10 Best Tried and True Japanese Shampoos in 2022 (Hair Stylist-Reviewed)

Japan has a long history of developing high-quality cosmetics products, and Japanese hair care products are renowned globally for their ability to keep hair looking healthy and pristine. Japanese shampoos often specialize in moisturizing your hair, preventing it from drying out. Many Japanese shampoos are made with natural ingredients to protect, cleanse, and boost hair growth so your hair will look beautiful and feel the healthiest it's ever been!

Japanese shampoo is formulated for Asian hair in mind, which tends to be straighter and thicker in diameter than other ethnic groups. Additionally, many other Japanese cosmetics and skincare products focus on hydration, with Japanese shampoo being no exception.

Finally, Japanese people tend to wash their hair very frequently, with many people even washing their hair daily. This is likely due to the fact that Japan is fairly humid, and the culture takes cleanliness very seriously. However, washing your hair frequently can dry out your hair and scalp, which explains why Japanese shampoo is generally formulated to be gentle and moisturizing.

We gathered the 28 best-selling Japanese shampoos on e-commerce sites popular in Japan, like Amazon, Rakuten, Yahoo! Shopping, and @cosme Shopping, and tested them all.

We tested each product for the following:

• Cleansing Ability
• Feel

We then ranked the 10 best Japanese shampoos based on our test results.

※Japanese prices are given for some products, they've simply been converted to USD for convenience.

Next, we will outline how we took the 28 best-selling Japanese shampoos from major Japanese e-commerce giants (Amazon, Rakuten, Yahoo! Shopping, @cosme SHOPPING) and ranked the 10 best, accordingly.

We tested each product for the following:

• Cleansing Ability
• Feel

First, we tested the cleansing ability of each shampoo, specifically looking at how effectively they were able to clean the hair and scalp. 

We did this by creating a mixture of oleic and stearic acid, the main components of sebum (the oil excretions produced by pores in the skin), and dyed the mixture red. We then applied a set amount of the mixture onto a glass plate and then shook the plate in a diluted amount of each shampoo. 

Then, we gave each shampoo a score based on how effectively the artificial sebum mixture was cleaned off. 

Next, we tested the feel of each shampoo. For each product, we had multiple Japanese testers try out each product and had them evaluate how the shampoo felt.

Specifically, we asked them to assess four categories: foaming, washing feel, finish, and aroma. Then, we scored each product based on its total performance.

After testing the products, we determined four factors that you should evaluate when looking for your perfect shampoo.

The main ingredient of shampoo is a detergent (surfactant). Shampooing your hair can strip natural oils from your hair and scalp, which in turn can damage hair health. For this reason, high cleansing ability isn't necessarily the only criterion that makes a good shampoo, as it can also mean a higher burden on the hair and skin. It's important to select a shampoo with the appropriate cleaning power for different hair and skin types and concerns.

• High cleansing ability

Suitable for people with oily skin who want a refreshing feel after use. It is recommended for men, who often tend to have more sebum than women.

• Moderate cleansing Ability

Suitable for people with normal skin. Recommended for people with soft or fine hair that lacks volume.

• Mild cleansing Ability

Suitable for people with sensitive or dry skin. Recommended for people concerned about hair damage as it avoids dryness caused by over-washing.

Notably, in our tests, there were many shampoos where the cleansing power was insufficient to completely remove the artificial sebum mixture, even though the washing power should have been high based on the ingredients. For this reason, in our ranking, high cleansing ability refers to the ability to remove oils from the hair. 

Amino acid-based cleaning ingredients are characterized by their mild cleansing power. They clean by penetrating the hair and keratinous layer of the scalp and lifting dirt and other impurities away, so there's no excessive burden on the scalp or hair. Because there is little concern about over-washing, this cleansing ingredient is recommended for all hair and skin types.

Mild cleansing power does not necessarily mean that the shampoo will leave your hair unclean or not refreshed after use. In our tests, some excellent shampoos cleaned the hair and scalp gently yet effectively.

The mildness of its cleansing power and moisturizing abilities has made amino acids a popular cleaning ingredient in shampoos, so much so that there are many amino acid-based shampoos available today.

Premium alcohol-based cleansing ingredients provide a refreshing feeling with higher cleansing power. While amino acid-based ingredients gently lift dirt and impurities, higher alcohol-based ingredients dissolve fat and remove dirt. They're able to do this because their ingredients have higher degreasing power and can remove sebum entirely.

However, if the necessary and healthy sebum is also washed away, the scalp's natural balance can be disturbed, which may lead to problems such as dandruff and itching. For this reason, we do not recommend daily use of alcohol-based shampoos, but it is a suitable detergent for people with oily skin or for when you exercise and sweat a lot.

Betaine is a cleansing ingredient that comes from an amino acid component derived from a plant called sugar beet. Its cleaning power is mild, similar to amino-acid-based shampoos. Although derived from the same amino acid, the type of detergent is different: amino acid-based shampoos use an anionic surfactant, while betaine-based shampoos use an amphoteric ionic surfactant.

In particular, we recommend betaine-based shampoo for those concerned about dry and itchy scalps and sensitive skin. Shampoos for babies and children also tend to have more betaine-based cleaning ingredients, as they're mild enough for them. If you're interested in Betanine-based shampoo and want to learn more, please also check the following article.

Soap shampoos use a surfactant made mainly from natural oils and fats, called soda soap (sodium hydroxide). Unlike the cleaning ingredients introduced so far, soap washes hair with alkaline and opens up the hair cuticles to clean out impurities.

This ingredient is also recommended for people with sensitive skin and those who may have sensitivities to harsher chemicals and additives, such as preservatives and fragrances often found in other shampoos. However, some soap shampoos have a high cleansing power, making them unsuitable for dry skin, so check your scalp condition before using them or consider doing a patch test.

Note that in this article, we only feature soap-based blended shampoos.

Non-silicone shampoos are the current trend, but silicone is not necessarily a harmful ingredient. Silicone coats the hair surface, giving them a smooth, even slippery texture. This prevents hair color from fading and makes hair smooth and less prone to tangles.

While silicone makes it easier to run your fingers through your hair and makes it manageable, non-silicone shampoos are recommended if you are looking for a voluminous finish and scalp care.

Japanese shampoos have many different characteristics depending on the product. We recommend that you choose a product based on your desired finish and shaping needs. 

A shampoo's main function is to clean hair. That being said, not only is it essential to remove sebum and dirt from the hair and scalp but also to replenish oils to maintain the scalp's natural balance.

If you're concerned about the dryness and smoothness of your hair, we recommend a shampoo with moisturizing emollients such as those shown in the image.

Shampoos with menthol ingredients provide a refreshing and cool sensation when washing. Many people seek this refreshing sensation especially after playing sports or on hot and humid days.

As shown in the image, in addition to menthol, the following essential oils are also expected to have the same effect.

<Main ingredients>

• Mint Oil
• Peppermint Oil

Botanical shampoos are often made with minimal ingredients, following the principle that less is more. They're often labeled as free of many components for your convenience as well. 

However, since various factors can cause scalp problems, simple ingredients are not always enough. Some components may be harmful to people with sensitive skin or allergies, so we always recommend you check the ingredient list even with botanical shampoos.

Although there is no clear definition for what makes a product organic in Japan, many products contain ingredients certified as organic outside of Japan and are rich in plant-derived ingredients.

If you want your shampoo to be all-natural and are particular about organic ingredients, pay attention to the logos and product labeling like those shown in the image above when making your selection.

Scalp shampoo cleanses the scalp and keeps it healthy through plant extracts with skin-conditioning properties. They're recommended to those who value a refreshing scalp wash and for those who have short hair.

There are many causes of dandruff and itching, including dryness, excessive sebum, and allergic reactions. If you suffer from dandruff or itchiness and want to prevent it, please check for the following ingredients to help treat those problems.

• Piroctone olamine
• Zinc pyrithione solution
• Isopropyl methyl phenol (cymene-5-ol), etc.

Medicated shampoos are quasi-drugs that often contain active ingredients as shown in the image. (Reference: Japan Cosmetic Industry Association)

Salon shampoos are sold exclusively at specific beauty salons. The significant difference between commercial shampoos sold in drugstores and salon shampoos is the purpose for which they are used.

Salon shampoos are products designed for specific purposes, such as damage care after coloring or permanent styling. For this reason, salon-exclusive shampoos tend to be specialized products that cannot be purchased anywhere else.

Also, the cleaning ingredients are often milder and of high quality, and are more luxurious than commercial shampoos. Please check the following article if you are interested in these products.

Most people never learn how to actually wash their hair properly. It's possible that you could be washing your hair incorrectly, reducing your shampoo's effectiveness. 

Now that you know which shampoo is best for you, and you know how to use it correctly, here are some more products you might want to consider to keep your hair healthy and beautiful.

Original by Mai Okutomi; Translation by Jasmine Li, Mitsuki Nagasawa, Kazuma Fujiwara, Mai T.,

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