The 15 Best Korean Shampoos for Hair Growth

• Unscented
• Users say it causes baby hairs to grow

• May require a bit of effort to lather

We all know healthy hair starts at the root. To that end, Labo-H’s line is dedicated entirely to scalp care. This shampoo blends plant-derived probiotics to help balance the scalp microbiome, along with caffeine to energize hair follicles. According to the brand, it’s also free of common irritants like parabens, alcohol, mineral oil, and silicone.

Key ingredients: Green tea extract, biotin, ceramides

Size: 13.5 oz.

Customer review: “When you lather it in your hair and leave it on for a few minutes, it actually cools down your head and gives a pleasant tingling sensation. It’s been a month since I started using it, and recently I’ve been noticing some baby hairs growing on the top of my head, which is unusual for me. My hair fall out has reduced significantly.”

• Helps strengthen the scalp barrier
• Exfoliating

• Some have difficulties with the pump

Both Dr. Lamm and Dr. Liu name Folligen Shampoo as their top pick for promoting hair growth. “Lightweight and clinically targeted, it focuses on scalp strengthening and is a go-to for those concerned with thinning or weak hair,” explains Dr. Lamm. The formula combines salicylic acid to gently exfoliate, zinc to balance oil production, and ceramides and panthenol to nourish and fortify the scalp barrier.

Key ingredients: Ceramide, panthenol, salicylic acid, zinc

Size: 16.91 oz.

Customer review: “As a mom of two, my hair loss journey has been so bad! Name it, and I’ve tried it! This shampoo has been helping me so much. I notice less fallout, even my husband has noticed.”

• Strengthens + prevents breakage
• Soothing

• Small bottle

If frequent chemical treatments or hot styling have left your hair dry and brittle, Dr. Lamm and Dr. Liu recommend this strengthening shampoo from Cosrx (FYI, the same brand behind that viral snail mucin). It’s essentially like a gentle spa for your scalp. According to Dr. Lamm, the formula is well known in the industry for its patented bond-repair technology, which not only helps reverse damage but also prevents future breakage.

Key ingredients: Amino acids, biotin, panthenol, niacinamide, tocopherol

Size: 6.76 oz.

Customer review: “My hair usually looks very flat and lacking volume, as well as greasy and just generally dull and lifeless. After just my first wash, my hair was completely different. It was shiny and soft and so smooth. I haven’t had my hair feel or look this good since I was in high school and honestly didn’t think it ever would again.”

• Targets dry dandruff
• Calms inflammation

• On the more expensive end

Dry, flaky scalps are no match for this Sachajuan shampoo, which uses antifungal powerhouses piroctone olamine and climbazole to target flakes and relieve itchiness. Rosemary oil and ginger extract help boost circulation and encourage growth, while menthol adds an invigorating cooling sensation.

Size: 8.4 oz.

Key ingredients: Rosemary oil, menthol and ginger extracts, and piroctone olamine

Customer review: “The SachaJuan Scalp Shampoo has been a game-changer for my dandruff issues. It effectively cleans my scalp, leaving my hair feeling clean without causing any excess oil production.”

• Helps repair damage
• Fresh, natural fragrance

• Some may prefer a milder scent

Few things feel better than washing all the gunk, grime, and pollution trapped in your hair after a long day. This formula uses a special ceramide complex to help repair breakage and strengthen strands—so you can steer clear of future bad hair days. The star ingredient, fragrant damask rose water, also helps hydrate, soothe, and balance the scalp’s pH.

Key ingredients: Damask rose, ceramide complex, rosa canina fruit oil

Size: 15.22 oz.

Customer review: “This shampoo feels like it’s cleaning well but doesn’t strip the hair. My scalp feels refreshed after shampooing! The scent is a more powdery rose and smells like Moroccan oil.”

• Provides lightweight hydration
• Helps smooths frizz

• Won’t lather as intensely

This serum-based formula from Mise En Scène aims to cleanse, nourish, and boost shine. Infused with smoothing yet lightweight Moroccan argan oil and jojoba seed oil, it’s an especially great pick for curly, frizz-prone textures. The bright, citrusy scent is an added perk.

Key ingredients: Argan oil, coconut oil, camellia seed oil, olive oil, jojoba seed oil, apricot oil, birrea seed oil

Size: 22.99 oz.

Customer review: “For context, I have fine, thinning hair. With most brands, if I sweat even the tiniest bit, my hair will get greasy very fast, and I’ll shy away from using conditioner as it exacerbates the grease problem. With this brand, however, I haven’t had a single problem. I can actually shampoo every other day and my hair still looks and feels great on the off day without dry shampoo.”

• Clinically proven to boost hydration levels
• Lathers well

• On the more expensive end

Dr. Liu also suggests this Dr. Groot formula for anyone hoping to achieve long, luscious hair. “Ingredients like niacinamide and salicylic acid support scalp health for healthy hair growth,” she notes. In clinical studies conducted by the brand, users reported a 23 percent increase in scalp hydration after just one week.

Key ingredients: Niacinamide, salicylic acid, biotin, cica extracts

Size: 13 oz.

Customer review: “I have noticed a remarkable change in my scalp health and am not shedding as much, if at all. I absolutely love this product and recommend it to all of my friends and will continue using it. It leaves my hair so shiny and soft. It’s incredible.”

• Helps balance excess sebum
• Boosts circulation

• Some may not like the scent

As someone with oily hair, I’m always on the hunt for shampoos that can help keep my sebum in check. While I still can’t go more than 36 hours without washing, this formula is slowly helping retrain my scalp to find equilibrium. Its key ingredient, ginseng extract, “promotes scalp circulation and helps support hair follicle health,” says Dr. Liu.

Key ingredients: Ginseng extract, panax ginseng, glycerin

Size: 16 oz.

Customer review: “It’s been so difficult finding a shampoo that just works. My scalp doesn’t get greasy or itchy for days after using this, like it does with most other shampoos, and it degreases effectively without drying my hair out.”

• Clincally proven to reduce hair shedding
• Silicone-free

• Pricey

If it feels like your hair is shedding by the handful, try this soybean- and pumpkin-extract-infused formula. It’s designed to calm irritation, boost circulation, and strengthen strands—and with consistent daily use, is clinically proven to reduce shedding by up to 87 percent in just four weeks. As a bonus, many shoppers say it helps smooth flyaways, too.

Key ingredients: Soybeans, pumpkin extracts, shikakai

Size: 16.9 oz.

Customer review: “This shampoo is probably one of the better ones I’ve used. It really does create a nice lather with only a very small amount. After my hair dried, it actually felt softer.”

• Gentle formula
• Fights dandruff

• May not be ideal for sensitive skin

This Aromatica shampoo works on three fronts to keep hair looking and feeling its healthiest: rosemary oil and caffeine to awaken dormant follicles, amino acids to fortify strands, and panthenol plus probiotics to keep the scalp balanced. One reviewer with PCOS even noted that it helped regulate her overactive oil glands and let her go longer between washes.

Key ingredients: Rosemary, biotin, probiotics, amino acids, caffeine

Size: 13.53 oz.

Customer review: “Definitely love this shampoo. It helps with my PCOS-related overproduction of oil on my scalp. It controls the excess oil without stripping my hair, keeps the itching away, and leaves my hair with a healthy shine.”

• Protein-rich
• Maintains scalp’s natural moisture

• Some may prefer an unscented option

If you’re after that silky-soft feel straight out of the shower, this Unove shampoo is a must-have. Enriched with 30 proteins and amino acids, plus five smoothing plant oils, it helps revive dry, dull strands while cleansing effectively and adding volume. Expect smoother, bouncier hair after just one wash.

Key ingredients: Glycol, chamomilla extract, amino acids, proteins

Size: 16.91 oz.

Customer review: “My hair is instantly soft, like within seconds. And it’s so healthy. The price is a little high compared to some shampoos, but it’s worth it!”

• Hydrating
• Soothing

• Contains sulfates

“Korean shampoos are often formulated with botanical and herbal extracts rooted in hanbang (Korean/Chinese traditional medicine), leveraging ingredients like ginseng, mugwort, fermented botanicals, and rice water to nourish the scalp and hair in a preventive way,” says Dr. Liu. This shampoo features 11 plant extracts and Korean ginseng to deeply moisturize and cleanse without stripping.

Key ingredients: Green tea, changpo, Korean ginseng

Size: 26.3 oz.

Customer review: “I’ve tried so many expensive shampoos. This cleans my hair and scalp so well! There is not a strong smell, but a ginseng smell, which some people may not enjoy, although I get many compliments on the scent. It also creates a lovely tingling sensation on the scalp.”

• Helps soothe inflammation
• Lightweight, low-viscosity formula

• Small bottle

Dr. Liu also recommends this Some By Mi shampoo for its blend of peptides and cica, which “help support the scalp and encourage healthy growth.” Cica also soothes inflammation, while a combination of BHA and PHA gently exfoliates.

Key ingredients: Peptides, cica, glycol

Size: 9.63 oz.

Customer review: “Absolutely love this shampoo, especially when used with the scalp tonic from the same line. Refreshing on the scalp, and I can actually tell that my hair is thicker. Compared to other shampoo products, I also feel like this one doesn’t tangle your hair up as much (speaking as someone who has very long hair).”

• Removes excess oil while hydrating
• Helps fortify strands

• Has a thick texture

Using a mix of pyrithione zinc and tea tree oil, this targeted dandruff shampoo sweeps away dead skin cells, buildup, and excess oil (the name really says it all). It also contains hydrolyzed collagen, which has been studied to deeply penetrate the hair shaft and improve moisture and elasticity.

Key ingredients: Hydrolyzed collagen, tea tree oil, rosemary oil

Size: 16.9 oz.

Customer review: “I’ve been struggling with dandruff for years. I have tried everything, and nothing has fully worked. Bought this without any big hopes, but it’s helped me so much! The way it took my dandruff after the first wash is crazy to me. I don’t have *any* dandruff now, and it leaves my hair shiny and hydrated. It’s an unmatched find for me!”

• Contains 44 natural extracts to nourish
• Gentle

• Strong scent

Designed for medium- to high-porosity hair types (think dry, frizzy, or coily textures), Kundal’s shampoo combines honey, macadamia, and more than three dozen other plant extracts to deliver that squeaky-clean feeling while boosting moisture and shine. A plant-based surfactant ensures it lathers richly without leaving the scalp feeling tight.

Key ingredients: Honey, macadamia, coconut surfactants, plant-based oils

Size: 16.9 oz.

Customer review: “Honestly the best shampoo I have ever used. It smells fantastic, and my hair is so soft and not frizzy. I love that it is a clear, thin liquid, unlike the thick, greasy name-brand options that weigh your hair down and make it feel dirty before you even get out of the shower.”

According to Dr. Lamm, “Korean shampoos are not limited to Asian hair types. Their core strengths—gentle cleansing, scalp soothing, and barrier support—can benefit a wide range of textures. There are lightweight, balancing options for oily or fine hair, and richer, peptide-based or serum-infused formulas for thicker, damaged, or curlier hair. That said, because many are formulated with East Asian hair in mind (generally straight to wavy, medium strands), very coarse or tightly curled hair may feel a void.”

Dr. Liu says to look for options with ginseng, which “promotes scalp circulation,” and fermented botanicals or rice water, “which are rich in amino acids.” She also recommends “mugwort for its anti-inflammatory and soothing properties, camellia oil and light botanicals for nourishment without heaviness, and amino acids that serve as gentle cleansers in place of sulfates.”

Many of the products in this roundup come backed by our two experts, who also shared insights on key ingredients to look for when shopping—guidance that informed our selection process. We additionally considered Korean hair care trends to identify the most popular shampoos with the highest number of positive reviews online.

As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, beauty writer Bianca Kratky asked two dermatologists about the best Korean shampoos and what to look for when shopping. She also included some of her personal recommendations.