TL;DR: The best shampoo for wigs is a gentle, moisturizing formula that cleans without stripping softness or leaving heavy buildup. Human hair wigs need extra care because they do not receive natural scalp oils, so the right shampoo helps preserve shine, movement, and longevity.
- For human hair wigs, choose a salon-quality, sulfate-free moisturizing shampoo.
- Helpful ingredients may include glycerin, aloe, panthenol, and argan oil.
- Avoid harsh clarifying shampoos, strong sulfates, drying alcohols, and heavy formulas that leave a film.
- Purple shampoo can help reduce brassiness on blonde, silver, or highlighted wigs, but it should not replace regular moisturizing shampoo.
- Dry shampoo can refresh a wig between washes, but it should be used sparingly to avoid buildup near the cap or lace.
The best shampoo for wigs is gentle and leaves the hair feeling soft after rinsing, but still keeps things clean and tidy. For a luxury human hair wig, look for a moisturizing, sulfate-free formula rather than a harsh clarifying shampoo. Remember that, unlike your natural hair, wig hair doesn’t receive oil from the scalp, so it can dry out faster, especially if you use the wrong product.
A good wash routine should help your wig feel fresh without impacting the look or longevity of your wig. Keep reading to learn what our stylists recommend when asked about what shampoo is good for wigs, especially luxury-quality human hair pieces.
What Is the Best Shampoo for Human Hair Wigs?
Human hair wigs can be washed and conditioned much like your natural hair, but they need a more careful touch. For human hair wigs, our stylists recommend a salon-quality, sulfate-free moisturizing shampoo with lightweight conditioning ingredients.
The best shampoo for human hair wigs often contains the following ingredients:
- Glycerin can help attract moisture
- Aloe can add softness
- Panthenol, sometimes listed as pro-vitamin B5, can help hair feel smoother
- Argan oil is used in smoothing, shine-supporting formulas
For blonde, silver, or highlighted human hair wigs, a purple shampoo may help reduce brassiness. Purple shampoo is designed to counteract yellow tones, but it should not replace your regular moisturizing shampoo.
What Shampoo Is Bad for Wigs?
You often hear the phrase “squeaky clean,” and you may think it’s a good thing. When it comes to wigs, however, you want to avoid “squeaky” as much as possible! If your wig feels squeaky after washing, your shampoo formula may be stripping your wig of the oil and moisture it needs to stay shiny and soft. A stripped wig is rarely a natural-looking wig, and can leave your investment dull-looking and fragile.
A good shampoo for wigs should rinse clean and leave those oils and moisture behind. Look for formulas made for dry, color-treated, or professionally styled hair, which tend to be gentler than shampoos made for deep cleansing or oil control.
With that said, this process also works in reverse. If your wig looks dull or feels sticky after washing, the product may be building up on the hair. Avoid heavy formulas that leave a film behind. The goal is a clean wig, not a coated one!
Can You Use Regular Shampoo on a Wig?
Some regular shampoos can be used on a wig, but check the formula first. A shampoo from your shower may be too stripping if it contains strong sulfates or drying alcohols, for example. Also, aim to avoid clarifying ingredients meant for oily roots.
The safest choice is a moisturizing shampoo made for color-treated or dry hair.
What Is the Best Dry Shampoo for Wigs?
A lightweight dry shampoo can refresh the crown of your wig between washes, but our stylists recommend using it sparingly. If you use it too much, the powder can collect near the cap and lace, causing damage to your wig and affecting how it looks and feels.
Use dry shampoo as a quick touch-up, not your main cleaning method. When the hair starts to look or feel coated, it’s probably time for wash day.
Keep Your Wig Fresh Longer
Choosing the best shampoo for wigs helps protect the piece you love. Look for gentle moisture and avoid harsh stripping formulas and you’ll be able to enjoy soft, natural-looking locks for a long time!
Find a wig you’ll love enough to take care of. Browse The Lauren Ashtyn Collection’s wig collection.
