South Korean hair and scalp care practices

Hair care in South Korea involves a combination of traditional dietary habits and modern dermatological focuses. Traditional practices include the consumption of black beans, which are believed to support hair thickness and color due to their nutritional profile of proteins, minerals, and vitamins.

Modern routines emphasize scalp health, treating the scalp with the same care as facial skin. Due to environmental factors such as high pollution levels and urban dust, frequent washing is common; a study indicates approximately 65% of Koreans wash their hair daily. Consumers utilize specialized products for morning or evening routines, with a significant portion of the population preferring to shower at night to manage environmental contaminants.

This philosophy focuses on maintaining scalp balance by removing excess sebum, sweat, and product residue while ensuring proper hydration. Maria Altur of MiiN Cosmetics notes that “caring for the roots is essential for hair appearance and health.” Routines often incorporate a wide variety of specialized products, such as tonic lotions, enzymatic peels, balancing masks, and exfoliants. Notably, some Korean routines include exfoliation as a step following the initial wash, a practice that differs from many Western methods.