fits before leaving home. A bag that closes easily means less last-minute rearranging of your selection on the way to the airport.
Plan for purchases and the return journey too
Airport liquid purchases have their own conditions. Aena advises keeping them in the approved sealed security bag with the receipt until the final destination. If you have connections, check how those purchases will be treated across the complete itinerary. Buying after one checkpoint does not remove every possible security check later in your journey.
Check your airline’s baggage weight and dimensions separately, along with any product-specific transport restrictions. Meeting the liquids rule does not settle every baggage requirement. Leave some room for the return journey and save the official page you consulted. That way, you can check for updates rather than depending on an old screenshot or a remembered rule.
Sources and further reading
Editorial guide published on October 23, 2026, with sources checked on that date. Not breaking news or personalized advice. The image is illustrative.
