For most of us in the Western world, we turn to products like dry shampoo to disguise our oily scalps, hairspray to add volume, and shine serums to tame frazzled ends. But all of it is simply a Band-Aid for the underlying damage—they don’t actually fix the problem, only mask them.
Comparatively, people living in Korea understand that to achieve hair that appears healthy, you must have healthy hair—this is possible through many nourishing products that reintroduce hydrating to damaged hair, and clarifying products that rid the scalp of buildup. In the same way that the 10- or 12-step Korean skin-care routine forever rocked our perceptions of adequate beauty maintenance (and introduced us to products like essences and snail slime), Korean hair care strives to achieve healthy hair, period, not just healthy-looking hair. It’s possible through the right nourishing and clarifying products to reintroduce hydration to damaged hair and rid the scalp of buildup.
In fact, Charlotte Cho, co-founder of Soko Glam and Then I Met You, reveals, “Koreans are very careful about first impressions and their appearance, paying meticulous attention [to] their skin health and their scalp health. The consensus amongst Koreans is that the health and care of your scalp is just as important as skin, as a well-cared scalp improves the appearance of your hair, making it look shiny and feel soft.”
The same way we can perform a 10-step routine to achieve soft, dewy skin, we can do so with our hair and scalp, too, so long as we use the proper hair-care products and techniques. Here is a better look at the steps of K-beauty hair care, along with a few products to get you started!
Meet The Expert
South Korean American esthetician Charlotte Cho is an author and founder of beauty retailer Soko Glam and Korean skincare brand, Then I Met You. Considered a major contributor to the K-Beauty movement in the U.S, Cho's expertise spans the philosophy of K-beauty, right down to each product and their efficacy.
Best Korean Shampoo
Cleansing the hair with shampoo is a pretty universal practice–most people around the world shampoo a few times a week to get rid of the excess dirt and buildup on their heads. However, in Korean hair care, a more thorough cleansing experience is preferred to nourish the scalp and lay the foundation for a healthy head of hair. In fact, a popular at-home treatment for scalp care involves (surprisingly) sparkling water. Cho states, “Koreans have used an interesting technique involving carbonated water to help with gentle scalp exfoliation and to help purify the scalp. Naturally sparkling water on the scalp can help remove dead skin cells.”
Does this mean Korean hair salon owners have gallons of La Croix in their back rooms for clients? Not necessarily. In a professional setting, many Korean hair salons offer a different treatment called scalp scaling. This is an exfoliating salon treatment done in Korea that, according to Cho, “[helps remove] any debris or excess oil that is causing breakage, dry, brittle hair, and/or stunted growth.” Since it uses chemical and physical exfoliants to rid the scalp of grime, it is a far gentler (and just as effective) alternative to SLS-containing clarifying shampoos.
If your salon does not offer scalp scaling just yet, there’s no need to worry—there are plenty of products to help your scalp remain healthy. Cho suggests looking for ingredients like “salicylic acid and zinc pyrithione [to help] exfoliate the scalp and prevent dandruff and hair loss, alleviate seborrheic dermatitis, and improve general scalp health. This results in hair growth and even helps to prevent future hair loss while leaving hair soft and silky—thanks to panthenol, a derivative of vitamin B5.”
Gold Premium Shampoo + Treatment Set
Probably one of the first few products you’ll hear about when entering the world of Korean hair care. This shampoo is formulated with red ginseng and green tea extract, which helps nourishes your scalp and hair, all while preventing dandruff buildup and itchiness.
Hair Scalp Massager Shampoo Brush
An at-home salon experience isn't totally impossible. A scalp-massage brush is phenomenal for stimulating and increasing circulation in the scalp. Plus, this brush’s silicone teeth help to exfoliate the scalp without ever causing any undue damage to the skin.
Alpine Rose Shampoo
This silicone-free shampoo is reportedly a fan favorite for damaged hair. Infused with the "Rose 5 Blend," a blend of five rose extracts, it's most effective on hair that has heat and color damage.
Repairing Scalp Therapy Serum Shampoo
This Shampoo works well to both remove buildup and nourish strands with white truffle that keep your scalp and hair hydrated, while salicylic acid and rice ferment filtrate remove excess oil and buildup on the scalp.
Best Korean Hair Masks And Conditioners
The process of thoroughly cleansing the scalp also happens to remove necessary oils from your hair, which can be detrimental to hair health. In Korea, reintroducing moisture to the shafts is critical for shiny and glossy hair that retains its shape. Other than following a shampoo with a conditioner, hair masks are of the utmost importance in Korean hair-care routines. Says Cho, “Hair masks are usually done once a week, and it’s always best to leave the mask on for 10 to 15 minutes so that it can really absorb and properly nourish the hair.” Cho recommends looking for products that contain organic pumpkin seed oil and argan oil, two ingredients that are popular in Korea for their reparative nature.
Water Treatment Miracle 10
The thought most likely to run through your head after a deep-moisturizing treatment at a salon is Wow, I had no idea my hair could feel this soft and silky. This water treatment rinse will leave you wondering the same exact thing, except in the comfort of your own home. This treatment contains three types of keratin and 17 amino acids to help seal fraying cuticles and reintroduce moisture to damaged hair.
Argan Essential Deep Care Hair Pack
This hair pack features star ingredients like argan oil, rosehip oil, and primrose oil for silky, soft hair when you step out of the shower. For damaged hair (say bleached, dyed, or permed), sometimes back to the basics are the best move. The hair mask works to nourish the hair and prevent split ends!
Tea Tree Scalp Clinic Hair Pack
If you struggle with seborrheic dermatitis, consider this scalp treatment to rid you of your dandruff woes. Snail Secretion Filtrate is a key ingredient in this product, which, Cho reveals, “helps to minimize inflammation, which in turn helps to reduce dandruff and flakiness.” In addition to this, tea tree oil helps to rid the scalp of excess oil, while aloe juice rehydrates. Massage this product onto your scalp for up to one minute after shampooing and before conditioning.
Deep Damage Hair Treatment Mask Ex
This cult product has been likened to K-18 for its bond-building effects. With 31 bond-building proteins and amino acids extracted from milk, wheat, corn, and soy, this beloved mask helps mend split ends, reduces frizz, stops breakage, and restores shine to hair.
Best Korean Scalp Treatments
A balanced pH is your secret to beautiful skin; it creates an environment for your skin’s lipid barrier to thrive and protect itself from any damage caused by environmental stressors. Similarly, balancing the pH on your head is the secret to harmonizing your scalp, whether you have dry and flaky skin or oily strands that need frequent washes. Vinegar rinses are great for this and should be done while in the shower after conditioning. Simply run a vinegar rinse through your scalp and strands, wait about three to five minutes, and rinse the hair thoroughly before stepping out of the shower. Doing this weekly should be enough for a healthy scalp and nourished strands. Top tip: tilt your head slightly back, so the rinse doesn't flow towards your face!
Raspberry Hair Vinegar
We must admit that running apple cider vinegar through the hair might make you smell more like a salad rather than like you’re fresh out of the shower. Luckily, the raspberry scent in this hair vinegar masks the otherwise overpowering scent, so your shower experience still feels indulgent. This hair vinegar has a pH level between 4 and 5, which is ideal for bringing an alkaline scalp back to a normal pH level, roughly 5.5.
Scalp Relief Tonic
This soothing and relieving tonic is backed by doctors for those suffering irritation and hair loss. The treatment helps to hydrate dry scalps with its antioxidant-rich, scalp-revitalizing formula, including chamomile, niacinamide and menthol.
Root Enhancer
We're all aware of the hair growth benefits Rosemary Oil provides by now, and this scalp tonic follows the same thought-process. Removing scalp buildup and dandruff, it acts as an effective scalp moisturizer while targeting the root causes of dandruff and oily scalp.
Scalp Strengthening Spray for Hair Growth & Anti-Loss
This scalp treatment is designed to help with hair loss and by strengthening the scalp's moisture barrier. Biotin, five types of hyaluronic acid, peppermint oil, pesticide-free green tea, and a patented probiotic are on the ingredient list to provide soothing and moisturizing benefits to the scalp.
Best Korean Leave-In Treatments
When looking at a K-beauty skin-care routine, you will most likely find products like essences, serums, mists, oils, and balms. Well, they exist in Korean hair care, too. Says Cho, “The moisturizing goals for skin have naturally spilled over into hair care. Everything from hair masks, hair serums, hair mists to hair oils are all very popular in Korea.” Rather than daily styling with heat tools or mega-hold products, it is common in Korea to rehydrate the hair to a frizz-free and luminous state. Yet, you should be aware: Only place moisturizing products, like oils and balms, on the ends of the hair to avoid loss of volume and product buildup.
Perfect Hair Serum
This hair serum has a cult following for all the right reasons. Enriched with a blend of seven oils to repair and revive damaged hair for a softer, silkier finish. Great for hydrating and styling, after the serum you'll be left with a glossy, soft hair.
Wonder Balm
For those who have straight hair, you might already know that intensely moisturizing products can weigh hair down and leave it looking and feeling greasy. Cho recommends a hair balm for straight hair, as it smooths out any flyaways and leaves hair feeling soft without ever weighing it down too much.
Annatto Hair Oil
A hair oil is exceptional for rounding out this entire routine. The Annatto Hair Oil contains pumpkin seed and argan oil, which adds a high shine to hair once it is dry. Cho adores this product and says, “[It] deeply moisturizes and protects your hair from UV damage (yes, a natural sunscreen for your hair!) while creating long-lasting shine without that greasy feeling. Most people compare this to a better, less sticky version of the Moroccan Oil that won’t weigh your hair down.
Hair Essence Delightful Oil
A light oil essence that delivers shine and nutrition without that sticky, oily feel. This essence contains the brand's unique oil blend, great to tame wild frizzy hair while adding in moisture.
