Although Asian hair may look appear to always look glossy, straight, and frizz-free, this hair type doesn’t come without its problems. In this article, we reveal 15 of the best shampoos and conditioners available to buy for Asian hair.
This post contains affiliate links and we may earn if you click on them (at no extra cost to you). Please read our full disclosure policy here.
In A Hurry? Our Top Picks
| Description | ||
|---|---|---|
Top
Top | Avalon Organics, Biotin B-Complex Thickening Shampoo, 414ml | Buy on Amazon |
Top | Aveeno Itchy Scalp Soothing & Clarifying Shampoo with Apple Cider Vinegar for Greasy Hair 354ml | Buy on Amazon |
Top | KORRES Shampoo Rice Proteins and Linden for Thin and Fine Hair 250 ml | Buy on Amazon |
Top | Klorane Oil Control Shampoo with Nettle 400ml | Buy on Amazon |
Understanding Asian Hair
The most common hair type for those of Asian descent is known as Hair Type 1A. Incidentally, this is also the rarest hair type. However, just because it’s rare, doesn’t mean that we should ignore its unique characteristics.
Hair type 1A is typically very straight and fine. It lies flat to the scalp and can hold a lot of shine, and texture varies from fine to coarse and soft to hard. Asian hair also grows the fastest out of the three ethnic groups.
Compared to Caucasian hair, Asian hair is less prone to breakage because it has a stronger structure thanks to its dense cuticles.
Also, Asian hair tends to be low-porosity which means it doesn’t absorb moisture easily.
This can result in oily-looking hair if it’s not managed correctly.
The main haircare issues for those with Asian hair are:
- Oiliness
- Frizziness
- Thinning
- Volume
Also Read: 12 Best Purple Shampoos for Asian Hair
The 15 Best Shampoos And Conditioners For Asian Hair
1. Avalon Organics Biotin B-Complex Thickening Shampoo
This shampoo is a hero product for Asians who want to thicken their hair. The biotin works with other ingredients, including vitamin E and quinoa protein, to build body in and strengthen fine, thin hair.
Your scalp will be gently cleansed but not weighed down, and hair is nourished and left feeling thicker and healthier.
This shampoo is therefore also great for oily Asian hair.
2. Korres Shampoo with Rice Proteins and Linden
Korres is a premium Greek beauty brand that uses ingredients native to Greece. The organic plant extracts in this shampoo originate from Crete, and 84.5% of the ingredients in this product are totally natural.
Rice proteins work to increase the elasticity and density of Asian hair, thereby adding natural volume. Linden forms a protective film on the hair surface, making it feel silky smooth and look beautifully shiny.
This is suitable for vegetarians and has no parabens, silicone, formaldehyde, or animal testing. Korres is also a climate-friendly brand. All of their packaging is recyclable and they use eco-conscious production techniques, which we love.
3. Aveeno Apple Cider Vinegar Blend Shampoo
This is another great shampoo for those who suffer from itchy scalps and oily hair. Apple cider vinegar works to clarify greasy and oily locks, and the colloidal oat formula that’s typical of Aveeno’s products relieves and soothes itchy dry, flaky scalps.
Your scalp and hair will be looking and feeling healthy, and this is suitable for even the most sensitive skin. Plus, it’s sulfate-free and pH-balanced.
4. Klorane Oil Control Shampoo With Nettle
Nettle root extract works wonders for people with Asian hair that’s on the oilier side. It helps to reduce excess oil production whilst nonetheless ensuring hair maintains its volume and isn’t weighed down.
This shampoo will work to gently cleanse and detangle without stripping moisture levels. It is both silicone and paraben-free.
5. Shu Uemura Muroto Volume Lightness Shampoo
This shampoo promises a good cleanse without risking the shine and volume of hair.
It’s designed for thinner, finer Asian hair that can lack bounce and volume. It will deeply penetrate your hair strands whilst promoting shine and softness. Ingredients include Himalayan crystal minerals designed to strengthen the hair fiber.
6. Moroccanoil Smoothing Shampoo
If you suffer from frizziness and are constantly plagued by hair that’s a little dry, this shampoo should really help.
Weakened or damaged hair will be nourished and restored by the keratin protein and argan oil. This helps to repair and restore elasticity to your locks.
The smell is also delicious, a combination of florals with comforting musk.
7. Moroccanoil Smoothing Conditioner
Follow the above shampoo with its complementary conditioner for frizz-free, manageable hair. Unruly hair is detangled, smoothed, and conditioner thanks to the enriching argan oil and amino acids in this enriched formula.
The conditioner works to improve and restore hair’s keratin structure, resulting in more hydrated, healthy-looking hair.
8. OGX Biotin and Collagen Hair Thickening Conditioner
If you’re looking for a conditioner that will help Asian hair with body and shine, this nutrient-rich formula is for you.
Biotin, collagen, vitamin B7, and hydrolyzed wheat proteins all work to plump up hair strands and thereby boost the volume of your hair, improving its thickness without weighing it down. What’s more, the formula is sulfate-free.
9. Faith in Nature Natural Lemon and Tea Tree Conditioner
Like all Faith in Nature products, this conditioner is suitable for vegans as it’s cruelty-free and also doesn’t contain any parabens or sulfates.
Organic lemon and tea tree oil smell truly delicious whilst working to cleanse and detoxify hair from any excess oil build-up or residue.
As the product is plant-based, it’s also biodegradable, so you can wash your hair resting easy in the knowledge that you’ve made an eco-conscious choice.
10. John Frieda Luxurious Volume Core Restore Conditioner
This formula will lift hair from within, bringing a unique protein-strength complex to strengthen fine hair and support its volume and vitality. It’s great for fine and super fine hair, weightlessly infusing hair whilst nonetheless locking moisture in.
11. OGX Charcoal Conditioner for Oily and Greasy Hair
Leave hair feeling detoxified and purified but still conditioner with this product. It works to remove residue and build-up whilst still cleansing your hair and nourishing strands.
Hair should feel clean and bouncy but not weighed down. Coconut charcoal and kaolin clay soothe and cleanse, working to purify congested locks. As with all OGX formulas, this is also sulfate-free.
12. Olaplex No.4 and No.5 Bond Maintenance Shampoo and Conditioner
Although it’s not a cheap combination, this shampoo and conditioner really will work wonders for Asian hair.
The shampoo is designed to repair and maintain the hair bonds, thereby eliminating frizz and flyaway hair whilst reducing breakage. It’s cruelty-free and vegan-friendly and it’s free of parabens, sulfates, and phosphates.
The conditioner is particularly excellent if you color your hair frequently, as it repairs any damage caused by treatments.
13. Shiseido Shampoo and Conditioner Set
Salt, sulfate, and paraben-free, this shampoo and conditioner set from premium brand Shiseido has won multiple awards, attesting to its popularity and quality. You’ll come away with smooth, frizz-free hair that’s extra shiny and soft.
This set is particularly great for those who regularly treat or color hair, as it works to restore and promote moisture and preserve the treatment for as long as possible.
14. Kérastase Discipline Bain Fluidealiste Shampoo and Conditioner
Promising 72 hours of frizz control and protection from humidity, this set will help you to manage unruly hair and take charge of frizz.
The shampoo will gently cleanse whilst the conditioner penetrates the hair fiber to ensure hair is nourished and strengthened.
Ingredients including wheat protein help build volume and thickness, whilst Kérastase’s unique ingredient of morpho-keratin promotes smooth, supple hair strands.
15. New York Biology Biotin Shampoo and Conditioner Set
This set is designed specifically for those concerned about hair thinning and loss. The shampoo and conditioner are infused with biotin to help eliminate and cleanse dirt and residue that blocks hair follicles.
It stimulates the scalp to support healthier hair growth, leaving hair feeling moisturized but also lightweight. There are no parabens or sulfates in the formula, and it’s cruelty free.
What To Look For When Buying Shampoo For Asian Hair
Consider which of these is the most important issue for you, and then tailor your search for the best shampoo accordingly.
If oil management is your main concern, these are some tips to follow to ensure your tresses are feeling and looking their best:
- Look for deep-cleansing shampoos with ingredients like tea tree or peppermint. These will penetrate deep into your scalp and help to minimize any oiliness whilst often working to thicken fine hair. They can be drying, however, so don’t use them regularly. Once or twice a week at most.
- If you’re worried about the oiliness or limpness of your hair, you can always balance it out with a lighter conditioner. Avoid heavy serums, oils or butters, as this will only increase the oily look.
- Remember that over washing your hair can actually increase natural oil production. Using dry shampoo can therefore be a great way of minimizing the look of an oily scalp.
Worried about frizz?
- Frizz is caused by dry hair that doesn’t hold moisture well. For this reason, you need to up the moisture and avoid drying ingredients. Nothing with alcohol in, and don’t use styling tools with heat.
- Apple cider vinegar is beneficial for taming frizzy hair, as is argan oil and coconut oil. Other natural ingredients like avocado oil and shea butter can help too.
Worried about hair thinning?
- Essential oils have been shown to improve the health of hair. Peppermint, lavender, lemongrass, and thyme are all great, plus they smell fantastic.
- Vitamin B-3 (niacin) promotes hair fullness by encouraging blood circulation to the scalp, and is often included in shampoo. Vitamin H (biotin) is also good.
- Look for histidine which protects from UVA and UVB damage, and phyto-caffeine, which works to minimize testosterone’s influence on the hair root, as testosterone can impact hair growth.
If volume is your concern
- Vitamins like C, E, and B5 are all great for adding volume to thin, lifeless hair.
- Natural oils like almond, sunflower, and coconut are also good.
- If you do use heat tools to get more volume from your locks, remember to also use products that will restore and balance your moisture levels and work to minimize damage.
- Clarifying shampoos are also important for voluminous hair – they’ll cleanse any residue that’s weighing your strands down and preventing them from looking lush.
Also check out the article we wrote about the link between HGH and hair loss.
What To Look For When Buying Conditioner For Asian Hair
For managing oiliness:
- You need a conditioner that isn’t going to cause extra greasiness but still restores lost moisture. Oils like tea tree and lemon are great as they clarify but will still hydrate.
- Some conditioners include clarifying ingredients like clay or charcoal. These will ensure your hair and scalp are purified and deeply cleansed.
For managing frizziness:
- A lot of products designed for frizz use silicone to coat the hair. Silicone makes hair look less frizzy, but doesn’t actually help smooth strands out by penetrating deeply into the hair shaft. Avoid conditioners with silicone.
- Look for ingredients with biotin (vitamin H) which will work to minimize breakage, and conditioners with keratin are also fantastic for this purpose.
For managing hair thinning:
- Many of the ingredients already mentioned in our shampoo section are also great when added to conditioner.
- Conditioner with biotin and collagen will work to restore, promote, and thicken existing hair strands.
- Some conditioners are designed to stimulate the scalp and root – these are best to look out for as they’ll target hair loss at the source.
For volume:
- If you’re after volume, it can seem like conditioner is your worst enemy. But it’s actually still really important to lock moisture in, especially if you’re using heat tools to style hair.
- Ingredients like argan oil and vitamins E and B5 are all fantastic, as are antioxidants like vitamin C which will work to protect hair strands from damage.
- Again, ingredients like biotin and collagen will work to penetrate and plump up hair strands, so look out for these.
Disclaimer: This site is not intended to provide professional or medical advice. All of the content on LovedByCurls.com is for informational purposes only. All advice should be followed at your own discretion. Ingredients may change at any time so always check the product label before using. Check our full disclaimer policy here.
