Let’s confess it, we are obsessed with everything that starts with the letter “K”. From K-pop to K-beauty, and K-dramas, they have taken the world by storm. Now, it’s time that you get introduced to the best Korean shampoos and achieve your dream hair goals. They often emphasize natural and herbal formulations, avoiding harsh chemicals and synthetic fragrances. This appeals to those seeking gentler, more eco-friendly hair care options. 

With a focus on nourishment and hydration, Korean shampoos deliver essential nutrients to the hair and scalp, restoring moisture and improving hair elasticity. They often incorporate botanical extracts, such as ginseng, green tea, and camellia oil, known for their beneficial properties. Sharing information about the benefits of ginseng, green tea, and camellia oil in shampoos, our contributor and a renowned cosmetologist, Ghanima Abdullah, says, “Ginseng, green tea, and camellia oil are all antioxidants. If they are in your shampoo, they can help stop your color from fading in the sunlight and help stop hair and scalp aging that are related to sunlight.”

Furthermore, most Korean shampoos cater to specific hair concerns, including damaged hair, frizz control, color protection, and volume enhancement. They incorporate specialized ingredients to address these issues, promoting the overall condition of the hair. Now that you’ve decided to transform your hair, take a look at the below list of the best Korean shampoo brands and select your favorite.

Scroll down to know more!

• 1
  Best Overall

  KUNDAL Pure Natural Balancing Refreshing Shampoo

  Buy on Amazon

Unlock the secret to frizz-free hair with Kundal’s pure natural balancing refreshing shampoo, which is formulated with honey, macadamia, 5 plant-based oils, and other 44 plant-based extracts. It is highly effective in moisturizing the scalp and hydrating the hair for a soft finish. Plus, it is infused with vitamins C, E, and A to provide hair strength. Just as the product name suggests, it has a pH-balancing formula that matches the perfect oil-water formula for a healthy scalp environment. In addition to that, it is free of all seven types of parabens and mineral oil. It provides 24-hour moisturization and a shine that lasts long. Lastly, it is suitable for all skin types as the gentle formulation doesn’t irritate the scalp.

2

Best Shampoo for Gray Hair

MODA MODA Pro-Change Black Shampoo

Buy on Amazon

Say goodbye to dull and lifeless hair with Moda Moda Pro-Change Black Shampoo. This Korean shampoo for gray hair is enriched with black cumin, black sesame, black cherries, blackberries, and black truffles to only offer the best to your hair. What’s more, is that it is made with no artificial colors or fragrances, and it restores your hair's natural beauty within a few uses. The shampoo also fortifies your hair follicles, stimulates hair growth, hydrates the scalp, and replenishes your locks for a dazzling shine. Adding to that, this product has been raved by its shoppers as the “Best Shampoo Ever” and “Little goes a long way”.

3

Best for Hair Growth

Dr.FORHAIR Folligen Original Shampoo

Buy on Amazon

Get healthier, stronger, and thicker locks with Dr.Forhair’s Korean shampoo for fine hair. It has been clinically proven to help reduce hair loss symptoms and strengthen the scalp with the help of its ingredients. It contains Folligen Complex, biotin, ceramide, and salicylic acid. All these key elements are known to help in improving scalp elasticity and removing impurities from the hair. It also relieves itching and flaking while increasing your natural hair volume. When we tried this product, we found out that unlike other shampoos that have a more off-putting, medicinal scent, the Folligen Shampoo has a fragrant floral aroma derived from the moringa flower.

4

Best Hair Softening Shampoo

Kerasys Repairing Shampoo

Buy on Amazon

Kerasys’ Korean hair loss shampoo turns your damaged hair into healthy locks with its damage clinic technology. It’s your one-stop solution for split ends and frizzy hair. Talking about its key ingredients – it is enriched with the goodness of argan oil and jojoba oil and has been thoughtfully formulated to repair and restore damaged hair. On top of that, it restores vitality and shine to damaged hair. Apart from these qualities, this shampoo also offers gentle cleansing and removes impurities like dirt and even product buildup without stripping the hair of its natural oils. Plus, it maintains a balanced scalp environment, promoting a healthy foundation for hair growth.

5

Best for Nourishing the Scalp

DAENG GI MEO RI Gold Premium Shampoo

Buy on Amazon

Daeng Gi Meo Ri contains 30 natural herbal ingredients and extracts to effectively nourish your scalp and hair. It is one of the best Korean shampoos for hair growth as it manages hair fall and is suitable for all types of hair. To note, it is infused with Korean ginseng, pure herbal extracts like green tea, licorice, and herbal calamus water that promises to provide the scalp with nutrition. It also contains ceramide which is known to prevent the loss of moisture and treat frizzy and dry hair. Furthermore, the addition of menthol in cleansing the scalp and hair effectively and eliminating dandruff and itching. When we tested this product, we found out that it doesn’t have any artificial fragrances or colors and leaves your hair softer than ever.

6

Best Revitalizing Ingredients

amos PROFESSIONAL THE GREEN TEA SHAMPOO

Buy on Amazon

Boost your confidence by transforming your hair with Amos' professional green tea shampoo. It has anti-hair loss properties and is great for oily scalps as it controls sebum production. It effectively nourishes the hair from root to tip. In addition to this, it features amino acid which encourages hair growth and helps in preventing hair loss or hair thinning. The best part about this shampoo is that it is formulated with total scalp care core technology and Jeju white leaf green tea extract that is known to improve the scalp environment. To note, it is free of all harmful toxins, parabens, and mineral oil.

7

Best in Hair Fall Control Shampoo

RGIII HAIR LOSS CLINIC SHAMPOO

Buy on Amazon

Strengthen your hair from root to tip with RGIII hair loss clinic shampoo. Reviewed by its customers as “Works like magic”, this product is hands down one of the best Korean hair shampoos as it has the most clinically advanced hair restoration ingredients to reduce thinning and hair loss while stimulating regrowth. The unique quality of this product is that it focuses on the ends of your hair, and it aims to nourish your scalp with hydration and nutrition. The ingredients include red ginseng, biotin, amino acid, niacinamide, and caffeine. These promise to help in soothing your irritated scalp, nourishing weak hair, and improving its bounce.

8

Best for Moisture Retention

RYO Damage Care & Nourishing Shampoo

Buy on Amazon

Made with 13 plant-based extracts like pomegranate, green tea, ginger, rhubarb, peony, and ginseng among others, this nourishing shampoo strengthens the hair follicles by stimulating circulation and improving blood flow to the scalp. On top of that, it features a unique blend of camellia oils and natural extracts that are supposed to seal up split ends and prevent hair breakage. Plus, it is an excellent emollient to keep your hair hydrated and supple while enhancing softness.  Based on our observation, it is free of all harmful chemicals like mineral oil, animal oil, and triethanolamine and leaves your hair looking glossy.

9

Best for Oily Hair

CP-1 NOURISHING SHAMPOO

Buy on Amazon

Make your beautiful hair look like it’s been freshly keratin treated with CP-1’s Korean shampoo for oily hair. It contains a bright complex formula that includes protein, keratin, ceramide, natural oil, and hydrolyzed silk which gently and effectively cares for damaged hair. The proteins in the shampoo work to strengthen the hair strands, reducing breakage and enhancing resilience. They also help to improve hair texture, leaving it smoother and softer to the touch. To note, it is suitable for all hair types including chemically treated hair. In addition to its nourishing benefits, this shampoo offers a gentle cleansing action, effectively removing dirt, oil, and product buildup without stripping away natural oils.

10

Best for Thinning Hair

Premium TS Shampoo

Buy on Amazon

Premium TS Korean anti-hair loss shampoo is made with 30 key active ingredients which include biotin, copper peptide, and zinc among others to eliminate the sources of thinning hair for thicker-looking hair. Moreover, it helps in promoting positive hair health and prevents further thinning or shedding. Adding to its list of amazing benefits, it also includes 22 kinds of botanical-derived extracts such as chameleon plant, aloe vera, grapefruit, beefsteak plant, green tea, and ginseng that are known to promote a healthy scalp environment. It’s perfect for those who want to add shine and are worried about their hair thinning.

11

Daeng Gi Meo Ri Tea Tree Cool Shampoo

Buy on Amazon

Daeng Gi Meo Ri Korean shampoo is great for those looking to condition, cleanse, and nourish their flaky scalp. It features healthy ingredients for healthy hair like tea tree oil, peppermint oil, aloe vera, and rosemary. These four elements effectively help in battling oily hair problems without causing dryness. Plus, the infusion of keratin, jojoba oil, and grapefruit offer moisturization and refreshing properties while promoting hair growth. Moreover, the formulation is mild and gentle. Hence, it can be safely used by people with sensitive skin.

These are the best Korean shampoos available online. They work together to provide a comprehensive hair care routine, repairing and revitalizing damaged hair. But before you invest in one, you need to go through our buying guide and consider a few factors closely.

Choosing the best Korean shampoo for your hair requires considering several factors. Here's a comprehensive guide to help you make an informed decision:

• Hair Type: Understanding your hair type will help you choose a shampoo specifically formulated to address its unique needs. Our contributor, Ghanima Abdullah shares here the best way to identify one’s hair  type, saying, “If you wash your scalp more than once a week to feel clean, you have an oily scalp. When you can go without washing your scalp for a week, and have clean but rough hair, you have a dry scalp. If neither is the case, you probably have normal hair.” So, assess whether your hair is oily, dry, normal, damaged, or chemically treated.
• Hair Concern: Determine any specific issues you want to target, such as dandruff, hair loss, frizz, or lack of volume. Korean shampoos often specialize in addressing particular concerns, so look for products that cater to your specific needs.
• Read Product Descriptions: Thoroughly read the descriptions and labels of Korean shampoos. Look for key ingredients that are known to benefit your hair type and address your concerns. For example, if you have dry hair, look for moisturizing ingredients like oils or hyaluronic acid.
• Look for Trusted Brands: Research the reputation of the Korean shampoo brands you are interested in. Look for established brands with a track record of producing high-quality hair care products. For example, brands Amos Professional, Dr.FORHAIR, and Daeng Gi Meo Ri are well-regarded in the Korean beauty industry.
• Scent Preferences: Some Korean shampoos have unique scents, whereas some have unpleasant smells. And if the fragrance is something you just cannot compromise on, then read reviews or visit stores to sample different options and find a scent you enjoy. 

The above-listed shampoos have gained a reputation for their innovative formulations, organic ingredients, and their focus on addressing specific hair concerns. The best Korean shampoos offer a wide range of options for different hair types, including oily, dry, damaged, and chemically treated hair. They often incorporate beneficial ingredients like herbal extracts, proteins, vitamins, and minerals known for their hair care benefits. So, if you want to address your hair needs, then give one of them a try and see the desired results with consistent usage.

Contributor: Ghanima Abdullah, Cosmetologist, The Right Hairstyles