11 Best Korean Haircare Brands For Gloss, Growth and Glass Hair

Founded in 1998, Daeng Gi Meo Ri is a household name in South Korea and one of the first haircare brands to draw on Dongui Bogam, a 16th-century encyclopedia on traditional Korean medicine. This shampoo is an ideal introduction to Korean haircare. At the centre of the formula is heartleaf, an ingredient native to Southeast Asia and abundant in amino acids and fatty acids, which helps calm inflammation and soothe scalp sensitivity, according to Vernon.

Kundal ranks among Korea’s bestselling haircare brands, thanks to its indulgently perfumed shampoos that will prompt constant compliments. This one, however, offers so much more than its powdery floral scent. It features hyaluronic acid, a powerful humectant that attracts and retains moisture in the hair. Formulated with a hydro-complex of eight types of hyaluronic acid, it delivers intense hydration and shine, helping to achieve the coveted “glass hair” effect.

With its invigorating lime fragrance, this shampoo is perfect for morning washes. The star ingredient is green tangerine extract from Jeju Island, an antioxidant rich in vitamin C, which protects the scalp from environmental stressors such as air pollutants and UV damage. Meanwhile, mint complex gently removes dead skin cells on the scalp while stimulating hair growth.

Polynucleotides – or PDRN, an ingredient already wildly popular in Korean skincare – are now finding their place in haircare. This scalp serum is unparalleled for enhancing the efficacy of other treatments, according to K-beauty expert and content creator Amy Chang. “The formula utilises spicules, which are little needle-like structures derived from marine sponges,” she explains to Vogue. “They encourage cell turnover and boost collagen production by embedding into the upper layer of the skin and creating ‘micro channels’ that help enhance the absorption of active ingredients.” The spicules are coated in PDRN, sourced from ginseng, to calm irritation and support skin repair, while caffeine promotes blood flow and increases hair thickness. For optimal results, Chang recommends layering a serum for grey hair on top of this ampoule.

Designed to be massaged into the scalp post-shampooing, this solution is packed with rosemary leaf extract, an ingredient that supports scalp health and encourages stronger, fuller hair. “Rosemary is both stimulating and soothing,” explains Eva Proudman, consultant trichologist at UK Hair Consultants. “It can increase blood flow into the hair follicle to promote growth, while also calming irritated, flaky scalp as it’s anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial.” With consistent use, the treatment helps reduce breakage-related hair loss, leaves the scalp more hydrated, and delivers instant smoothness at the lengths.

With top K-pop girl group Aespa as the muse, miseenscéne receives its fair share of social media hype. Its signature product, the Perfect Serum Original range, delivers the kind of nourishment frizz-prone hair craves. The shampoo is enriched with the line’s signature blend of seven plant oils – argan, coconut, marula, camellia, olive, apricot and jojoba – which work overtime to smooth the cuticle and help repair damage. Also noteworthy is the fragrance: a mix of green apple, citrus and white florals, anchored by a musky base that lingers long after you’ve stepped out of the shower. For best results, follow the shampoo with the hair mask and serum from the same collection.

One of the top-three bestselling shampoos at Olive Young, Korea’s preeminent beauty retailer chain, this product is widely trusted to revive damaged ends. It contains biotin and ceramides, both excellent conditioning ingredients to watch out for reducing frizz, according to Tom Smith, co-founder of AEVUM Salon. “Biotin is often talked about as the ‘hair vitamin’ because it supports production of keratin, the key protein our hair is made of,” he says. “Ceramides, on the other hand, are invaluable for smoothing the hair’s outer layer, locking in moisture and improving manageability for those with naturally dry or frizzy textures.”

COSRX, best known for its cult-favourite snail mucin serums, has now turned its attention to hair. This bond repairing treatment is powered by tripeptides, a type of low-molecular-weight peptide designed to slip beneath the cuticle and repair damage from within the cortex, rather than simply coating the surface. Acting like microscopic building blocks, these peptides target weakened areas of the hair fibre to reinforce strength and reduce breakage. The rich, creamy texture melts instantly into strands, leaving them smoother without weighing them down.

Created for tangle-prone and dry hair, this oil-essence offers an instant smoothing effect alongside heat protection. Formulated with nutritious keratin and amino acids, the product penetrates damaged cuticles while coating the surface of the hair in a silk-like finish that feels weightless. “Amino acids and proteins can penetrate into the hair fibre to strengthen it, as well as wrap around the outside of the hair to smooth and thicken,” explains Proudman. “Products with these types of ingredients benefit from smoothness, shine and easier manageability.”

Harnessing the power of traditional Korean herbal remedies, this intensive treatment is designed to restore elasticity and bounce to permed or naturally curly hair. At its core are ginseng root and red camellia, long revered in Korean medicine for their strengthening and protective properties. Ginseng is selected to stimulate the scalp and encourage healthier growth, while camellia oil, which is rich in fatty acids, works to smooth frizz, seal split ends and impart a glossy shine.