10 Best Shampoos For Dreadlocks That You Should Try In 2023
Try these hair care formulations specially designed to nourish your dreadlocks.
Alicia Igess JonesHairstylist
Expertise: Hairstyling
Experience: 20 years
Alicia Igess Jones is an accomplished and award-winning stylist with over two decades of experience in hair design. She is the owner and founder of Urban Tangles, a hair and makeup studio focusing on makeovers. She, along with her team, has... more
Vaishnavi Kothuri Certified Skin Care Coach
Expertise: Skin Care & Hair Care
Experience: 4 years
Vaishnavi is a techie-turned-content writer and a certified skin care coach with four years of experience. She did her postgraduation from Vignan Institute of Technology & Sciences, Telangana. She... more
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One thing is for sure, dreadlocks are not for the faint-hearted. It needs a lot of dedication and patience. If you have taken the big step to get it done on your hair, you have to maintain them correctly with the best shampoo for dreadlocks. Dreadlocks immediately add a wild and carefree look to your hair, but most people don’t realize it needs way more maintenance than normal hair. It turns into a style statement that needs a lot of care to grow healthy. If your dreadlocks are not appropriately nourished, they will grow gaps and eventually fall off. Another problem it can add is the unwanted frizz that will make it look like a nest. While you need to roll the locks with your palm regularly and crochet the new growth to tighten the roots, you also need to find the right products to ensure your hair does not run out of nutrition. If you are unsure what products to look for, we got it all. Go through our list of 10 shampoos specially crafted to meet the needs of dreadlocks.
In This Article
10 Best Shampoos For Dreadlocks
Best Gentle Formula:Jamaican Mango And Lime Tingle Dreadlock Shampoo
Image: Jamaican Mango & Lime
Made of ancient Jamaican recipes and nourishing natural ingredients, this dreadlock shampoo helps you achieve clean, healthy, and well-groomed locks. It penetrates the scalp and massages it, relieves itching, and also helps in reducing dandruff. Lather up a generous amount of this mango and lime shampoo and watch how it gently washes away dirt, build-up and other particles from your hair. Formulated with tea tree extracts, you will notice a cool, tingling sensation on your scalp while taking a shower. Along with the lime and mango fragrance, it also comes with a whiff of menthol. Check out this YouTuber’s review of this product.
Pros - Massages the scalp and reduces dandruff and itching
- Gently cleans dreadlocks
- Pleasant fragrance
- Nourishes hair
- Also good for extremely curly hair
Cons
- Contains sulfate and parabens
Quick TipBest Fragrance:Knotty Boy Dreadlock Shampoo Bar
Are you one of those people who are doing their bit to save the world by reducing the use of plastic bottles? If yes, this dreadlock shampoo bar will not disappoint you. It claims to be the world’s 1st shampoo formulated for dreadlocks and doesn’t contain any conditioners to delay the locking process. It is enriched with rosemary, tea tree, and peppermint which not only keeps the dreadlocks healthy but also soothes the scalp. This shampoo is also non-toxic and biodegradable. As it is a shampoo bar, you can easily carry it in your travel bags without having to worry about spillage.
Pros
- World’s 1st shampoo bar for dreadlocks
- Contains rosemary, tea tree and, peppermint
- Non-toxic
- Biodegradable
- Pleasant minty-fresh fragrance
- Soothes the scalp
- Suitable for undreaded hair also
Cons
- May leave some residue in the long run
Best Moisturizing Formula:Knotty Boy Dreadlock Shampoo
If you haven’t yet opened up to the idea of using a shampoo bar for your dreadlocks, you need not fret. Knotty Boy Dreadlock Shampoo also comes in liquid form. This shampoo cleans dreadlocks thoroughly and invigorates the scalp. It is infused with a host of enriching oils such as olive, castor, hemp seed, tea tree, rosemary, cannabis sativa seed, and peppermint oils. This shampoo is not just a fantastic option for dreadlocks, but for naturally curly hair as well. It’s also non-toxic and biodegradable.
Pros
- Tea tree and peppermint formula soothes the scalp
- Non-toxic
- Biodegradable
- Great for 4C type hair
- Pleasant mint fragrance
Cons
- May not be suitable for people with an extremely sensitive scalp
Best For Sensitive Scalp:Dreadhead Dread Soap
Keep your dreadlocks tight, clean, and thick with this shampoo by Dreadhead. Residual build-up from haircare products is one of the top complaints from people who have dreadlocks. But with this dreadlock shampoo, you can expect 0% residue. It doesn’t contain any oily perfumes, dreadlock thinning conditioners, and the most impressive thing about the shampoo is how it doesn’t irritate even the most sensitive scalps. It also tightens your dreadlocks by washing excess oil from your hair. So, what are you waiting for? Get your hands on this win-win product, right away! You can also check this video out for a brief review of the product.
Pros - Oil-free
- Fragrance-free
- Suitable for sensitive scalps
- Non-residual
- Tightens the dreads
Cons
- Does not control frizz
Quick TipBest pH-Balanced:Dollylocks Tea Tree Spearmint Liquid Dreadlock Shampoo
Do you know why tea tree oil is good for you? For starters, it tackles major issues like hair loss and dandruff heads on. It unclogs hair follicles and has many antibacterial properties as well. This dreadlock shampoo contains tea tree, spearmint, and organic coconut extracts for a pure botanical experience. It’s weightless, residue-free, and pH-balanced as well. As it is also hypoallergenic, people with a sensitive scalp can use it as well. Not only will this shampoo leave your dreads clean and nourished, it will also make it smell like fresh mint leaves.
Pros
- Non-irritating
- Made with pure botanicals
- Weightless
- Residue-free
- pH-balanced
Cons
- Does not lather well
Pro TipBest For All Hair Textures:Knatty Dread Loc Shampoo
It doesn’t take an expert to distinguish between some fine dreadlocks and some not-so-fine ones. When your dreads are cleaner, you can expect fuller and thicker dreads that dry faster too. This shampoo by Knatty Dread will take your dreads to the highest quality in no time. It is unscented, completely residue-free, and made with a renewable coconut-based formula. It gets into action during the first wash itself and tightens your dreadlocks while helping it lock better. No matter what texture of hair you have, it will work wonderfully for your dreadlocks.
Pros - Tightens dreadlocks
- Residue-free
- Not scented
- Coconut-based formula
- Suitable for dreadlocks of all hair types
Cons
- Slightly expensive
Best Nourishing Formula:Twisted Sister Luxurious Clarifying Shampoo
This luxurious clarifying shampoo hits the jackpot with this troika of nourishing ingredients. Infused with coconut, avocado, and almond oils, this shampoo cleanses, hydrates, and nourishes every single strand of hair. Although it was formulated especially for thick curly hair, it also weaves its magic on dreadlocks. It is extremely light, non-sticky, non-drying and tightens your dreadlocks while cleaning it out. It also purifies the hair and scalp while adding moisture. If you need more convincing, feel free to take a look at this YouTuber’s video on the merits and demerits of the product.
Pros - Sulfate-free
- Contains coconut, avocado, and almond oils
- Cleanses and purifies the hair and scalp
- Non-greasy
- Doesn’t dry the hair out
Cons
- Some may find the fragrance a little strong
Best Hypoallergenic:Dollylocks Coconut-Lime-Grapefruit Dreadlock Shampoo Bar
At first glance, this shampoo for dreadlocks looks like a homemade chocolate bar and tempts you to bite into it. But, save it for your hair, because your dreads are going to love it! Dollylocks manufactures an impressive range of professional organic dreadlocks products, and this shampoo bar contains organic coconut, lime, and grapefruit as its hero ingredients. It also contains Hawaiian sea salt and mango butter. All these ingredients work together to soothe and heal scalp irritations, while improving hair elasticity. As a surprising added benefit, it also fights against acne, blemishes, and breakouts too.
Pros - Infused with coconut, lime, and grapefruit
- Hypo-allergenic
- pH-balance with vitamins and proteins
- Improves scalp condition
- Works on acne and blemishes also
Cons
- Slightly expensive
Best For All Hair Types:Dollylocks Dark/Brown Dry Shampoo Locking Powder
Another ingenious solution for healthy and clean dreadlocks, this dry shampoo locking powder will have you raving about it. Yes, shampooing dreadlocks and washing it off takes time and an even longer time to dry. With this dry shampoo, you can get the same experience as though you washed your hair. It is made with a combination of dry organic ingredients designed to absorb excess oil. It also stimulates the scalp and helps in locking loose, unruly hair in place. All you need to do is lightly sprinkle the dry shampoo directly onto the scalp or and gently rub it in a circular motion.
Pros - As it is a dry shampoo, there is no need to wash it off
- Contains dry organic ingredients that absorb excess oil
- Suitable for all hair types
- Tightens dreads
Cons
- Expensive
Best For UV Protection:Loc Medic Hydramint Shampoo
A gentle remedy for natural hair care, this shampoo is considered to be one of the best ones for dreadlocks. Enriched with peppermint and tea tree oils, it invigorates and clarifies hair from root to tip. It lathers up quickly and removes excess oils from hair. This helps the dreads tighten faster and better. It is completely build-up free and helps in strengthening hair while improving body and shine. Free from parabens, it is also safe for colored, straightened, and chemically-treated hair. Apart from these qualities, it also protects your hair from the harsh rays of the sun.
Pros
- Doesn’t leave any residue
- No parabens
- UV protection
- Safe for color and chemically-treated hair
- Removes excess oils
Cons
- Some may find the fragrance overwhelming
Dreadlocks can be challenging to maintain. They lose moisture easily and look dull and damaged. So, the right shampoos are essential to eliminate product buildup and moisturize the locks. Many shampoo brands claim to be the best for dreadlocks. Do not believe them. Instead, go through the buying guide below and choose shampoos for your dreadlocks wisely.
Things To Consider While Choosing Shampoos For Dreadlocks
- Must-Have Ingredients: Opt for shampoos containing all-natural ingredients for dreadlocks. Search for formulas with natural oils like jojoba and raw coconut oil to keep your scalp hydrated. The other good ingredients for dreadlock shampoos are tea tree oil, rosemary, and peppermint oils. These essential oils release soothing fragrances that rejuvenate your senses.
- Ingredients To Avoid: Do not buy shampoos containing surfactants, phthalates, and parabens. These irritants dry out your scalp, weaken your strands, and turn your hair brittle.
- Hair Type: Know your hair type before choosing a dreadlocks shampoo. If you have dry hair, buy a shampoo rich in moisturizing ingredients to offer enough hydration for maintaining hair health. On the other hand, for oily hair, select a cleansing shampoo that can remove excess oil and dirt and keep your hair fresh and bouncy.
- Residue-Free: Always use residue-free dreadlock shampoos. Ingredients like silicones accumulate between your tresses and leave a nasty residue contributing to product build-up. Furthermore, while the residue is not very beneficial for any hair, this issue considerably worsens your dreadlocks’ structure. Residues also add slippage to your hair, preventing it from locking.
- Hair’s Need: Consider products that fit your needs when buying shampoo for your dreadlocks. For instance, if your locks require repair, pick a shampoo with healing ingredients like castor oil and peppermint. On the other hand, if you have dandruff issues, choose anti-dandruff shampoos.
Dreadlocks are not easy to maintain. The best shampoos for dreadlocks can only ease the process of maintaining them. These shampoos are enriched with cleansing and nourishing ingredients that take care of the scalp as well as the strands. The listed shampoos gently cleanse the locks and help to reduce itching, tingling sensations, and odor. They also help to remove excess oil from the dreads and tighten the strands. Some of the products are also suitable for sensitive scalp and have a chemical-free formulation that maintains your dreads without drying them out. Alicia Igess Jones, an accomplished and award-winning stylist says, “Don’t use conditioner on your dread locs.”
Why Trust StyleCraze?
Vaishnavi Kothuri, the author of this article, is a hair care enthusiast who knows exactly what your hair needs and loves. Her recommendations for the best shampoos for dreadlocks are based on in-depth research of the products and reviewing online user feedback. The shampoos mentioned in this article ensure your hair does not run out of nutrition and help you improve your scalp condition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use any shampoo on dreads?
Yes, you can use any shampoo in case of emergencies. But do not use regular shampoo on your dreads repeatedly, as it will stop the dreads from matting and loosen the knots.
How often should I wash my dreads?
Depending on how active your lifestyle is, wash your dreads two to three times a week.
Can dry shampoo be used for dreadlocks?
No, avoid using dry shampoo on your dreads, as this causes buildup that is difficult to remove later.
What shampoos should not be used on dreads?
Avoid regular shampoos that contain sulfates, silicones, dyes, and artificial fragrances, as they can loosen your knots and cause dandruff and scalp buildup.
Can you wash dreadlocks with soap?
Yes, you can wash dreadlocks with soap. But rinse your dreads carefully to get rid of every bit of soap.
Can I use baby shampoo for dreads?
Yes. You can use baby shampoos dreads occasionally, but they contain conditioning agents that can loosen the knots. So, it is recommended not to use baby shampoos regularly.
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