Portable coconut oil

August 5, 2019 8:30 AM

I use coconut oil as a cosmetic item (makeup remover and moisturizer). It’s very convenient when it’s cool/solid, but a huge mess when it melts into a liquid, so I’m always a little anxious when I have some in my suitcase. What’s the best way to travel with a small amount of it (like about half a cup)?
posted by nouvelle-personne to Clothing, Beauty, & Fashion (13 answers total)

I keep mine in a small glass cosmetic jar that seals tightly, but I know places like Trader Joe’s sells boxes of little individual packets.
posted by lovableiago at 8:35 AM on August 5, 2019 [1 favorite]

Any seal able travel container stored in a ziplock with the air pressed out. You can get coconut oil in little little 1 cup plastic screw lid containers or repurpose any similar lotion container.
posted by Mitheral at 8:37 AM on August 5, 2019 [2 favorites]

If you don’t have a specific type/brand you use and are in the US/near a Trader Joe’s, they sell individually sealed packets of coconut oil that would be perfect for this. Looks like you can buy them on Amazon too - here’s a listing.
posted by bananacabana at 8:38 AM on August 5, 2019 [6 favorites]

How about a medication bottle? The sort made from orange plastic. I've used them for other liquids in luggage without incident over many years, though I usually keep them in zip lock bags just in case.
posted by XMLicious at 8:53 AM on August 5, 2019 [1 favorite]

I just use a travel container (I especially like some very small almost squishy plastic bottles I got at Daiso (probably these), they're easy to warm between your hands or in a cup of warm water), and THAT goes inside a good zip-loc bag.
posted by Lyn Never at 8:58 AM on August 5, 2019 [1 favorite]

Just a heads-up: The last time I tried to fly with jar of coconut oil, the TSA agent confiscated it, on the grounds that it was a liquid (which didn't actually make sense -- because it was in a solid state at the time). But that was for a carry-on bag. Maybe it's different with checked luggage.
posted by alex1965 at 9:01 AM on August 5, 2019

I’ve used tiny Vaseline tubs for this—if I was flying I might want to put the tub in a plastic bag, too.
posted by Edna Million at 9:13 AM on August 5, 2019 [1 favorite]

We use a 4 oz mason jar, inside a ziplock bag.
posted by leahwrenn at 9:14 AM on August 5, 2019

I keep moisturizer in a contact lens case. I only need about 1 'side' per every two days. I'd see coconut oil as similar, and I would keep it in a contact lens case. If I were going to be away for a longer period of time, I'd buy coconut oil at my destination.
posted by dog-eared paperback at 9:43 AM on August 5, 2019 [1 favorite]

The pre-sealed Trader Joe's packets are the most convenient and best-sealed way I have found to travel with coconut oil, but in case you can't get hold of them in your location, this specific style of nalgene travel bottle is by far and away the most secure, best sealed container I have EVER used for transporting oils while travelling. I feel extremely comfortable having them in my suitcase. You can get whatever size suits your travel plans best - I use only the 2oz bottles when flying so as not to have any hassle at security but I use the 4oz and 8oz sizes while camping and I just love them.
posted by DSime at 10:47 AM on August 5, 2019

Was coming in to say the Trader Joe's individual packs, but also to recommend a packing tip; if you put your liquid in any kind of jar or screw-top container, you can cover the (filled) vessel with a layer of shrink wrap, then screw the lid on right over top of the shrink wrap. In my experience this helps fill the gaps between the threads and prevents leakage!
posted by stellaluna at 11:47 AM on August 5, 2019 [1 favorite]

I bring back a couple of bottles of palm oil in my suitcase when coming back from Nigeria. Palm oil like coconut oil is solid when cold, very very slick when warm, also it stains a deep vivid orange. I use metal cyclists water bottles. They have a very secure seal and there's no chance they'll crack in my suitcase if it's handled roughly, unlike a plastic bottle. But just in case (palm oil stains everything it touches) I put the bottles in a sealable plastic bag as well.
posted by glasseyes at 1:53 PM on August 5, 2019

Second DSime's recommendation of the Nalgene bottles. The shorter, round, transparent ones (I think 1 and 2 oz size) also work very well. I've tried a bunch of stuff and these are the only ones that haven't leaked on me yet.
posted by Jobst at 2:05 PM on August 5, 2019