K-beauty enthusiasts can add another category to their repertoire: the best Korean haircare products. “The beauty industry is already starting to see more K-hair brands making their way to the U.S. and there are more on the way very soon,” former Allure editor in case 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 Cheung 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.
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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
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