Packing K-Beauty in Your Luggage: Liquids, Aerosols and Fragile Bottles

The short version: almost everything you buy at Olive Young should go in your checked bag. Your carry-on can only hold liquids in containers of 100 ml or less, all inside one 1-litre clear bag. (source)

Most full-size toners, cleansers and ampoules are over 100 ml, and a big haul won't fit in a 1-litre bag anyway.

The rules at Incheon Airport

	Carry-on	Checked bag
Liquids, gels, creams	Each container 100 ml or less, all in one sealed, clear 1 L bag per person (about 20.5 × 20.5 cm or 15 × 25 cm)	No limit listed for toiletries
Non-flammable aerosol sprays	Same 100 ml / 1 L bag rule	Up to 500 ml (500 g) per item and 2 L (2 kg) in total
Duty-free liquids	Any size, but only inside the sealed duty-free bag, which must stay sealed until you board your final flight	—

Source for every row: Incheon Airport. These are Incheon's rules for international departures; airlines and the airports you connect through can set their own.

Product by product

Security officers make the final call on what counts as a liquid. When you're unsure, put it in the checked bag.

Product	Treat it as	Where to pack it
Toner, essence, ampoule, serum	Liquid	Checked bag (or carry-on if 100 ml or less and it fits in your 1 L bag)
Cream, gel cream, sleeping mask	Liquid/gel	Checked bag
Sheet masks	Soaked in liquid essence	Checked bag is the safe choice
Cushion compact, liquid foundation	Liquid	Checked bag, or the 1 L bag if small
Lip tint, lip oil	Liquid	1 L bag or checked bag
Setting spray, mist, hair spray	Aerosol if it's a pressurized can	Checked bag, within the 500 ml / 2 L aerosol limits
Powder, pressed shadow, sunscreen stick	Solid	Incheon's rules cover liquids, sprays and gel-type cosmetics and don't mention solid sticks. If you're unsure, use your checked bag or ask your airline (Incheon Airport)

Getting glass bottles home intact

Many Korean ampoules and serums come in glass. A few habits help:

• Keep the boxes. The cardboard box is free padding, and it keeps the Korean label for later.
• Bag every liquid. Put each bottle in its own zip bag before it goes in the suitcase, so one leak doesn't ruin everything else.
• Pack upright and in the middle. Surround bottles with clothes, away from the suitcase walls and wheels.
• Tape pump tops. A strip of tape over pumps and droppers stops them opening in the hold.

Connecting flights

If you buy liquids in the duty-free area, the sealed duty-free bag must stay closed until you board your final flight. (source) If you open it during a connection, you may have to give those liquids up at the next security check.

Liquids bought in Olive Young stores in the city don't come in a sealed duty-free bag, so they need to follow the normal carry-on rules — or go in the checked bag.

Tax refund items

If you're claiming a tax refund at the airport rather than at the store, you may need to show the items before you check your bag. Read Olive Young tax refund for tourists first.

The order at the airport: get your boarding pass but don't check your bags yet, have customs see the goods and stamp your refund receipts, then check your luggage. (VISITKOREA)

Bringing it into your home country

Every country sets its own allowance for goods you bring home. Cosmetics for personal use are usually fine, but large quantities or resale amounts can be taxed. Check your own country's customs site before a very big haul.

Packing checklist

• Liquids over 100 ml → checked bag
• Carry-on liquids in one sealed 1 L clear bag
• Sprays within 500 ml each and 2 L total (checked bag)
• Glass bottles bagged, boxed and packed in the middle
• Duty-free bag stays sealed until your last flight
• Tax-refund receipts and passport in your carry-on