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Newsflash: Korean hair-care products and their skin-care counterparts aren’t much different. Packed with powerful ingredients like cica, peptides, niacinamide, salicylic acid, and ceramides, their formulas often look like they could belong in your skin-care lineup. But why are Korean skin-care and hair-care products so similar?
In short, K-beauty prioritizes scalp care just as much as facial care—especially during the colder winter months when dry air and low humidity can wreak havoc on both your skin and scalp. Many view the scalp as an extension of the face, and keeping it hydrated and nourished is essential for maintaining healthy hair and preventing dryness, flakiness, and irritation. In fact, scalp care is “ultimately what will save your hair,” Los Angeles-based hairstylist Cherin Choi tells Allure. Paying attention to your scalp’s needs is key to maintaining overall hair health, particularly in the drying winter months.
Our Top Korean Hair-Care Products
- Best Overall: Dr. Groot Scalp Relief Tonic, $30
- Best Strengthening Treatment: Unove Deep Damage Treatment EX, $24
- Best Scalp Treatment: A’pieu Mint Hair Vinegar Rinse, $14
- Best Bond Repair: CosRx Peptide 132 Hair Bond Repair Treatment, $23
- Best Hair Serum: Mise En Scene Perfect Serum, $19
- Best Hair Mask: TonyMoly Haeyo Mayo Hair Conditioner Mask, $16
- Best Shampoo: Dr. Orga Alpine Rose Shampoo, $19
- Best Conditioner: RYO Strengthen & Volume Conditioner, $19
- Best for Frizzy Hair: Growus Damage Therapy No Wash Treatment, $26
- Best for Oily Hair: Aromatica Rosemary Root Enhancer, $18
- Best Hair Oil: La’dor Perfumed Hair Oil, $33
- Best Hair Essence: Anillo Rosy Night Repair Hair Essence, $15
- Best Leave-In Conditioner: British M Hydrate Hair Butter, $34
Here’s a little bonus: Korean hair care isn’t just amazing for your routine—it also makes a thoughtful gift, too. Whether you’re spoiling yourself or someone special, these winter hair saviors are bound to impress.
So, what are the best Korean hair-care products worth adding to your routine? We tapped Charlotte Cho—co-founder of K-beauty retailer Soko Glam—along with other K-beauty insiders, a hairstylist to top K-pop groups, and a former K-pop star, to share their favorites.
Best Overall: Dr. Groot Scalp Relief Tonic
Why it’s worth it: Dr. Groot is one of the most popular Korean beauty brands for scalp care and hair loss treatments due to its esteemed credentials. Although Dr. Groot isn’t an actual person, the brand is supported by doctors who have performed extensive scalp and hair research, and every product is clinically tested for proven results. The Scalp Relief Tonic, in particular, eases itchiness and inflammation quickly with the help of soothing cica, chamomile, and rosemary oil, while hydrating panthenol, glycerin, and hyaluronic acid help prevent future dryness and flakiness from occurring.
Tester feedback from contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee
“As a beauty writer, I’m constantly testing products, so it’s no surprise my scalp ends up dry, itchy, and prone to buildup. I usually rely on a 2% ketoconazole shampoo from my derm to keep things in check, but I gave the Dr. Groot Scalp Relief Tonic a try and was pleasantly surprised. Heads-up: I first accidentally applied it on dry hair (don’t do that if you want to preserve a blowout as it goes on pretty wet), but when used on towel-dried hair as directed, the menthol delivers a refreshing, cooling sensation. After about 10 days of regular use, my scalp felt noticeably less flaky and irritated.” —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer
More to know
- Key ingredients: cica, chamomile, niacinamide, rosemary oil
- Who it's for: people with dry, itchy scalps
- Fragrance-free: no
Best Strengthening Treatment: Unove Deep Damage Treatment EX
Why it’s worth it: The Unove Deep Damage Treatment EX is like the K18 of Korea. It has achieved the same level of fanfare as the top-selling spot in the hair-care category at Olive Young, which is Korea’s version of Sephora meets Ulta, to prove it. Deep Damage Treatment Ex even offers the same results as K18’s must-have hair mask. (The only major difference is you can use Unove’s formula in the shower.) It packs a whopping 31 bond-building proteins and amino acids extracted from milk, wheat, corn, and soy, to help mend split ends, reduce frizz, stop breakage, and make hair feel silkier than ever.
Unove is backed by a popular Korean hair-care brand called Dr.ForHair, which is known for doing rigorous research out of its own scalp-care clinic, Cho says. The brand also worked with a perfumer to create the Deep Damage Treatment EX’s gorgeous floral scent with notes of amber and sandalwood.
Tester feedback from commerce editor Sarah Han
"Korean skin care and makeup have been staples in my beauty routine for years but hair care is a category I'm eager to familiarize myself more with. Therefore, buying Unove's uber-popular Deep Treatment EX during a recent vacation to Seoul was necessary and justified. The moment it touched my extra-dry, tangled hair in the shower (seriously, I was struggling to rake my fingers through my hair after shampooing), I literally felt my strands glossing over and instantly softening…like magic. I really appreciate that this mask only needs one to three minutes to do its thing—I'm far too impatient to be standing in the shower for a full 10 minutes. My hair always feels reborn after I use this Unove treatment…especially when I've waited a week to wash my hair, and I'm convinced my blow-dryer brush glides through my freshly-washed hair more effortlessly. (Also, for context, I refreshed my pink with a toning shampoo. The mask didn't do that on its own!) —Sarah Han, commerce editor
More to know
- Key ingredients: hydrolyzed keratin, proteins, amino acids, plant-based oils (olive, macadamia, argan, sunflower seed, and camellia)
- Who it's for: those with dry, damaged hair
- Fragrance-free: no
Best Scalp Treatment: A’pieu Mint Hair Vinegar Rinse
Why it’s worth it: A’pieu’s Mint Hair Vinegar is a Korean take on the traditional vinegar rinse, blending mint extract and vinegar to gently exfoliate the scalp while restoring pH balance and shine. Unlike standard apple cider vinegar rinses, this K-beauty favorite is infused with vitamin-rich ingredients like vitamin C, B3, and magnesium to nourish both scalp and strands. Its lightweight, watery formula is meant to be used after shampoo as a clarifying rinse that sweeps away buildup, calms irritation, and rebalances the scalp—perfect for oily roots, sensitivity, or flakes and dandruff.
Tester feedback from contributing commerce editor Deanna Pai
“Depending on the weather, hormones, and my sheer luck, my scalp can either be flaky, itchy, both, or neither. (Very cool!) On days where it's acting up, I reach for this rinse, which instantly cools it on the spot with mint. The chill sticks around, making it especially nice to use on a hot summer day, and the itchiness is pretty much nonexistent.” —Deanna Pai, contributing commerce editor
More to know
- Key ingredients: mint extract, phyto-keratine
- Who it's for: those with scalp imbalances
- Fragrance-free: no
Best Bond Repair: CosRx Peptide 132 Hair Bond Repair Treatment
Why it’s worth it: You probably know CosRx for their viral skincare (hello, snail mucin), but their hair care is just as smart—and just as gentle. The Peptide-132 Hair Bond Repair Treatment brings the same skin-loving philosophy to your strands, using a proprietary peptide-132 complex to help repair broken bonds from the inside out. It’s creamy but lightweight, making it perfect for dry, damaged, or bleached hair that needs extra care. With added keratin, collagen, and amino acids, it smooths frizz, boosts shine, and leaves hair noticeably stronger and silkier.
Tester feedback from shopping director Shanna Shipin
“I absolutely love the CosRx Peptide 132 hair system. The shampoo is a gentle but effective cleanser—almost like a detox shampoo that really lifts product buildup, dandruff, and oil from your scalp. I would only use it every other shower because of how effective it is! The CosRx Peptide 132 Hair Bond Repair Treatment is an interesting, thick, almost coagulated texture, and a little bit goes a long way. The oil serum has also been great with extra dry ends and doesn't leave your hands feeling super greasy.” —Shanna Shipin, shopping director
More to know
- Key ingredients: peptides, collagen, biotin, panthenol, niacinamide
- Who it's for: people with damaged, tangle-prone hair
- Fragrance-free: no
Best Hair Serum: Mise En Scene Perfect Serum
Why it’s worth it: The K-beauty industry moves fast, but even it has yet to move on from this classic Korean hair-care product launched in 2012. The Mise En Scene Perfect Serum has built a following over the past 12 years for its intensely nourishing blend of oils (argan, olive, coconut, apricot, marula, jojoba, and camellia) that somehow never makes hair feel greasy. Instead, it helps smooth frizz, lock in moisture, and protect hair from heat styling with a weightless feel.
Tester feedback from Han
“Mise En Scene’s Hair Serum has been on my radar for the longest time, and I'm a little upset I hadn't tried it sooner. My hair, despite only having a tiny bit of bend, gives way to a ton of flyaways every time I blow-dry or air-dry. Perhaps I'm not skilled enough with the hairdryer but this serum, which has a boatload of oils—most notably, golden Moroccan argan oil—tamed my frizz and flyaways as best as a post-wash product ever has.” —Han
More to know
- Key ingredients: argan, apricot, camellia, coconut, jojoba, marula, and olive oils
- Who it's for: those with dry, damaged hair or anyone who often heat styles their hair
- Fragrance-free: no
Best Hair Mask: TonyMoly Haeyo Mayo Hair Conditioner Mask
Why it’s worth it: Don’t worry, this mayo isn’t from your fridge. Packaged in an irresistibly cute squeeze bottle that looks straight out of a deli, TonyMoly’s Haeyo Mayo Hair Conditioner Mask is a K-beauty deep treatment disguised as your favorite condiment. Inside the playful packaging is a rich, creamy formula packed with egg yolk extract, shea butter, and macadamia seed oil to deeply hydrate, soften, and smooth dry, brittle strands. It delivers major moisture without the greasy feel and works in just a few minutes.
Tester feedback from Lee
“I have oily roots and dry ends, so I’m always looking for a treatment that hydrates without weighing my hair down. The TonyMoly Haeyo Mayo Hair Conditioner Mask isn’t as goopy as you'd expect from something with egg yolk extract—it's actually pretty lightweight. I needed a generous amount to coat my thick mid-lengths to ends, but it instantly made my hair feel less brittle. The scent is earthy and hard to pin down (definitely not sweet or floral) but it fades quickly, and the formula is light enough to use in place of my regular conditioner.” —Lee
More to know
- Key ingredients: shea butter, macadamia seed oil, egg yolk extract, vinegar
- Who it's for: people with dry, brittle strands
- Fragrance-free: no
Best Shampoo: Dr. Orga Alpine Rose Shampoo
Why it’s worth it: According to Allure Korea editors, Dr. Orga’s Alpine Rose Shampoo is the best shampoo for damaged hair in the game. They love how this gentle yet potent formula protects hair from breakage and retains moisture with five rose-based ingredients. All are also rich in antioxidants to help protect hair from heat and environmental stressors, like UV rays, pollution, and smoke. With benefits like these, you might as well reach for this as your go-to hair cleanser, no matter what your hair type may be.
Tester feedback from Abelman
“The first time I washed my hair with the Dr. Orga Alpine Rose Shampoo, I was surprised by how decadently it lathered up because it’s formulated without any chemical surfactants. The experience reminded me of getting my hair washed at a salon. I thought it would be hard to rinse out my hair, but it did so easily without leaving my hair feeling squeaky clean or stripping away any of its red velvet color. I love how subtle and elegant the shampoo’s rose scent is, too.” — Abelman
More to know
- Key ingredients: aloe leaf juice, grape cell extract, Rose 5 Blend Complex (rosewater, Alpine rose extract, damask rose extract, cabbage rose extract, and rosehip oil)
- Who it's for: everyone, particularly those with damaged or dyed hair
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Conditioner: RYO Strengthen & Volume Conditioner
Why it’s worth it: RYO Strengthen & Volume Conditioner is a true reflection of Korean hair-care philosophy, where scalp health is seen as the root of strong, beautiful hair. “I was first introduced to RYO in Korea last year, and was very impressed at the level of hair loss research and Korean traditional ingredients they infused into each product,” says Cho. “The philosophy behind this prestige hair brand is that they consider scalp care as the foundation of hair care.” Formulated for thinning, aging, or limp hair, “their herbal, ginseng-rich formulas to stimulate the scalp are rooted in hanbang tradition and help reduce shedding and strengthen hair from the root,” Cho adds. It also features antioxidant-rich rice extract from Korea’s Yeoju region (renowned for its nutrient-dense soil) to fortify strands, enhance resilience, and boost natural shine.
More to know
- Key ingredients: ginseng, caffeine, soybean extract, Yeoju rice
- Who it's for: anyone with thinning hair or loss of volume
- Fragrance-free: no
Best for Frizzy Hair: Growus Damage Therapy No Wash Treatment
Why it’s worth it: Seoul-based hair stylist Mujin Choi, who works with the likes of BTS, TXT, and Cha Eun Woo, recommends spritzing the Growus Damage Therapy No Wash Treatment all over your hair before blow-drying for smoother, sleeker, and more manageable hair with major heat protection. “Simply spray, comb through, and then dry your hair,” he tells Allure. This pretty pink liquid is even flecked with shimmer made out of pearls, which not only gives hair extra luster but also fortifies it with its naturally occurring vital minerals.
More to know
- Key ingredients: pearl extract, salicylic acid, marine collagen, squalane, panthenol
- Who it's for: anyone with frizzy hair; those who heat-style their hair or want to add extra shine and hydration
- Fragrance-free: no
Best for Oily Hair: Aromatica Rosemary Root Enhancer
Why it’s worth it: Dealing with an oily scalp? Aromatica’s Rosemary Root Enhancer comes highly recommended by Denise Kim, a former member of the K-pop group Secret Number and K-beauty enthusiast. The herbaceous formula is “great for refreshing and soothing the scalp while keeping oil at bay,” she tells Allure. Salicylic acid helps clear hair follicles of excess sebum, dead skin cells, and other buildup, while rosemary extract helps improve scalp health, minimizes breakage, and may even promote hair growth. For these reasons, New York City-based hairstylist Genevieve Collerton often suggests Aromatica Rosemary Root Enhancer to her clients who are trying to grow their hair out.
More to know
- Key ingredients: salicylic acid, rosemary extract, caffeine, panthenol, biotin
- Who it's for: people with thin hair or whose hair gets oily easily
- Fragrance-free: yes
Best Hair Oil: La’dor Perfumed Hair Oil
Why it’s worth it: Add this to your ends, so when the wind blows, everyone will catch a delicious whiff of this fragrance-forward hair oil. Minju “Minnie” Kim, a K-beauty industry insider who has worked with the likes of Cosrx, Medicube, and Skin1004, swears by La’dor’s Perfumed Hair Oil and its medley of botanical oils to moisturize her sleek bob without stickiness, tamp down frizz, and even enhance the color of her latest dye job (rich auburn brown at the moment). The Korean hair oil comes in three different scent selections: Hinoki (woodsy), La Pitta (citrus), and Osmanthus (musky floral), but the latter is Kim’s favorite.
More to know
- Key ingredients: meadowfoam seed oil, argan oil, camelia seed oil
- Who it's for: everyone
- Fragrance-free: no
Best Hair Essence: Anillo Rosy Night Repair Hair Essence
Why it’s worth it: Anillo Rosy Night Repair Hair Essence is part fragrance mist, part serum, and all-around hair treat. “Anillo’s hair essences are what set them apart,” says Cho. “They’re lightweight, nourishing, and smell like a calm day at a spa.” This overnight essence features skin-care-inspired ingredients like rose extract, panthenol, and peptides to smooth frizz, add shine, and support healthier strands over time. “I love using them post-shower as a hair fragrance boost, and to smooth flyaways and give my hair a subtle, healthy sheen,” says Cho.
More to know
- Key ingredients: rosa canina fruit oil, peptides, damask rose extract
- Who it's for: everyone
- Fragrance-free: no
Best Leave-In Conditioner: British M Hydrate Hair Butter
Why it’s worth it: Glass-like shine isn’t just for skin; K-beauty brings that same glossy obsession to hair, too. “This is the brand I reach for when I want that shiny, glossy hair,” says Cho. When I went to a celebrity hair salon in Korea, British M was a brand they featured prominently on their shelves.” British M Hydrate Hair Butter is a multitasking treatment that can be used as a daily conditioner, an intensive mask, or a leave-in to smooth and hydrate. Made with nourishing shea butter and argan oil, this rich yet lightweight formula softens and strengthens without leaving hair greasy.
More to know
- Key ingredients: shea butter, argan oil
- Who it's for: people with dry, damaged hair
- Fragrance-free: no
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Korean hair care as good as their skin care?
Korean hair care is as advanced and thoughtful as its skin-care counterpart. “La’dor is an example of a brand that feels like skincare for your hair,” says Cho. “I remember trying their snail treatment for the first time and being shocked at how soft and silky my hair felt.” Like Korean skin care, many K-beauty hair brands focus on long-term health, using lightweight, nourishing formulas packed with ingredients like ginseng, mugwort, and fermented extracts. “Anillo’s hair essences are lightweight and nourishing,” says Cho.
Rooted in hanbang (traditional Korean herbal medicine) and backed by serious research, brands like RYO are leading the way. “I was very impressed at the level of hair loss research and Korean traditional ingredients they infused into each product,” Cho notes. “The philosophy behind this prestige hair brand is that they consider scalp care as the foundation of hair care.” In other words, it’s not just about achieving shiny glass-like hair—it’s about healthy hair from the root.
What do Koreans use for hair care?
Koreans take a holistic, skin care-inspired approach to hair care, prioritizing scalp health and gentle, nourishing ingredients. Their routines often include shampoos formulated with traditional herbs like ginseng, green tea, and fermented extracts to support healthy roots and reduce shedding, along with multitasking treatments like lightweight hair essences, masks, and ampoules for added shine and softness. “While many Japanese brands are traditionally well regarded in hair care, even in Korea, I’ve seen more Korean hair care brands like British M rising amongst the ranks in terms of popularity in Korea and beyond,” says Cho.
Meet the experts
- Charlotte Cho, co-founder of Soko Glam, is based in New York City
- Cherin Choi, a hairstylist and colorist based in Los Angeles
- Mujin Choi, a Seoul-based hairstylist and colorist
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