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.
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.
Related: Best Bleach For Asian Hair
Related: Best Hair Dyes For Asian Hair
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.
If you are looking for the best shampoo for Asian hair, check out the list below.
I’ve tried out some top shampoos for Asian hair of 1a texture. Here’s how it went.
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 |
Asian hair can come in all textures and types including curly and wavy hair!
How I tested the top shampoos for Asian hair?
I tested each shampoo on my 1b Asian hair and judged them on the following parameters. Next, I rated them on a scale of 1-5.
- Gentleness of Formula – I checked if any shampoos contain surfactants like SLS, SLES, etc. that can damage hair
- Volumizing – One main issue with Asian hair is that it can get limp and dull very easily. So I looked into the volumizing power of the shampoo
- Cleansing Power – Despite being gentle and volumizing, a shampoo needs to keep your scalp clean. So I checked its cleansing power as well.
Top Shampoos For Asian Hair 2023
Daeng Gi Meo Ri Gold Premium Shampoo – Best For Damaged Hair
The irst shampoo I tried was this Japanese product. This shampoo 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.
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 … well 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
My scalp has been super sensitive lately and I have been experiencing a lot of breakouts so I was looking for a shampoo that would help me tackle it.
The Ichikami smooth and sleek shampoo have helped a lot in relieving these 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

I was very intrigued to use this shampoo as I’ve never tried Chinese beauty products before. Japanese shampoos are so popular and Korean ones even more so, but I wanted to give Meibo a try as I had heard a lot about it.
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!
I remember my grandma using rice water on my hair as a child and had to see if the ingredient works just as well in a commercial shampoo.
The verdict? Yes it does! 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
- Cleansing Power – 4.5/5
Botanic Hearth Peppermint Oil and Shampoo – Best For Reducing Dandruff
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
FAQs about Shampoo And Conditioner For Asian Hair
Does Asian hair need shampoo?
Yes of course! Asian hair needs to be cleanses like any other hair type. Actually most Asian hair tends to be of the straight 1a or 1b hair type. This type of hair ends to be more oily as the natural oils from scalp get distributed easily on straight hair. So Asian hair might need to be washed more often.
Should Asian hair be washed everyday?
No not necessarily. This depends on how oily your hair is, how dirty it gets due to sweat or physical activity and the type of hair texture you have. If you have oily, straight hair then you can wash it everyday. But be careful to use a sulfate free shampoo that is mild and suited for everyday usage.
Here are some of the top shampoos for Asian hair at a glance!
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 |
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.
These shampoos give you the much-needed bounce while keeping hair’s moisture intact.
The author of this article, Leah Marie Priest has a degree in Cosmetology with years of experience in dealing with all hair types and textures, including African American hair, Indian hair and Asian hair. Due to this intensive experience, Leah knows what hair products suits each hair type the best. Also, all the shampoos reviewed here are selected after careful consideration and are used by the reviewers themself. We tell you all the good, bad and ugly about these shampoos without any bias. So you can keep your trust in these reviews.
Also Read:
Best Japanese Shampoos For Hair Loss
Daeng Gi Meo Ri Ki Gold Premium Shampoo

The best shampoos for Asian hair help cleanse hair without leaving it dry. The Daeng Gi Meo Ri Ki Gold Premium Shampoo is suitable for all hair types.
Product SKU: MVRD77DNG522
Product Brand: Daeng Gi Meo
Product Currency: USD
Product Price: $30.00
Price Valid Until: 2023-02-24
Product In-Stock: InStock
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Pros
- Shampoo is sulfate-free and mild
- The Chinese herbs helps hair growth and dandruff reduction
Cons
- Not suited for dry or curly hair