Packing everything you need for your business trip or vacation into a single carry-on bag speeds you along at your destination. You’ll avoid extra fees for checked bags and won’t have to worry about lost luggage during your flight. But Transportation Security Administration rules about what items you can legally bring on board the plane makes packing your bag tricky. Pay attention to the rules for toiletries and you won’t risk losing your items when you go through security.

Liquids and Gels

You may only carry on liquids and gels that are in 3.4-ounce containers or smaller. Liquids include toiletries such as shampoo, after-shave, hand or body lotion, mouthwash and liquid makeup. Toiletries often found in gel form include toothpaste, deodorant and lip balm or lipstick. Transfer liquids and gels to smaller containers if the original package contains more than 3.4 ounces, or purchase special travel sizes. You can’t take a large toothpaste tube with only a little left in it, or half a large bottle of shampoo. Additionally, all your bottles of liquids and gels must fit in a single 1-quart plastic bag.

Makeup

Liquid foundation, liquid eye liner, mascara, lip balm, cream blush, lip stick and any other makeup in liquid or gel form has to meet the 3.4-ounce container limit and must fit in a 1-quart plastic bag. Powdered or pressed makeup, baby powder, talcum powder and other toiletries that aren’t in a liquid or gel form aren’t regulated. Pack them in your carry on as you wish.

Accessories

Disposable razors and their cartridges are the only types of razors permitted in your carry-on luggage. Razor-type blades, such as box cutters, utility knives, and safety razor blades, are only allowed in checked luggage.You may also carry nail clippers and nail scissors with blades shorter than 4 inches. Don’t pack knives or large scissors. If you need batteries for a toothbrush, razor or other item, these are allowed in your carry-on luggage.

Packing Tips

Each traveler is allowed one 1-quart plastic bag for liquids and gels. You must remove this bag from your carry-on luggage at the security checkpoint for screening. Pack the bag where it’s easy to get to. If you’re traveling with liquid medications in containers that are larger than 3.4 ounces, syringes or supplemental oxygen, you should remove these items from your luggage at the security checkpoint and allow the TSA agent to inspect them.

Disclosure Leaf Group is a USA TODAY content partner providing general travel information. Its content is produced independently of USA TODAY.

About the Author Cynthia Myers is the author of numerous novels and her nonfiction work has appeared in publications ranging from "Historic Traveler" to "Texas Highways" to "Medical Practice Management." She has a degree in economics from Sam Houston State University.