13 Top Japanese Hair Products 2023 for Home Use

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Maintaining traditional Japanese hair care is as crucial as possessing skin that is as smooth and flawless as porcelain. Both hair and skin contribute to Japanese women’s globally recognized, rich, and glossy hair.

This iconic beauty results from dedicated commitment and strict adherence to an intensive routine. Thus, if you aspire to replicate the shiny, long locks characteristic of Japanese women, you’ve arrived at the right resource.

This guide is divided into two sections: the first delves into the Japanese hair care regimen, and the second offers an insight into the best products to integrate into your Japanese hair care routine in 2023.

Continue exploring this guide to uncover the secrets to attaining the distinctive hair aesthetics uniquely held by the Japanese populace. Every product featured here has undergone thorough testing by me, ensuring its quality and effectiveness. Among these is one particular product I find indispensable, which I will enthusiastically recommend.

Top choice: Shiseido Tsubaki Premium Hair

– Contains Tsubaki oil for nourished, glossy, soft, and shiny hair
– Tsubaki oil’s oleic fatty acids (omega 9) retain moisture effectively, benefiting dry hair
– Softens and moisturizes dry hair from the roots
– Repairs damage and breakage
– Forms a protective barrier against pollutants
– Been using it for years, and my treated and coloured hair looks healthy and moist

Check on Amazon

The Philosophy of Japanese Hair Care

The philosophy underpinning Japanese hair care routines is intrinsically tied to a profound respect for nature and the holistic pursuit of beauty. Rooted in centuries-old wisdom, Japanese hair care isn’t merely about achieving physical attractiveness but a wholesome wellness routine that considers hair a reflection of inner health. This perspective is fundamentally derived from the traditional Japanese concept of ‘Ma’, representing the balance and harmony between objects and beings.

In this respect, Japanese hair care routines advocate for consistency, discipline, and patience rather than seeking immediate results. The core practices of gentle care, regular washing, and minimal styling respect the hair’s natural state and health. This philosophy, when embodied, manifests in the lustrous, resilient, and voluminous manes that Japanese women are renowned for globally.

Equally significant in this philosophy is the use of natural ingredients. Harnessing the potency of nature, Japanese hair care products commonly integrate botanicals, marine extracts, and traditional medicinal herbs that are locally sourced. These elements contain vital nutrients, antioxidants, and moisturizing properties that contribute to hair strength, shine, and growth.

Seaweed, for instance, is a recurring ingredient due to its richness in minerals and vitamins that nourish the scalp and hair. Similarly, camellia oil, a native Japanese plant extract, is cherished for its deeply hydrating and smoothing properties. Even rice water, a simple byproduct of rinsing rice, has been used for centuries to rinse hair, promoting its shine and elasticity.

By endorsing a sustainable, slow beauty routine and natural ingredients, Japanese hair care routines align personal beauty with the well-being of the larger ecosystem, reaffirming the interconnectedness of all things—a cornerstone of Japanese philosophy.

Top 13 Japanese Hair Care Products

If you’re interested in beginning a Japanese hair care routine, here are some Japanese hair products worth considering.

Tsubaki Premium Hair Care Kit

The renowned Shiseido Tsubaki Moist shampoo and conditioner are essential to a complete hair care routine. This exceptional duo is ideal for maintaining your hair’s health and revitalizing damaged strands. Infused with nourishing Tsubaki flower extracts, these products provide abundant moisture and foster a luxuriously smooth texture.

Fino Premium Touch Hair Mask

The Fino Premium Touch Hair Mask by Shiseido is another exceptional product for rejuvenating and nourishing damaged and dry hair. Infused with potent ingredients like royal jelly EX, PCA, and Lipidure, this hair mask is specially designed to provide intensive repair. For optimal results, it is recommended to incorporate this mask into your hair care routine 1-2 times per week, following shampooing.

Milbon Plarmia Hairserum M Treatment

Milbon Plarmia Hairserum M Treatment merges Milbon’s exclusive CMADK™ technology with nourishing oils to effectively repair damaged proteins and restore moisture to lacklustre and distressed hair. To use, apply the treatment after shampooing and gently massage it into your hair for about 30 seconds until it feels luxuriously soft and silky. Finally, rinse thoroughly for best results.

Oshima Tsubaki Camellia Oil

Oshima Tsubaki Camellia Hair Oil is a remarkable hair care product that effectively moisturizes and safeguards your hair, promoting overall health and vitality. If you’re struggling with split ends, this nourishing oil can replenish your dry hair by delivering essential moisture, resulting in smooth, lustrous locks that are a joy to comb through. Rest assured that this particular camellia oil from Oshima Tsubaki meets the brand’s stringent quality standards, guaranteeing its safety and reliability. Its 100% pure camellia oil formulation, free from synthetic fragrances or dyes, acts as a protective shield for both the hair surface and cuticle, fortifying your strands and enhancing their flexibility. For more detailed information about this product, you can refer to this informative video.

Tsubaki Premium Repair Mask

The Tsubaki Premium Repair Mask is another product from the Tsubaki line, designed to repair damaged hair tips by profoundly nourishing and penetrating each strand. After shampooing and conditioning, gently remove excess moisture from your hair and apply an adequate amount of the mask throughout your entire hair.

Funori Japanese Seaweed Hair

Seaweeds possess remarkable properties in revitalizing damaged hair and maintaining the health of regular hair, resulting in a vibrant and lustrous appearance. Funori, a renowned Japanese hair care product, is a highly acclaimed natural alternative to chemical-based hair care treatments. This nutrient-rich product comes in a powdered form that can be conveniently blended with water or shampoo.

KAMINOMOTO Charge Shampoo B&P

The Kaminomoto Charge Shampoo B&P is designed to eliminate debris and excess sebum from your scalp and pores, effectively reducing dandruff, itching, and unpleasant odors. Its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties ensure a clean and healthy scalp, while also providing protection against environmental allergens, pollution, sunlight, and the effects of salon treatments such as coloring and perming. Moreover, this shampoo is known for its ability to promote hair growth, thanks to its exceptional moisturizing and nourishing properties for the scalp.

KRACIE Ichikami Japanese Grass Essence

Experience the protective benefits of Ichikami’s Japanese Grass Essence, specially designed to shield your hair from heat and UV damage. Formulated to aid in restoring hair follicles damaged by pollution and salon treatments, this remarkable product ensures a silky and smooth result with consistent use. A small amount of the essence is all it takes to cover your entire hair, and you’ll notice visible improvements soon after application. Indulge in the gentle and refreshing floral scent that lingers delicately, keeping you fresh throughout the day.

Arimino Spice Water Shining Straight

The Arimino Spice Water Shining Straight is a hair styling cream designed to effectively manage frizzy, curly, unruly, and coarse hair, giving it a sleek and shiny appearance. It proves particularly useful for rejuvenating damaged and dry hair that has undergone frequent salon treatments such as perming, colouring, and straightening, often leaving the hair looking lacklustre and lifeless. This versatile styling cream provides exceptional control, allowing you to shape your hair according to your desired style. Additionally, it nourishes the ends of your hair, offers heat protection during blow-drying, minimizes flyaways, and imparts a smooth and silky texture.

NS-K Komenuka Bijin Moisturizing Hair Shampoo

Experience the remarkable benefits of NS-K Komenuka Bijin Moisturizing Hair Shampoo. This hair care gem amplifies hair thickness and volume as it rejuvenates and nurtures your hair and scalp. Crafted with a blend of enriching ingredients such as rice bran, coconut, aloe, seaweed, ginseng, and Miyamizu spring water, this shampoo delivers deep hydration and moisture to your scalp, revitalizing damaged strands and offering protection against split ends and dandruff. Including the herb Swertia in its formula ensures the complete removal of dirt, grime, excess oil, and product buildup, leaving you refreshed and renewed.

LISCIO Crystal Cream Straighteners & Neutralizer

LISCIO Crystal Cream Straighteners & Neutralizer is meticulously crafted with natural minerals sourced from the Dead Sea and nourishing plant extracts. This exceptional formula effortlessly permeates your hair, effectively straightening it while providing vital protection and nourishment. With the added benefit of a potent neutralizer, your straightened locks are safeguarded from the heat generated by styling tools, ensuring long-lasting results. Revel in your hair’s sleek, luminous, and vibrant appearance, which becomes easily manageable even when experimenting with intricate hairstyles. Embrace the luxurious salon-like outcomes achievable in your home courtesy of this indulgent, rich, and creamy hair care gem.

NatureLab Tokyo Perfect Smooth Hair Oil

NatureLab Tokyo’s Perfect Smooth Hair Oil is one of the finest Japanese products. This versatile oil offers exceptional benefits for taming unruly hair and nourishing dry, frizzy strands. Its moisturizing formula incorporates an advanced blend of botanical stem cells derived from yuzu ceramide and exotic plant oils like argan, baobab, and marula. Notably, the oil leaves a delightful fragrance reminiscent of freshly peeled Japanese yuzu, ensuring your hair smells wonderful throughout the day. Moreover, this hair oil is gentle and doesn’t contain many harmful chemicals. It protects against sun and pollution-induced damage, helping keep your hair healthy and vibrant.

Botanist Botanical Treatment Scalp Cleanse

If you’re searching for a product featuring natural ingredients, the Botanist Botanical Treatment is an excellent choice. It incorporates meticulously chosen plant-derived moisturizing elements, effectively hydrating your hair and roots. This treatment emphasizes achieving a lustrous and glossy appearance for your hair without leaving it oily or greasy. It provides a harmonious connection with nature and is suitable for all ages. The treatment offers gentle protection against irritants while simultaneously maintaining moisture levels and controlling excess natural oils. Prepare for a rejuvenating sense of cleanliness as your scalp and hair receive optimal nourishment and hydration.

What is the Japanese secret to healthy hair?

Having familiarized yourself with the top Japanese hair products to consider, let’s now delve into the secrets and routine behind achieving flawless Japanese hair.

Brush Your Hair Religiously

Japanese women have a unique hair care approach involving frequent daily brushing. They even extend the time between hair washes, recognizing the value of natural scalp oil for optimal hair health. By brushing their hair, they ensure an even distribution of this natural oil from the scalp to the ends, resulting in nourished strands. Additionally, the comb’s teeth stimulate the scalp, promoting hair growth.

However, it’s important to note that Japanese women are selective when choosing their combs. They specifically opt for Japanese handmade wooden combs crafted from Tsuge (boxwood). These special combs effectively redistribute the scalp oil, leaving the hair with a stunning glossy sheen. Since these combs are made of wood, they eliminate the frizz often caused by metal or plastic combs.

Use Camellia Hair Oil

Japanese women go beyond just using natural hair oil and nourishing their hair with Camellia hair oil. This oil serves as a conditioner and is applied directly to damp hair, effectively sealing the hair’s natural moisture and keeping it well-hydrated. Notably, Camellia oil is abundant in oleic acid, a naturally occurring acid found in hair. Additionally, it contains omega-rich fatty acids with antioxidants that prevent premature hair and scalp ageing. As a result, Camellia oil aids in repairing and restoring the hair while also preventing split ends. By incorporating Camellia Hair Oil into your routine, you’ll enjoy softer, more manageable hair free from tangles. Moreover, it acts as a protective shield against the damaging effects of pollution, dirt, and dust.

Consider trying the Oshima Tsubaki camellia oil, as it is highly regarded as one of the best-selling Japanese products.

Read Also: Best Japanese Collagen Supplements for Your Skin

Less is More

As mentioned previously, Japanese women adopt a minimalist approach to hair care, avoiding excessive washing. They rely on natural ingredients sourced from nature for their hair care regimen. Modern shampoos, which can strip the hair of natural oils, are not favoured. Instead, Japanese women often wash their hair with plain water, maintaining a gap of 3 to 5 days between washes. When they do use shampoo, it is typically a gentle formula enriched with natural ingredients such as Persimmon, Seaweed, and Camellia.

Some take it a step further by using a gel-like paste from seaweed powder mixed with water to cleanse their hair. This natural cleanser removes impurities and nourishes the scalp and hair with essential minerals like Iron, Calcium, and Magnesium. Products containing harsh chemicals like sulfates are strictly avoided in their hair care routine.

Watch What You Eat

The diet is a crucial aspect of the Japanese hair and beauty regimen. Including seafood in their diet provides a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, which nourish the hair follicles, reduce inflammation, promote blood circulation to the scalp, and help combat dandruff. These fatty acids are vital in achieving lush, thick hair with a vibrant bounce.

Additionally, omega-3 fatty acids contribute to the production of natural scalp oils, resulting in radiant hair. Seafood, known for its abundant zinc, addresses deficiencies that can lead to excessive hair fall and loss. Japanese women enjoy green tea, a popular beverage that contains Epigallocatechin Gallate—an antioxidant known to stimulate hair growth. Moreover, vitamin B in green tea strengthens the hair follicles and helps prevent split ends. Some women even incorporate green tea hair rinses into their routines.

Read Also: 6 Japanese Skincare Secrets for a Perfect Skin

What factors should guide your choice of Japanese hair care products?

As you consider incorporating Japanese hair products and methods into your routine, it’s crucial to understand what factors should guide your selection. Let’s delve into some key considerations when choosing the right Japanese hair care products for your needs.

1. Considering Hair Type

The first aspect to consider while selecting Japanese hair care products is your hair type. You should focus on products that regulate sebum production when dealing with oily hair. In contrast, if your hair is dry, seek products with a hydrating and nourishing formula. For those with hair damaged from heat styling or colouring, prioritize products that claim to repair and safeguard your hair. Treatments rich in proteins like silk amino acids or keratin can be especially beneficial.

2. Assessing Ingredients

The ingredient list should be thoroughly examined. Water should be the topmost ingredient, followed by natural elements such as ginseng or green tea extract. Steer clear of products with chemicals and artificial fragrances, as these can potentially strip your hair of its natural moisture, resulting in dryness and brittleness.

3. Determining Use

Your intended use for the product should play a role in your decision. Reflect on what you need from your shampoo, conditioner, or treatment mask. Additionally, decide on the frequency of use – whether you plan to incorporate these products into your daily routine or use them weekly. Once you’ve established these criteria, locating the ideal Japanese hair care product to complement your regimen will be significantly easier.

What are the typical ingredients in Japanese hair care products?

Japanese hair care products typically contain various traditional and natural ingredients known for their beneficial properties. Here are some common ones you might find:

• Camellia Oil: Derived from the seeds of camellia flowers, this oil is rich in oleic acid and antioxidants. It is often used in hair care products for its hydrating and smoothing properties, helping to seal in moisture and tame frizz.
• Rice Bran: This ingredient is rich in antioxidants, proteins, and vitamins, particularly vitamin E. It helps to hydrate, smooth, and protect the hair and contributes to hair growth and scalp health.
• Seaweed: Various types of seaweed, including wakame and nori, are common in Japanese hair care products. Seaweed contains minerals and vitamins that nourish the scalp and hair, promoting healthy growth.
• Ginseng: Ginseng is known for its rejuvenating properties. It helps to stimulate the scalp, encourage hair growth, and prevent hair loss.
• Green Tea: Packed with antioxidants, green tea can protect the hair and scalp from environmental damage. It can also help to soothe the scalp and reduce dandruff.
• Persimmon: Persimmon is rich in vitamins and antioxidants, and it’s often used in hair care products for its ability to reduce odour and add shine to the hair.
• Silk Proteins: Silk proteins are used in many Japanese hair care products to soften, strengthen, and add shine to the hair.
• Sake or Rice Water: Both sake (rice wine) and rice water are rich in amino acids and inositol, which can strengthen, smooth, and protect the hair.

These ingredients reflect the Japanese philosophy of utilizing nature’s bounty for beauty and health. They are often used in combinations that maximize their benefits, resulting in high-quality hair care products that nourish and protect the hair.

What makes Japanese hair care products unique?

Japanese hair care products stand out in the beauty industry due to several distinctive factors:

1. Holistic Approach: Japanese hair care is about maintaining the physical health of the hair and promoting overall well-being. The products are designed to be part of a comprehensive beauty routine that emphasizes maintaining the hair’s natural beauty over time, rather than providing quick fixes.
2. High-Quality Ingredients: Japanese hair care products often contain premium, natural ingredients such as seaweed, camellia oil, rice bran, and ginseng. These ingredients are rich in vitamins and antioxidants, nourishing hair and scalp. They often avoid harmful chemicals, artificial fragrances, and harsh preservatives, instead focusing on natural and plant-derived components.
3. Innovative Formulas: Japanese hair care formulations blend ancient wisdom with modern science. Traditional ingredients are used in innovative ways to maximize their benefits. For instance, fermented rice water, a centuries-old hair care remedy, may be combined with modern hair care ingredients to create effective shampoos and conditioners.
4. Rigorous Quality Control: Japanese manufacturers are known for strict quality control measures. Each product is thoroughly tested and checked for safety and effectiveness before it reaches the consumer, ensuring consistently high-quality products.
5. Unique Hair Care Rituals: Japanese hair care routines often involve more steps than Western routines, emphasizing thorough cleansing, conditioning, and regular treatments. Japanese products often come with specific instructions for use that align with these detailed routines.
6. Sustainable Practices: There’s a strong emphasis on sustainability and respect for nature in the Japanese culture. This philosophy extends to their hair care products, with many companies using eco-friendly packaging and production methods.

In essence, the uniqueness of Japanese hair care products lies in their philosophy of natural, holistic beauty, high-quality ingredients, innovative formulas, and sustainable practices.

Where can I buy Japanese hair care products online?

There are several reliable online retailers where you can purchase Japanese hair care products but I specifically recommend these three:

1. Amazon: Amazon has a wide variety of Japanese hair care products from different brands. It offers international shipping and sometimes includes product reviews, which can be helpful in selecting the right product. Shop on Amazon.
2. YesStyle: YesStyle is an Asian beauty and fashion retailer with many Japanese hair care products. They ship to many countries worldwide. Shop on YesStyle.
3. Dokodemo: Dokodemo is a Japanese online marketplace that sells products directly from Japan, including various hair care products. Shop on Dokodemo.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, meaning we may receive a small commission, at no cost to you, if you purchase through a link.