Labo-H is a South Korean scalp and hair care brand owned by Amorepacific. Launched in March 2020, it is built on the philosophy that the scalp should be treated as a specialized form of skin rather than merely an extension of hair care [1]. Instead of focusing solely on the hair shaft, Labo-H targets the condition of the scalp, its barrier function, and its microbial environment as the foundation for healthier-looking hair [1]. The brand name is derived from “Laboratory of Hair,” reflecting its research-oriented identity and Amorepacific’s accumulated expertise in hair science [1].

Amorepacific positions Labo-H as a “scalp skincare specialist” that applies longstanding skincare research to fundamental scalp solutions [1][2]. The brand addresses concerns such as hair loss symptoms, scalp strengthening, dandruff, oil control, and damaged hair through technologies like Scalp Barrier 218™ and green-tea-derived lactic-acid-bacteria fermented lysate [1]. While Labo-H utilizes scientific terminology regarding microbiomes and barriers, it is a cosmetic and scalp-care brand; its products are not medical treatments for clinical alopecia [2].

Labo-H was officially launched by Amorepacific in March 2020 with the proposition that the “scalp is a special type of skin” [1]. This concept encouraged consumers to approach scalp health with the same level of attention typically reserved for facial skincare, considering factors such as barrier condition, balance, and specific treatment needs [1]. At launch, the brand introduced a probiotic-oriented shampoo range addressing hair-loss symptoms, including variants for scalp strengthening, cooling, and sensitive skin, alongside a treatment product [1].

Following its initial release, Labo-H expanded from a narrow focus on scalp and hair loss into a comprehensive scalp-care system [2]. This expansion included products targeting dandruff, excess sebum, cleansing, cooling, hair strengthening, and damage repair [2]. In 2025, Amorepacific introduced the Hair Strengthening Clinic line, extending the brand’s expertise toward damaged hair and establishing a continuous care concept from the scalp to the hair ends [3].

Scalp Skincare Concept

The central tenet of Labo-H is that healthy-looking hair begins with a healthy scalp. Rather than treating shampoo exclusively as a cleansing agent, the brand approaches the scalp as a skincare environment requiring maintenance of its barrier and microbiome balance [1]. This distinguishes Labo-H from conventional hair-care positioning by emphasizing issues such as scalp sensitivity, excess sebum, dandruff, and hair strength alongside traditional cleansing [1]. Amorepacific states that the brand’s objective is to address these concerns by strengthening the scalp barrier and restoring the scalp’s innate health [1].

Microbiome and Ingredient Technology

A significant component of Labo-H’s technology platform is the scalp microbiome. Amorepacific researchers spent approximately ten years studying the relationship between hair, skin, and microorganisms before developing the brand’s probiotic-oriented technology [1]. A key outcome of this research was a lactic-acid-bacteria fermented lysate derived from green tea, an ingredient technology intended to help strengthen the scalp barrier [1]. Consequently, the brand frequently employs a progression of concepts linking probiotics to the microbiome, the scalp barrier, and ultimately a healthier scalp environment, rather than relying solely on traditional hair-growth marketing [1].

Scalp Barrier 218™

Labo-H highlights Scalp Barrier 218™ as a proprietary patented ingredient and technology associated with reinforcing the scalp barrier [2]. Described as a microbiome-based technology, it is intended to support a weakened scalp barrier and help restore the scalp’s natural condition [2]. The technological proposition essentially links microbiome science to a stronger scalp barrier, creating a better foundation for hair care [2]. It is important to note that Labo-H is a cosmetic brand, and references to “hair-loss care” relate to cosmetic claims rather than medical treatment for the underlying causes of alopecia [2].

Labo-H has grown considerably beyond its original shampoo range, with the current Korean portfolio organized around specific scalp and hair concerns [2].

Scalp Strengthening

The flagship category focuses on building a multi-step scalp-care routine rather than relying on shampoo alone. Products include:
* Scalp Strengthening Shampoo
* Scalp Strengthening Capsule Treatment
* Hairline Ampoule
* Scalp Strengthening Scaler
* Scalp Ampoule Tonic

Dandruff and Itchy Scalp

Products aimed at dandruff and scalp discomfort include:
* Dandruff Shampoo
* Water Scaler
* Anti-dandruff and scalp-balance products

Oil Control and Cooling

For oily or overheated scalps, the portfolio includes:
* Sea Salt Scaler
* Cooling & No-Sebum Shampoo
* Ampoule Tonic

Hair Strengthening and Damage Care

The brand has expanded into hair-strengthening care with products such as:
* Hair Strengthening Shampoo
* Hair Strengthening Treatment
* Hair Strengthening Essence

In 2025, the Hair Strengthening Clinic line was introduced to extend scalp expertise toward damaged hair [3].

Labo-H promotes a multi-step regimen similar to facial skincare logic: identify the condition, cleanse appropriately, and apply targeted treatments. A typical routine follows a “Cleanse/Exfoliate → Treat → Target” structure. Examples of specific routines include:

• Scalp Strengthening: Shampoo → Capsule Treatment → Hairline Ampoule
• Oil and Buildup: Sea Salt Scaler → Cooling & No-Sebum Shampoo → Ampoule Tonic
• Dandruff Focus: Water Scaler → Dandruff Shampoo

This approach conceptualizes shampoo as one step in a broader ecosystem of scalp maintenance rather than a standalone solution.

Positioning in K-Beauty

Labo-H occupies a distinct position within the Korean beauty market, situated between traditional salon hair care, mass-market shampoo, derma-cosmetics, and microbiome skincare. Its competitive premise is that scalp care deserves the same specialization as facial skincare. This aligns with Korean consumer trends that have transformed basic hygiene products into specialized routines involving sophisticated vocabulary around scalp health, sebum, microbiomes, and functional cosmetics.

Awards

The brand has achieved significant recognition in Korean beauty awards, which serve as indicators of consumer visibility in its domestic market [2]:
* Olive Young Awards: Shampoo category #1 (2022–2025); #2 (2021)
* Korea YouTuber’s Awards: Shampoo category #1 (2023)
* Hwahae Beauty Awards: Shampoo category #1 (2022–2023)

Labo-H describes itself as having received nine beauty awards overall [2]. Olive Young is one of Korea’s most influential beauty retailers, making these awards particularly relevant indicators of market performance.

Vegan Certification

The original flagship Scalp Strengthening Shampoo was launched as a vegan-certified product, with Amorepacific stating it contained no animal-derived ingredients or artificial fragrance [1]. However, vegan status applies to individual product formulations and should not be assumed for every item in the Labo-H portfolio.

Labo-H’s visual identity deliberately evokes laboratories, scientific instruments, clinical research, and modern Korean minimalism. Amorepacific’s creative team describes the design language as laboratory-inspired, using structural forms and scientific precision to communicate a technology-driven positioning [3]. The 2025 redesign for the Hair Strengthening Clinic line retained this laboratory identity while introducing warmer colors and softer aesthetics to appeal to consumers focused on damaged-hair care [3]. This creates a balance between scientific credibility and approachable beauty, distinguishing the brand from pharmaceutical products.

Although Labo-H originated in South Korea, it is increasingly marketed internationally. Amorepacific operates a Global Amore Mall collection for Labo-H, offering products such as the Scalp Strengthening Clinic Shampoo and Capsule Treatment through its international e-commerce ecosystem [4]. The brand also maintains global social and e-commerce channels, reflecting the broader international interest in Korean scalp-care products [6]. Hwahae’s database lists dozens of Labo-H products across various formats, though specific availability, sizes, and formulations may vary by market [5].

Labo-H is a brand under Amorepacific, one of South Korea’s major beauty companies, rather than an independent startup. This affiliation provides access to substantial research infrastructure in skin science, hair science, microbiology, formulation, and consumer research [1]. Amorepacific explicitly describes Labo-H as applying its skincare research know-how to scalp care [1]. The parent company’s skin-science research dates back to 1954, serving as a historical foundation for Labo-H’s development [2].

Labo-H differentiates itself from traditional shampoo concepts through its scalp-first philosophy:

While Labo-H utilizes scientific language such as “microbiome,” “barrier,” and “hair-loss care,” these terms should be interpreted within the context of cosmetic claims. “Hair-loss care” does not imply that a shampoo can treat all forms of clinical hair loss; genetic, hormonal, nutritional, and inflammatory causes may require evaluation by a dermatologist or qualified clinician. Additionally, because the portfolio is large and evolving, products in different markets may differ in version, size, formulation, and naming. Consumers comparing products should verify specific SKUs rather than assuming uniformity across all Labo-H shampoos.

1. LABO-H | Amorepacific
2. 라보에이치 공식몰
3. Amorepacific Creatives – LABO-H Hair Strengthening Clinic
4. LABO-H – Global AMORE MALL
5. LABO-H | Hwahae Search
6. 리틀리 | LABO-H