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The 7 Best Shampoos for Asian Hair to Try in 2024

Asian hair requires as much care as other types of hair but finding the ones that suit your needs can be time-consuming. Thankfully, we’re experts who know how to scope out the best shampoo for Asian hair for your hair care regimen.

What’s the Best Shampoo for Asian Hair?

If you’re interested in learning about our top pick for the best shampoo for Asian hair, we chose Luv Me Care Rice Water Hair Growth Shampoo. This formula offers enhanced hydration for thinning hair and contains natural ingredients.

Do you prefer something else for washing Asian hair? Check out our summary of our top picks to see if anything matches your needs.

Our Top Picks for the Best Shampoo for Asian Hair:
  1. Best Overall: Luv Me Care Rice Water Hair Growth Shampoo
  2. Best Vegan-Friendly Option: MyKirei by KAO Nourishing Shampoo
  3. Best for Frizzy Hair: Maple Holistics Silk18 Shampoo and Conditioner Set
  4. Best for Thinning Hair: WOW Skin Science Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo
  5. Best for Oily Hair: TeaTree Special Shampoo
  6. Best Sulfate-Free Option: Majestic Pure Argan Oil Shampoo 
  7. Best for Smelly Scalps: RYO Deep Cleansing & Cooling Shampoo 

Our top shampoo options have their share of benefits and drawbacks, but they work well for Asian hair. Some features might resonate with you if you’re looking for a formula for specific hair conditions or ingredients.

Why You Need a Special Shampoo for Asian Hair

Woman holding her hands and looking at the best shampoo for Asian hair in the shower

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If you have Asian hair, you’ll need the right shampoo to maintain its volume and moisture, like most hair types. Although Asian hair is usually straight and fine appearance-wise, it’s thicker than other hair types.

As a result, it’s prone to becoming damaged and dried if it loses moisture. It’s also prone to frizziness, becoming oily, and thinning. Many shampoos for Asian hair contain organic ingredients that promote healthy hair, such as rice water and argan oil, and are compatible with thicker hair.

Choosing the best shampoo for cleansing Asian hair without making it too dry can be challenging. However, we have several recommendations you should consider trying if you want to keep your hair looking and feeling fresh.

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Best Asian Shampoos: Top 7 Picks

If you’re having trouble narrowing down the best shampoo for Asian hair, we compiled this list of our top options. Each has its strengths and weaknesses, so it’s essential to see how they resonate with your hair care regimen.

1. Best Overall: Luv Me Care Rice Water Shampoo

Best Overall
Luv Me Care Rice Water Shampoo
Pros:
  • Contains natural ingredients
  • Ideal for thinning hair
  • Enhanced hydration
Cons:
  • A bit pricey
  • Overuse causes dryness
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First up on our list is our best overall pick for the best shampoo for Asian hair, Love Me Care Rice Water Shampoo. This nourishing shampoo has enhanced hydration properties for treating damaged or thinning hair. It has a gentle sensation when applied to your scalp.

This rice water shampoo incorporates natural ingredients into its formula, including ginger root, caffeine, and Citrus Reticulata peel. It doesn’t contain harsh parabens, letting you wash your hair without irritating your scalp or causing split ends. 

However, these quality ingredients also bump up its price, which can be troublesome for those with a tight hair care budget. Using this shampoo too frequently can cause dryness, so we recommend measuring it thoroughly whenever you need to wash your hair.

2. Best Vegan-Friendly Option: MyKirei KAO Nourishing Shampoo

Best Vegan-Friendly Option
MyKirei KAO Nourishing Shampoo
Pros:
  • Fragrance-free
  • Contains plant-based ingredients
  • Cruelty-free formula
Cons:
  • Causes itchiness
  • A bit pricey
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Finding vegan-friendly shampoo for Asian hair can be challenging, but we consider MyKirei KAO Nourishing Shampoo to be your best option if you prefer cruelty-free and biodegradable formulas. 

It comes in a recyclable bottle containing 50% less plastic than other shampoos and has a gentle texture for cleansing any Asian hair type.

It contains several natural ingredients that promote healthier hair and scalps, including Japanese Tsubaki extract, rich with oleic acid, and rice water with vitamin E. It’s also paraben-free.

However, these premium ingredients make the shampoo a bit expensive. Continuous use of this shampoo can also cause scalp itchiness, so we recommend using it sparingly.

3. Best for Frizzy Hair: Maple Holistics Silk18 Shampoo

Best for Frizzy Hair
Maple Holistics Silk18 Shampoo
Pros:
  • Rich in silk amino acids
  • Contains natural ingredients
  • GMO and BPA-free
Cons:
  • Overwhelming fragrance
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The best shampoo we recommend for frizzy Asian hair is Maple Holistics Silk18 Shampoo. It has enhanced nourishing properties that moisturize dry hair and scalps with silk amino acids. This formula is ideal for daily hair washing if you need quality shampoo for maintaining Asian hair.

It doesn’t contain sulfates, BPA, or GMOs. Instead, its ingredients, like jojoba oil and argan oil, enhance hydration and keep hair shiny. Its formula is also ideal for bleached and color-treated hair. It has a vanilla fragrance that might smell too intense for some users.

4. Best for Thinning Hair: WOW Skin Science Shampoo

Best for Thinning Hair
WOW Skin Science Shampoo
Pros:
  • Refreshing sweet apple fragrance
  • Vegan-friendly, plant-based formula
  • Rejuvenates hair follicles
Cons:
  • Subpar lathering ability
  • May leave a sticky residue
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If you have Asian hair prone to excessive thinning, the best shampoo we recommend for managing it is WOW Skin Science Shampoo. This vegan-friendly formula doesn’t contain parabens or sulfates and rejuvenates your hair follicles with a gentle cleansing sensation to prevent split ends.

It contains several natural, hypoallergenic ingredients that promote healthy hair development, such as raw apple cider vinegar, nettle leaf extract, and almond oil. These ingredients balance your hair’s pH levels, soothe your scalp’s follicles, and give your hair extra sheen.

Unfortunately, this formula is slightly watery and impacts its lathering ability. It’s also prone to leaving a sticky residue if you don’t rinse it thoroughly after a lengthy wash.

5. Best for Oily Hair: TeaTree Special Shampoo

Best for Oily Hair
TeaTree Special Shampoo
Pros:
  • Subtle tea tree and peppermint aroma
  • Excellent moisturizing properties
  • Paraben-free
Cons:
  • Expensive
  • Causes irritation
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Managing oily hair can be frustrating, but we consider TeaTree Special Shampoo another excellent alternative for your hair care collection. Its formula is refreshing for all hair textures and strips away unwanted oils and buildup.

Its subtle fragrance doesn’t overstay its welcome and keeps your hair smelling fresh. Its formula doesn’t contain parabens, so you don’t have to worry about damaging your hair while treating its oiliness. 

However, it can irritate your scalp if you use it too frequently. It’s also a bit pricey if you have a limited hair care budget and can’t find alternatives for washing Asian hair.

6. Best Sulfate-Free Option: Majestic Pure Argan Oil Shampoo

Best Sulfate-Free Option
Majestic Pure Argan Oil Shampoo
Pros:
  • Hydrating natural ingredients
  • Affordable
  • Cruelty-free
Cons:
  • Overpowering fragrance
  • A bit watery
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Majestic Pure Argan Oil Shampoo is your best option if you’re looking for a sulfate-free shampoo suitable for Asian hair. This affordable, cruelty-free formula is ideal for daily use and offers enhanced hydration for your hair and scalp.

Its ingredients include argan oil, almond oil, jojoba oil, and botanical keratin, which provide nourishing vitamins, antioxidants, and proteins that promote healthy hair and scalps. 

Its blended coconut and almond fragrance can be a bit intense for some people. It’s also a bit watery, so you’ll have to use extra shampoo when lathering your scalp and hair.

7. Best for Smelly Scalps: RYO Deep Cleansing Shampoo

Best for Smelly Scalps
RYO Deep Cleansing Shampoo
Pros:
  • Cleanses excessive sebum
  • Cooling sensation against scalps
  • Contains plant-based ingredients
Cons:
  • A bit pricey
  • Short-lasting scent
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RYO Deep Cleansing Shampoo is your best option for washing Asian hair and smelly scalps. It cools your scalp of any irritation and contains natural ingredients that combat foul odors. Its ingredients include Nelumbo Nucifera flower extract, Camellia Sinensis leaf water, and agar extract.

This shampoo formula is ideal for removing sebum from your scalp, reducing its odor after thoroughly washing your hair. It has a refreshing mint fragrance, but it doesn’t last long. It’s also a bit pricey because of its high-quality ingredients. 

Finding the Right Shampoo for Your Asian Hair

Woman looking at the best shampoo for asian hair in a store while wearing a jean jacket

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Before narrowing down your top options for the best shampoo for Asian hair, there are several components you’ll need to consider. Here are a few examples to help you streamline this process.

Cleansing Capability

A shampoo’s cleansing ability allows it to remove buildup from your hair and scalp, such as sebum, sweat, and dead skin. This feature is ideal if you have oily Asian hair.

Consider testing its cleansing ability by lathering it on your scalp and distributing it throughout your hair to ensure it reaches every inch of your head.

Ingredients

Shampoo ingredients are another factor that can impact your decision when buying the right formula for your hair. Some common ingredients that benefit Asian hair include rice water, green tea oil, argan oil, and vitamin E.

Consider avoiding shampoo ingredient lists with artificial fragrances and parabens since they can dry out or irritate your hair.

Sulfate-Free Formulas

Although sulfates enhance a shampoo’s lathering ability, they’re harsh and can dry out Asian hair quickly if you use a sulfate-infused shampoo all the time.

Consider using a sulfate-free shampoo if you have dry or damaged Asian hair, regardless of its lathering ability.

Your Hair’s Condition

Plenty of shampoo for Asian hair is suitable for specific hair conditions, such as dry, damaged, or thick hair. Others are suitable for all hair types, offering flexibility to some who can’t decide on a shampoo.

Consider checking your shampoo’s labels for which hair types its formula works best for a regular hair-washing routine. And if you’re not sure how often to wash your hair, take our short quiz to find out!

Frequently Asked Questions

Pretty Asian woman spinning her hair in a pink studio

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If you still have questions about the best shampoo for Asian hair, here are a few answers to some common questions.

How often should I use shampoo on Asian hair?

We recommend shampooing Asian hair every two to three days to maintain its volume and moisture. However, there are plenty of shampoo formulas ideal for daily washing.

What are the best ingredients found in shampoo for Asian hair?

Some ingredients that promote healthy Asian hair include argan oil, green tea oil, ginseng, and coconut oil. Of course, these ingredients’ effectiveness can vary from shampoo to shampoo, so we recommend experimenting with your top picks.

Why is my shampoo drying out my Asian hair?

Some shampoos might contain harsh sulfates that can strip moisture from your hair. Sodium chloride is another potential ingredient that can dry out your hair and potentially damage it. We recommend choosing a shampoo without these ingredients to prevent further damage via dried hair.

What’s the best method for shampooing Asian hair?

Consider washing Asian hair starting from your scalp before moving towards your ends. This process helps make your scalp less oily while keeping the rest of your hair from drying out because of uneven shampoo distribution.

Is shampoo for Asian hair safe for color-treated hair?

There are plenty of shampoos suitable for washing color-treated Asian hair. Consider checking their labels to ensure the formula you choose is safe for your hair condition.

So, What’s the Best Shampoo for Asian Hair?

We consider Luv Me Care Rice Water Hair Growth Shampoo our go-to pick for the best shampoo for Asian hair. Its enhanced hydration properties and natural ingredients, like ginger, make it an excellent solution for maintaining thinning Asian hair.

Consider using our list’s alternatives if you want to try other formulas for other hair types or conditions, like frizzing or an odorous scalp.