Dreadlocks make you look edgy and high-on-style but tables can turn, making your hair look and feel rough if you fail to lend them extra care and nourishment. Keeping them clean and healthy is no deal if you have the best shampoo for dreadlocks at your disposal. Each of your locks should be well-nourished so that they can grow naturally, locking up desirable volume, hydration, and, of course, appeal. With the right cleansing technique and the perfect choice of moisturizing or clarifying shampoo, you can seamlessly promote a healthy scalp environment and sweep away residue, build-up, dandruff, and debris.   

Based on our first-hand research, using a good shampoo and conditioner for locs should be your go-to solution to keep them hydrated. That’s because, gradually, dreadlocks tend to become odorous, resulting in a flaky scalp. An ideal shampoo can not only prevent them but also offer a dose of vital nutrients and vitamins. With so many options out there, choosing one for dreadlocks can be overwhelming. Fortunately, you can leave that to us. We have carried out an extensive search and then listed a few of the expert-reviewed shampoos. Have a look at our top picks!

• 1
  Best Overall

  Styling Dredz Spray Shampoo

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This spray shampoo from Styling Dredz is designed specially to amplify the beauty of your dreadlocks and braids. With a potent blend of key ingredients, the shampoo cleanses your scalp and thoroughly sweeps away any build-up. Plus, it is infused with foaming agents and thus lathers exceptionally well, eliminating dandruff and itchiness. Once you incorporate this shampoo into your haircare routine, maintaining your locks will be easier and stress-free.  

Key Ingredients: Tea tree oil, citric acid 

Cruelty-free: Yes

Quantity: 11.83 fl oz

2

Editor’s Pick

Jamaican Mango & Lime Tingle Shampoo

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Dreadlock shampoo like this one from Jamaican Mango & Lime deserves applause. It gently removes build-up, massages your scalp, and relieves itchiness. What makes it earn the title of the best shampoo for locs is its luxe blend of ingredients that suits all hair types, including color-treated hair. So, for anyone seeking well-groomed and healthy locks, this is the magical elixir that you need to rely on without any second thoughts. We also glanced through the review section, and here is what a reviewer has to say, “Since I started using this shampoo, I can’t use another. I absolutely love it. The tingling sensation makes it feel so fresh and clean after each wash.”

Key Ingredients: Moringa seed and manuka honey 

Cruelty-free: Yes

Quantity: 16 fl oz

3

Most Refreshing

Dollylocks Dreadshop Liquid Shampoo

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By incorporating Dollylocks Dreadshop Liquid Shampoo into your haircare regime, you will swoon over your own dreads. Firstly, this shampoo smells heavenly, leaving your hair smell oh-so-good. Secondly, it is crafted with well-chosen ingredients to make hair healthy and shiny. Regardless of being gentle and lightweight, it washes away scalp build-up without stripping off natural oils from your hair. Honestly, maintaining the quality of your hair and scalp is quite easy as long as you have this good shampoo for dreads on your shelf. 

Key Ingredients: Coconut oil, jojoba oil, guar gum, and olive oil

Cruelty-free: Yes

Quantity: 8 fl oz

4

Best for Itch Relief

Lockology Peppermint Tea Tree Castile Loc Shampoo

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Lockology’s Castile Loc Shampoo is a cleansing expert. It deeply penetrates into your locs, lathers incredibly well, and bids adieu to odor and itchiness. In addition, it promotes hair growth and prevents your dreadlocks from overdrying. Thanks to the therapeutic composition of key ingredients that soothe your hair shaft and scalp by removing dirt and build-up. What’s the best part? This shampoo for dreads is the go-to solution for anyone possessing thick hair, be it chemically or color-treated. 

Key Ingredients: Peppermint and tea tree

Cruelty-free: Yes

Quantity: 16 fl oz

5

Best Color-safe Formula

LOCssentials Clarifying Shampoo

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Be it locs, interlocks, microlocs, or twists, this clarifying shampoo for dreadlocks from Locssentials is a real deal for a couple of good reasons. Firstly, it invigorates your scalp, prevents flaking, and sweeps away residues if any. Moreover, what sets it apart from the rest of the shampoos is that it features a rich blend of nutrients, botanicals, and other natural compounds, thus lending you a chance to indulge in a clean formula. Icing on the cake? The formula promotes hair growth and without a doubt provides in-depth nourishment. For added care and nourishment, conclude your haircare regime with LOCssentails Scalp Stimulating Conditioner.

Key Ingredients: Peppermint oil, menthol, wheat amino acids, and tea tree oil

Cruelty-free: Yes

Quantity: 8.5 fl oz

Quick Tip:

For starter locs, it is advisable to use a washing cap or hairnet while shampooing to prevent the unraveling of your dreads.

6

Best pH-balanced Formula

Rasttafari Hair Care Deep Cleansing Shampoo

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Renowned for its antifungal and antibacterial properties, Rasttafari Hair Care Deep Cleansing Shampoo is a must-have hair care product! Its pH-balancing formula is yet another feature that makes it stand apart from the crowd. For a healthy scalp environment, this shampoo for locs works towards controlling excessive sebum and acts as a top-notch detox to clear residues. Bonus — it imparts luster and smoothens your hair strands. A satisfied user says, “I am so glad I tried the shampoo. It smells great with a hint of the mint. It leaves my scalp feeling nice, clean, and a little tingly.”

Key Ingredients: Apple cider vinegar, argan, pomegranate seed oil, aloe vera, and green tea 

Cruelty-free: Not mentioned

Quantity: 8 fl oz

7

Best for All Hair Textures

Made For Locs ACV Shampoo

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Made For Locs ACV Shampoo makes sure that the integrity of your locks is maintained. For that, it flawlessly eliminates residues, product build-up, and dandruff and clarifies your scalp deeply. Crafted with natural and hair-nourishing ingredients, it helps cleanse the scalp thoroughly without disrupting the natural pH levels of the scalp. What’s the best part? It lathers with ease and refreshes your dreadlocks, which further enhances the way you feel and look.  Lastly, apply and promote the optimal health of your locks consider pairing it with Made For Locs Black Charcoal Conditioner.

Key Ingredients: Apple cider vinegar, aloe vera, and rice water

Cruelty-free: Yes

Quantity: 8.8 fl oz

Quick Tip:

Pour a small amount of shampoo on your scalp. Begin applying it to your scalp gently. Wait for the shampoo to run down your locs as you rinse.

8

Best Lightweight Formula

Loclicious Clarifying & Moisturizing Shampoo

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Loclicious Clarifying & Moisturizing Shampoo is a lightweight, organic shampoo that you ought to add to your cart to enhance the quality of your scalp and locks. What makes it the best shampoo for dreads is its strengthening properties. In addition, it prevents hair thinning and breakage and clears residue, build-up, and debris dwelling on your scalp. With no sign of dread damage or dryness, this shampoo works wonders! A loyal user shares, “I really love this product! My hair feels and looks so clean. I have gray locks and was worried that my hair wouldn’t look as bright. This brightens my hair and makes my scalp feel clean.” 

Key Ingredients: Glycerin, xanthan gum, hemp oil, jojoba oil, argan oil, and vitamin E oil

Cruelty-free: Not mentioned

Quantity: 8 fl oz

9

Best for Preventing Dryness

Trader Joe's Tea Tree Tingle Shampoo

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Lastly, we recommend Trader Joe's Tea Tree Tingle Shampoo to make your dreads feel utterly rejuvenated. With its botanical ingredients, the shampoo aims to moisturize your hair and clarify your scalp. Plus, it not only smells divine but also improves the overall quality of your dreads. What’s more? We also found that this shampoo is perfect for those who have colored their hair and wish to combat dryness with a salon-quality solution. 

Key Ingredients: Peppermint, tea tree, and eucalyptus 

Cruelty-free: Yes

Quantity: 16 fl oz.

That was our comprehensive list of the best shampoos for dreadlocks hair Now, let us run you through a detailed buying guide to help you pick the right product.

Here are a few aspects that you should consider before splurging on the best dreadlock shampoo:

Hair Type: Make sure you analyze your hair and dreadlock type before investing in any one of the shampoos for dreads. Be it starter, budding, teen, mature, or rooted locks, pick a shampoo that suits your hair type and scalp condition the most. For sweeping away excess sebum and build-up from your scalp, pick a clarifying shampoo like LOCssentials Clarifying Shampoo. Likewise, if you are dealing with dry and thin hair, then a moisturizing shampoo can be of great help to you.  

Key Ingredients: Next is the list of ingredients. As per our research, it is beneficial to snag up shampoos that are enriched with natural, botanical, and organic ingredients, including wheat amino acids, tea tree oils, pomegranate seed oil, apple cider vinegar, vitamin E, etc. Refrain from purchasing shampoos that contain harsh chemicals, such as mineral oils, sulfates, phthalates, parabens, etc., as it might worsen your scalp condition or fail to revitalize your scalp. 

Texture: Whenever you are seeking a good shampoo for locs, make sure you pick the one that possesses a residue-free formula and is known for its gentle cleansing abilities. Secondly, the shampoo should be light in weight and easy to rinse. 

Formula: Moving on to the next important aspect, formula. Ensure that it is loaded with immense moisturizing properties. In addition, check whether it contains antifungal and antimicrobial properties, backed with a pH-balanced formula.