Frequently Asked Questions
Is Korean hair care as good as Korean skin care?
Korean hair care is as advanced and thoughtful as its skin-care counterpart. “La’dor is an example of a brand that feels like skin care for your hair,” says Cho. “I remember trying their snail treatment for the first time and being shocked at how soft and silky my hair felt.” Like Korean skin care, many K-beauty hair brands focus on long-term health, using lightweight, nourishing formulas packed with ingredients like ginseng, mugwort, and fermented extracts. “Anillo’s hair essences are lightweight and nourishing,” says Cho.
Rooted in hanbang (traditional Korean herbal medicine) and backed by serious research, brands like RYO are leading the way. “I was very impressed at the level of hair loss research and Korean traditional ingredients they infused into each product,” Cho notes. “The philosophy behind this prestige hair brand is that they consider scalp care as the foundation of hair care.” In other words, it’s not just about achieving shiny glass-like hair—it’s about healthy hair from the root.
What do Koreans use for hair care?
Koreans take a holistic, skin care-inspired approach to hair care, prioritizing scalp health and gentle, nourishing ingredients. Their routines often include shampoos formulated with traditional herbs like ginseng, green tea, and fermented extracts to support healthy roots and reduce shedding, along with multitasking treatments like lightweight hair essences, masks, and ampoules for added shine and softness. “While many Japanese brands are traditionally well regarded in hair care, even in Korea, I’ve seen more Korean hair care brands like British M rising amongst the ranks in terms of popularity in Korea and beyond,” says Cho.
Meet the experts
- Charlotte Cho, co-founder of Soko Glam, is based in New York City
- Cherin Choi, a hairstylist and colorist based in Los Angeles
- Mujin Choi, a Seoul-based hairstylist and colorist
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that’s included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best body washes for dry skin, we considered each product’s performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance (or lack thereof), texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team, which is composed of in-house writers and editors as well as contributors—along with special consideration from board-certified dermatologists. To learn more information on our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the “best” for people over 50 if the only testers we’ve solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it’s never been tested on curls? We’re proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet.
