Jump to:
Japan has a rich history of making high quality beauty products, and Japanese hair care products are renowned for their ability to keep hair looking healthy and beautiful, using natural ingredients from native plants such as camellia oil and cherry blossom extract. In this article, we’ll recommend some of our favorite Japanese shampoos according to your specific requirements and hair type.
What is the Best Japanese Shampoo for Your Hair Type?
There are many different types of Japanese shampoo available on the market, but the following guide will help you find the perfect Japanese shampoo for your hair type.
The first step is to figure out what type of hair you have: normal, dry, oily, fine, or thick. Some Japanese shampoos may not be suited for your hair type – for example, shampoos containing certain oils may not be good for hair that becomes greasy easily, or shampoos with silicones can be problematic for fine hair as it is quite heavy and can make your hair look flat.
Another point to consider is to try and select a shampoo specifically designed to solve any challenges you may have with your hair – such as fading color, lack of volume, hair loss, or irritable scalp. Choosing a specialist product is more likely to help you achieve the results you desire.
Below are our top recommendations, followed by further details according to your hair type.
1. Shiseido Tsubaki Premium Moist Shampoo
This popular range of products from Japan’s leading beauty brand is ideal for rejuvenating dry and damaged hair thanks to the presence of tsubaki oil as one of the key ingredients. Tsubaki oil is a well-known Japanese beauty ingredient which is extracted by cold pressing the seeds of the Camellia Japonica flower. The flower is packed with oleic fatty acids that are highly compatible with skin and hair making the shampoo very effective at retaining moisture – leaving you with super soft hair.
Other moisturizing ingredients work together with the tsubaki oil to soften and moisturize dry hair deep from the roots, leaving your hair feeling nourished and shiny. Additionally, Shiseido’ Tsubaki Shampoo also helps to prevent dandruff, treats scalp itchiness, repairs damage and breakage and forms a protective veil against pollutants. The shampoo comes in a convenient pump bottle which can then be topped up with handy refill packs once it runs out. There are also complementary products you can try for maximum results, such as conditioner, repair masks, and hair treatments.
Pros
- Deeply hydrates dry and damaged hair
- Helps reduce frizz and improve shine
- Softens hair without stripping moisture
Cons
- Fragrance may be strong for sensitive users
- Not designed for volume or scalp detox
2. Kaminomoto Medicated Scalp Care Shampoo B&P
If you suffer from dandruff or an itchy scalp, try this medicated scalp care shampoo from Kaminomoto. This shampoo has an antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effect that cleanses the scalp and prevents dandruff, keeping it clean and healthy to promote optimal hair growth.
This deep-cleaning shampoo contains ingredients like Piroctone Olamine, a compound often used to treat fungal infections that neutralizes dandruff, and promote hair growth, helping to prevent itching and limp hair, and Glycyrrhetinic Acid which helps to calm the scalp and suppress inflammation. For best results, use this shampoo in combination with the Kaminomoto Medicated Scalp Care Conditioner B&P.
Pros
Cons
3. Napla N. Color Shampoo
The Napla range of shampoos and treatments are designed to stop colored hair from fading, helping to keep vibrant salon colors maintained for as long as possible. The shampoo contains tint lock polymers to suppress the outflow of pigments, whilst ingredients such as shea butter oil, broccoli seed oil, and hydrolyzed silk keep hair looking lustrous and smooth.
The shampoo is available to buy in five different shades depending on the color care you require: purple, silver, pink, beige, and black. The purple shampoo is best for suppressing any yellow tones and damage from bleaching, the silver shampoo suppresses fading of cool hair tones such as ash, whilst the pink shampoo is best for red and pink colored hair to keep it looking warm and vibrant. The beige shampoo is recommended for neutral brown tones and the black shampoo is best for darker hair and to suppress any grey hair.
Pros
Cons
4. Lux Luminique Damage Repair Non-Silicone Shampoo
This popular Japanese shampoo from Lux is an effective solution for repairing damaged hair thanks to its formula of natural ingredients and beauty serums. The shampoo contains 100% natural ylang ylang oil which helps to intensively moisturize the hair, improve hair texture, and reduce breakage. Other key ingredients include hydrolyzed keratin, hydrolyzed collagen solution, and squalene which also moisturizes hair and increases shininess.
The Lux shampoo also repairs the cuticle (surface of hair) and gives a coating effect making your hair more resistant to damage whilst providing a moist and glossy finish. As well as the powerful restorative effects, Lux Luminique has a fine foam that gently removes dirt and impurities and has pleasant aromas of rose and peach that create a relaxing effect for your hair and mind. As this shampoo is free from silicone making it more lightweight, it is also suitable for fine hair.
Pros
- Repairs damaged hair
- Lightweight, non-silicone formula
- Suitable for fine hair
Cons
- May not be rich enough for very dry hair
- Fragrance may not suit everyone
5. Milbon Plarmia Hairserum Shampoo F
Another shampoo worth mentioning here is the Milbon Plarmia Hairserum Shampoo F. This Japanese shampoo reconstructs broken proteins while providing hydration to dull, stressed hair, and was developed to prevent hair breaking and split ends caused by aging. Its ingredients combine emollient oils and botanical extracts to revitalize and restore your hair’s shine, smoothness, and softness.
Pros
Cons
6. Oshima Tsubaki Camellia Premium Hair Shampoo
This premium shampoo from Oshima contains tsubaki oil as one of its main ingredients. Tsubaki oil is suitable for use on oily hair because its lightweight properties won’t flatten hair or make it look greasy. Additionally, this shampoo does not contain silicones like many other brands which can leave hair feeling heavy and greasy.
Oshima Tsubaki premium hair shampoo is formulated with fast-absorbing tsubaki oil and 3 more kinds of extracts from the Camellia flower to keep the scalp hydrated and retain moisture in your hair without it looking limp or lifeless. For best results use alongside the Tsubaki Camellia Premium Conditioner.
Pros
Cons
7. Shiseido Professional Adenovital Shampoo for Thinning Hair
This premium-branded shampoo has a pleasant fruity aroma and is specially designed to combat hair loss and thinning hair by strengthening the hair and promoting hair growth. It also contains ingredients which accelerate blood flow, which has a key role in hair growth.
Based on state-of-the-art bioscience, Adenovital Shampoo focuses on the six mechanisms within the hair root that contribute to the anti-hair loss and conditions the scalp to promote voluminous hair growth. Shiseido’s original ingredient of Adenosine is a biogenic agent that works alongside other moisturizing and repairing ingredients such as apricot extract and Japanese pepper extract to create an exclusive formulated shampoo.
Pros
Cons
Other Japanese hair loss products worth mentioning here include the Kaminomoto Trigger Hair Growth Accelerator, a treatment that is massaged onto the scalp. This product promotes hair growth by increasing and regenerating capillary vessels and activating hair papilla (cells located at the bottom of hair follicles).
Specially formulated for men’s hair, Shiseido Adenogen Ex Medicated Scalp Tonic is a hair treatment that is designed to restore and thicken hair, prevent hair loss, itching, and dandruff, and promote hair growth.
Other Japanese Haircare Products to Consider - Hair Masks and Treatments
If you are looking to try a hair mask or treatment to use alongside your shampoo, here are a few of our top recommendations:Best treatment for fine hair: Lebel Proedit Care Works Hair Treatment Bounce Fit Plus
Best hair mask for damaged hair: Shiseido Fino Premium Touch Hair Mask
Best hair mask for dry hair: Mucota Adllura Aire 06 Hair Mask Treatment Moisture
Best smoothing treatment: Milbon Smoothing Treatment Medium Hair
Best treatment for colored hair: Mucota Adllura Aire 08
