The Tamesis
If it feels like everyone on your social media went to Tokyo this year, you’re not expecting it. Japan has become one of the top destinations – not only for travel enthusiasts but also for beauty enthusiasts – and Japanese hair care in particular has become a hot topic in the five-year plan. Japanese formulas tend to be gentle, well-formulated, safe for damaged and color-treated hair, and are often less expensive than many of the luxury goods we rely on here in the U.S.
The core philosophy of Japanese hair care is to treat your scalp like your skin. Celebrity hairstylist Sky Kim explains, “When the scalp is balanced and cared for, the hair follows. Healthy hair is seen as the result of a healthy scalp, and daily care is designed to protect the hair fiber and minimize cumulative damage.”
fashion magazine Favorite Japanese hair products
Silk The Rich Shampoo and Conditioner Set
Jump to comments
Natural laboratory. Tokyo Perfect Cleansing Scalp Scrub and Purifying Shampoo
Jump to comments
Culture also plays an important role: Japanese hairstylist Ritsuko Hotaka points out that grooming is instilled early on. “From a young age, people are taught that personal grooming is important. In Japan, beautiful hair is often considered more important than wearing beautiful clothes,” she explains. Additionally, due to the country’s humid climate, people place great emphasis on keeping their hair smooth, shiny, and well-maintained.
Below, we asked the pros to round up the best Japanese hair care products by formula type. If you choose to go all out, think of it as a simplified introduction to J-beauty’s hair care routine, from shampoo and conditioner to clarifying scrubs, gloss treatments, hair masks and lightweight oils.
in this story
Best Shampoo and Conditioner: Silk The Rich Shampoo and Conditioner Set
- why we like it: If you’re curious about J-beauty hair care products, this set from Silk The Rich is a great place to start. It’s popular for good reason, thanks to nourishing oils like jojoba and argan oil, which Hotaka says help moisturize hair without weighing it down. Kim adds, “The formulas focus on moisturizing and smoothing the cuticle, leaving hair hydrated, smooth, and flexible without weighing it down.” Safe for damaged and color-treated hair, this hydrating repair shampoo and conditioner combo helps soften strands, reduce frizz, improve manageability, and restore shine. Unlike some overly potent formulas, the scent is clean and subtle, making it easy to use every day.
- Main ingredients: Jojoba Oil, Argan Oil, Ceramide, Hyaluronic Acid
- most suitable: All hair types
- size: 250ml
The best shampoo for dyed hair: Kiwabi hair dye shampoo
- why we like it: I’m at that age now where gray hair is rampant and whether it’s stress, genetics or a combination of the two, it doesn’t matter to me – I just know I want them covered. Most traditional dyes contain harsh chemicals, which is why this Japanese hair color shampoo has earned a permanent spot in my shower rotation. “This dark brown color shampoo gradually covers gray hair while cleansing and nourishing hair with 31 plant extracts and natural oils,” says celebrity hairstylist Nicolas Flores. “It’s sulfate-free, ammonia-free, paraben-free and silicone-free, gentle on sensitive scalps and safe for daily use.” He recommends using it instead of regular shampoo for customizable color that evens out and looks natural over time. Hotaka is also a fan, noting that she and her mother-in-law use it regularly. She adds that while it doesn’t offer the intensity of henna right away, the color gradually builds with continued use, making it feel more low-maintenance and forgiving.
- Main ingredients: Centella asiatica, rosemary, chamomile, jojoba oil
- most suitable: white hair
- size: 300ml
Best Scalp Scrub: NatureLab.Tokyo Perfect Cleansing Scalp Scrub and Purifying Shampoo
- why we like it: If you’re a stickler for dry shampoo or hair spray, you’re probably familiar with the feeling of your hair building up after a few days, especially if you extend the time between washes. One of the quickest ways to revive an oily scalp is with this 2-in-1 scalp scrub and shampoo from NatureLab.Tokyo. Flores explains that it uses sugar crystals to gently exfoliate and remove product buildup while cleansing the scalp and creating a clean, healthy foundation for hair without causing dryness or irritation. The formula is enriched with hyaluronic acid, platinum fiber, sake water (!!!) and pearl extract to hydrate, soothe and enhance radiance. Hodaka noted that since sake is extracted from rice, it may have similar benefits, helping to support scalp health and hair softness. Use this grapefruit-scented exfoliator just once or twice a week to leave hair feeling visibly softer, smoother, and more manageable.
- Main ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, platinum fiber, sake water, pearl extract
- most suitable: All hair types
- size: 8.1 oz
Best hair gloss: Hidesen Uemura supplements for intensive radiance care
- why we like it: You may already be familiar with Shu Uemura, as many of the brand’s beauty products crossed into the mainstream through Sephora. Inspired by traditional rice water (Pegirus of rice), according to Hotaka, this hair treatment helps repair damaged hair and restore moisture, elasticity and strength from root to tip. While it’s pricier than other Japanese products, Kim notes that the formula “smooths the cuticle and strengthens the hair fiber, giving it visible shine while strengthening the hair.” It’s also clinically tested to improve shine and reduce breakage. The treatment is safe for all hair types, but those with fine to medium hair will notice the most dramatic results. If the thought of a treatment feels daunting, application couldn’t be easier: Use the nozzle to apply gloss to mid-lengths and ends of hair in a zig-zag motion, wait five minutes, then rinse.
- Main ingredients: rice water
- most suitable: fine hair, medium hair
- size: 200ml
best hair mask: Fino premium touch hair mask
- why we like it: If you have coarse, dry, or chronically dehydrated hair, this Japanese hair mask is well worth trying, especially considering it’s less than $20 on Amazon. A Japanese staple, Fino Hair Mask is a “deep conditioning treatment that improves softness and manageability, especially for dry or chemically treated hair,” says Kim. Still, Hotaka points out that this mask is more beautifying than restorative. Rather than rebuilding hair from the inside, it covers the surface of the strand, temporarily smoothing and aligning the cuticle. The result is hair that feels smooth, silky, and noticeably easier to manage. With regular use, the thread will gradually become softer and easier to use, no matter what you’ve been through.
- Main ingredients: Squalane, royal jelly extract, glutamic acid
- most suitable: Drying, damage repair
- size: 230G.
best hair oil:&Honey Deep Moisturizing Hair Oil
- why we like it: As someone with curly hair, I’m always looking for a lightweight hair oil to tame flyaways and add shine. While many formulas do the opposite—leave my hair flat or greasy—this one from &honey does the exact opposite. “It’s formulated to help retain moisture and add shine and smoothness to your hair while keeping it lightweight,” says Kim. In terms of ingredients, Flores notes that it’s enriched with argan oil, three types of honey, royal jelly, propolis, silk, and hyaluronic acid, as well as keratin, ceramides, and rose extract to strengthen and moisturize strands. Hotaka adds that the formula is gentle enough to be used at night, even when it comes in contact with skin. “It’s also very effective when used before blow-drying, helping to lock in moisture and protect hair from heat damage.”
- Main ingredients: Rose flower extract, keratin, ceramide, manuka honey, acacia honey, raw honey
- most suitable: Dry, damaged, frizzy hair
- size: 100ml
Everything you need to know
What did the Japanese do to their hair?
“Japanese hair care emphasizes prevention through gentle cleansing, regular conditioning, and maintaining a healthy scalp to support long-term hair quality,” says Kim. Flores says common practices include using sulfate-free shampoos, nourishing conditioners and hair masks formulated with botanical extracts, rice protein and oils to strengthen and moisturize strands. Scalp care is also a focus, while minimizing heat styling and chemical damage, all in an effort to keep hair smooth, bouncy and naturally shiny.
What’s the Japanese secret to healthy hair?
Hotaka says the “secret” to Japanese beauty’s healthy hair is a holistic approach rooted in consistency and care. “Japanese people typically wash their hair every day, apply appropriate hair oil or leave-in conditioner, and make sure they dry their hair thoroughly,” she explains. Regular visits to the salon (usually once every one to two months) are also common, as is investing in high-quality tools and products (from professional shampoos and blow dryers to silk pillowcases). Scalp health also plays a key role, and scalp massage is often incorporated into salon treatments. She points out that in addition to products and daily care, it’s just as important to nourish hair from within, with many people eating hair-supporting foods like seaweed and sesame seeds to boost their hair’s strength and shine.
When we test and review products, we take a holistic approach to provide comprehensive product recommendations. First, we rely on FashionGain expert acumen on the industry’s standout products with a vast network of experts, from board-certified dermatologists to celebrity hairstylists, who actually use them on their clients. We combine their expertise with our editorial best practices to curate the thoughtful edits you read on our site.
When it comes to Japanese hair care products, we choose the best ones based on characteristics such as: ingredients, type of formula, how your hair feels after treatment, and the hair care concerns they solve. To do this, we combine our own personal testing of each formula with expert guidance and reviewer insights to determine which formulas we recommend to you.
- Sky Kim is a celebrity hairstylist in Brooklyn, New York, whose clients include Gigi Hadid, Oscar Isaac, Uma Thurman and Rachel Brosnahan.
- Nicolas Flores is a celebrity stylist and owner of Flore Salon in Los Angeles, where clients include Sofia Richie Grainge and Selena Gomez.
- Ritsuko Hotaka is a hairstylist with over 20 years of experience in Tokyo and New York and the founder of On Session Salon in Manhattan.
