It’s best to use the correct shampoos for Asian hair if you want soft, voluminous tresses. The shampoos must clarify and yet be gentle on your hair.
Key Takeaways:
- Asian shampoos are different as they focus on natural ingredients used in traditional Chinese, Japanese and Korean medicine such as camellia oil, Korean red ginseng, ginger, rice water, green tea among others.
- Also Asian hair textures tend to be very straight and smooth with thicker hair strands. So Asian shampoos are formulated to suit these particular textures.
- The best Asian shampoos in the market today include the Shiseido Super Mild Shampoo, Daeng Gi Meo Ri Gold Premium Shampoo, and the Ichikami Smooth and Sleek Shampoo.
- These shampoos include both sulfate-free ones for colored and sensitive scalps and strong, clarifying varieties that help cleanse greasy, oily hair.
Best Shampoos For Asian Hair | Best For | Top Ingredients |
Daeng Gi Meo Ri Gold Premium Shampoo | Damaged Hair | Ginseng, Green Tea, Licorice |
Ichikami Smooth and Sleek Shampoo | Frizzy Hair | Rice Bran Extract, Blackberry Lily, Camellia |
Shiseido Super Mild Shampoo | Sensitive Scalp | Oat Grass Extract, Wheat Germ Extract |
Pura D’or Professional Grade Anti Thinning Shampoo | Thinning Hair | Argan Oil, Biotin |
MyKireo Shampoo and Conditioner Set | Hair Fall | Japanese Camellia, Rice Water |
Shiseido Tsubaki Extra Moist Shampoo | Dry Hair | Camellia Extract |
Which are the best Shampoos For Asian Hair?
As a hair care expert and cosmetologist myself, I loved the Daeng Gi Meo Ri Gold Premium Shampoo and the Shiseido Super Mild Shampoo as they are preseravative and paraben free and gentle on hair. Yet their green tea and oat extract-based formulas cleanses hair very nicely while also maintaining moisture levels. I also liked that it had ginseng in it which is known for it’s anti-inflammatory properties.
Why You Should Trust Haireveryday?
The author of this article, Leah Marie Priest has a degree in Cosmetology with years of experience in dealing with hair care, scalp care, and hairstyling. As someone who extensively deals with all kinds of hair textures, products, styling methods and more, hair Leah Marie knows what kind of products and procedures suit each hair type and person. We have also tested these hair products and processes ourselves to provide you an unbiased review about every product. Each of our articles are also reviewed by a team of medical professionals so that you get the most accurate and expert-reviewed information.
Why You Need A Seperate Shampoo For Asian Hair?
Asian hair is usually straight, highly pigmented, and dark in color. It is one of the fastest-growing hair types in the world.
An average Asian hair grows about 1.4 cm every month. Asian hair tends to have different hair textures. Although most of the Asian hair is soft and sleek, you can also find Asians with coarse hair textures.
You cannot find a single shampoo that is suitable for Asian hair. You obviously have to check your hair type, moisture levels, and your scalp conditions before selecting the right shampoo.
Top Shampoos For Asian Hair 2025
Daeng Gi Meo Ri Gold Premium Shampoo – Best For Damaged Hair
The first shampoo I tried was this Japanese product. It lathered well on my hair and a little goes a long way.
You don’t even have to take a full pump of the dispenser. This product is slightly on the expensive side but it thoroughly cleans my hair and gets rid of any buildups.
The bottle is pretty big and the product lasts for a really long time so you don’t even have to buy a new shampoo in the near future.
I was struggling with a lot of scalp issues like redness and itching but after almost a month of using the shampoo, I could notice a visible difference.
But I did notice a little bit of dryness on my hair after using this shampoo so I would recommend you to use a hydrating conditioner after using this shampoo.
It has an amazing herbal scent that leaves you feeling fresh throughout the day. The main ingredients are green tea and changpo. They provide sufficient antioxidants and protect your hair from damage by free radicals. I mean, even the The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) agrees as they have approved a topical ointment that contains extracts from green tea.
The downside? Sulfates! I was very disappointed to see that there is both sodium laureth sulfate and sodium laurly sulfate in here.
So if you’ve got color-treated hair, skip this one.
Pros:
- Suitable for all hair types as it’s both cleansing and nourishing
- Contains green tea that soothes scalp
- Lathers well so a little goes a long way
- Softens hair thanks to the camellia oil in it
Cons:
- Expensive
- Might dry out your hair and strip color as it contains sulfates
Key Features of the Shampoo:
- The shampoo contains moisturizing Camellia oil
- It contains green tea and changpo extracts that are rich in antioxidants
- It has both sodium laureth and sodium lauryl sulfate
- The shampoo has a herbal scent
My Ratings:
- Gentleness of Formula – 3.5/5
- Volumizing – 4.5/5
- Cleansing Power – 4.5/5
Atomy Herbal Hair Shampoo – Best For Greasy Hair
If you are looking for a shampoo that will accelerate the growth of new hair, you should try this shampoo from Atomy.
I have been experiencing hair loss for some time and I decided to give this shampoo a try. After consistently using it for over a month, I could see new growth on my scalp.
This is also a very budget-friendly option which makes it a must-buy for people struggling with hair fall. The formula contains aloe vera and avocado plant-based ingredients that nourish your hair and support hair growth.
1b Asian hair like mine tends to be thin and lacks volume. This shampoo will help in making your hair thicker and build volume.
It also unclogs clogged pores and removed product buildup on my scalp. So hurray for that!
But the issue with this super clarifying formula is that it can be too clarifying. It uses SLS and SLES to clean hair and we all know sulfates can be so drying and also strip hair color.
So only go for this shampoo if you have oily hair or a lot of product buildup.
Pros:
- Contains aloe vera that hydrates hair without leaving it greasy
- Pleasant smell that is not overwhelming
- Budget-friendly price compared to Daeng Ri Mo and others
- Improves hair growth thanks to the herbal extracts in it
- Refines the scalp and removes product buildup
Cons:
- Might form tangles
- Contains SLES and SLS so it strips hair color
Key Features of the Shampoo:
- The shampoo base is aloe vera extract
- It leaves a herbal fragrance on hair
- It contains sodium laureth sulfate and sodium lauryl sulfate
- The shampoo is formulated for straight type 1 hair
My Ratings:
- Gentleness of Formula – 3.5/5
- Volumizing – 4/5
- Cleansing Power – 4.5/5
Related: Best Bleach For Asian Hair
Related: Best Hair Dyes For Asian Hair
Ichikami Smooth and Sleek shampoo – Best For Smoothening Frizz
The Ichikami smooth and sleek shampoo have helped a lot in relieving sensitive scalp issues and reducing inflammation on the scalp.
It also helps in reducing hair fall. I love the light peach scent of the product. But if you have colored or chemically treated hair, this shampoo will make your hair dry and brittle.
This is a mild shampoo that is gentle enough for everyday use.
What I liked most about this product is that unlike the Daeng Ri Mo and Shiseido shampoos this one is sulfate-free.
So if you have color-treated hair, it’s a good option.
Pros:
- Pleasant floral scent
- Contains Japanese botanicals that reduce hair fall
- Camellia oil prevents cuticle peeling
- Silicone free so it won’t cause buildup
- Sulfate-free shampoo won’t strip hair dye
Cons:
- Not suitable for chemically treated hair
Key Features of the Shampoo:
- The shampoo is sulfate-free and silicone-free
- It contains moisturizing camellia oil
- It has a floral perfume in the formula
- The shampoo contains anti hair fall botanicals
My Ratings:
- Gentleness of Formula – 4/5
- Volumizing – 4/5
- Cleansing Power – 4/5
Meibo Chinese Shampoo – Best For Graying Hair
This shampoo I picked because apparently it’s for graying and greasy hair. I think oiliness is a common issue with Asian hair because of it’s texture. Asian hair (on an average) tends to be very straight. Such textures distribute scalp’s natural oils easily leaving hair greasy.
I’ve found that this shampoo works amazingly well on reducing oiliness. And I was seriously impressed when I noted that this product is completely SLS and SLES.
So does this shampoo work well on reducing grays as it says? Well I used this shampoo for 8 weeks and no I couldn’t see any change in hair color. It’s usually not possible for a shampoo itself to turn your hair from grey to black (or its natural color again).
The ingredients in this Chinese shampoo are all natural. You can find traditional herbs like Ligusticum Wallichii (Cha Zi) that’s known to have anti-inflammatory properties.
I couldn’t find any downside to this shampoo. It also has a very reasonable price. The only thing is that this is not very nourishing. So don’t use it if you have dry or damaged hair.
It’s best suited for oily tresses, dandruff-prone scalp, inflamed scalps, etc.
Pros:
- Sulfate-free shampoo is suitable for colored hair
- The Chinese herbs formula is anti-inflammatory and increases blood circulation
- Helps clarify hair without damaging it
Cons:
- Not moisturizing enough to suit dry or damaged hair
My Ratings:
- Gentleness of Formula – 4.5/5
- Volumizing – 4.5/5
- Cleansing Power – 4/5
Shiseido Super Mild Shampoo – Best For Sensitive Scalps
I got this shampoo as I’d heard a lot about the brand Shiseido. And I wasn’t disappointed.
This shampoo forms a creamy lather to gently cleanse away toxins and impurities from my scalp.
It also has a very subtle scent that is soothing to your senses.
I found this shampoo to be perfect for everyday use and it is enriched with Vitamin E and Oat Grass Protein.
I did experience a little bit of drying after using this shampoo but a quick conditioner rinse fixed that problem. The shampoo is suitable for most hair types, unless you have really curly, coily hair.
Pros:
- Gentle formula
- Contains vitamin E
- Subtle scent
- Suitable for daily use
- Suitable for all hair types
- Smoothens the hair
Cons:
- Might leave a residue
- Might dry out your hair
My Ratings:
- Gentleness of Formula – 4.5/5
- Volumizing – 4/5
- Cleansing Power – 3/5
PhytoWorx Hair Recovery Shampoo – Best For Preventing Hair Loss
I got the Phytoworx hair recovery shampoo as it’s supposed to be a great option for people with dull and damaged hair.
I also liked that this is a colour safe shampoo that helps in stopping hair fall. The organic shampoo lathered well and thoroughly cleaned my hair and scalp.
After using it consistently for two months I have noticed that hair fall has reduced drastically.
My hair has also become thick and voluminous. It contains a lot of organic and natural ingredients like aloe vera juice, green tea extracts, cucumber fruit extracts, pomegranate extracts, and ginger root extracts.
The shampoo claims to promote cell growth and reversing the damage caused by chemical treatments and free radicals. And yes, I could see a increase in hair growth the few weeks I used it.
Pros:
- Sulfate-free
- Makes hair thicker
- Contains aloe vera juice
- Contains green tea extract
- Colour safe
- Reduces hair loss
- Contains licorice extracts
Cons:
- Might make your hair greasy
My Ratings:
- Gentleness of Formula – 5/5
- Volumizing – 3/5
- Cleansing Power – 3.5/5