Salon Shampoo vs Drugstore Shampoo in Japan: What Is Actually Different

2026.10.24KÉRASTASE Shampoo Hair damage Scalp care

"What is the difference between salon shampoo and drugstore shampoo?" is a question we often see. We have separated what can be stated definitively from what cannot.

"Salon-exclusive" is a category of where it is sold

Under Japan's Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Act, shampoos are classified as either "cosmetics" or "quasi-drugs (medicated)." This classification is the same for salon-exclusive and drugstore products. "Salon-exclusive" refers to products the maker has decided to sell through hair salons; it is not a legal category.

For example, ARIMINO labels its products "salon-exclusive" on the product pages of its official site. MILBON explains on its official site that its products are salon-exclusive products used with advice from a hair designer (hairdresser).

Where differences tend to appear

Point of comparison	For salon-exclusive products	Example
Where to buy	Hair salons and online stores run by hair salons	The KÉRASTASE official site lets you search for salons that carry it
How series are divided	Some brands divide series by degree of damage or the condition of hair and scalp	KÉRASTASE Résistance has separate shampoos for damage levels 1–2 and 3–4
Advice when choosing	You can have a hairdresser look at your hair's condition when choosing	MILBON describes its products as used with a hairdresser's advice
Legal category	Cosmetics or quasi-drugs, the same as drugstore products	—

How do the ingredients differ?

Whether a product is salon-exclusive or sold in drugstores does not uniformly determine its ingredients. To compare, look at the full ingredient list on the package. For cosmetics, all ingredients are listed in descending order of amount, and ingredients at 1% or less may be listed in any order. Looking at the cleansing ingredients (surfactants) near the beginning gives you an idea of how it washes. Types of surfactants are covered in How Shampoo Works | Types of Surfactants and Differences in Cleansing Power.

*Quasi-drugs (medicated shampoos) are labeled differently from cosmetics, for example by listing active ingredients separately from other ingredients.

Examples of salon-exclusive shampoos we carry

KÉRASTASE Résistance Bain de Force N | Tax incl. 250ml ¥4,180 / 500ml ¥7,480 / 500ml (refill) ¥6,380

Product	Official category and features
KÉRASTASE Bain de Force N	Résistance. Damage care (damage levels 1–2)
KÉRASTASE Bain Extentioniste	Résistance. Damage care (damage levels 3–4) + scalp care
ARIMINO MEN Scalp Care Shampoo	Removes dirt from scalp and hair, and lathers well even on hair with styling products. Contains an olive-derived cleansing ingredient (olive oil PEG-7). Aromatic citrus scent. 280mL, 680mL and 1000mL refill

To buy genuine products

For salon-exclusive products, the maker decides where they are sold. Some makers have announced that they cannot take responsibility for products resold on e-commerce sites because their expiration dates and quality control cannot be verified (for example, hoyu professional). When purchasing, choosing a hair salon or a store run by a hair salon is the reliable option.

RE:SELECT is the online store of REMENTE and RETRÉ, hair salons in Mie Prefecture, and is an authorized retailer of every brand it carries. How to choose shampoo is also covered in How to Choose KÉRASTASE Shampoo, How to Choose a Scalp Care Shampoo and Home Care for Damaged Hair.

Products in this article