10 Best Shampoos For Asian Hair 2024

Every hair type is different. Asian hair for example, is often thicker and poker straight. 

And because of this hair texture, tends to get oily often and requires shampoos that not just clean hair but also add volume.

So here are some  correct shampoos for Asian hair if you want soft, voluminous tresses. 

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.

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.

Top Shampoos For Asian Hair 2024

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

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

PURA D’OR Professional Grade Anti Thinning Shampoo - Best For Thickening Hair

Thinning is a major hair problem faced by a lot of Asians. Yup even me! 

After using this shampoo for over a month, I have noticed drastic changes in my hair. Hairfall has reduced and my hair has become much shinier. 

The overall health of my hair has improved and my scalp is better than ever. This shampoo has also helped in reducing hair thinning and breakage.

I was really happy to note that the shampoo and conditioner duo is very reasonably priced and is guaranteed to give you great results with consistent use. 

You also have to make sure to leave both the shampoo and conditioner on your hair for two minutes to get the results. 

Pros:

• Contains biotin
• Reduced hair thinning
• Reduces hair breakage
• Contains exotic herbs and extracts
• Contains natural plant-based preservatives
• Suitable for daily use
• Makes hair thicker
• Suitable for all hair types

Cons:

• None

My Ratings:

• Gentleness of Formula - 4.5/5
• Volumizing - 4.5/5
• Cleansing Power - 4.5/5

MyKireo Shampoo and Conditioner Set - Best For Dry Hair

So I was excited to get shampoo because it has one of Korea’s best-kept beauty secret - rice water!

The MyKireo Shampoo and Conditioner Set features rice water, known for its hair-nourishing properties. The shampoo gently cleanses, while the conditioner deeply nourishes, promoting stronger, vibrant hair. With consistent use, the set rejuvenates and enhances the hair's natural beauty.

I have noticed that my hair has become so much softer after using this product. 

Although this shampoo is slightly on the pricier side, it gives your amazing results. 

If you are not comfortable with strong scents, you should steer clear from this shampoo and conditioner because it has a very heavy fragrance. 

Pros:

• Lightweight conditioning formula
• Contains rice water
• Suitable for all hair types
• Improves hair growth
• Softens hair
• Gentle formula
• Paraben free

Cons:

• Strong fragrance
• Expensive

My Ratings:

• Gentleness of Formula - 3.5/5
• Volumizing - 4.5/5

I was having issues with itchy, dry scalp for a while, so I got this shampoo and conditioner to help soothe my scalp irritation. 

The itching and redness from my scalp reduced drastically after using it. My hair and scalp feel so much healthier after using it. 

The peppermint oil really helps in stimulating your scalp and encouraging new hair growth. It also contains other ingredients like keratin protein, ginger oil, argan oil, and coconut oil. 

I thought that the best part about this shampoo is the amazing smell that leaves you smelling fresh throughout the day. But I realize, not many people might like it.

This shampoo made hair silky and smooth, and I would recommend you to use it in conjunction with the conditioner for best results. 

Pros:

• Contains 100% pure peppermint oil
• Contains argan oil and coconut oil
• Contains keratin protein
• Softens the hair
• Refreshing scent
• Makes hair thicker
• Colour safe
• Cruelty-free

Cons:

• Peppermint fragrance isn’t for everyone

My Ratings:

• Gentleness of Formula - 5/5
• Volumizing - 4.5/5
• Cleansing Power - 4.5/5

Shiseido Tsubaki Extra Moist Shampoo - Best For Damaged Hair

After using this shampoo, I realised it’s more suitable for people with dry and thin hair. My hair feels healthy and moisturized after using this shampoo. 

It has also considerably reduced frizz. But it didn’t do much for volume. If you have oily scalps, it might contribute to greasy, limp hair.

But it does have a beautiful perfume-like scent. And the ingredients list includes high-quality oils and Tsubaki flowers that nourish and moisturize your hair. 

I’d suggest going for this shampoo if you have dry scalp and hair.

Pros:

• Softens hair
• Colour safe
• Contains Tsubaki flowers 
• Suitable for thin hair 
• Pleasant fragrance 

Cons:

• Not suitable for extremely dry hair
• Not suitable for sensitive scalp

My Ratings:

• Gentleness of Formula - 4/5
• Volumizing - 4.5/5
• Cleansing Power - 4.5/5

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. 

Ratings For Asian Hair Shampoos - Which One Wins?

Top Shampoos For Asian Hair	Daeng Gi Meo Ri Ki Gold Premium Shampoo	Ichikami Smooth and Sleek Shampoo	Shiseido Super Mild Shampoo	Atomy Herbal Shampoo	MyKireo Shampoo and Conditioner Set	Shiseido Tsubaki Extra Moist Shampoo
Images
Price	Expensive	Very Affordable	Expensive	Affordable	Very Expensive	Expensive
Cleansing Power	4.5/5	5/5	4.5/5	5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5
Gentleness	3.5/5	3/5	4.5/5	5/5	4/5	3.5/5
Ingredients Quality	4/5	4.5/5	5/5	4.5/5	5/5	3.5/5
Sulfate-Free	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	No
Suitable For Color-Treated Hair	No	No	Yes	Yes	No	Yes

What Factors To Consider While Buying Shampoos for Asian Hair?

Here are some important factors to consider when buying shampoos for Asian hair:

1. Hair Type and Texture:
   • Asian hair can vary widely in terms of type and texture. It can be straight, wavy, or curly, and it may be coarse or fine. Determine your hair type to find a shampoo that caters to its specific needs.
2. Scalp Type:
   • Consider your scalp type, whether it's oily, dry, or prone to dandruff. Choose a shampoo that addresses your scalp's condition while also catering to your hair type.
3. Moisture Level:
   • Asian hair often tends to be naturally shiny and sleek but can also be prone to dryness, especially if it's chemically treated or exposed to environmental stressors. Look for shampoos that provide moisture and hydration without weighing down the hair.
4. Hair Concerns:
   • Identify any specific hair concerns you may have, such as frizz, split ends, or color-treated hair. Select shampoos with targeted solutions for these issues.
5. Ingredients:
   • Pay attention to the ingredients in the shampoo. Asian hair can benefit from products containing natural oils like argan oil, coconut oil, or camellia oil, which help nourish and protect the hair. Avoid shampoos with harsh sulfates that can strip the hair of its natural oils.
6. Volume and Thickness:
   • If you have fine or thin Asian hair and want to add volume, look for volumizing shampoos that provide lift and body without weighing the hair down. For thicker hair, opt for shampoos that manage and control volume if desired.
7. Color-Treated Hair:
   • If you've dyed your hair, choose shampoos specifically formulated for color-treated hair. These shampoos help maintain the vibrancy of your hair color while providing essential care.
8. Fragrance and Sensitivity:
   • Consider your sensitivity to fragrances and ingredients. Some people prefer unscented or hypoallergenic shampoos to minimize scalp irritation.
9. pH Balance:
   • Look for shampoos with a balanced pH level that is close to your scalp's natural pH. A pH-balanced shampoo can help maintain the scalp's health and the hair's moisture balance.
10. Cruelty-Free and Ethical Considerations:
    • If you're concerned about animal welfare and sustainability, choose shampoos from brands that are cruelty-free and environmentally responsible.
11. Price Point:
    • Determine your budget and choose a shampoo that aligns with it. There are quality shampoos available at various price points, so you can find one that meets your needs without breaking the bank.

Frequently Asked Questions

But let’s not forget, Asian hair is not a monolith. You can have Asian hair in several textures like curly, wavy, and yes even type 4c coily hair. So do take your hair’s type into account before selecting a shampoo.

A lot of these shampoos for Asian hair that I’ve reviewed are good for type 1a or 1b Asian hair which is thick, silky, and poker straight.

So feel free to choose a shampoo that's right for you!