Sheet masks are pre-moistened skincare treatments consisting of a fabric or hydrogel material saturated with a liquid serum, also known as essence. This format delivers high concentrations of active ingredients to the skin. The main challenge for air travelers is determining whether these saturated products are classified as a solid or as a liquid, gel, or cream subject to volume limitations at airport security. How transportation security agencies classify the serum-soaked material determines how they must be packed for air travel.
General Permissibility
Sheet masks are generally permitted on airplanes and are not considered prohibited items by major security organizations, such as the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). They do not contain banned substances like sharp objects or hazardous chemicals. The issue is not the item itself, but the volume of liquid serum they contain in a carry-on bag. Security concerns arise only when the liquid component exceeds the established carry-on limits for gels and creams.
Carry-On Liquid Restrictions
The liquid serum saturating a sheet mask is classified as a gel, cream, or liquid for carry-on baggage screening. Because the mask material is fully saturated with essence, the entire individually sealed package is treated as a liquid item. Therefore, each individual mask packet must comply with established volume limitations for carry-on items.
The contents of each mask package cannot exceed 3.4 ounces (100 milliliters). This measurement refers to the total volume of the container itself, not just the amount of essence inside it. All travel-sized liquid and gel containers must fit comfortably into a single, transparent, quart-sized plastic bag. Travelers are limited to only one such bag per person.
Many popular sheet mask brands contain well over the 3.4-ounce limit of essence, requiring strategic packing to avoid confiscation. Travelers can select masks packaged in multi-packs containing low-volume, pre-measured portions of serum. Another option is to choose specialized dry sheet masks, which are not saturated and are activated by the user after passing through security. If a saturated mask package does not clearly list its volume, assume it exceeds the limit and pack it in checked luggage.
Checked Baggage Guidelines
Packing sheet masks in checked baggage is the simplest method for traveling with a large quantity or high-volume masks. The specific volume limitations that apply to carry-on bags do not apply to checked luggage. Travelers can pack full-sized, multi-packs, or any number of individual masks in their checked bags without regard to the 3.4-ounce (100 ml) restriction.
While there are no volume limits, prepare the masks for the handling and pressure changes that occur during air travel. The primary concern is preventing leaks from the serum-filled packets. Double-bagging the masks in sealed plastic bags or placing them inside a rigid toiletry case prevents accidental leaks from ruining other items in the luggage.