Arimino Mint is the scalp-care line from Arimino, the Japanese salon brand we sell more of than any other at Kija Hair Salon in Irvine. All three Mint shampoos give a cool, fresh feel, but they are not interchangeable: two are carbonated foams from a can, one is a classic liquid, and each suits a different scalp. Here is how to choose, and how to use them.
The short answer: pick Cool for an oily scalp or hot weather, Mild for a gentler wash with a soft, moist finish, and Refresh as an everyday liquid shampoo that clears heavy styling products. Follow any of them with Mint Mask Refresh.
Cool vs. Mild vs. Refresh at a Glance
| Cool | Mild | Refresh | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Format | Carbonated CO₂ foam | Carbonated CO₂ foam | Liquid shampoo |
| Cooling feel | Strongest (4 of 5 on the can) | Subtle | Pleasant cooling |
| Finish | Cleanses and cares for scalp and hair | Smooth, silky and moist, with bounce | Cleanses hair and scalp |
| Best for | Oily scalp, hot weather | A gentler wash; if Cool feels too intense | Everyday use; clearing styling products |
| Size | 180 g | 180 g | 600 ml |
| Price | Mint Sparkling Shampoo Cool: $32 | Mint Sparkling Shampoo Mild: $28 | Mint Shampoo Refresh: $37 |
Prices checked October 2026. All three are made in Japan and ship from our salon in Irvine, California.
Mint Sparkling Shampoo Cool
The Mint Sparkling Shampoo Cool is a carbonated foam shampoo. Its dense CO₂ foam, made with serum ingredients, cleanses and cares for the scalp and hair with a strong cooling feel: level 4 of 5 on the can, the coldest finish in the line. It is our pick for an oily scalp or for hot weather.
Mint Sparkling Shampoo Mild
The Mint Sparkling Shampoo Mild uses the same dense CO₂ foam with serum ingredients, but washes and moisturizes in one step, with a mild wash and only a subtle cool feel. It leaves hair smooth, silky and moist, with bounce, and smells of lemon and coriander. Choose Mild if you want the freshness of the line with a softer finish.
Mint Shampoo Refresh (Melon and Leaf)
The Mint Shampoo Refresh is the liquid shampoo in the line. It cleanses hair and scalp with a pleasant cooling sensation and a melon-and-leaf scent, and comes in a large 600 ml bottle. It is the everyday option and the one for clearing product build-up: if you wear heavy wax or gel, shampoo twice, then follow with Mint Mask Refresh.
The Conditioner: Mint Mask Refresh
Mint Mask Refresh ($21, 200 g) is the hair and scalp conditioner for all three shampoos. It is made with green clay that helps absorb excess oil and impurities, with a cooling mint feel that hydrates hair without weighing it down. It is suitable for all hair types, and ideal for oily scalps and warm climates.
| Step | How |
|---|---|
| 1. Shampoo | Rinse well |
| 2. Towel-dry | Gently, to remove excess water |
| 3. Apply | Evenly to scalp and hair |
| 4. Leave on | 2 to 5 minutes, massaging gently |
| 5. Rinse | Thoroughly with water |
How to Use the Foam Shampoos
- Wet your hair thoroughly.
- Shake the can well. For Cool, shake up and down, then hold it upside down to dispense.
- Take a tennis-ball-size amount of foam into your palm.
- Apply to the scalp and hair and massage it in.
- Rinse thoroughly.
Because the foam is already lathered, it spreads evenly with less rubbing than a liquid shampoo. Both foams are aerosols: keep them away from heat and open flame and don’t store them above 104°F (40°C) or in direct sunlight, such as a hot car. Don’t use them on a scalp with cuts, swelling or a rash.
Which One Should You Buy?
| Your scalp or goal | Choose |
|---|---|
| Oily or gets greasy fast | Mint Sparkling Shampoo Cool + Mint Mask Refresh |
| Normal, or you want a softer, moister finish | Mint Sparkling Shampoo Mild |
| You style daily with wax, gel or spray | Mint Shampoo Refresh (shampoo twice) + Mint Mask Refresh |
| Hot weather | Mint Sparkling Shampoo Cool |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Arimino Mint shampoo good for an oily scalp?
Yes. Mint Sparkling Shampoo Cool is the pick for an oily scalp, and Mint Mask Refresh uses green clay to help absorb excess oil.
Are the Arimino Mint shampoos sulfate-free?
Not all of them. Refresh lists sodium laureth sulfate and Cool lists sodium C12-13 pareth sulfate. Mild uses amino-acid-based cleansers (sodium cocoyl glutamate) and has no sulfates on its ingredient list. Full lists are on each product page.
Why do the foam shampoos come in a can?
They are carbonated: the CO₂ foam comes out already lathered, so it spreads easily over the scalp. Because they are aerosols, they ship by ground and are final sale.
Can I use Mint Mask Refresh as a regular conditioner?
Yes. It conditions the hair and refreshes the scalp at the same time, and suits all hair types.
Shop Arimino · Best Japanese shampoos · Product finder. U.S. orders over $40 ship free from our salon in Irvine, California.