5 Best Korean Hair Shampoo Options (Top Reviews and Buyers Guide)

From K-Pop to K-Dramas, Koreans seem to be everywhere and that’s not a bad thing at all. They seem to be masters when it comes to skin and hair care so why not learn a thing or two from them?

The one thing you have probably noticed is how ‘perfect’ the hair of your idols is, in real life of course. So if you’ve ever wondered how you can get your favorite idol’s hair, we are here to share with you some of the best Korean hair shampoo options.

Since Korean beauty is widely acclaimed snagging yourself the best Korean shampoo for hair loss or a Korean hair growth shampoo, sounds pretty much like the smart thing to do. Is no wonder why their hair always looks healthy even though they go in for crazy colors or style their hair differently all the time.

And it’s because Koreans are known to have a special hair care regimen that includes using a gentle shampoo that works on your specific hair type and hair needs.

It is safe to say their approach to haircare is more intensive. Besides cleansing your hair and scalp without disturbing your scalp’s pH, your shampoo needs to be nourishing as well. Koreans also tend to focus more on massaging their scalp and hair during hair wash. This means that if you want hair that is shinier than glass and has a glossy finish on each and every strand, Korean hair shampoo is a must.

By now you are aware of the numerous benefits of Korean hair shampoo, these contain natural ingredients that promote hair and skin health. If you are new to Korean hair shampoo, keep reading as we share with you some of the best Korean hair shampoo options currently available on the market.

We’ll additionally tell you where you can find them, how you can add them to your hair-care routine, tips, and more.

Korean Hair Shampoo Reviewed In This Guide

How To Choose The Perfect Korean Hair Shampoo For You?

Whether you need a specific shampoo to address a specific hair issue or not, really depends on your hair type.
People with hair that tends to be oily are more likely to need a shampoo that interacts well with their hair type and texture.

With so many different shampoo options to choose from, it can be quite overwhelming to know which would work best. In order to find the best one for you, you must keep in mind other factors such as ingredients. Using any product with the wrong ingredients may worsen your scalp and hair condition.

It’s also worth knowing that natural formulas are significantly more gentle on colored hair, that said a good Korean hair shampoo should offer protection to shield your hair against UV rays, pollution, and other harmful chemicals in the environment.

Scalp health plays a significant role in the Korean hair care regimen too, so keep an eye open for formulas that offer to show love for your scalp as well.

Types Of Korean Hair Shampoo

Hair Growth Korean Hair Shampoo

The Korean hair growth shampoo gently clarifies dust build-up, increases hydration, and decreases split ends. Its key ingredient, golden morocco argan oil, helps revitalize dry hair. This shampoo is a blend of seven different oils that encourage hair growth, shine, hydration, relieve scalp irritation, etc.

Sensitive Scalp Korean Hair Shampoo

This shampoo is completely free of sulfates and is also hypoallergenic. So it’s the perfect choice for people with sensitive scalp conditions like scalp acne or psoriasis. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy on grease and dandruff.

Hair Loss Korean Hair Shampoo

The Korean hair loss prevention shampoo is formulated to help prevent hair loss and deliver thick hair. Look for a formula packed with biotin, vitamin B3, essential oils, panthenol, and other powerful ingredients, which help stimulate hair growth, and prevent hair loss and hair breakage.

Hair Damage Korean Hair Shampoo

This Korean hair shampoo is uniquely formulated with Ginseng and nine other Korean herbs that help keep your scalp hydrated. It helps you deal with hair loss and hair damage.

The key ingredient, Ginseng, helps prevent hair loss, promote hair growth, and reduce hair loss. The shampoo helps strengthen the hair, restore color to grey hair, lock in moisture, deep cleanse the scalp, and support the roots and strands.

Hair Strengthening Korean Hair Shampoo

Specially formulated with white leaf green tea, the Korean hair shampoo contains three times the amino acids than the regular variants. This green tea helps strengthen the hair and boost the re-growth of hair follicles.

The shampoo helps control the oily scalp and keeps the hair healthy.

Best Korean Hair Shampoo List

1. KUNDAL Sulfate Free Korean Hair Shampoo

This is the number one sulfate-free Korean shampoo and conditioner set with Argan Oil to moisturize and nourish damaged hair.

More than Argan oil, this Korean hair shampoo contains no harmful chemicals but all-natural ingredients for making Silky Smooth Hair. This shampoo is well-known as 97% Natural Derived Formula and includes Argan Oil and 45 more natural extracts to deliver essential nourishment.

The conditioner deeply nourishes dry damaged hair which is chemically treated with hydrolyzed protein & collagen featuring 35 natural extracts with 6 natural oils.

The pH-Balanced formula with Protein, and Panthenol to repair & rejuvenate & moisturize hair. Safe to use for every hair type. Suitable even for the most sensitive scalp & hair for healthy beautiful results back.

Sulfates can strip your hair of essential natural oils. You can skip harsh surfactants such as SLS or SLES and replace these with 46 natural extracts and 5 nourishing oils.

One of the benefits of using a sulfate-free shampoo is that your strands won’t lose their natural, healthy shine. Experience gentle cleansing and conditioning with a clean lather from Coconut Oil.

2. RYO Damage Care Korean Hair Shampoo

Every hair problem from hair loss, thinning and, loss of hair to rough and dry hair stems from the scalp. Ryo will restore the unhealthy scalp to a perfectly balanced condition.

This Korean hair shampoo contains camellia oil to help mend split ends and protect from future damage, camellia is a great ingredient in shampoos for smelly hair as well. It is an excellent emollient to keep your hair hydrated and supple.
Pomegranate extract has been found to strengthen hair follicles by stimulating circulation and improving blood flow to the scalp. Its oil was found to smoothen frizzy hair by conditioning it.

Schisandra is a plant that works as an adaptogen and has been used as a medicine. It is known for its effect on promoting hair growth. If you have experienced damaged hair this product may be the answer. It is specially made for severely damaged hair and to deeply condition it.

3. LG Reen Yungo Hair Cleansing Treatment Korean Hair Shampoo

The LG Reen Yungo shampoo will help cleanse your scalp, leaving it fresh and nourished on the first wash itself.

If you have really dull, dry tresses, this product leaves them silky, and smooth in just one shampoo session. And the best part is your hair’s hydrated without the greasy feeling.

The product contains red ginseng, and wild ginger, and has natural saponins to cleanse your hair instead of the usual, harsh surfactants.

This Korean herbal hair wash and treatment contains essences of traditional Korean herbs extracted through an ancient method of steaming.

It is formulated with red ginseng saponin that creates a delicate rich foam that helps thoroughly clear dandruff on the scalp and prevents hair loss contains sophora, Asarum, and Morus alba to deeply hydrate and strengthen hair roots leaving hair soft, smooth, shiny, strong, and healthy-looking.

4. Daeng Gi Meo Ri Ki Gold Premium Korean Hair Shampoo

The Korean hair shampoo contains moisturizing herbal ingredients and natural hydration extracts that are delivered to the scalp and hair that’s dry and rough.

Mild usage with a soft herbal scent. This Korean hair shampoo can be used by men and women without burden! Herbal Shampoo helps to moisturize the hair while caring for the scalp.

Infused with Precious Red Ginseng and Korea Ginseng to help make a scalp full of nutrition. Contains Domestic Oriental Herb extracts decocted through the traditional method.

Unlike any other simple chemical mixtures, DAENG GI MEO RI contains 30 medicinal herbs and first-grade purified water that have been decocted for 72 hours, including Siberian chrysanthemum grown on the farm, for a long time in a traditional way at the plant located in Geumsan, Korea.

How To Use Daeng Gi Meo Ri Ki Gold Premium Korean Hair Shampoo

1. Rinse hair thoroughly, and then apply the shampoo to your palms and rub them together.
2. Apply to your scalp, massaging for one to three minutes.
3. Rinse hair thoroughly
4. Apply Hair Conditioner if necessary.

5. LA’DOR Hydro LPP Treatment Korean Hair Shampoo

The Keratin LPP Shampoo is the first recommended step in La’dor’s Hair Care Routine, containing a blend of quality ingredients like silk and wheat protein while excluding the bad stuff, making sure that all hair types (including dry, damaged, and chemically treated hair) are gently but thoroughly cleaned and taken care of.

This Korean hair shampoo, with its sub-acidic formula of pH 5.5, works on damaged and dry hair (including hair with irritated cuticles) due to dyeing and perms.

It brings the hair and scalp to a more natural sub-acidic level and helps balance the nutrients and moisture in a healthier environment.

A complex of 10 kinds of vegetable-derived oils, keratin, and silk is designed to help nourish and restore your hair back to its former glory. You won’t find harmful ingredients like silicon oil, parabens, tar colors, and the like with this shampoo.

Starting off with deeply cleansed hair and scalp sets the base for better absorption of nutrients from the next steps in your hair care routine.

Korean Hair Shampoo Buying Guide

What Is A Korean Hair Shampoo?

You’ll discover that Korean’s hair regime includes the most natural shampoo formulas. Korean hair shampoo will contain natural ingredients that promote hair and skin health. Most Korean hair shampoo options are free of harsh ingredients.

Korean hair shampoo is also packed with naturally nourishing ingredients which are highly essential as opposed to chemical-based shampoos. They also avoid using 2-in-1 shampoo + conditioner products which don’t do anything good for your mane.

How Does A Korean Hair Shampoo Work?

Korean hair shampoo products are supposed to contain traditional Korean herbs and plants. These are designed specifically to trap impurities and wash them away in a gentle way. It is an excellent addition to your hair care routine if you have problems with oily hair, or simply are looking to improve your mane’s overall health.

The best Korean hair shampoo will remove all the residues from your hair. It uses fewer suds and more water-soluble ingredients that trap dirt and flush them away. By lifting the dulling deposits, a Korean hair shampoo reinvigorates your scalp and allows your hair to flourish.

Features To Look For In A Korean Hair Shampoo

Sulfate-Free

Even the most effective Korean hair shampoo formula will not be useful if they contain harsh surfactants like SLS or SLES. Also, these surfactants can strip hair coloring. So avoid sulfate-based shampoos if you have color-treated hair.

Moisturizing Agent

The best Korean hair shampoo will also ideally have a moisturizing agent added in, like argan oil or oat milk, so that your hair doesn’t get overly dry. These products use kaolin clay and rice and cocoa powders to fight excess grease and add volume to the hair. Most Korean hair shampoos use a blend of essential oils to create a nice, refreshing scent.

Key Ingredients

Make sure you get a Korean hair shampoo with the right herbal ingredients. Some common ones are red ginseng which adds strength and thickness to hair, camellia oil that helps smoothen tresses, and Centella Asiatica which helps soothe itchy, irritated scalps.
If you have dandruff or flakes, you can look for salicylic acid or ketoconazole. While a Korean hair shampoo with keratin or amino acids is good for damaged hair.

Scalp Type

Those with oily scalps need to pick a Korean hair shampoo that can treat excess oil production and maintain the scalp’s pH level. Those with dry scalps should choose a shampoo that can reduce flakes, increase moisture, and treat scalp irritation.

Hair Type

Korean shampoos help treat your scalp and hair to promote hair growth and scalp health. Thick, medium, and thin hair needs different treatments. Pick a Korean shampoo that addresses the needs of your hair.

Suitability for Hair Type

Now every shampoo is tailored to a different hair issue and type. You should check if it’s actually worth using a specific product for a specific texture. If you have dry, frizzy hair then a Korean hair shampoo rich in natural oils and with a mild formula is your best choice.

Effectiveness/Cleansing Ability

It is always a good idea to check each shampoo’s effectiveness by reading and properly understanding its label. You can also read reviews from users to see how effective a product is. This factor depends on your hair type and may vary from person to person. If you have an oily scalp type get a shampoo that cleanses hair thoroughly.

Common Questions About Korean Hair Shampoo

Why switch to Korean hair shampoo?

• Less Damaging Chemicals. Korean shampoo products are far less dependent on these chemicals, and some products don’t use them at all. Unlike the heavy formulas found in American products, Korean shampoos have an emphasis on lightness, leaving only enough oily essence to protect the hair.
• The best Korean hair shampoo also often uses distilled water to avoid unwanted minerals dirtying the hair.
• Essential Essences. Korean shampoos are different. In Korea, the knowledge and appreciation of herbal remedies go back to ancient times.
• Korean manufacturers have perfected the art of integrating time-tested ingredients into their formulations in effective ways.
• No Synthetic Fragrances. Korean shampoos don’t hit you with heavyweight synthetic fragrances either.
• Oftentimes, Korean shampoos can smell a little odd or even like nothing at all, but that’s because you are only using the essential essences of the herb and not lathering your hair with an augmented synthetic peach scent.
• Scalp First, Hair Later. Korean shampoos also focus more on the scalp rather than the hair itself.
• Many Korean Shampoos use biota and ginseng to target the scalp naturally, but the scalp is something that isn’t looked after that well by Western formulations.

Do Koreans use oil for hair?

Most Korean women use a deep cleansing oil before shampoo, and even when they do wash their mane with shampoo, they lather up by gently massaging the scalp for a minute or two. Their shampoos are also packed with naturally nourishing ingredients which are highly essential as opposed to chemical-based shampoos.

Why do all Korean have straight hair?

Usually, straight hair is either because of hair treatments, or genetics (and considering that Koreans are Asian, it’s probably genetics). Clear skin is usually due to their diet and skin regime (aka cleansing, exfoliating to get rid of oils and dead skin and eating lots of veggies, and drinking a lot of water).

How often do Koreans wash their hair?

Most Koreans wash their hair 2 to 3 times a week. This all depends on many different factors like hair type and your personal preference. If you have an oily scalp, it’s recommended to wash it more often than having a dry scalp. That’s common sense, but other people say that people with oily scalps should wash their hair less often.

How do Koreans get their hair soft?

• Scalp Scaler. Koreans use a scalp scaler to remove dead skin, oil, and accumulated pollutants from their scalp. The scalp scaler is nothing but a shampoo that is meant for cleansing your scalp. It is typically made up of salicylate and does not lather when you apply it to your scalp.
• Scalp Massage. Koreans use specially designed scalp massagers or scalp brushes regularly to improve blood circulation to the scalp tissues, which in turn aids in hair growth stimulation.
• Conditioner. Similar to any other hair care routine, Koreans also use conditioners after shampooing their hair. However, it is recommended to dry your hair a bit before applying the conditioner to your hair shaft.
• Hair Mask. Hair masks play a significant role in the Korean hair care routine. This is to impart deep nourishment and conditioning to the hair. They use oils such as argan oil, coconut oil, or castor oil among other emollient ingredients in their hair masks.
• Vinegar Rinse. Rinsing your hair with vinegar is a default step in the Korean hair care routine. This helps to maintain the balance of your scalp’s pH.
• Scalp Scrub. Koreans rejuvenate their scalp tissue with regular scalp scrubbing. It helps to exfoliate your scalp tissue deeply and eliminate any dirt and grime accumulated in your follicles.
• Scalp And Hair Toners. A scalp toner aids in soothing inflammation, eliminating dandruff and infections with its anti-microbial properties, and hydrating your scalp tissue.
• Scalp And Hair Serums. A scalp serum helps to nourish your follicles deeply and stimulate hair growth. A hair serum, whereas, works as a protective layer on your hair shaft against pollutants, heat, and radiation.
• Overnight Treatment. Koreans use special hair products or sleeping hair packs occasionally which help to nourish hair deeply when applied overnight. These packs help to repair your damaged hair caused by various factors such as heat, chlorine, harsh chemicals, etc.

What do K-pop idols use for their hair?

Uee commented that Moroccan oil is a miracle hair solution for her as it keeps her hair looking bouncy and healthy despite her hard-pressed daily schedule. The Marriage Contract actress and K-pop singer recommend applying Moroccan oil to the ends of your hair every day to ensure that it stays shiny and velvety.

Enjoy Your New Korean Hair Shampoo

There you have it, the best Korean hair shampoo options which will help you achieve healthy, silky, and beautiful hair. Keep in mind that Korean hair shampoo will contain natural ingredients that promote hair and skin health.

Most Korean hair shampoo options are free of harsh ingredients. We hope you found this information useful, we believe you are now equipped to make an informed decision on your Korean hair shampoo journey.

If you have any questions, please feel free to message us. We’ll be glad to hear from you.