Best Shampoo for Dreads 2023: Your Keys to Great Locs

2. Shea Moisture Strengthen And Restore

One of the common problems that affect people with dreads is traction alopecia.

To counter any kind of alopecia, if I had to pick one thing it would be Jamaican black castor oil (JBCO). It is a potent reservoir of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and neutralizes a lot of causes of hair issues.

Founded in 1991, Shea Moisture is a personal care company that is known for its quality natural products. They are best known for their body, face, and hair moisturizers. The product we have at hair is their Strengthen and Restore formulation which comes in a shampoo and conditioner combo.

One of the key ingredients in this combo is Jamaican black castor oil. JBCO in addition to the above is also a potent remedy for hair damage.

Hair cuticles are the outermost layer of any hair strand. These are often disturbed by the cleaning action of shampoos. However, this combo contains apple cider vinegar which aligns the cuticle again and gives the hair a soft silky feel.

One of its other main ingredients is raw shea butter which is high in vitamins and fatty acids. This helps to moisturize and nourish the hair.

In addition, as it contains peppermint oil, expect a cold tingly sensation which is because of the increased blood circulation caused by it.

However, this does not mean that it washes any less efficiently.

On the whole, expect a rejuvenated scalp and hair with strong natural ingredients.

3. WOW Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo And Conditioner

The natural pH of hair is less than 5.5 which puts it in the acidic category. This pH is good for the general health of the hair as it prevents fungi and bacteria growth. However, a study has found that only one-third of popular brands of shampoos have a pH of less than 5.5.

What this means to our hair is increased negative charge and more friction between hair strands and this leads to damage to the hair cuticles.

However, we can repair this damage or prevent it from happening by having an acidic rinse, and what best than a natural way of doing it.

The next entry on our list for the best shampoo for dreads is a shampoo and conditioner combo and contains apple cider vinegar. This not only lowers hair pH but also works as a clarifying agent removing any product build-up.

The best thing about this combo is that it is paraben and sulfate-free. This makes them hypoallergenic and suitable for all the different hair and scalp types. What makes it even better is that it is free of silicone, which is one of the common residues from different hair products.

One of the key ingredients of conditioner is avocado oil which is rich in monounsaturated fats. These fats are able to penetrate the hair pores and not only moisturize the hair but also strengthen them.

You can use the conditioner after shampooing hair as usual. After this, apply a good amount of conditioner to damp hair and massage well. Leave it for 3-5 minutes and rinse with lukewarm water. Squeeze your dreads as you rinse them, this will not leave any residue.

Among its ingredients include argan oil, almond oil, avocado oil, and coconut oil and this makes it rich in multivitamins and fatty acids making it a potent moisturizer. Therefore, expect shiny hair with a soft silky feel.

However, both the shampoo and conditioner require a generous amount to be of good effect. This value side of things is further worsened by its $30 price tag.

4. Dr. Bronner Lavender Soap – An Aromatherapy to Soothe Your Mind and Body

Dr. Bronner has so many attributes to admire that it is hard to leave any of its products away from this list for long or at all.

Apart from being fair trade certified, it is also cruelty-free which means it has not been tested on animals. To validate this, its products are Leaping Bunny certified.

In addition, if you are an environmental advocate, you will be happy to know that this line of soaps is biodegradable. This means they pose no threat to the environment as they decompose completely.

Talking about the product itself, as discussed in one of the earlier reviews, it is a beast at being versatile and that too efficiently at each front.

It comes in eight different scents, however, what better than lavender to include in this list. Lavender in addition to being the most commonly used fragrance in aromatherapy is also a potent anti-inflammatory. It is also believed to be a remedy for anxiety, fungal infections, and hair loss.

You can achieve this by diluting half a tablespoon of liquid soap into half a cup of water.

Dr. Bronner’s castile soap dilution ratio is hair from 1:8 to 1:16.

Apply it on wet hair and lather up.

You can rinse it as normal, however, as with any soap, it does disrupt the cuticles of hair with its alkaline pH. Thus, it is better to rinse it with diluted apple cider vinegar.

In addition, its natural ingredients provide good moisturization and nutrition to hair.

In this, lavender extracts with their relaxing properties will calm your mind and body.

5. Dollylocks Nag Champa Shampoo

Dollylocks is a Florida-based company that makes a variety of dreadlock products including soaps, shampoos, sprays, and dry shampoos. All of their products are 100% vegan and contain no artificial preservatives or colors.

In addition, they are cruelty-free and have Leaping Bunny certification to show for that. Plus, they are GMO-free, gluten-free, and SLS-free. This makes them suitable for a huge user base with different hair or scalp types including oily and sensitive.

When it comes to ingredients, it contains spring distilled water, coconut oil, olive oil, castor bean oil, and grapefruit seed extract among others.

The first thing you are going to notice about this shampoo in terms of usage is that it does not foam as much. I would like to put down to it being free of a lot of usual chemicals you find in normal shampoos. It essentially has a thick oil-type texture.

However, it does not mean that you need a bigger volume of it to wash your hair. A little of this shampoo goes a long way and you may be surprised to see that it has a lesser consumption than average shampoos. However, it may take you some time to get used to.

After that rinse thoroughly and repeat if needed.

I would advise you to let the shampoo stay in there for 1-2 minutes. This is because Dollylocks shampoos have a cooling effect and this will give you an invigorating feel.

It is a light shampoo which means you would not have a heavy feeling after using it and your hair will be easy to manage.

One characteristic feature of this shampoo is its slightly floral scent which has a nice musky feel.

6. Knotty Boy Dreadlock Shampoo

Knotty Boy was founded in 1997 and has a very interesting story behind its foundation. There was a boy named Andrew who had wild and unruly hair, he tried every possible thing but failed to manage his hair. Finally, he decided to go with dreadlocks, but the problem didn’t end.

Cleansing the dread was nothing less than a headache so he met a friend who was into herbal products. She made him a small batch of some herbs that cleansed Andrews’s hair like magic. It was then, he decided to start his own company dedicated to helping people with unruly hair.

Ever since this company has been delivering top-notch products in the market. The best thing about this product is its all-natural ingredients and the eco-friendly policies of the company. People who care about the climate would be happy to know that all the ingredients are biodegradable.

The key ingredients in the formulation are Rosemary, tea tree, and peppermint that clean the locs and soothe the scalp in the process.

This shampoo is not less than a treat for people with dread as the formulation was specifically designed to clean dreadlocks. Therefore, this shampoo will leave you surprised by its efficiency and cleansing.

7. TGIN Moisture Rich Shampoo – Free of Artificial Preservatives and Detergents

TGIN is the name to reckon with when it comes to hair care products. Founder of TGIN, Chris-Tia Donaldson, has devoted herself to the company and personally supervises every operation in her industry. Therefore, TGIN has lived up to its name by delivering quality products that are free of artificial preservatives and detergents.

The product we have at hand is one such product that is free of parabens, sulfates, petroleum, and mineral oils. In addition, the process of production was free of animal testing, hence, it is cruelty-free.

Coconut oil and amla oil are the main ingredients of this formulation that hold great nutritional value. Amla oil halts the hair loss and stops premature greying of the hair, while, coconut oil makes it thicker, stronger, and healthier.

The key to maintaining healthy dreadlocks is keeping the natural oils locked in and cleansing the hair thoroughly. This product gets both of these jobs done, which is why it is great for dreadlocks.

To get the best results, leave it in for two minutes, so every strand could soak the formulation. Wash it with warm water afterward and repeat the process only if you really need to.

However, this is inevitable when you are looking for natural and organic products. It will take comparatively more quantity and time than a typical shampoo.

But, in return, it would not strip the natural oils from the scalp which is what you need for the dreadlocks.

8. Neutrogena Anti Residue Shampoo For Dreads –

Neutrogena is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of skincare and hair care products. This company has been delivering quality products for almost 80 years and holds a great reputation among stylists. Be it moisturizers, conditioners, facewashes, or shampoos, excellence in performance and quality is guaranteed.

In order to maintain the health and style of the hair, you apply several hair care products on a daily basis. Problem is, residues of these products start to build up over time, which leaves the hair feeling lank, flank, and lifeless.

These residues need hardcore treatment which the regular shampoos are unable to provide. Therefore, Neutrogena has developed a formulation that can get this job without irritating the hair or scalp.

The unique selling point of this shampoo would have to be its versatility. You can use this product on every hair type included the ones that have undergone chemical treatment. Moreover, it is color-safe and does not strip the dyes of the hair.

The directions to use, however, are simple and easy. You just have to wet the hair thoroughly and massage the hair with a normal amount of it. Lather it up and let it stay in the hair for two minutes. Rinse it out with water.

Therefore, using this shampoo would help you in cleansing the scalp and hair thoroughly. Moreover, it will boost the volume of the hair in the process.

However, I believe, you can withstand the trouble once every week in order to get a residue-free scalp and hair.

9. Design Essentials Oat Protein And Henna Shampoo

Design Essentials is a US-based company and specializes in hair care products. In addition, to producing top-notch hair products, it sponsors educational literature events aiming to improve the knowledge of hair care products. The product we have under examination is a shampoo, which as per the company’s claim, is best for dreadlocks.

The shampoo is packed with natural ingredients that cleanse the scalp deeply without stripping it from natural oils. The capability of shampoo to lock the natural oils makes it perfect for the locs and dreads. Though it is best for dreads and locs, it does not disappoint even when you use it on any hair type.

The key ingredients in this formulation are oat protein and henna ash, each of which serves a unique purpose.

Oat protein increases the hydration of the scalp and keeps it moisturized which in turn makes the hair smooth and strong.

Henna ash, on the other hand, imparts shine in the hair and improves its texture. Therefore, the combination of both will help you get the fuller, stronger and healthier hair, that you always wished to have.

The best thing about this shampoo is its smell which is not a natural one but whatever it is, feels amazing.

You can use this product daily or once a week depending on the need of your hair. However, do not use it excessively as it contains sulfates which can damage the quality of your hair.

Using it twice or thrice a week would help you get the clean well-moisturized dreads. You would see a noticeable increase in the shine and improvement in the texture.

10. Dreadhead Shampoo

This shampoo is a must-have for people who have dread. The unique and health-minded ingredients lock and mature the dread faster than ever. Using this product on a regular basis reduces the need for the product like waxes and gels. This shampoo itself is enough to meet the needs of the dreadlocks.

It works by tightening the dreads and locking the loose hair in the locs. Dreadhead Shampoo can be used by both the people who have dreads or are planning on getting them.

The most common problem encountered by people with dread is the residue that hair products leave behind. These residues reduce the friction between strands and trap the moisture inside. Therefore, the hairs get messy and become unruly.

Fortunately, this product does not leave any residue behind which is why it works exceptionally well for people with locs. Moreover, the shampoo cleanses the hair thoroughly and gently. This shampoo does not produce any irritation, therefore, people with sensitive skin can also benefit from it.

The consistency of the shampoo is almost like water which makes it a little hard to apply. Therefore, you would have to be very careful about the spillage when you try to spread it on the palm of the hand.

The product does not contain any harmful ingredients; therefore, you can use it on a daily basis if you want.

Moreover, it is unscented so the people who have problems with overwhelming smell can also benefit from this.