I Just Got Back From Seoul, and These Are the 5 Korean Shampoos Everyone’s Using for Thicker, Healthier Hair
A trip to Seoul introduced me to a whole new world of K-beauty.
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You've heard of K-beauty, but it mostly consists of Korean skincare and makeup. They've introduced us to glass skin, double cleansing, and the phenomenon of the sheet mask. But what about hair? Korean haircare, namely Korean shampoo, is finally plotting its stateside takeover, with formulas that promise to nourish, strengthen, and thicken fine and thinning hair strands. What makes it different, you ask? There's an emphasis on gentle solutions, including cleansers that help break down root buildup and grease while soothing your scalp.
Expect all the mainstay staple ingredients trending in Korean skincare—cica, ginseng, green tea, and niacinamide, for example–all of which are fantastic for calming inflamed skin and creating a healthy environment to encourage hair growth. Looking to switch and test one yourself? I've rounded up the five best formulas I saw flying off shelves on a recent trip to Seoul. Regardless of your hair concerns, there's a formula for you, whether it's moisture, scalp irritation, or lack of volume. Take a peek at a few favorites:
Our top picks for the best Korean shampoo in 2025:
Best Korean Clarifying Shampoo
Dr. Groot Scalp Revitalizing Solution Hair Thickening Shampoo
Read more
Now, scroll on for the full list, including the key ingredients and a breakdown of each pick. Plus, I'll run down how to choose the right Korean shampoo for your needs.
Best Deal
Pros
- Loaded with hydrating ingredients for both scalp and hair
- The floral scent is so lovely
Cons
- Not sulfate free, so it could be a bit drying for some hair types
Packed with 30 proteins and amino acids, as well as a mix of hydrating and sealing oils, this nutrient-rich shampoo is fantastic for anyone who wants to hydrate their scalp and hair. These proteins and amino acids help strengthen your hair strands so they withstand damage much more easily, helping to avoid breakage over time.
One Cosmo editor says: "Crowds gathered around the Unove section at every single beauty shop I went to in Seoul, and I saw so many people stick this in their bag that I had to test it too. The soft scent makes my shower feel so relaxing—almost like I'm back at the head spa I went to on my trip—but what's really great is how soft this leaves my hair."—BETH GILLETTE, BEAUTY EDITOR
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Chamomille extract, amino acids, proteins |
| Hair type | Dry, damaged, fine, thin, coarse |
| Scent | Floral |
| Size | 16.9 oz |
Pros
- Provides a rich lather without using sulfates
- Not too heavy for fine hair, but still moisturizes
Cons
- Might not be cleansing enough for very-oily hair types
Elizavecca's iconic protein-packed deep conditioner is a must-have in my shower. And this shampoo is equally as smoothing and hydrating. The sulfate-free formula uses a mix of ceramides, collagen, beta-glucan, and proteins to seriously moisturize your hair without weighing it down.
One shopper says: "This is incredible. My hair is so soft. I have dyed blonde hair and it is so nice now. Buy this! I bought the whole hair line."
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Collagen, proteins, beta-glucan, ceramides |
| Hair type | All |
| Scent | Light and fresh |
| Size | 16.9 oz |
Pros
- Uses salicylic acid (not harsh sulfates) to help remove product buildup
- Calms down irritation with cica and niacinamide
- Great for a weekly reset wash
Cons
- Likely too stripping for regular use on very-dry hair types
Although this isn't technically considered a clarifying shampoo, it does such a great job of deep-cleaning your scalp that you could totally use it as one. Salicylic acid gently exfoliates away dead skin, grime, and oils from your scalp, all the while niacinamide and cica help soothe irritation. There's also a handful of hydrators (PCA and hyaluronic acid) and amino acids to really nourish your scalp—a key for healthy hair growth.
One Cosmo editor says: "This is, hands down, my favorite shampoo I've tested in 2025. It really is making my hair grow faster and thicker—I'm suddenly asking my stylist for bang trims and root touch-ups way sooner than ever before. Most of all, I love how it soothes my scalp and deep cleans without making my color-treated hair feel like straw. I suds up with this pick once or twice a week and always follow with deep conditioner."—BG
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Salicylic acid, niacinamide, caffeine, hyaluronic acid, cica, amino acids |
| Hair type | Oily, damaged, fine, thin |
| Scent | Minty and fresh |
| Size | 13 fl oz |
Pros
- Gently exfoliates scalp with PHA
- Fantastic for calming down dandruff and scalp irritation
Cons
- Very minimal lather, which some reviewers didn't like
While many dandruff shampoos lean on harsh actives to remove flakes and reduce itch, this one takes a gentler approach. SOME BY MI is one of my favorite acne-friendly lines from Korea, so I was delighted to see a similar formula for hair as well. This shampoo is powered by cica to bring down inflammation while PHA gently exfoliates away dead skin, effectively calming your scalp without drying it out.
One shopper says: "I have fine hair and it’s always gotten greasy within1-2days after washing. I started using the biotin infused hairitage shampoo/conditioner and after 1 use my scalp was worse than it’s ever been. Greasy roots the same day, and then flakes. This shampoo cleared up the flakes after 1 use and my hair lasts 3 days now. I’ll buy this stuff forever."
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Biotin, peptides, cica, PHA |
| Hair type | Dry, damaged, oily, color-treated, fine, thin, coarse |
| Scent | Minty |
| Size | 9.63 oz |
Pros
- Helps repair and prevent damage with peptides
- Reviewers said it left their hair silky and smooth after just one use
- Has a really great lather
Cons
- Could be a bit too stripping for color-treated hair (uses strong sulfate-free surfactants)
Color and chemical treatments and heat can cause split ends and brittle, thinning hair. But peptides can actually help prevent some of that damage. This COSRX shampoo (the same brand who brought us the iconic Snail Mucin Essence loved by Cosmo editors) helps repair broken bonds in your hair but also strengthens your strands so they're less likely to break in the future.
One shopper says: "I’ve used Kerastase, Oribe, and other high-end shampoos, but none of them compare to the results I get with this COSRX Peptide 132 Hair Bonding Shampoo. I have fine, mature post-menopause hair that’s prone to breakage, frizz, and getting weighed down, especially with most “repair” formulas. This shampoo is different—it leaves my hair feeling weightless yet stronger, smoother, and visibly healthier after every wash."
Features at a Glance
| Key ingredients | Peptides, amino acids, biotin, panthenol, niacinamide |
| Hair type | Dry, damaged, oily, fine, thin, coarse |
| Scent | Citrus |
| Size | 6.76 oz |
How to choose the best Korean shampoo for you:
Look at the surfactants.
Best thing about Korean shampoos is that they're pretty universally loved across hair types. But the right choice for you will likely depend on how strong of a cleanser it is. Many Korean shampoos are sulfate free but will still utilize surfactants that could be harsh for dry or damaged hair. Sodium olefin sulfonate is a common cleanser that has a foamy lather and is great for breaking down grease but can be stripping, especially if you have color-treated hair. Check the ingredients list (or just peep my notes above). Or just relegate these shampoos for a reset cleanse to clarify a few times a month.
Consider your goals.
Many Korean shampoos are fantastic for promoting a healthy scalp that can, over time, lead to hair growth. But if you really want to kick things up a notch, look for shampoos that contain scalp-friendly ingredients like peptides, amino acids, caffeine, and/or rosemary oil (of course, I've included a few above). These formulas are also usually great for volume and thickening too. But if you're looking for moisture above all else, opt for a shampoo that's packed with hydrators and oils. These will help pull hydration into your hair strands and seal it all in to prevent water loss.
Why trust ‘Cosmopolitan’?
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with seven years of experience researching, writing, and editing hair stories.
Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you "have to try." Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair 'do every few months.
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