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There's been a huge boom in K-beauty skincare over the past few years, and now, those of us stateside are finally beginning to catch up in the K-beauty hair care realm too. Korean hair care focuses on formulas that aim to treat and fix problems before they arise, rather than weighing yourself down with quick-fix products (like too much hairspray or tons of dry shampoo). As a result, intensive treatments and products that target the scalp are extremely popular. Korean hair products are filled with moisturizing and soothing ingredients like argan oil, goat milk, shea butter and more. You can smooth on a scalp scaler or pop on a self-heating sheet mask (yes, there are even sheet masks for hair!) for silky, smooth strands in no time.
While we aren't able to get our hands on every single product that people in Korea swear by for luscious locks, thanks to brands that have begun to sell internationally, we're able to test some of the cult favorites. Below, the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab experts have compiled a list of the best Korean haircare products you can try for yourself, with everything from shampoo and conditioner to products for frizzy hair and hair growth.
Our top picks:
1
Best Overall Korean Hair Care Product
Daeng Gi Meo Ri Gold Premium Shampoo and Treatment Set
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2
Best Value Korean Hair Care Product
Mediheal Hair Sheep Steam Pack
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3
4
5
Best Korean Beauty Hair Oil
Skinfood Argan Oil Repair Plus Heat Serum in Oil
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6
7
Best Korean Treatment for Colored Hair
Elizavecca CER-100 Collagen Coating Hair Protein Treatment
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8
9
10
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Ryo Damage Care & Nourishing Shampoo
Read more
On the hunt for more top-performing hair products to make your hair feel its best? Check out our guides to the best DIY hair masks and the best leave-in conditioners you can buy.
1
Best Overall Korean Hair Care Product
Daeng Gi Meo Ri Gold Premium Shampoo and Treatment Set
1
Best Overall Korean Hair Care Product
Daeng Gi Meo Ri Gold Premium Shampoo and Treatment Set
Pros
- Helps control oil production on scalp
- Gives hair a healthy sheen
- Safe for sensitive scalp
Cons
- Pricey
- Conditioner may be too rich for oily hair, so use sparingly
Looking for a matching shampoo and conditioner set? Try this Korean duo that is rich in menthol, waking up the scalp and helping control sebum. "This combo made my hair feel ultra soft and lightweight with a healthy sheen. My sensitive scalp never felt irritated when I used it," says GH Textiles Reviews Product Analyst Grace Wu. "Plus, no issues with dandruff." However, these products are on the pricier side, and she recommends to use the treatment (the conditioner) sparingly if you have oily hair.
2
Best Value Korean Hair Care Product
Mediheal Hair Sheep Steam Pack
2
Best Value Korean Hair Care Product
Mediheal Hair Sheep Steam Pack
Pros
- Intensive treatment for damaged hair
- Deeply conditions and softens hair
Cons
- Scent is polarizing
Korean skincare is known for using sheet masks, so it makes sense that they're a part of Korean haircare too. This goat milk sheet mask can be fastened with a sticker to stay in place, and you apply it over freshly shampooed hair and let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes. For just around $20 for a five-pack, it's a great deal. "My hair was soft and manageable," says one reviewer. "My scalp looked much healthier and even though my hair was the softest it has ever been, my hair didn't look greasy at all. This mask made my hair look and feel so much healthier. I am still enjoying the effects of this mask and it has been a week." The baby powdery scent is polarizing to users, with some reviewers loving it and some not.
Pros
- Mild cleanser
- Makes hair feel full and shiny
- Helps improve scalp health
Cons
- Pricey
This mild yet powerful shampoo gently cleanses scalp and hair. Many reviewers rave that their hair feels much fuller and shinier after using this formula and that their scalp is less flaky. Like skincare for your hair, "it is formulated with lots of skincare ingredients including vitamins, amino acids and peptides to care for the scalp," says GH Beauty Lab Reviews Analyst Chiara Butler. Take note that it's on the expensive side.
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Pros
- Cute, trendy designs
- Can hold back a lot of hair
Cons
- Expensive
Founded by Korean mother-and-daughter duo, Emi Jay's hair clips have achieved cult status. From classic claw clip styles like this one to bedazzled designs and flower-shaped clips, the brand is loved by editors, celebrities and consumers all over the world. "Unlike many other clips, they hold all of my thick, wavy hair, and they keep up with everyday use," shares our Beauty Assistant. "While the coating on other clips tends to come off (leaving flakes in my hair), these hold up over time." They're expensive for a claw clip, but they last a long time.
5
Best Korean Beauty Hair Oil
Skinfood Argan Oil Repair Plus Heat Serum in Oil
5
Best Korean Beauty Hair Oil
Skinfood Argan Oil Repair Plus Heat Serum in Oil
Pros
- Infused with a mixture of argan, jojoba, sunflower seed and sweet almond oils
- Formulated to mitigate heat damage
Cons
- Don't use too much to avoid oily hair
For strands damaged by heat, this serum can help. Designed specifically to be used as a heat protectant, you can apply this on frizzy areas after washing, or smooth some into your ends before (and after!) styling. "The serum really helped smooth out the texture of my hair and tame flyaways with just the smallest dab," shares Hearst Lifestyle Group Food Producer Tina Martinez. Reviewers agree that a little goes a long way, so avoid using too much and making hair look oily.
6
Best Korean Scalp Scaler
CP-1 Head Spa Scalp Scaler
6
Best Korean Scalp Scaler
CP-1 Head Spa Scalp Scaler
Pros
- Sloughs off dead skin on scalp
- Moisturizes scalp
Cons
- Larger exfoliating beads may irritate scalp
Never heard of a scalp scaler? We're catching up to Korea, where they know that the skin on their scalp is just important as the skin on the rest of their body. Similar to a scalp scrub, scalp scalers clean and exfoliate your scalp; they also condition it, which can aid in overall hair health. This scalp scaler is popular in K-beauty circles, with fans praising it for helping dandruff, mitigating oil, aiding hair growth and everything in between. "The applicator makes it easier to target areas on your hair," writes an online reviewer. "I use this with a scalp exfoliating brush and my scalp feels amazing." Reviewers note the size of the exfoliating beads are on the larger side, so be gentle with your scalp.
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7
Best Korean Treatment for Colored Hair
Elizavecca CER-100 Collagen Coating Hair Protein Treatment
7
Best Korean Treatment for Colored Hair
Elizavecca CER-100 Collagen Coating Hair Protein Treatment
Now 11% Off
Pros
- Smooths and moisturizes even bleached hair
- Leaves hair feeling soft
- Minimizes frizz
Cons
- Small bottle
- Can be difficult to rinse out
Looking for a treatment to quench your parched or color-damaged locks? With more than 25,000 five-star reviews (many coming from those with colored or bleached hair) on Amazon, this hair mask is the real deal. Loaded with ceramides, it helps moisturize and strengthen your hair. "A little goes a long way," says Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab Senior Chemist Danusia Wnek. "It applied easy but I found it took some time to rinse off. I thought it lubricated hair really well especially for my bleached hair, leaving it feeling soft and less frizzy." Many reviewers love the product so much they wish the bottle were bigger.
8
Best Korean Hair Mask
Tonymoly Haeyo Mayo Hair Nutrition Pack
8
Best Korean Hair Mask
Tonymoly Haeyo Mayo Hair Nutrition Pack
Pros
- Hydrates damaged hair
- Can help smooth split ends
Cons
- Reviewers don't like the smell
Tonymoly is known for products wrapped in cute containers that pack a major punch. Made with egg yolk and shea butter, it's ultra rich and hydrating. This hair treatment looks like a squeeze bottle of mayonnaise, but don't worry — it won't leave your strands smelling like your lunch sandwich. "This stuff really works wonders on damaged hair," one reviewer says. "After years of dyeing and heat styling, I sought this out to help repair my fried split ends. It has really made a difference." Many reviewers note that they don't like the smell, comparing it to ammonia, sunscreen and more.
9
Best Korean Ampoules for Frizzy Hair
La'dor Perfect Fill-Up
9
Best Korean Ampoules for Frizzy Hair
La'dor Perfect Fill-Up
Pros
- Gives the correct-sized amount of product via an ampoule
- Reviewers with frizzy hair say it leaves their hair silky
Cons
- Have to mix before each use
Skincare isn't the only beauty item that uses ampoules: They're also a staple in Korean hair care. Each vial is perfectly dosed with the right amount of treatment to help nourish your locks. Reviewers praise this treatment for giving them silky smooth hair, with one saying it "gets rid of fuzz and frizzy hair and doesn't weigh down thin, fine hair." Keep in mind, you do have to mix each ampoule with water before use, so you can't just leave them in the shower.
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10
Best Korean Hair Growth Product
Ryo Damage Care & Nourishing Shampoo
10
Best Korean Hair Growth Product
Ryo Damage Care & Nourishing Shampoo
Pros
- Gives hair more life and volume
- Doesn't weigh down hair
Cons
- Scent is not appealing to all users
If you struggle with thinning hair, this shampoo might help. Though no shampoo can cause hair growth, this shampoo helps boost volume, making hair appear fuller. It targets your scalp, not just your strands, by including ingredients like pomegranate and camellia oils that the brand claims will boost your hair's suppleness and stimulate circulation, though the GH Beauty Lab hasn't tested or confirmed this. "It is the only shampoo I have found for my fine hair that can condition it without weighing my hair down and gives my hair more life," a reviewer raves. Reviewers say the shampoo has a strong ginseng scent, with some describing it as smelling "like men's shampoo," so don't expect a lush, floral lather.
11
Best Korean Hair Conditioner
Nature Republic Argan Essential Deep Care Conditioner
11
Best Korean Hair Conditioner
Nature Republic Argan Essential Deep Care Conditioner
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Pros
- Contains argan oil to make strands silky smooth
- Great scent
Cons
- Pricey
Argan oil contains vitamin E, fatty acids and squalane, making it an ultra-nourishing oil to achieve silky strands. Many people with thick, curly hair praise this conditioner for working its magic. "I am such a fan of this company, the scents are so amazing, your hair and skin feel like a million bucks," raves one reviewer. "After blow drying, your hair is so light, fluffy, silky and shiny. Not weighed down at all!" This conditioner is pricier than other picks on this list.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Good Housekeeping Beauty Assistant Catharine Malzahn most recently updated this story. She works closely with the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab to help deliver fact-based, science-backed beauty coverage. Over the years, she has interviewed experts, written product reviews and tested hundreds of hair products, including professional hair treatments, tools, shampoos, conditioners, styling products and more.
For this update, she worked with Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab Reviews Analyst Chiara Butler, who evaluated some product ingredients and organized testing of select products.
Former GH Beauty Assistant Katie Behron originally wrote this article.
Katie Berohn
ELLE Beauty Editor
Katie Berohn is the Beauty Assistant at Good Housekeeping, Woman's Day and Prevention magazines, all part of the Hearst Lifestyle Group. She graduated from the University of Colorado, Boulder, with a major in journalism and minor in technology, arts, and media, and earned her Master’s Degree at NYU’s Graduate Program of Magazine Journalism. In addition, Katie has held editorial internships at Denver Life Magazine, Yoga Journal, and Cosmopolitan, a digital editorial internship at New York Magazine’s The Cut, a social good fellowship at Mashable, and has freelanced for HelloGiggles. When she’s not obsessing over the latest skincare launch or continuing her endless search for the perfect shade of red nail polish, Katie can be found in a hot yoga class, trying everything on the menu at New York’s newest restaurant, or hanging out at a trendy wine bar with her friends.
Catharine Malzahn
Beauty Assistant
Catharine (she/her) is the beauty assistant at Good Housekeeping, Woman’s Day and Prevention, working closely with the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab to write science-backed beauty content. She was previously an assistant beauty editor at Group Nine Media and returned to Hearst in 2022 after having held editorial internships at Harper’s Bazaar and CR Fashion Book. Catharine received a B.A. in journalism from the University of Southern California's Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism.