The 100 ml cabin rule and Korean skincare: minis, decants, and sun sticks TSA 100ml

Cabin liquid rules in the US, EU, Korea and most hubs still cluster around 100 ml (3.4 oz) per container inside a single clear bag. Korean travel minis, decant bottles, and solid formats such as a sun stick or cleansing balm in a tin are the practical workarounds. Airline and airport interpretations differ — a 100 ml mark on the bottle matters more than how much is left inside.

The bottle size is what they measure

A 150 ml essence that is half empty still fails if the printed volume is over the limit. That is why Korean 30–50 ml travel pouches and official minis exist. If you decant, use bottles with a printed 100 ml or less and a secure cap — leaking snail mucin at security is a real failure mode.

What counts as a liquid

Essences, sunscreens, cleansers, and most sleeping packs are liquids or gels. A sun stick and many cushion compacts are treated as solids in practice, which is why they are popular in carry-on, but a security officer can still ask. Creams in jars are usually liquids. When unsure, put it in the bag.

Where to get genuine minis in Korea

Olive Young, brand flagships and airport duty-free all sell travel kits. Sets are often a better cost-per-use than full sizes you cannot fly with. Daiso-type stores sell empty decant bottles; wash them and label the INCI so you do not mix acids in unlabelled tubes.

Check your own airport

TSA, UK, and Incheon pages are the source of truth, not a screenshot from 2019. Some countries trial larger liquid allowances with extra screening. If your itinerary connects through a strict hub, pack to the strictest leg.

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✍️ Written & reviewed by the KoreaPlus Editorial team — dermatologist-informed, cosmetic-science researched & source-cited. Last reviewed: 2026-08-28.

General educational information using cosmetic structure-function wording — not medical advice. Always patch-test new actives. © KoreaPlus.