K-beauty enthusiasts can add another category to their repertoire: the best Korean hair-care products. “The beauty industry is already starting to see more K-hair brands making their way to the US and there are more on the way very soon,” former Allure editor in chief and beauty expert Michelle Lee tells Vogue, noting even brands that were were formerly skin-care exclusive (like CosRx) are expanding their expertise to the hair. Fellow beauty industry expert Sarah Chung Park agrees, affirmatively proclaiming K-hair as a major trend soon to hit western shelves.
Vogue’s Favorite Korean Hair-Care Products
Lee explains that similar to the philosophy of Korean skin-care routines, haircare focuses on gentle, preventative ingredients. “There’s a philosophy in Korea of soothing and caring for the scalp to help prevent issues like thinning hair and dandruff,” she says. “Even though there are a variety of products on the market (from serums to tonics, ampoules, and scaling products), routines are not typically overly long or complicated.” Below, a look at nine standouts to consider—handpicked by experts who know what’s actually popular in Seoul.
In This Story
- What are the pillars of a K-beauty hair-care routine?
- What’s unique about Korean hair-care routines?
- How We Tested
- Meet the Experts
Best Protein Treatment: Elizavecca CER-100 Collagen Ceramide Coating Protein Treatment
- Why We Love It: For a deeply conditioning hair mask at a fraction of the price, it’s hard to beat Elizavecca’s protein-rich treatment. “This was one of the first global K-hair superstars. It’s been a bestseller for a while,” says Lee. “It’s an incredibly deep repairing treatment and so affordable.” A blend of five different proteins, along with glycerin and collagen, helps transform dry, brittle strands by coating and sealing damaged hair cuticles.
- Key Ingredients: Dimethicone, glycerin, hydrolyzed silk, hydrolyzed collagen, hydrolyzed keratin, oat kernel extract, hydrolyzed wheat protein, hydrolyzed soy protein, hydrolyzed corn protein
- Type: Deep conditioning hair treatment
- Best For: Compromised, color treated, over processed, and dry hair
- Size: 50ml
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Deeply reparative and hydrating formula | Not for those who prefer vegan products—this contains silk and gelatin |
| Affordable price point |
Best Tonic: Some By Mi Cica Peptide Anti Hair Loss Derma Scalp Tonic
- Why We Love It: Think of Some By Mi’s tonic as a toner for your scalp. Lee calls the formula “great,” noting it has 11 types of peptides and cica for soothing benefits. Plus, it offers a pleasant cooling effect. And that’s not all: salicylic acids help exfoliate build-up, while a blend of hydrating ingredients aims to limit flakes and dryness, ensuring an optimal scalp environment for new hair growth.
- Key Ingredients: Salicylic acid, panthenol, biotin, peppermint leaf extract, spearmint extract, soybean seed extract, rice extract, blackberry extract, sesame seed extract, peptide blend, hydrolyzed corn protein, hydrolyzed soy protein, hydrolyzed wheat protein, milk protein extract
- Type: Hydrating and gently exfoliating scalp treatment
- Best For: A daily leave-in scalp treatment
- Size: 5.07 fl oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Soothing and cooling formula | Contains alcohol, which may be irritating to very dry scalps |
| Lightweight, non-greasy feel |
Best for Hair Growth: Aromatica Rosemary Root Enhancer
- Why We Love It: There are plenty of benefits related to the use of rosemary water on hair—for starters, the naturally derived ingredient helps boost circulation, promote hair follicle oxygenation, and hydrate the scalp. “This is an incredible scalp refresher to use between wash days,” says Lee. “It’s great for your scalp and smells divine.” Aside from rosemary essential oil, a blend of vitamins, and antioxidant-rich black food ingredients help to revitalize the scalp, while salicylic acid exfoliates build up. Meanwhile, the addition of caffeine helps to add volume to roots, for the appearance of fuller hair. Want to learn more? Check out our full review here.
- Key Ingredients: Rosemary leaf oil, rosemary leaf extract, ginger root extract, caffeine, panthenol, biotin, rice extract, soybean seed extract, salicylic acid
- Type: Leave on scalp treatment
- Best For: Hair growth, scalp health, between wash day refresh
- Size: 3.3 fl oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Clean, vegan-friendly formula | Requires consistency, so results may be slower |
| Improves scalp health with botanically-derived ingredients |
Best Microneedling in a Bottle: VT Cosmetics PDRN Reedle Shot Hair Ampoule
- Why We Love It: VT Cosmetics’s “microneedling in a bottle” serums are already a viral hit for their ability to deliver active ingredients in microscopic spicules. “The brand’s Reedle Shots have been popular for face, so it’s no surprise they’ve become bestsellers for hair too, since healthy hair starts at the scalp,” says Lee. “The micro-exfoliation helps the active ingredients penetrate deeper—people have been seeing amazing results with this one.” Here, the brand blends two of its best-selling formulas’s star ingredients, cica and PDRN, to soothe and revitalize the scalp to stimulate growth.
- Key Ingredients: caffeine, glycerin, centella asiatica extract, niacinamide, soybean seed extract, ginseng root extract, rosemary extract, sodium hyaluronate, ceramides, peptide blend
- Type: Highly concentrated scalp serum
- Best For: Scalp soothing, stimulating hair growth
- Size: 0.5 oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Exfoliates the scalp to stimulate hair growth | Some might fight the tingling sensation a bit spicy |
| Comes in various spicule intensities |
Best Thickening Shampoo: Dr. Groot Hair Thickening Shampoo
- Why We Love It: The brand behind one of the most popular Korean shampoos, Dr. Groot offers a host of dermatologist-tested formulas—including its viral hair-thickening duo. “As someone who’s been dealing with hair loss for the past few years, I can personally attest: This is a great thickening shampoo,” says Lee. “Some of the hair loss comes from the scalp, but some of the thinning hair is from breakage. This shampoo strengthens your hair to help prevent breakage, and it’s great for your scalp.” The formula blends potent ingredients (think: biotin, prebiotics, and rosemary oil) to revitalize from the scalp to strands. Meanwhile, caffeine adds a little extra lift from the roots.
- Key Ingredients: Biotin, prebiotics, rosemary oil, caffeine
- Type: Shampoo
- Best For: A reparative hair wash
- Size: 13 fl oz.
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Reduces hair fall and breakage | Some find the formula slightly drying |
| Formula rich in biotin, prebiotics, and botanic ingredients |
Best Hair Serum: Mise En Scene Perfect Serum Original
- Why We Love It: A sort of hair serum-meets-oil, Mise En Scène’s Perfect Serum Original delivers real nourishment while staying impressively lightweight, absorbing into the hair instead of sitting on top of it. Jojoba and argan oils work together to smooth frizz and add softness, while a rosewater-infused jelly gives the formula slip without greasiness. Plus, Lee notes, the brand has bottled their beloved formula in a popular new conditioner too.
- Key Ingredients: Argan kernel oil, jojoba seed oil, coconut palm oil, apricot seed oil, olive oil, marula seed oil, camellia seed oil
- Type: Concentrated hair serum
- Best For: Daily smoothing and styling on all hair types
- Size: 2.7 fl oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Lightweight and moisturizing formula with a non-greasy feel | Some find the fragrance to be a bit strong |
| Provides heat protection and smooths frizz |
Best Deep Treatment: Unove Deep Damage Treatment Ex
- Why We Love It: Consider Unove’s Deep Damage Treatment as a K-beauty approach to a keratin hair mask. It’s a pick that both Lee and Cheung Park spotlight as particularly popular in Seoul. This treatment mask delivers a concentrated dose of keratin and conditioning nutrients to help reinforce weakened strands and improve elasticity where hair is most compromised. It works by smoothing rough cuticles, softening split ends, and restoring moisture so hair feels stronger and look sleeker after each treatment.
- Key Ingredients: Glycerin, tocopheryl acetate, hydrolyzed silk, silk amino acids, olive fruit oil, sunflower seed oil, hydrolyzed corn protein, hydrolyzed wheat protein, hydrolyzed soy protein
- Type: Keratin hair treatment
- Best For: A weekly repair mask for chemically or mechanically damaged hair
- Size: 7 fl oz.
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| High protein content helps repair and smooth damaged hair | Contains silicones which may cause damage |
| Combats frizz and damage |
Best Applicator: Lilyeve Growturn Hair Growth Serum with Built-in Brush
- Why We Love It: Powered by heartleaf extract-derived exosomes, this scalp and hair serum isn’t just innovative in its formula, but also in its built-in applicator. “Korean brands are great at creating innovative, extremely useful applicators,” says Lee. “This Lilyeve ampoule has a special brush end to help deliver the product onto your scalp. It’s excellent for treating hair fall, dandruff and dry scalp.” The 38-bristle applicators help to properly apply the serum to your scalp, mess-free, for better absorption (with the added bonus of a scalp massage).
- Key Ingredients: Caffeine, beatine, heartleaf exosomes, eucalyptus leaf oil, glycerin, carob fruit extract
- Type: Leave-on scalp serum
- Best For: Hair growth promption and scalp care with mess-free application
- Size: 3.38 fl oz
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Fast-absorbing, non-greasy formula | Some find their hair to be slightly stiff if over-applied |
| Built-in applicator for targeted application |
Best Hair Mist: Narka Core Rebuild Creamy Veil Hair Mist
- Why We Love It: Cheung Park points to Narka’s hair mist as a care-fragrance hybrid. The formula pairs conditioning agents with a subtle fragrance in one effortless step. Its protein-infused formula helps nourish the hair’s inner structure, supporting softness and manageability without heaviness. The milky, water-light texture smooths the hair’s outer layer while helping moisture stay locked in.
- Key Ingredients: Hydrolyzed vegetable protein, hydrolyzed sweet almond protein, hydrolyzed rice protein, sweet almond aeed extract, hydrolyzed soy protein, hydrolyzed wheat protein, hydrolyzed oat protein
- Type: Smooth hair mist
- Best For: A hair fragrance with a protein-rich smoothing formula
- Size: 80 mL
| Love It | Leave It |
|---|---|
| Effective frizz and static control | Some report the fine mist nozzle getting clogged |
| Nourishing formula thanks to vegan protein |
Everything You Need to Know
What are the pillars of a K-beauty hair care routine?
“Korean hair care operates on some principles we’re familiar with from Korean skin care,” says Lee. At its core, the approach favors gentle, cumulative care—think lightweight hydration layered throughout the day, scalp health treated with the same respect as facial skin, and targeted repair that strengthens without stiffness. Below, experts break down the key pillars of Korean hair-care routines, from soothing, familiar ingredients to protein-focused formulas designed to keep hair healthy, balanced, and resilient over time.
- Gentle Hydration: “The Korean beauty method revolves around that idea that soothing ingredients can solve a whole host of issues,” says Lee, noting that ingredients which strip natural oils are a no-go. Chung Park notes that gentle hydration can also be multi-process. “K-Hair routines layer hydration through fine mists and essences to keep hair soft, moisturized, and weightless throughout the day,” she adds.
- Prioritization of Scalp Care: “Scalp care is an extension of skin care in Korea. Healthy hair comes from a healthy scalp, and it involves finding a proper balance and having a consistent practice of care,” says Lee. Chung Park agrees noting that formulas often prioritize calming irritation, gently exfoliating buildup, and keeping follicles clear.
- Protein-Focused Repair: “Hair strengthening is done with lightweight proteins and amino acids that repair damage and improve elasticity without leaving hair stiff or heavy,” says Chung Park.
What’s unique about Korean hair-care routines?
“While there are certainly a lot of traditional shampoos and conditioners in Korea, there is definitely more of a focus on the scalp in Korean hair-care products,” says Lee. “It’s also common to see ingredients you might recognize from Korean skin-care (like peptides, centella, green tea, and tea tree) showing up in hair formulas.”
She adds that much like skin care’s emphasis on gentle, preventative care, Korean hair-care centers on maintaining a healthy scalp to ward off concerns like thinning and dandruff. By prioritizing scalp health from the start, hair can grow in a more balanced, supportive environment.
How We Tested
When we test and review a product, we take a holistic approach to deliver well-rounded product recommendations. First, we lean on Vogue’s vast network of K-beauty experts to gain professional acumen on the industry’s standout products, ones these specialists would actually use on their clients. We pair their expertise with our editorial best practices to curate the thoughtful edits you read on our site.
As it relates to Korean hair-care products, we selected the best based on the following characteristics: ingredients, texture, application, usage, plus the hair and scalp care concerns they address. To do this, we paired our own personal tests of each formula with expert guidance and reviewer insights to determine which we would recommend to you.
Meet the Experts
- Michelle Lee is a renowned Korean beauty and skin-care expert with over 25 years of industry experience. The former editor in chief of Allure and Nylon, she also served as VP of Global Editorial at Netflix, bringing her sharp editorial eye and deep cultural insight to every role.
- Sarah Chung Park is a beauty industry veteran and founder and CEO of Landing International.
