There’s also a lineup of classic K-beauty botanicals—including ginseng, rosemary, heartleaf, green tea, and Gotu kola—to soothe and comfort the scalp. You’ll get that deeply clean, cool, menthol-y feeling that makes your roots feel reset, especially if you’re dealing with excess oil or buildup. Unlike many Western formulas, even the conditioner is designed to be worked into the scalp, but it won’t leave hair feeling heavy or weighed down.
“I’m blessed with a pretty unproblematic scalp, but I’ve always had an issue with frizz, dryness, shine—pretty much every other hair complaint in the book. I used to just accept that silkiness wasn’t in the cards for me, but this Dr. Groot duo made me eat my words. Even without blow-drying, my air-dried curls just behave differently when I use this shampoo and conditioner. Paired with a quick pass of my Dyson (and no post-shower products, mind you), I’m living out my flippy, shinny blowout dreams.” —Sarah Hoffmann, commerce market editor
- Key ingredients: Bifida and Lactobacillus ferments, caffeine, biotin, niacinamide, salicylic acid, ginseng, rosemary, heartleaf, green tea, Gotu kola
- Who it’s best for: people with excess scalp oil, an itchy scalp, or buildup
- Fragrance-free: no
Boost from the Roots: Dr. Groot Scalp Barrier Boost Oil in Serum
Dr. Big
Scalp Barrier Boost Oil in Serum
Why it’s worth it: Another example of K-beauty’s skin-care-first approach to hair growth, Dr. Groot’s Scalp Barrier Boost Oil in Serum Leave-In Treatment focuses on creating a healthier scalp environment where stronger-looking hair can thrive. Biotin supports keratin—the protein that makes up hair—while rosemary oil takes center stage. “Rosemary oil has been shown to encourage hair growth, with results similar to those of 2% minoxidil,” says Omer Ibrahim, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Chicago, previously told Allure. The formula also packs in microbiome-friendly ferments like Lactobacillus, Lactococcus, Bifidaand Saccharomyces extracts, alongside a nourishing blend of rosemary, peppermint, argan, castor, moringa, rosehip, jojoba, and soybean oils to support both scalp health and softer, silkier strands. Amino acids, caffeine, and niacinamide round out the formula to keep the scalp feeling balanced and healthy.
