Image: MomJunction Design Team
If there’s one thing you can learn from Koreans, it’s the way they prioritize their hair and skin care routine. Find the best Korean shampoos listed here to flaunt bouncy, silky, healthy, and smooth hair. Choosing the right Korean botanical shampoos is essential if you are looking for a change in your hair care routine to address various hair concerns such as dryness, split ends, and hair fall. Read through the post to pick the right shampoo that suits your requirements.
Top Picks
11 Best Korean Shampoos
1. Best For Shine: Aekyung Kerasys Oriental Premium Shampoo And Conditioner
The Aekyung Kerasys Oriental premium shampoo and conditioner can be suitable for someone looking for an effective shampoo that can help reduce hair loss due to breakage. Its herb-infused formulation can help curtail hair breakage by 79% and provide essential nourishment to hair. The Korean hair shampoo is formulated in South Korea and has a pleasant fragrance.
Pros
- Has revitalizing properties
- Strengthens weak hair
- Makes hair shiny
- Makes the hair manageable and soft
Cons
- Few may experience a greasy scalp
- May not be suitable for keratin-treated hair
"The pleasant scent of this shampoo and conditioner duo made it an instant hit for me. Besides, it even imparted a vibrant sheen to my hair. However, I recommend using a small amount of product as it can feel oily for fine hair. Overall, it has been reliable for keeping my scalp and hair clean."
Quick tip2. Best For Oily Scalp:Ryo Hair Loss Care Shampoo
The Ryo hair loss care shampoo contains herbal ingredients, such as ginseng extract, which provides nourishment to the hair, and ginger and green tea, which reduce stress on the scalp. It helps control excess sebum production and reduces dandruff, making it ideal for oily scalps. Additionally, this scientifically formulated shampoo helps add volume to hair and alleviate hair loss on the crown of the head. The Korean hair shampoois suitable for people with thinning hair issues.
Pros
- Promotes hair growth
- Reduces scalp itchiness
- Rich and dense foam
- Cruelty-free formula
- Free of harsh chemicals
- Ideal for oily hair type
Cons
- Some may find the smell a bit overpowering
3. Best For Sensitive Scalp: Kundal Honey & Macadamia Cherry Blossom Shampoo
Kundal honey and macadamia shampoo has 46 herbal ingredients and five essential oilsto provide healthy and nourishing hair. It contains zero harsh chemicals, ensuring it is ideal for sensitive scalps and children. The essential oils in this Korean hair shampoo help keep the hair hydrated and nourished.
Pros
- Sulfate-free shampoo
- Paraben-free
- Silicone-and phthalate-free
- Feminine, cherry blossom scent
- EWG green-graded ingredients
Cons
- May not be suitable for people sensitive to Macadamia nut
"I've been actively trying different shampoos, and none of them have been able to come close to the gentleness of this one. It worked well for my fine hair and offered a baby powder scent that lasted the whole day. While the packaging is not the most user-friendly, the product has been pretty effective."
Quick tip Aekyung Kerasys Oriental Premium Shampoo And Conditioner Best For Shine | Ryo Hair Loss Care Shampoo Best For Oily Scalp | Kundal Honey & Macadamia Cherry Blossom Shampoo Best For Sensitive Scalp | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hair Type | All | Oily,Dandruff,Thin | All, Dull, Frizzy, Normal, Damaged |
| Dimensions | 3 x 3 x 11 inches | 3.11 x 1.85 x 8.5 inches | - |
| Weight | 3.04 Pounds | 14.11 Ounces | - |
| Package Dimensions | - | - | 7.09 x 6.73 x 2.87 inches; 1.06 Pounds |
| Rating | |||
| Reviews | 60 | 42 | 94 |
| Price | $21 | $20.58 | $18.8 |
4. Best For Hair Strengthening: Amos Professional O2 Scalp Nourish Green Tea Shampoo Fresh
Formulated with herbal ingredients, such as white leaf green tea, this Korean hair shampoo contains three times the amino acids than the regular variants for visible results. This green tea helps strengthen the hair, boost the regrowth of hair follicles, and tackle thinning hair issues. The shampoo helps control oily scalp and keeps the hair healthy.
Pros
- Silicone and oil-free
- Mild formula
- Treats hair loss
- Unisex product
- Ideal for oily hair type
Cons
- May be greasy
"This shampoo enhanced the sheen and volume of my hair from the first use. It even caters well to my husband’s oily scalp. While the scent is natural, it may feel overwhelming for some. However, the shampoo always manages to refresh my scalp and has offered a lot of benefits."
5. Best For Hair Loss Prevention: Premium TS Hair Loss Prevention Shampoo
TS hair loss prevention shampoo is formulated to help prevent hair loss and deliver thick hair. This shampoo rescues weak hair as it is packed with biotin, vitamin B3, essential oils, panthenol, and other powerful ingredients, which help stimulate hair growth, and prevent hair loss and hair breakage. The Korean hair shampoo is infused with 30 active ingredients to help prevent hair thinning, promote positive hair health, and reduce hair shedding. Check out this review video to learn more from a tester’s experience.
Pros
- No artificial color
- No synthetic perfume
- Paraben-free
- Silicone-free
- Addresses thinning hair issues
Cons
- May give a peculiar smell
"With consistent use, this shampoo has reduced my hair fall significantly. It lathers luxuriously, and a little goes a long way, even with my longer locks. Although it may not be a permanent cure for hair fall, I am pretty happy with the results provided."
6. Best For Color-Treated Hair:Cosmocos RGIII Premium Hair Loss Clinic Shampoo
The RGIII Premium shampoo is potent with double the amount of red ginseng extract that strengthens the hair roots for addressing hair loss. This shampoo also contains eight other natural and herbal ingredients, including cacao extract, ginger extract, and honeysuckle flower extract that improve the thickness of the hair and provide intense nourishment. You can easily use this Korean hair shampoo on hair treated with hair dyefor effective cleaning and shine.
Pros
- Strengthens the scalp barrier
- Chemical-free
- Clinically tested
- Not tested on animals
- Suitable for all hair types, including colored hair
Cons
- May not detangle the hair effectively
"I have been using this shampoo for a few months and have noticed an improvement in hair thickness and fallout. The initial shedding was alarming, but consistent use has reduced the appearance of hair thinning. Plus, the conditioning benefits have made it easy for me to experiment with different hairstyles."
7. Best For Treating Hair Damage: Scapes Untold Beauty Apothecary Korean Ginseng Signature Scalp Care Shampoo
Scapes Untold Beauty’s Korean hair shampoo is uniquely formulated with Ginseng and nine other Korean herbs for scalp hydration. It helps you deal with damaged hair and hair loss. The key herbal ingredient, Ginseng, helps prevent hair loss, promotes hair growth, and reduces hair loss. This repairing shampoo strengthens, restores the natural hair color, locks in moisture, deep cleanses the scalp, and supports the roots and strands.
Pros
- Herbal fragrance
- Phthalate-free
- Paraben-free
- No mineral oil
- SLS-free
- PEG-free
- Ideal for oily hair type
- Helps attain a squeakyclean scalp
Cons
- May not lather well
8. Best For Nourishing Hair Follicles: Ryo Hair Loss Expert Care Shampoo
Ryo hair loss expert care shampoo is specially formulated with Ginseng extract from roots, stems, leaves, and fruits. It offers intense nourishment to the hair follicles and scalp. This scientifically formulated shampoo helps remove excess oils from the scalp while helping maintain moisture levels. Ginseng is combined with other natural ingredients to help eliminate dandruff and cleanse the scalp. Moreover, this anti-dandruff shampoo also helps add volume to the hair while treating itchy and dry scalp.
Pros
- Synthetic colorant-free
- Cruelty-free
- Helps protect hair fiber
- No mineral oil
Cons
- May have a strong smell
9. Best For pH Restoration: Doctorcos Cashmere Protein Shampoo
The all-in-one solution helps nourish the hair and cleanse the scalp without needing a conditioner. It contains high-quality keratin extracted from the soft undercoat of cashmere goats, which helps safeguard the hair cuticle and prevents external damage. The anti-breakage formula restores the pH level by cleansing the scalp, locking the moisture, reducing dryness, and rejuvenating the hair follicles. In addition, it naturally promotes hair growth, offering thick, shiny and bouncy hair.
Pros
- Lathers well
- Helps remove DHT
- Great scent
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- May not be suitable for excessively frizzy hair
10. Best Hypoallergenic: Amipure Like ANopoo Shampoo
Amipure shampoo is mild and made from EWG 1-rated ingredients. The tried-and-tested shampoo doesn’t contain any potentially harmful surfactants and is made of amino acids and polysaccharides. It penetrates the hair follicles to help remove excess dirt and sebum to maintain oil-water balance. People with sensitive scalp can use this shampoo without the fear of irritation and itchiness.
Pros
- Strong hydrating effect
- Sulfate-free shampoo
- Hypoallergenic
- pH balanced
Cons
- May not lather well
"This gentle, fragrance-free shampoo has been an excellent find for my sensitive, irritation-prone scalp. While the lather created was lower than expected, its natural ingredients helped reduce hair loss. Plus, the shampoo even keeps my hair dye from fading. Hence, it has become my everyday staple."
11. Best Vegan: Whamisa Organic Seeds Shampoo
The organic seeds shampoo by Wham is specially formulated with barley seeds, yuzu, and apple extracts to help maintain the scalp’s oil-water balance. This Korean hair shampoo is infused with a natural surfactant – palm kernel – which is known for its hair nourishing properties and helps moisturize and clean the scalp. Certain ingredients in this moisturizing shampoo have been put through a process of fermentation to boost their nutritional content.
Pros
- Vegan
- Sulfate-free shampoo
- Rich fragrance
- Designed to match the scalp’s natural acidity level
- Ideal for oily hair type
- Helps maintain a clean scalp
Cons
- Some may find it greasy
"The minty sensation offered by this shampoo gives a refreshing start to my day. It has also reduced scalp itchiness and made my hair look and feel soft and lustrous. While the pump mechanism is flimsy, the product's effectiveness has made me a loyal user."
How To Choose The Right Korean Shampoo?
Here are a few points to consider before buying a Korean shampoo.
- Ingredients: Most Korean shampoos use botanical extracts, herbal ingredients, or key ingredients, such as Ginseng, that help promote healthy hair growth. Precious Rutlin, a board-certified trichologist, says, “Ginseng is aherbal ingredient that contains various ginsenosides or bioactive components that promote hair growth, control hair loss, and maintain a regular hair cycle. It also protects hair strands from harmful UV rays and delays aging.” Ensure your Korean shampoo is tested and formulated free of harmful chemicals. Select a shampoo with ingredients that help treat your hair fall, oily scalp, dryness, etc.
- Scalp type:People with oily scalp or oily hair should choose a shampoo that can treat excess oil production and maintain the scalp’s pH level. Those with dry scalp should choose a shampoo that can reduce flakes, increase moisture, and treat scalp irritation.
- Hair type: Thick, medium, and thin hair need different treatments. Pick a Korean shampoo that addresses the needs of your hair. Also, if you have colored hair, select a shampoo that is hair dye-friendly.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do Koreans maintain their hair so well?
Koreans are very particular about skincare and hair care. To maintain their healthy hair, they use products formulated with ginseng, rice water, and many other beneficial ingredients. They also incorporate foods such as fermented rice, kimchi, and seaweed in their diet for healthy skin and hair.
2. What do Koreans use to wash their hair?
They wash their hair with paraben- and sulfate-free shampoos. They also use rice water. However, as it becomes a hassle to use rice water for washing, most people use hair products formulated with rice water, ginseng, and other beneficial ingredients to wash their hair.
3. Which other hair products do Koreans use?
Besides shampoos, Koreans also use scalp massagers and brushes, natural conditioners and hair masks, and toners and serums.
Why Trust MomJunction?
Poulami Nag is a product writer and reviewer specializing in haircare and skincare products. Her extensive knowledge and keen interest in the topic enable her to deliver well-researched articles. In this post, she has listed some of the best Korean shampoos for healthy and silky smooth hair, prioritizing your requirements. Each product includes detailed specifications about its formulation, type, and more. You will also find a buying guide to help you make the right choice.
The Bottom Line
Koreans are known for their clear glass skin and luscious hair. So, if you want to try the Korean hair care routine, our list of the best Korean shampoos for healthy, shiny tresses can help you. These products are infused with the goodness of Korean herbs and other nourishing ingredients to cleanse your scalp and leave your hair soft and lustrous. However, before selecting the right shampoo, ensure it contains natural, plant-based herbal ingredients, such as Ginseng, to promote hair growth. And although their use is not restricted to Asian hair types, you must choose a formula best suited to your unique scalp and hair type.
Infographics: Ingredients To Look For In Korean Shampoos
Korean shampoos are known for their hydrating and nourishing properties. They can make your hair healthy, soft, and shiny. These shampoos have some unique ingredients, found mainly in Korean beauty products, that boost hair health. Check out the infographic below to learn more.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
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