Korean hair care secrets for glossy, healthy strands
Over the past decade, K-beauty has taken the West by storm, flipping skincare on its head with snail mucin, sheet masks, and the now-famous 10-step routine. Now, it’s bringing that same obsession with detail and glow-worthy results to haircare.
The philosophy? It’s simple yet groundbreaking: Treat your scalp like your skin—because it is. With lightweight, layerable formulas—made up of both traditional and cutting-edge ingredients—that deeply cleanse and nourish when applied in a meticulous regime, the end result is all about that coveted, glass-like shine.
Designed to nourish, protect, and upgrade haircare into a ritual, this method doesn’t discriminate between coily, wavy, or pin-straight hair. It’s all about tailoring the process to your specific needs.
Curious? Explore the viral 10-step Korean hair care routine that everyone’s talking about.
Why Korean hair products belong in your routine
Korean haircare involves treating it like royalty. This approach focuses on scalp health first, using science-backed ingredients and time-tested remedies to create hair that’s not just clean but thriving. It’s the same idea as Korean skincare: take care of the foundation, and the glow follows.
At its core, Korean hair care is all about the scalp. A healthy scalp means healthier hair, and many products are designed to exfoliate, hydrate, and balance. Ingredients like salicylic acid gently clear buildup, while ginseng and green tea soothe and rejuvenate. The goal? To create a healthy environment for your hair to grow, shine, and stay strong—what some call “glass skin” for your hair.
What really sets Korean haircare apart is the layered approach. Lightweight formulas tackle specific concerns—hydration, volume, or damage repair—without weighing your hair down. Natural ingredients like camellia oil and bamboo water make regular appearances, delivering benefits that go deeper than just surface shine.
If you haven’t gathered already, it’s not about quick fixes. Korean haircare routines are deliberate, step-by-step processes that transform your hair over time. The results? Stronger, shinier, and healthier hair. If you’re ready to flip your wash-and-blowdry routine on its head, Korean haircare might just be your next big beauty obsession.
10-step Korean hair care routine
The Korean hair care ritual is all about methodically addressing both scalp and hair needs. Each step works harmoniously, giving you that glossy, healthy, salon-finish look. Below, we’re breaking it down step by step, plus spotlighting some of our stylists' go-to Korean hair products.
Step 1: Exfoliate the scalp
Healthy hair starts with a clean, flake-free foundation. Scalp exfoliation clears away dead skin, oil buildup, and residue from styling products, creating a refreshed environment for hair growth. Gently massage an exfoliating scalp treatment into your roots, let it sit for a few minutes, and rinse thoroughly.
This step is crucial for maintaining scalp health, promoting better blood circulation, and ensuring that the rest of your routine can penetrate effectively. Aim to exfoliate once or twice a week, depending on your scalp’s needs, to keep things balanced and free from irritation.
TYME product pick
Aromatica Rosemary Scalp Scrub
This refreshing scalp scrub is a must-have for deep cleansing and exfoliation. Formulated with Dead Sea salt from Israel and EWG-verified natural ingredients, it gently removes buildup while calming the scalp. The addition of rosemary offers a therapeutic, invigorating scent, promoting circulation and creating the optimal foundation for healthy hair growth.
Step 2: Shampoo
After exfoliation, follow with a nourishing shampoo that balances your scalp’s pH. Korean shampoos often prioritize lightweight hydration, leaving your scalp refreshed and your hair soft without weighing it down.
Apply a small amount of shampoo to your scalp, working it into a gentle lather while avoiding unnecessary tugging on your strands. Rinse thoroughly to remove impurities and prep your hair for conditioning. Look for shampoos enriched with herbal extracts or scalp-nurturing ingredients like ginseng or green tea for an added boost of care and vitality.
TYME product pick
Daeng Gi Meo Ri Ki Gold Premium Shampoo
Infused with ginseng, green tea, and other herbal extracts, this Korean favorite cleanses deeply while nourishing the scalp. It’s designed to strengthen hair and reduce hair loss, making it a perfect choice for anyone looking to restore balance and vitality. Oh, and guess what? You can pick it up at Costco!
Step 3: Condition
Conditioning is the step where moisture and nourishment are replenished. Korean hair care emphasizes lightweight, effective formulas that lock in hydration without weighing hair down.
After shampooing, apply conditioner to the mid-lengths and ends of your hair, avoiding the scalp to prevent oiliness. Let it sit for 2–5 minutes, allowing the ingredients to deeply penetrate and detangle strands. Rinse thoroughly with cool water to seal the cuticle and leave your hair smoother, shinier, and less prone to breakage. For best results, use a conditioner tailored to your hair type, whether you need extra moisture, repair, or volume.
TYME product pick
Dr. Ceuracle Vegan Aquarising Shampoo
This vegan-friendly shampoo is designed to deliver intense hydration while maintaining a gentle touch. Packed with botanical extracts and vegan-certified ingredients, it cleanses effectively without stripping natural moisture. Ideal for dry or sensitive scalps, its lightweight formula leaves hair feeling soft, nourished, and refreshed after every wash.
Step 4: Apply a scalp treatment
Targeted scalp treatments are a hallmark of Korean hair care. These treatments nourish the scalp and stimulate hair follicles, promoting healthy hair growth and a balanced environment for strong strands. Apply a scalp essence or tonic directly to your roots, gently massaging it in with your fingertips to boost circulation.
Unlike masks or conditioners, these treatments are leave-in, so there’s no need to rinse. They’re perfect for addressing specific scalp concerns, like dryness, irritation, or thinning hair, and help maintain overall scalp health when used regularly.
TYME product pick
Dr. FORHAIR Folligen Scalp Essence
This leave-in tonic is enriched with biotin, panthenol, and salicylic acid to soothe the scalp and boost hair vitality. Its lightweight texture absorbs quickly, making it a go-to for anyone battling dryness or thinning hair.
Step 5: Use a hair mask (weekly)
For deep hydration and repair, a hair mask is an essential weekly step. Korean masks often blend traditional and cutting-edge ingredients like honey, keratin, or fermented oils to restore moisture and elasticity to dry, damaged strands.
Apply generously to damp hair, focusing on the mid-lengths and ends where damage is most common. Let it sit for 10–15 minutes to allow nutrients to penetrate deeply before rinsing thoroughly. For an extra boost, wrap your hair in a warm towel while the mask works. Weekly use can help maintain smoothness, reduce split ends, and enhance overall manageability.
TYME product pick
Elizavecca CER-100 Collagen Coating Hair Protein Treatment
This cult-favorite Korean mask is powered by collagen, ceramides, and keratin to restore softness, reduce split ends, and enhance overall shine. It delivers visible results in just one use to locks in need of some TLC.
Step 6: Apply a leave-in treatment
Lock in hydration and protect your strands from environmental stressors with a lightweight leave-in treatment. These products seal moisture, reduce frizz, and often include added benefits like heat protection or shine-enhancing properties.
Apply a small amount to damp hair, concentrating on the mid-lengths and ends where dryness or frizz is most common. Let your hair air dry for a natural finish or style as desired. Regular use of a leave-in treatment can keep your hair looking polished and feeling healthy between washes.
TYME product pick
Mise En Scene Perfect Repair Serum
Packed with argan oil, royal jelly, and rose water, this Korean favorite repairs damaged strands while adding softness and shine. It’s lightweight, non-greasy, and perfect for taming frizz without weighing hair down.
Step 7: Use a heat protectant
If heat styling is part of your routine, a heat protectant is essential to prevent damage. Korean heat protectants are often enriched with nourishing ingredients like argan oil or herbal extracts, combining thermal protection with hydration.
Mist the product evenly onto damp hair before using any hot tools, such as blow dryers, curling irons, or straighteners. This forms a protective barrier that minimizes breakage and dryness while enhancing softness and shine. Consistent use can significantly reduce heat-related damage, keeping your hair healthier in the long run.
TYME product pick
Nature Republic Argan Essential Thermal Protection Spray
Formulated with argan oil and botanical extracts, this heat protectant guards hair from high temperatures while adding hydration and shine. Suitable for all hair types, it’s a lightweight yet effective shield against heat damage.
Step 8: Apply a hair oil
Hair oils are a cornerstone of Korean hair care, celebrated for sealing in moisture, smoothing strands, and adding a mirror-like shine. After styling, warm a few drops of oil between your palms and gently work it through the mid-lengths and ends of your hair. This step tames flyaways, reduces frizz, and boosts overall softness.
Opt for lightweight, nutrient-rich oils like argan, camellia, or sunflower oil, which nourish without leaving a greasy residue. Whether your hair is curly, wavy, or straight, this finishing touch locks in hydration and keeps your locks sleek and radiant all day long. Use sparingly to avoid buildup while achieving a polished, photo-ready finish.
TYME product pick
La’dor Wonder Hair Oil
Infused with argan oil, camellia oil, and sunflower seed oil, this lightweight formula nourishes and smooths hair while adding brilliant shine. It’s perfect for finishing your look and keeping your strands hydrated all day long.
Step 9: Spritz on a scalp-cooling mist
A refreshing scalp-cooling mist is a quintessentially Korean touch, offering a quick way to soothe and invigorate your roots throughout the day. These mists are packed with ingredients that calm irritation, balance excess oil, and provide lightweight hydration to your scalp.
Simply part your hair where needed and spritz directly onto your roots, letting the formula absorb naturally. Ideal for midday touch-ups or post-styling care, they leave your scalp feeling clean and refreshed without disrupting your hairstyle. Plus, the cooling sensation makes it a go-to for hot days or after intense workouts.
TYME product pick
A’PIEU Mint Scalp Cooling Spray
Infused with mint extract and eucalyptus oil, this cooling spray revitalizes your scalp while regulating excess oil. Its refreshing formula soothes irritated roots and delivers a clean, fresh feel between washes.
Step 10: Seal with a shine spray
No Korean hair care routine is complete without that coveted glass-like finish, and a shine spray is the ultimate way to achieve it. A fine mist smooths the cuticle, reduces frizz, and leaves your hair with a healthy, reflective gloss.
Hold the spray about 8–10 inches from your dry, styled hair and apply evenly, focusing on the mid-lengths and ends for a polished look. Shine sprays are lightweight, so they won’t weigh your hair down while enhancing its natural luminosity. This final step locks in hydration and gives your strands a silky, impossibly shiny finish.
TYME product pick
Glaze Mirror Glaze 4-in-1 Super Sleek Shine Spray
Achieve a sleek, high-gloss finish with the Glaze Mirror Glaze 4-in-1 Shine Spray. This multitasking spray tames frizz, smooths flyaways, and enhances shine, leaving hair looking polished. Lightweight and non-greasy, it’s ideal for all hair types, offering UV protection while locking in hydration for long-lasting sleekness.
Glass hair is just 10 steps away
Achieving that coveted glass-like shine isn’t necessarily about great genetics or salon trips—it’s a thoughtful, step-by-step process. The 10-step Korean hair care routine shows us how intentional care for both scalp and strands can deliver transformative results. From exfoliating to nourishing your roots to finishing with a touch of shine spray, every step works harmoniously to enhance your hair’s health and beauty.
Start small, incorporate a few steps at a time, and watch your locks transform into glossy, head-turning strands. For more tips and product picks, explore the TYME Life Blog.
