9 Best Oils For Dreadlocks
Give your dreadlocks the care and attention they deserve with these effective oils.
Laura DaleLicensed Cosmetologist
Expertise: Hairstylist
Experience: 20 years
Laura Dale is a Hair Expert and licensed Cosmetologist with over 20 years of experience. Laura has worked as a Global Education Director for Beauty Brands specializing in haircare and as a Beauty Editor she is passionate about sharing her l... more
Shiboli Chakraborti Certified Skin Care Coach
Expertise: Skin Care & Hair Care
Experience: 4 years
Shiboli has a master’s degree in English literature from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and is a certified skincare coach with four years of experience. As a commerce edito... more
Aditi NaskarDiploma In Health & Wellness
Expertise: Health & Wellness
Experience: 5 years
Aditi Naskar has a postgraduate degree in English literature from Presidency University, Kolkata, a bachelor’s degree in education from WBUTTEPA, Kolkata, and a diploma in health and wellness. She i... more
Ramona SinhaCertified Skin Care Coach
Expertise: Skin Care & Hair Care
Experience: 11 years
Ramona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Beng... more
Image: Shutterstock
Laura Dale, a licensed cosmetologist, a hair expert, and a master stylist with over 20 years of industry experience, says, “The most important thing for dreadlocks is keeping your hair and scalp moisturized. Deadlocks can get damaged by dryness and become brittle. They need a bit of extra care to keep them strong and healthy.” Dreadlocks can easily become prone to damage if you do not take care of them properly. An easy way to do so is by finding the best oil for dreadlocks that will penetrate them to the core and moisturize and nourish them deeply. This way, they will remain soft and flexible and keep looking gorgeously bold (and not untidy). Make sure the oil is a blend of multiple ingredients so that the locks get balanced nutrition and stay strong and healthy. Our team of hair care experts has done the research for you so that you can choose from a list of the bests-only. This listicle contains 9 best oils for dreadlocks. Check it out!
In This Article
9 Best Oils For Dreadlocks
1. Best Preservative-Free Formula:Jamaican Mango & Lime Island Scalp Oil
Image: Jamaican Mango & Lime The Jamaican Mango and Lime Island Oil help nourish the scalp and the roots. The oil ensures strong, radiant, shiny, and healthy dreadlocks. The potent blend provides proper nutrition to the roots and the scalp and contributes to internal hair health. The oil comes with nourishing ingredients like manuka honey and moringa seed oil. They help moisturize the scalp and reverse its damage. The oil also prevents hair breakage and strengthens the hair follicles to make your hair smooth and soft. Watch this video review to see the reviewer’s experience and gain a better understanding of the product.
Key Ingredients: Mango extract, lime extract, moringa seed oil, and manuka honey
Pros
- Suits all hair types
- Pleasant scent
- Sulfate-free
- Paraben-free
- Drug-free ingredients
- DHT-free
- Petrolatum-free
Cons
None
Quick Tip2. Best Vegan Formula:Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil
This Jamaican Black Castor Oil is rich with reparative omegas, which effectively repair locks and curls. The oil prevents further hair breakage and makes it healthier and shinier.
Also, the oil seals the open hair cuticles to give the hair frizz control. It contains peppermint that nourishes the hair and scalp. It also adds strength and hair elasticity to the straightened and damaged hair.
The oil is 100% vegan and contains certified organic raw shea butter that nourishes and moisturizes hair. The apple cider vinegar in the oil treats the dry and irritated scalp effectively. Watch this video to see the tester’s experience and get more insights into the product.
Key Ingredients: Jamaican Black Castor oil, peppermint oil, apple cider vinegar, and organic raw shea butter
Pros
- Vegan
- Organic
- Ethically traded
- Sulfate-free
- Cruelty-free
- Chemical-free
Cons
- Expensive
Pro Tip3. Best Lightweight Formula:Lion Locs Hair Loc Growth Oil And Scalp Relaxer
Image: Lionlocs The nourishing ingredients of Lion Locs Hair Loc Growth Oil have soothing properties that calm scalp dryness, itching, and dandruff. It includes natural ingredients like jojoba oil, brahmi oil, argan oil, bringraj oil, tea oil, amla oil, lavender oil, thyme oil, and cedarwood oil helps in shine enhancement of the locks and make them look healthier.. The oil also includes spikenard oil and essential oil blends that add a pleasant natural fragrance. The blended oil rebuilds and replenishes the roots and dry scalp to treat damaged strands. Reviewers on Amazon have noted that it also offers adequate nourishment to split ends and helps prevent breakage. Need more information? Watch this video to make an informed decision about the product.
Key Ingredients: Jojoba oil, brahmi oil, argan oil, bhringraj oil, amla oil, thyme oil, and essential oil blend
Pros
- 100% vegan
- Lightweight
- Paraben-free
- Dye-free
- Mineral oil-free
- Wax-free
- Sulfate-free
- Phthalate-free
- PEG-free
- Silicone-free
Cons
- May make the hair frizzy
Quick Tip| Best Preservative-Free Formula | Best Vegan Formula  | Best Lightweight Formula | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Jamaican Mango & Lime Island Scalp Oil | Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil | Lion Locs Hair Loc Growth Oil And Scalp Relaxer |
| Hair Type | All, Color Treated | Damaged | Dry |
| Dimensions | 1.03 x 0.71 x 8.8 inches | 2.8 x 2.8 x 3 inches | 3.5 x 2 x 4 inches |
| Weight | 8.08 Ounces | 8 Ounces | 8.01 Ounces. |
| Rating* | 4.6 | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Reviews | 2,554 | 1,318 | 842 |
| Price | $5.23 | $14.07 | $24.49 |
| Buy Now | Buy Now | Buy Now |
4. Best Non-Greasy Formula:Alikay Naturals Nat Unique Loc Oil
Image: Alikay Naturals The Alikay Naturals Nat Oil is specially designed to moisturize dreadlocks. The oil keeps your hair free from dryness. It is made with a blend of natural oils like hemp seed oil, vitamin E, and ylang-ylang to provide proper hydration to the locks. It also prevents itchiness and flaking of the scalp. The lightweight formula calms itchiness and inflammation without making your hair feel greasy.
Key Ingredients: Hemp seed oil, ylang-ylang, vitamin E, and essential oils
Pros
- Lightweight
- Non-greasy
- Pleasant smell
Cons
- May make the scalp flaky
5. Best Non-Comedogenic Formula:Dollylocks Vanilla Twist Dreadlock Conditioning Oil
Image: Dolly Locks Dollylocks Vanilla Twist Oil nourishes the scalp without leaving any greasy feeling. The oil is made with plant-based nourishing ingredients that hydrate the scalp and prevent dandruff and itchiness. The oil gets absorbed into the scalp and hair follicles and helps maintain your hair’s natural moisture. The natural ingredients of the oil revitalize and repair the health of the dry dreadlocks.
Key Ingredients: Coconut oil, avocado oil, hemp seed oil, jojoba oil, avocado oil, and plant extracts
Pros
- Non-greasy
- Non-comedogenic
- Cruelty-free
- Phthalate-free
Cons
None
6. Best For Dandruff:Knatty Dread Crown & Root Oil
Image: Knatty Dread The Knatty Dread Crown & Root Oil is a potent formula designed to keep your dreadlocks healthy and moisturized. The oil is made with natural ingredients that revitalize the damaged hair follicles and make the scalp healthy.
This oil helps the scalp fight dandruff. It also helps treat dry and flaky scalp and other forms of skin irritation. It is made of complete vegan ingredients. The oil also adds the softness to dreadlocks and makes them manageable.
Key Ingredients: Natural essential oils
Pros
- 100% vegan
- Non-greasy
- Prevents irritation
Cons
- Overpowering smell
7. Best Fragrance-Free Formula:SNO Dreadlock Oil Spray
The SNO Dreadlock Oil Spray helps retain the luster and strength of your hair. The oil comes with a blend of ultra-glossy natural oils that penetrate the hair shaft to provide nourishment from within. The oil helps restore shine in the dreadlocks and makes them healthy, strong, and soft. The natural ingredients in the oil smoothen and repair split ends. The oil also protects the hair from further breakage. It comes in a spray bottle and is easy to apply. It promotes the natural growth of your hair.
Key Ingredients: Avocado oils, apricots, grapeseed, rosemary, tea tree, cedarwood, jojoba, ylang-ylang, fennel, eucalyptus, and cyclomethicone
Pros
- Vegan
- Artificial fragrance-free
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- Contains preservatives
8. Best Organic Option:Lavish Ocean Dreadlock Growth & Strength Oil
The Lavish Ocean Dreadlock Oil repairs dreadlocks and adds strength to the hair follicles. This organic hair oil is suitable for all hair types. The formula is enriched with cold-pressed hemp seed oil, 100% pure therapeutic-grade Jamaican black castor oil, and other natural ingredients like jojoba oil and rosemary oil that work in tandem to keep your hair soft and healthy. The cannabis oil infused in this potent blend helps moisturize hair. The omega-3, omega-6, and omega-9 fatty acids, on the other hand, promote hair growth and strength.
Key Ingredients: 100% therapeutic-grade Jamaican black castor oil, cannabis oil, hemp seed oil, and pumpkin seed oil
Pros
- 100% organic
- Cruelty-free
- Lightweight
Cons
None
9. Best Long-Lasting Oil:Locsanity Dreadlock Rolling And Conditioning Oil
Image: Locsanity The Locsanity Natural Oil is made from essential oils to reinvigorate the healthy nutrients in your dreadlocks and make your hair soft and manageable. The oil is a unique blend of plant extracts and oils, which penetrate your locks to retain their growth. The natural oils get easily absorbed into the scalp and maintain balance. This lightweight oil keeps your hair free from dryness, dandruff, and flakes. This oil is made of 99% naturally derived ingredients that make it perfect for daily dreadlock care.
Key Ingredients: Jojoba oil, avocado oil, ceteareth-25, castor oil, coconut oil, aloe vera oil, caprylyl glycol, and polyquaternium-69
Pros
- 99% natural ingredients
- Cruelty-free
- No buildup
- Paraben-free
- Phthalate-free
- Mineral oil-free
- DEA-free
- Petroleum-free
- Formaldehyde-free
Cons
None
Infographic: How To Choose An Oil For Dreadlocks And Tips For Caring For Them
Dreadlock maintenance demands persistence, patience, and the right products. This is the only way you can keep your dreads healthy and strong, and your scalp moisturized and non-flaky. The infographic below will help you understand what to look for when choosing an oil for your dreadlocks and how to take care of them. Take a look! Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
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The Bottom Line
Your hair needs additional nourishment and care when you have dreadlocks. So all you need to have is the best dreadlock oils to shine the hair, nourish it, and moisturize the hair strands. The Jamaican Mango & Lime Island Scalp Oil is perfect for all hair types, while the Lion Locs Hair Loc Growth Oil And Scalp Relaxer is 100% vegan and effectively repairs and replenishes locks and curls. However, if you prefer a lightweight and non-greasy option, the Alikay Naturals Nat Unique Loc Oil is the ideal choice for you. Oils specially formulated for dreadlocks prevent hair damage and make hair follicles soft and smooth. These oils make the hair frizz-free and strengthen the roots while helping in hair detangling. Some oils provided in the list also prevent flakes and itchiness. In addition, these oils make the hair manageable and repair the split ends. Further, if you have a sensitive scalp, it’s advisable to look for a product that is clinically tested or at least expert-recommended to ensure the best for your hair. Avoid oils with parabens or other harmful chemicals as they might harm your hair.
Why Trust Stylecraze?
The author, Shiboli Chakraborti, is a hair care enthusiast. She understands how difficult it is to maintain dreadlocks. After hours of research, she has come up with this list of the best oils to make life easier for those who enjoy sporting dreadlocks. These products penetrate deeply and moisturize and nourish your tresses from the roots. They are also endorsed by a large number of users through their online reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I oil my locs every day?
No. Oil your locs whenever you feel that your hair is becoming dry and brittle. Excessive oiling can weigh down your hair.
Is castor oil good for dreadlocks?
Yes. Castor oil moisturizes and nourishes each strand of your dreadlocks. Plus, its antibacterial or antimicrobial properties protect your scalp from infections and scalp stimulation helps in hair growth.
Should you use olive oil on your dreadlocks?
Yes. Olive oil can be a great natural moisturizer for your dreadlocks. It deep conditions your strands and helps retain shine.
Is coconut oil good for dreadlocks?
Yes. Coconut oil is healthy and can be used to condition dreadlocks. But, applying too much of it can cause product buildup that is difficult to wash off from the deadlocks. The accumulation of product buildup can dry the tresses.
How often should you put oil in your dreadlocks?
Oil your dreadlocks every one or two weeks. This is enough to condition your tresses and maintain their healthy glow.
How do I moisturize dreadlocks?
Follow these steps to moisturize the dreadlocks naturally:
• Drink a lot of water. This will hydrate your scalp naturally and reduce itchiness.
• Oil your scalp and locs with a nourishing formula preferably with olive or castor oil.
• Do not use a shower cap while bathing. Let the water seep into your locs.
• Wash your hair once a week with a clarifying shampoo to get rid of all dandruff and product buildup.
• Cover your hair when sleeping. Constant friction against the pillowcase can strip away the natural moisture of your hair. So, cover your hair with a satin head scarf.
• Use a scarf to cover your hair when you are outdoors for too long. This way you can prevent the environmental aggressors from stripping your hair moisture.
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