13 Top Wig Shampoos for Synthetic and Human Hair
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Want a quick change of look?
Wear a wig!
This versatile hair accessory comes in different styles, shapes, and colors.
It’s not only used by people with thinning hair but also by those who want to experiment with different hairstyles.
But do take note that a good quality wig can be pricey.
It’s not a cheap costume you wear once and then throw away. You can use a wig many times, as long as you give it some TLC.
And using the top wig shampoo is one way to show your hairpiece some love. Some shampoos are specially designed for wigs, so don’t just use a regular shampoo.
After all, you’ve already invested in a premium hair alternative. Why not invest a little more in the right product?
Continue reading to see our top picks of the top shampoo to wash wigs.
Table of Contents
Proper Wig Care
The first thing to consider in wig maintenance is the type of hair it’s made of. This way, you’ll know exactly what needs to be done and what to avoid.
Here’s a table that may help you:
Human Hair Wig | Synthetic Hair Wig |
---|---|
You can style it as you would style real hair using heat-styling tools. | There are heat-resistant synthetic hair wigs that can resist the heat from styling tools. Synthetic wigs that are not heat-resistant can’t be heat-styled. |
It’s likely to frizz. | It’s weather-proof, so frizz isn’t a problem. |
It comes in natural colors. | It offers more color variations (crazy and natural). |
It can be trimmed, bleached, and dyed, just like your hair. | You can cut and style it, but you can’t use a regular hair dye because that damages the synthetic fibers. You’ll need to use inks, fabric dyes, food coloring, or diluted acrylics to dye synthetic wigs. |
Now that you know the difference, you can customize your wig care according to the type of hair your piece is made of.
Wig Care Dos and Don’ts
What to do:
- Use a brush or comb designed for wigs.
- Style human hair wigs with tools in a low-heat setting.
- Apply hair products sparingly.
- Clean your wig regularly with good shampoo for wigs.
- Place your wig in a covered container or wig stand.
- If you must sleep with a wig on, use a silk scarf or sleeping cap.
What not to do:
- Don’t use heat-styling tools on synthetic wigs that aren’t heat-resistant.
- Don’t shower while wearing your wig.
With proper care, your wig will keep its style and shine for a long time.
There will be less shedding, and your hairpiece will look and feel fresh, much like your natural hair.
Washing Your Wig
How Often Should You Wash Your Wig?
How often you should wash your wig depends on how many times you wear it.
If you wear it every day, we suggest you cleanse it at least once a week.
On the other hand, if you use your wig only on special occasions, then you can wash it after 7-10 wears.
But let’s say you’ve only worn your wig less than 7 times. And you notice that it’s now dull and has a few foundation stains on it.
Well, in that case, it’s time to clean it.
Your wig cleaning schedule will vary not just on how often you use the hair piece but also on how much it was exposed to dirt and other products.
The Right Way to Wash Wigs
Human Hair
- Gently detangle the hairpiece using your fingers or a wig comb.
- Wet it with cold water.
- Work the shampoo through the wig in gentle rubbing motions.
- Rinse the wig completely.
- Do not squeeze the wig.
- Apply wig conditioner and leave it on the wig for 2 to 3 minutes.
- Rinse the hairpiece.
- Wrap a towel around the wig and pat away the excess water.
- You can let the wig air-dry or use a blow-dryer on a low heat setting.
Synthetic Hair
- Prepare your wig for washing by detangling it using your fingers or a wig comb.
- Fill a basin with cool water and add 1-2 capfuls of shampoo.
- Soak the wig for a few minutes.
- Gently swish it through the water.
- Rinse the hairpiece.
- Refill the basin with water and add conditioner.
- Put the wig into the basin and gently swish it a few times.
- Soak it for 2 minutes.
- Rinse the wig again.
- Blot the wig with a towel and let it air dry.
13 Top Wig Shampoos
Now that you know the importance of the proper way of caring for your wig, it’s time to find the right shampoo.
This way, you can clean your hairpiece without damaging it.
We’ve reviewed the best-selling shampoos designed for wigs. We classified the list into products for synthetic wigs, human hair wigs, and both.
There are also shampoos with gentle formulations that are safe for dyed wigs.
Top Synthetic Wig Shampoo
What’s the top shampoo for synthetic wigs? We have listed down our favorites.
This shampoo has a gentle formula that removes dirt and oil from your wig effectively without damaging the wig’s fibers.
Primary benefits: Leaves the wig feeling soft and silky; rinses easily; doesn’t leave residues
Features:
- Free of sulfate, parabens, and salts
- Contains French argan oil
- Ideal for all types of synthetic fibers
Keep your expensive wigs in great condition with just a small amount of Jon Renau Cleanse Fiber Love Shampoo.
When it comes to wig care, it’s reassuring to know that the products you use are created by companies who understand alternative hair. And Jon Renau is one of them.
So it’s no surprise that their Cleanse Fiber Love Shampoo has gotten good reviews from users.
It effectively removes impurities from the wig and, at the same time, adds hydration and shine. It also has a mild pleasant scent that gives you a fresh-out-of-the-shower feel.
This shampoo extends the life of synthetic wigs and hair extensions.
You can’t rub a synthetic hair wig, so this Just Soak formula is perfect because it breaks down buildups and makes them easy to wash away.
Primary benefits: Moisturizes and volumizes the wig; leaves the hair silky and shiny; safe for colored hair
Features:
- Contains coconut oil that adds shine
- Has a pH level of 6 that keeps the moisture on hair
- Sulfate-free
- Cruelty-free
Bring back your wig’s original shine with the Awesome Synthetic Wig Shampoo - Just Soak.
AGA Product Inc. is committed to making wig care products that are top quality. One of those is the Awesome product line.
Awesome Synthetic Wig Shampoo may be more expensive than other brands, but it’s worth every penny. That’s because it’s made with premium ingredients to ensure healthier wigs.
A little warning though: This product has a watery consistency, unlike other shampoos. So be careful when pouring it.
Plus, follow the recommended measurement that comes with the packaging instructions.
Easily wash your hair piece and keep it soft and smooth with this awesome shampoo.
We love this shampoo’s fresh, fruity scent that isn’t overpowering. It’s mild and long-lasting, keeping the wig smelling good for days.
Primary benefits: Gently cleanses, moisturizes the hair fibers, detangles and refreshes the hair piece
Features:
- Enriched with coconut oil
- Paraben-free
- Can be used on extensions and dreadlocks
For healthy, elastic wigs, use the Hairobics Unlimited All Day Synthetic Wig Shampoo.
This product gently removes the buildup caused by everyday pollutants.
It also has coconut oil that adds silkiness and shine to the hair strands. It leaves your wig soft and manageable.
However, it’s not sulfate-free, so we wouldn’t recommend it for colored wigs and extensions.
Restore your dry tangly wig with this Hairobics Unlimited shampoo.
Our favorite thing about this product is that it doesn’t just give a nice clean scent but also eliminates the odor that comes from dirt and sweat stuck in your wig.
Primary benefits: Removes makeup stains, gives weightless moisture, neutralizes odors, easily washes out with no residue
Features:
- Can also be used on hair extensions
- Not tested on animals
- Ideal for all hair types
True to its name, this shampoo does a great job of cleansing and refreshing wigs!
HairUWear Cleanse Refreshing Shampoo has a gentle nourishing formula that’s specially formulated for synthetic hair.
We know it’s a bit pricey, but a single bottle will last you long as you only need a small amount to clean your wig.
And because of its weightless moisture, your wig’s strands will feel light and clean after washing.
This shampoo makes the hair fibers so soft, you won’t need to use a conditioner after!
Primary benefits: Gently removes dirt, oil, and hair product debris; returns shine to your wig; removes hair clumps
Features:
- Fresh and clean scent
- Suds up well
- Can be used on all types of synthetic wig fiber
Make your wig feel like natural hair with the Estetica Designs Cleanse & Clarify Wig Shampoo!
The Estetica Designs formula knows exactly what your hairpieces need to get better and truly improves your wig’s condition.
What’s more, the product’s light scent leaves the hair feeling and smelling clean.
It doesn’t have a strong fragrance, so it’s safe for those who are allergic to perfume.
The only snag is that it has sulfate and parabens, which makes it a not-so-safe and gentle formula.
But if you’re not sensitive to those ingredients, then we recommend investing in this product to extend the life of your wigs.
Top Shampoo for Human Hair Wigs
If you’re someone who has spent a fortune on 100% natural hairpieces, then you must be eager to know what the top shampoo for human hair wigs is.
Well, don’t worry anymore because we’ll answer that for you.
Here are the top wig shampoos for human hair types of wigs that you can even use on your natural hair.
There’s a reason why this product always makes our list: it replenishes and retains moisture in the hair strands without weighing the hair down.
Primary benefits: Hydrates the wig strands; leaves the wig shiny and silky; safe for dyed hairpieces
Features:
- Contains coconut milk, coconut oil, and egg white protein
- Pleasant tropical scent
- Sulfate and paraben-free
- For all hair types and textures
No other shampoo can give your hair maximum moisture than OGX Nourishing+ Coconut Milk Moisturizing Shampoo!
Sometimes, we have doubts when it comes to moisturizing our hair because this may cause our locks to be greasy and weighed down. But that’s not the case for this shampoo.
Its moisturizing ingredients strengthen the hair strands and make them super soft and shiny, but it still cleanses and doesn’t make the wig greasy.
Moreover, it has a milky and creamy consistency that lathers easily.
You can use this shampoo to cleanse not just your wig but also your natural hair.
Even so, we won’t recommend this for people with already oily hair.
OGX Nourishing + Coconut Milk is also safe for colored and keratin-treated hair.
With all the benefits that you can get from this shampoo, you might think that it’s very expensive. But it’s not! A little goes a long way, so one bottle will last you plenty of washes.
Primary benefits: Gets rid of frizz, makes the hair plump and bouncy, smoothens the hair fibers, leaves the hair moisturized without feeling greasy
Features:
- Has botanical extracts
- Packed with antioxidants and vitamins
- Sulfate-free
- Great for curls
Luxury doesn’t have to be expensive with TGIN Rose Water Sulfate-Free Shampoo.
TGIN means Thank God It’s Natural. And the product name speaks for itself because this cleanser’s mild formula has natural ingredients that are gentle on wigs and real hair.
Some of the natural ingredients are:
- Hibiscus
- Acai berry
- Rosewater
These contents make sure that the wig doesn’t dry out after washing.
Along with those natural ingredients are antioxidants and vitamins A, C, D, E, and B3 that protect the hair strands from damage.
While it still works as a good cleanser, it’s not a clarifying shampoo. For that reason, you shouldn’t use this if you apply hair styling products to your wig.
You can also use TGIN Rose Water Hair Mask to deep condition your wig and your hair.
What we love about this shampoo is its promising natural components that cleanse the wig well and nourish it at the same time.
Primary benefits: Rejuvenates hair and scalp, strengthens the hair fibers, doesn’t strip color, effectively removes buildup, enhances the wig’s shine
Features:
- Filled with nourishing organic ingredients
- Vegan
- Paraben-free
- Cruelty-free
- For all hair types
If you’re looking for a shampoo that won’t dull out your wig, then the Giovanni Tea Tree Triple Treat Invigorating Shampoo is for you!
When it comes to clean beauty, Giovanni products always keep up.
This shampoo contains these ingredients:
- Aloe vera
- Lavender
- Sage
- Peppermint
- Eucalyptus
- Tea tree oil
Most of these are nourishing oils that make your wig so healthy it’s as if you used a hair serum!
The peppermint and eucalyptus work to cool and clean the strands, plus tea tree oil helps fight bacteria.
Your wig can’t get any cleaner than that.
If you plan to use this on your real hair though, it’s best not to wash it every day since this works as a clarifying shampoo.
This shampoo is perfect for wig wearers who are regularly exposed to dust, smoke, and sweat. It’s a clarifying shampoo that won’t dry out your wig’s strands and can clean your hair and scalp thoroughly as well.
Primary benefits: Removes product buildup and makeup stains, restores your human hair wig, nourishes and cleanses, leaves a glossy finish
Features:
- Deep-cleansing formula
- Has the Moroccanoil signature scent (musky and sweet)
- Sulfate-, paraben-, and phosphate-free
Do you have an old dusty wig that needs to be brought back to life? Try the Moroccanoil Clarifying Shampoo!
The luxury hair care brand Moroccanoil continues to impress consumers with its products. One of our favorites is their clarifying shampoo.
The shampoo contains the following natural ingredients:
- Argan oil
- Avocado oil
- Keratin
- Lavender oil
- Chamomile
- Jojoba extracts
These help rebuild damaged hair strands either on your wig or your natural hair.
It’s perfect for double-cleansing because it can remove all kinds of impurities from your hairpiece.
We suggest you follow up with a hydration treatment like a conditioner to make your wig softer.
Since it’s a clarifying shampoo, it’s not ideal for colored hair. Some users noticed that the shampoo strips off the wig’s dye.
Moroccanoil Clarifying Shampoo is a bit expensive, yes, but it’s totally worth the price.
Top Shampoos for Both Natural and Synthetic Hair
In addition to the top shampoo to wash human hair wigs and shampoo for synthetic hair, these shampoos can be used for both!
We love how the wig looks after washing with African Essence Control Wig shampoo. It’s like brand new all over again!
Primary benefits: Removes excess oil and dirt; makes wig soft; moisturizes the strands; revitalizes the hairpiece; helps detangle hair
Features:
- Light, clean scent
- Gentle enough for human and synthetic hair
- Ideal for type 4 hair (coily)
Help extend the life of your wigs and weaves with this powerful shampoo!
We all want lustrous locks. But when you’re wearing a wig, you might want to stay away from too much shine.
That’s because a wig looks fake if it has an unnatural shine.
Well, the African Essence Control Wig Shampoo won’t give you that problem. What it will give you is a soft sheen that looks natural and healthy.
Furthermore, this shampoo’s superior hydration level leaves your wigs in great condition; you won’t need to use a conditioner after.
Brandywine has aloe vera juice and citric acid. This lets us know that your hairpiece will come out clean and looking healthy.
Primary benefits: Cleanses thoroughly; restores the wig’s softness; leaves hair glossy
Features:
- Non-static formula
- Paraben and alcohol-free
- Cruelty-free
- Can be used for all wig hair types
Don’t throw away your dry, hard, matted wig just yet! Repair your wig using Brandywine Non-Static Shampoo.
Human hair wigs are also prone to frizziness, and Brandywine’s non-static formula is perfect for reducing the frizz.
It also effectively removes oil, makeup, and sweat from the hairpiece.
Some users have complained of its smell because it’s a combination of powder and plastic scent, similar to the smell of a doll’s hair.
But it’s something you’ll easily forget when you see how beautiful your wig turns out after using this product.
The Brandywine Non-static Shampoo and Conditioner combo is proven to bring your wig back to life.
This shampoo is made especially for maintaining the waves of your wig. It won’t flatten or change the shape of its curls.
Primary benefits: Washes away impurities, protects the fiber’s texture and color, makes wigs soft and tangle-free
Features:
- Paraben-free
- Not tested on animals
- Ideal for curly and wavy wigs
Protect your investment with DeMert Wig & Weave System Shampoo for Natural & Synthetic Hair
Are you always out and about, prone to sweat and pollution? You might want to give this product a try.
It’s perfect for wig wearers with an active lifestyle. It purifies the hairpiece, removing all the dirt and even eliminating the odor.
After washing, your hairpiece will look fluffy and natural.
But despite being a great shampoo, it has a drawback. And that’s the strong scent.
Some people find it too much, but some notice that the scent also goes away quickly.
This shampoo is effective in cleansing the hair but is also very gentle as it doesn’t contain harmful chemicals. It’s safe for natural and synthetic hair wigs, and even safe for your hair.
Primary benefits: Clarifies the hair, lightly hydrates the locks, makes wig hair feel soft, transforms damaged wigs
Features:
- Contains tea tree oil, borage seed oil, and aloe vera
- Free of sulfates, parabens, phthalates, mineral oils, petrolatums
- Cruelty-free
- Can be used on weaves
Help extend your wig’s life with this shampoo!
From a popular brand in hair care comes a product line designed for wigs and weaves.
The SheaMoisture Residue Remover Shampoo has a deep-cleansing formula that detoxifies and purifies the hairpiece without taking away the strands’ moisture.
That means you can also use it as a daily shampoo for your natural hair.
It has a nice light scent and doesn’t feel oily on the hair.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you use regular shampoo to wash a wig?
You can, but you shouldn’t, especially on synthetic wigs. Regular shampoos contain chemicals that may damage synthetic hair fibers.
If you want to use your wig for a long time, we recommend washing it with specially formulated shampoo and conditioner for wigs.
What can I use instead of a wig shampoo?
If you find yourself running out of good wig shampoo, you can use other alternatives. But that’s only if you really need to wash your wig and you can’t wait for your new bottle to arrive.
Here are wig shampoo alternatives:
- Baby shampoo
- Vinegar and water
- Cornstarch
- Baking soda and water
- Dish soap
To keep your wig in good condition, these should be your last options.
Your Wig Needs Care
Whether it’s a synthetic hair wig or a human hairpiece, this expensive hair accessory must be well taken care of.
Wash it regularly and properly with the top wig shampoo.
If you’re willing to spend on the right product, you’ll be able to use your wigs for months and even years. In the end, you’ll actually save more.
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