15 Best Japanese Shampoos to Cleanse And Nourish Your Mane

Hair is undeniably a significant aspect of our appearance, which is why many people place so much emphasis on maintaining it. To keep the ‘fresh’ look intact, instead of opting for any ordinary run-at-the-mill shampoo, try the best Japanese shampoos as they harbor some of the key ingredients your tresses need ASAP, including camellia extract, chamomile extract, seaweed, and many more! These ingredients leave your hair thicker, softer, shinier, and healthier. 

Japanese shampoo will always outperform competitors’ product lines as the product's contents are sourced from natural materials and well-researched chemicals that address the majority of hair and scalp issues. They are devoid of harsh chemicals and don’t harm or damage your scalp or hair. Adding to that, shampoos manufactured in Japan are extensively examined by professionals to ensure customer safety.    

These hair cleansers take it up a notch with their mainly plant-based formulations that not only cater to delicate scalps and stubborn dandruff issues but are also ideal for expectant mothers who tend to face hair loss problems too. What’s more? They are extremely nourishing and moisturizing, and highly affordable to attain the hair of your dreams. 

As we were also surprised by the benefits, we put it to the test to find and narrow down the ultimate hair care products for every hair condition. Continue reading because we'll introduce you to the 15 choicest shampoos from the Far East that you should try!

Our top picks

15 Best Japanese Shampoos

MyKirei’s nourishing shampoo is blessed with an infusion of moisturizing Japanese Tsubaki extract — rich in oleic acid, proteins, and glycerides — and vitamin-rich rice water that softens and cleanses hair for you to have healthy hair. The opaque shampoo comprises a hypoallergenic plant formula and comes neatly packaged in a 100% recyclable bottle — making it safe for you and the environment. Moreover, the ultra-gentle shampoo is safe for color-treated and keratin-treated hair. All these benefits indeed give this mild shampoo the top spot on our list and the badge for being the best Japanese shampoo for a dry scalp!

Hair type: Dry and coarse

Pros

• Ideal for dry, coarse hair
• Active ingredients
• Climate pledge friendly
• Removes buildups
• Vegan

Cons

• Unpleasant scent

2

Best for Color-treated Hair

ROYD Punkish Pink Shampoo

Keep your hairdo from fading fast with Punkish Pink Shampoo which is a two-in-one combo of hair dye and shampoo! It contains extracts of ginseng, clove flowers, and the deep moisturizing essence of shea butter to keep your hair soft and hydrated. And natural oils like jojoba, grape seed, avocado, rice, and sweet almond, keep the hair from thinning and losing its luster (1). The repairing formula will help to de-tangle your hair, condition damaged and color-treated hair, and restore its lost vibrancy. 

Moreover, the product is also available in a diverse shade range from silver (grey hair), to black, brown, and purple (blonde hair). This Japanese shampoo for colored hair is the perfect addition to your cabinet. 

Hair type: Dry and color-treated

Pros

• Pleasant scent
• Convenient to use
• Ideal for dry, color-treated hair
• Deals with hair color-fading
• Improves scalp health
• Lathers well

Cons

• Contains allergens

3

Best Japanese Shampoo for Fine Hair

NatureLab. Perfect Volume Shampoo

This mild shampoo was one the go-to items for many hair care enthusiasts dealing with post-Covid-19 hair loss. It contains soy protein, which helps to repair damaged hair and makes each strand thick enough to withstand breaking (2). And rice protein, on the other hand, adds volume to your hair and enhances the look of thin hair. The clear gel formula with apple stem cells helps cleanse your scalp and keep the pH levels balanced. So it’s the ideal product for oily hair or inflammation-prone scalps. After testing the product, we also loved the fresh light cherry blossom-inspired scent that leaves your hair smelling fabulous throughout the day.

Pros

• Ideal for fine hair
• Affordable pricing
• Cruelty-free
• Sulfate-free formula
• Paraben-free

Cons

• Results take too much time

4

Best for Dandruff

KAMINOMOTO Medicated Shampoo

Owing to a combination of relaxing components, the Medicated Shampoo by KAMINOMOTO is particularly created to help cure dandruff and flaky scalps. Thanks to a mix of sophora extracts and menthol extracts, this scalp-invigorating formula offers great benefits to dry and color-treated hair and sensitive scalps. Plus, glycyrrhizic acid and piroctone olamine in the formula intend to reduce hair loss and promote the growth of hair within weeks of use. Many in Japan use this shampoo as a pore-cleanser to remove scalp build-ups and keep it prepared for applying hair masks and more. 

Hair type: All

Pros

• Ideal for all hair types
• Invigorating after-wash feel
• Deals with dandruff
• No greasy residue
• Sulfate-free

Cons

• Some find the formulation too strong

Quick Tip:

Applying too much shampoo can make your hair dry and damaged. Hence, it is advisable to use a coin-size scoop, no matter the hair length.

5

Best Japanese Hair Growth Shampoo

Botanist Smooth Shampoo

The Botanist shampoo harbors five essential key ingredients such as botanical micro protein, white birch extracts for hydration, and silver lime extracts that repair broken damaged hair strands. Moreover, it also moisturizes damaged hair with the help of corn and a botanical protection complex. When we tested this product with extensive benefits, we found the smoothing formula leaves hair glossy and manageable after 2-3 washes. And if paired with the conditioner, it adds lustrous shine and helps deal with frizz. "Fine, thin, and brittle hair sufferers: this product is for us!" writes a reviewer about this Japanese shampoo.

Hair type: All

Pros

• Stops hair fall
• Sulfate-free
• No greasy residue
• Smooth texture
• Doesn’t flatten out the hair
• Free of harsh chemicals

Cons

• Not ideal for delicate scalps

6

Best for Flaky Scalps

Milbon Plarmia Hairserum M Shampoo

This shampoo not only cleanses but also repairs and regenerates the crispy hair texture. The jojoba oil protein present in Milbon shampoo helps repair damaged strands, while the Carboxymethyl Disulfide Keratin (a.k.a CMADK) reduces hair shedding (3). This restorative shampoo is designed for coarse and dehydrated hair with the help of soybean extracts to seal moisture into your hair. If you want an all-natural shampoo that will leave your hair feeling healthy and regenerated after each use, look no further and try Milbon Plarmia Hairserum M Shampoo for the best results.

Hair type: Coarse

Pros

• Ideal for coarse hair
• Strengthens hair follicles
• Non-comedogenic
• No greasy feel
• Affordable pricing

Cons

• Might itch after use

7

Best for Curly Hair

Oshima Tsubaki Camellia Premium Shampoo

Those in search of a plant-based shampoo that softens coarse hair when emulsified without the use of excessive conditioning agents will love this premium pick. This Japanese shampoo for colored hair is blended with camellia oil and three camellia-derived components (ceramide, flower extract, and camellia leaf extract), which it uses to keep the scalp moisturized. Adding to that, the formula makes your hair stunningly silky, tangle-free, and manageable hair. And with its pleasant fragrance inspired by camellia blossoms, your hair will smell as irresistible as it will look.

Hair type: Damaged

Pros

• Silicone-free formula
• Indulgent floral scent
• Moisturizes the hair
• A little goes a long way

Cons

• Doesn't clear scalp build-ups

8

Best Lightweight Formula for Straight Hair

TAMANOHADA Shampoo - Gardenia

Tamanohada’s Gardenia shampoo is crafted with plant-based ingredients that create a rich lather in every wash. It features the scent of the gardenia flower blended with lemon oil and ylang-ylang oil adding a sensual sweetness to your strands. After using it, we found our hair had so much more volume while also looking shiny and moisturized. Moreover, we also recommend massaging it through your wet hair, rinsing it all out, and then following with a hydrating conditioner for a healthier mane. This gentle formula is perfect for daily use and works as an anti-dandruff shampoo and perfume in one!

Hair type: Damaged

Pros

• A little goes a long way
• Ideal for dry scalp
• Silicone-free
• Free of parabens and sulfates
• Refreshing scent

Cons

• The bottle cap breaks easily

9

Best for Oily Scalps

Mirai Clinical Purifying and Deodorizing Hair Shampoo

Mirai's shampoo helps purify and deodorize the scalp in one wash with Japanese persimmon extract, which eliminates hair and scalp odor. It features a silk protein formula that softens, strengthens, and moisturizes your hair. Also, the hair cleanser boasts effective ingredients, such as bilberry extract and pine extract, which intend to improve blood circulation to the hair follicles by removing flakes and dandruff, but also result in faster and stronger hair growth. Likewise, grapefruit and camellia oil bring brilliance to damaged and dull hair, making this one of the best Japanese shampoos for hair loss.

Hair type: All

Pros

• Sulfate-free
• Ideal for all hair types
• Easy to use
• Removes nonenal odor

Cons

• Might feel greasy

Quick Tip:

For best results, apply the shampoo onto the scalp, and let it cleanse the rest of the hair when you rinse it out.

10

Best for Dry Scalps

TSUBAKI Extra Moist Shampoo

For a nourished, glossy, soft, and shiny mane, we highly recommend this Japanese shampoo from Shisiedo. It encompasses the goodness of tsubaki oil and hyaluronic acid to soften and moisturize your hair deep from the roots. How does it do it? Well, the Tsubaki oil is derived by cold-pressing the seeds of the camellia japonica flower, which are high in oleic acids(omega 9) and hence quite friendly with our skin and hair. Drawing from experience, we found the shampoo lathers less but can surely prevent dandruff and treat scalp itchiness.

Hair type: All

Pros

• Color-safe formula
• Floral scent
• Improves hair growth
• Deals with flaky scalp issues
• Skin-friendly ingredients

Cons

• Watery consistency

11

Kunoma Horse Oil Shampoo and Conditioner

We aren't horsing around when we say this shampoo by Kunoma Horse is quite the game-changer in Japan for its hair-strengthening benefits. Infused with argan oil and horse oil (that's right), this silicone-free product is also rich in camellia oil, hyaluronic acid, ceramide, and amino acids to make your strands healthier and glossier. Because horse oil's key attribute is its capacity to retain moisture and temperature, it has a significant and rapid absorption impact that will keep your hair moisturized for a long time. Horse oil has long been used for a variety of purposes, including the treatment of skin sores and the relief of dry skin. Though this product is invigorating for the scalp it is quite a gentle formulation for expecting mothers as well.

Hair type: All

Pros

• Contains herbal ingredients
• Safe for pregnancy
• Deals with dandruff
• Convenient to use
• Ideal for all hair types

Cons

• Might cause hair fall for some

12

Moist Diane Botanical Refresh and Moist Shampoo

Hydrate and replenish your locks with Refresh and Moist Shampoo by Moist Diane. The hair-energizing formula offers the goodness of coconut oil, marula oil, and keratin to thicken and strengthen the strands from the inside and out. It's a combination of moisturizing marula extracts and strengthening keratin proteins leaving fine hair unbreakable and smoother with no heavy residue. Plus, it contains organic argan oil that helps restore moisture to the strands and scalp and plant extracts and olive cleansing oil, making it suitable for sensitive skin. All in all, this is the best Japanese hair shampoo for coarse dry hair seeking botanical expertise for their dull strands.

Hair type: Dry

Pros

• Ideal for dry, dull scalp
• Free of sulfates
• Lathers well
• Ideal for men and women

Cons

• Doesn't remove scalp builds well

13

Komenuka Bijin Moisturizing Hair Shampoo and Hair Treatment Set

The freshly reformulated shampoo and conditioner by Komenuka Bijin are especially effective for mending hair damage caused by color treatments or heat styling tools. This water-based shampoo comprises the natural goodness of Ginseng, Olive,  vitamin E, Seaweed, sake, and jojoba esters that nourish your hair through and through. Moreover, the Japanese shampoo also offers rice bran and rice germ oil, which bring about better hair shine and appearance, stronger follicles, and dandruff prevention. Additionally, the set includes a conditioner which also will help your hair become more glossy.

Hair type: All

Pros

• Stimulate follicle strength
• Ideal for hair growth
• Free of sulfates
• No parabens or silicones

Cons

• Contains sake (alcohol)

14

ICHIKAMI Smoothing Shampoo

This wrapped-up white bottle with cherry blossoms possesses a hair cuticle soothing formula crafted with plant-derived ingredients that are best-selling for delicate scalps. It is formulated with restorative and protective ingredients such as rice bran oil, rice extracts, camellia extracts, and blackberry lily extract that form the “pure Japanese Botanicals Premium Extract”. As a whole, all these ingredients help detangle the toughest knots and make brittle hair silky smooth so that you can slide your fingers through it like butter. After we tried the product, we found it did harness a promising and gentle formula that detangles knots without drying or overly hydrating the tresses and can be used daily as well.

Hair type: Damaged

Pros

• Affordable pricing
• A little goes a long way
• Sulfate-free
• The dainty aroma of cherry blossoms

Cons

• May leave residue after wash

15

Rishiri Hair Color Shampoo

This professional-grade hair color shampoo by Rishiri fortifies and strengthens your hair's natural barrier against external damage caused by elements such as heat styling, pollution, UV radiation, and toxic chemicals found in bleach and other coloring solutions. It takes a step further by adding the hair coloring and washing process in one as the shampoo dyes your hair while you sing your heart out during the head bath. The gentle hair wash is crafted with moisturizing and nourishing 100% Japan Hokkaido rishiri seaweed and natural hair dyeing ingredients like Curcuma longa, shiconix, gardenia jasminoides, and annatto. Available in natural shades of black and brown, the shampoo is a must-have for color-treated hair!

Hair type: Color or chemically-treated

Pros

• Provides a natural hair dye job
• Gentle formulation
• No parabens
• Fragrance-free

Cons

• The dye quickly stains and washes out

Though many of the Japanese shampoos mentioned might seem normal when compared to regular shampoos, the ingredients, and chemical-free formulations make it surprisingly effective for all hair types. From strengthening to diminishing hair fall problems, these Japanese shampoos for all hair types and scalps should be chosen wisely to ripe the fruits of good hair care. Scroll for more information on how to choose the best ones.

How to Choose the Best Japanese Shampoo?

Swipe down to discover the factors you must keep in mind while purchasing the perfect Japanese shampoo.

Key Ingredients: Many of the shampoos selected in the list feature a particular ingredient known as “camellia extract”, we suggest including this particular natural ingredient in your hair care as it will nourish the hair, leaving the scent on each hair strand. Moreover, we also recommend including more ingredients like biotin, and essential oils like ylang-ylang, grapefruit, and avocado oil as they help moisturize and repair your strands. Also, don't forget about vitamins C and E for regeneration and keratin for providing your hair strands with strength.

Hair Type: To preserve and maintain your tresses, we first recommend matching your preference with and choosing Japanese shampoo products with balanced purification and moisturizing ingredients. Knowing whether your hair and scalp are oily or dry is essential as distinguishing hair type helps us choose from individual shampoos that contain formulations dedicated to eliminating excess oil while others increase moisture. For color-treated hair, selecting a Japanese shampoo containing antioxidants such as vitamin E and UV-blocking chemicals is also a wonderful option. Because dyed hair is prone to dandruff, you should use a shampoo containing zinc pyrithione to combat the problem.
Discussing the role of conditioners, our contributor Mr. William Slator, a hair product developer, says, “As far as conditioners are concerned, Japanese shampoos do not necessarily require specific conditioners. However, pairing a shampoo with a complementary conditioner from the same brand or line can enhance the overall effectiveness. Choose a conditioner based on your hair type and specific needs.”

Reviews: Many happy customers rave about the benefits Japanese shampoos have brought to the table of hair care. With plenty of women praising fast recovery from having split ends and hair fall, many find these Japanese hair products to be a quick-and-easy solution for post-Covid-19 hair problems. Furthermore, we found that more than half of the customers, all around the globe,  recommend using the Japanese natural-formula-based shampoos in your hair care routines for at least two to three months to ripe the benefits.

Tips on How to Apply Japanese Shampoos

Here are the tips to apply Japanese shampoos effectively -

First and foremost, Japanese shampoos are considered as a tough cleansing agent for the scalp. So if you are dealing with flakes and require scalp buildup control, then be sure to apply the shampoo generously to your scalp.

If your shampoo contains plenty of invigorating ingredients like tea tree, menthol, and ginseng root extracts, then try applying the shampoo twice a week to avoid drying your hair and scalp.

Lastly, if your shampoo mentions “moist” then it intends to moisturize your strands just like a conditioner. So we advise applying the shampoo with a dollop-sized amount to sufficiently moisture-dry and sull strands. 

Well, the Asian continent does provide great hair care products from various countries like India, South Korea, and more - where today we explored the best Japanese shampoos in the hair care department. These Japanese shampoos are dedicated to hair loss, volume, and thick strands, which will surely be beneficial and efficient in giving favorable results in no time. Moreover, we recommend choosing the shampoos wisely based on your hair care needs and how it reacts to your scalp and skin. So, if you're not sure whether you'll have a full and nourished head of hair, check out these Japanese shampoos without wasting any more time!

Contributor: William Slator, Product developer - HairGuard

Conclusion

Well, the Asian continent does provide great haircare products from various countries like India, South Korea, and more - where today we explored the best Japanese shampoos in the hair care department. These Japanese shampoos, including the MyKirei by KAO Nourishing Shampoo, are dedicated to hair loss, volume, and thick strands, which will surely be beneficial and efficient in giving favorable results in no time. Moreover, we recommend choosing the shampoos wisely based on your hair care needs and how it reacts to your scalp and skin. So, if you're not sure whether you'll have a full and nourished head of hair, check out these Japanese shampoos without wasting any more time!

FAQ's

Are Japanese shampoos good for your hair?

Yes, Many Japanese shampoo’ formulations are mild and hypoallergenic, hence they are healthy to apply to the scalp and hair.

Can I use Japanese shampoo for colored hair?

Yes, we recommend ROYD Punkish Pink Shampoo for colored hair as it helps maintain shade and diminishes the signs of color fading.

Is it okay to use regular conditioner after using Japanese shampoo?

Yes, there is no problem using a regular conditioner after a Japanese shampoo.

What Japanese shampoo do I use for hair loss?

We recommend using the KAMINOMOTO Medicated Shampoo for hair loss as it possesses natural ingredients that help deal with hair loss

How often should you use Japanese shampoo?

Though many regular shampoos tend to strip the hair of its natural oils, we recommend using Japanese shampoos thrice a week to help maintain the healthy equilibrium of the hair strands and scalp.

Do Japanese shampoos have sulfates?

Yes, this depends on formulas and ingredients. Luckily, the shampoos selected and presented above do not contain harmful sulfates.

Why Trust Pinkvilla

Alvira, the author of this article, carefully curates structured content to help our readers gain all the knowledge they require. She is a certified hair care expert who brings the latest beauty and lifestyle trends to your fingertips. Here, she has researched and listed her recommendations for the best Japanese shampoos to cleanse and nourish your hair. 

Our product experts study the specifications of every product we suggest and try them out to bring what’s proven to be worthy of your money, time, and energy. We also have subject matter experts from various fields like Fashion, Skincare, Haircare, Home Decor, and Health & Fitness onboard to make sure our suggestions are credible and trustworthy. You can trust Select to be your faithful shopping guide for all the right reasons!

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With a keen eye for detail and a passion for hairstyling, Alvira is a certified Hair Expert who brings the latest tre More

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