11 Products for Dreadlocks and Locs the Loc Community Loves in 2024

Whether you're years into your loc journey or are just getting started, the right hair products are essential. What you apply to your hair can have a major impact on the look and feel, as well as its manageability and how well it holds dreadlocks. "Locs require maintenance like any other style," says natural haircare specialist and salon owner Jamila Powell. "You want to keep them clean and free of product build-up."

A quick scroll through #locjourney will lead you to an entire community of natural beauty gurus sharing their best tips and product recommendations for thriving locs. Need something for cleansing or scalp care? Trying to prevent your locs from unlocking? Thinking about getting dreadlocks (perhaps sisterlocks, locs as thin as microbraids)? Struggling with dandruff? There's a product for that.

We conducted hours of research on the best products for locs and dreadlocks, evaluating each based on formula type, intended use, and ingredients. We also gathered insights from people in the loc and dreadlock community who regularly use these products as well as stylists who specialize in locs to get a sense of how they perform in real life. Here are the 11 we recommend for keeping your locs and dreadlocks looking snatched.

Best Shampoo

Taliah Waajid Total Body Black Earth Shampoo

View On Amazon $10 View On Naturalhair.org

What We Like: Nourishing formula repairs and protects, gently clarifies, and doubles as body wash.
What We Don't Like: Contains unnecessary dyes.

We love this nourishing hair wash for its ability to repair damage and protect stressed locs. "It's common for locs to hold dirt in them, but this clarifying shampoo helps keep everything clean," says Chigozie Ezirike, who uses this product regularly. It also detangles and puts the spring back into curls. And, as the name suggests, Total Body Black Earth Shampoo boasts a multipurpose formula that doubles as a hydrating body wash.

Who It's For

This shampoo is ideal for anyone with dreadlocks, locs, or sisterlocks in need of a gentle clarifying hair wash.

Product Type: Shampoo | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Conditioner

Sisterlocks Reconstructor Conditioner

View On Etsy $17 View On Locspiration.com $14 View On Yournaturalimage.com

What We Like: Replenishes moisture, humidity protection, and can be used as needed.
What We Don't Like: Inconvenient lidded container and not recommended for new locs.

The topic of conditioners is often up for debate in the loc community, as traditional formulas are made to smooth and detangle (which is the opposite of what you want, especially for new dreads). However, a conditioner like this one can be a great choice for settled or color-treated locs. Use it periodically as a deep treatment to restore moisture under a hooded dryer or heat cap. We do wish it was easier to open in the shower (squeeze bottle, please).

Who It's For

Those with settled or color-treated locs can use this deep conditioning treatment as needed for a moisture boost or humidity protection.

Product Type: Conditioner | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Spray

Locsanity Rosewater and Peppermint Daily Moisturizing Spray

View On Amazon $22 View On Etsy $20

What We Like: Multi-benefit formula, doesn't leave residue or build-up, and amazing botanical scent.
What We Don't Like: Nozzle can be finicky.

We love a multi-use spray that can revitalize your locs daily like this one. Locsanity Refreshing Spray works wonders when it comes to adding softness without leaving a build-up. Tasia Hawkins has used it during each stage of her locs journey. "When I first got my locs, I wanted to find a lightweight, nice-smelling product to refresh them on a regular basis, especially after workouts," she says. "I knew if I washed them too much, it would slow down the process. This one is a winner because it smells great, makes my hair feel clean, and can be used daily."

Who It's For

You can use this multi-beneficial product throughout every stage of your locs journey, as often as every day, to give your hair and scalp a refresh.

Product Type: Multipurpose spray | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Oil Blend

Dr Locs Yaya Oil

View On Drlocs.com $40

What We Like: Promotes shine and deeply conditions, nourishing formula moisturizes hair, and invigorating, natural scent.
What We Don't Like: Too much product can weigh hair down.

Hair oil helps keep locs conditioned and looking great as they form. This restorative oil promotes shine and deeply conditions locs with the power of plant oils—grapeseed oil, avocado oil, and jojoba oil, to name a few. Bree Brown, a locs and spirituality blogger who uses this product regularly, says this is her go-to oil to maintain her crown. "The all-natural oil blend smells amazing and keeps my locs loose, hydrated, and moisturized." Use it sparingly as it can make your hair feel heavy if you use too much.

Who It's For

You can apply this oil spray from root to tip and even directly to your scalp to prevent dreadlocks from drying out between washes.

Product Type: Oil spray | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Leave-In

It’s Natural Coconut Milk Leave-In Conditioner

View On Amazon $24 View On Influancehaircare.com

What We Like: Softens and moisturizes hair, doesn't leave residue or build-up, and can be used daily.
What We Don't Like: Scent might be too sweet for some.

Hope Frazier, also known as The Melanated Homemaker, found a sweet spot with this reliable leave-in treatment, which helps protect locs from the inside out. She uses the conditioner often. “I love this product because it has natural elements such as honey and coconut milk, and it holds me over between retwists," she says. "I also love that it keeps my hair nice and soft, plus there's no buildup, so I can use it daily."

Who It's For

This leave-in conditioner is perfect for replenishing lost moisture, and it won't leave a residue. Since it contains coconut milk and honey, the scent may be a bit too sweet for some, though.

Product Type: Leave-in conditioner | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best for Starter Locs

Taliah Waajid Black Earth Products Lock It Up Cream

View On Amazon $21 View On Walmart $10

What We Like: Holds starter locs and retwists, long-lasting hold, and moisturizes without buildup.
What We Don't Like: Some reviewers note flaking.

This clever product is a go-to for starter locs and retwisting—aka when locs need the most product support to develop and stay formed. The alcohol-free formula is also a favorite among natural hair stylists for its earth-sourced ingredients and long-lasting results. It delivers reliable hold, moisture, and shine without the buildup often associated with holding creams and gels. That said, some reviewers have noticed it can flake, so use it sparingly less to avoid that.

Who It's For

This long-lasting hold cream is great for starter locs and retwisting. It helps hair retain moisture without buildup.

Product Type: Holding cream | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Essential Oil

Maple Holistics Rosemary Essential Oil

View On Amazon $13 View On Walmart $13

What We Like: May help with growth, can be blended with other oils, and calming scent.
What We Don't Like: May weigh down some hair textures and can sting if put on broken scalp.

Essential oils are, well, essential for locs and dreadlock-wearers as they can help exfoliate the scalp which can get dry and flaky during your loc journey. D Bella, who regularly uses Maple Holistics Rosemary Essential Oil, used to have a hard time finding the perfect products for locs. She likes to create her own concoctions and always comes back to pure essential oils. "I love rosemary oil for growth and sweet almond oil for reducing dryness." You just don't want to put it directly onto open cuts or broken skin as it can sting.

Who It's For

This bottle of pure rosemary oil can be used on its own or blended with other essential oils to help exfoliate the scalp and reduce dryness.

Product Type: Pure essential oil | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Multipurpose

Dr. Bronner’s 18-in-1 Hemp Peppermint Pure-Castille Soap

View On Amazon $10 View On Davidjones.com

What We Like: Natural formula is gentle on hair, clarifies to remove build-up, and can be used as body wash.
What We Don't Like: Scent may be too strong for some.

When it comes to cleaning your locs, you might find that you need more than your average hydrating shampoo. This multipurpose soap is typically associated with body cleansing, but it truly does it all. Linda Elaine, who regularly uses this product and swears by it, says it promotes squeaky-clean locs. "This is my favorite product because it's all-natural but it still really cleanses my scalp and clarifies my locs," she says. You can't beat that.

Who It's For

This multi-use cleanser can be used to gently clarify dreadlocks or as a head-to-toe body wash. However, if you're sensitive to peppermint, this wash may be too strong for you.

Product Type: All-purpose cleanser | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Gel

Fruit of the Earth Aloe Vera 100% Gel

View On Amazon $9 View On Walmart $14 View On IHerb $9

What We Like: Single-ingredient product, lightweight feel, and washes out clean.
What We Don't Like: Some reviewers note the hold isn't strong enough.

Aloe vera is a popular, gel-based ingredient in products for textured hair—locked or not—due to its super-hydrating yet lightweight consistency. We love that it's all-natural but still incredibly effective. Ninalocs, who regularly uses this product, says it's her favorite. "I've been using it for more than six years, and it gives my retwists enough hold without leaving my locs gunky," she says. "It's so important to retwist with products that wash out clean.” The only gripe we noticed was some reviews said the hold could be better.

Who It's For

This lightweight, single-ingredient gel delivers enough hold for retwists and washes out clean.

Product Type: Pure aloe vera gel | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best for Scalp

Sea Breeze Astringent For Scalp & Sensitive Skin

View On Amazon $20 View On Walmart $13 View On Sallybeauty.com $10

What We Like: Cleanses the scalp, cooling sensation, and multi-use product.
What We Don't Like: May irritate sensitive skin.

All healthy hair begins with a healthy scalp, and an astringent can be a great option for removing product buildup. Miesh B, known as the Sisterloc'd Storyteller, who regularly uses Sea Breeze Fresh-Clean Astringent, recommends this century-old product for a clean and clear scalp. "I have a dry scalp and dandruff, so I prefer diluted peppermint shampoos to keep dandruff at bay," she notes. "But I also use Sea Breeze via a spray bottle to help my scalp." We love that it feels super refreshing but is still gentle enough to use daily (and you can also use it on your face and nails).

Who It's For

A classic choice for locs, this astringent fluid is great for clarifying and promoting scalp health. It does contain alcohol though, so it might be too much for sensitive skin.

Product Type: Astringent fluid | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Hair Ties

Goody Extra Large Ouch Less Hair Tie

View On Amazon $4 View On Target $4 View On Walmart $11

What We Like: Do not crease hair, ideal for locs, and break-resistant.
What We Don't Like: May be too thick for some.

Tying up long, thick hair is always a bit of a hassle, and the last thing you want is for your hair tie to pop off mid-action. Miesh B., who regularly uses Goody Ouchless Elastics, recommends these extra-large hair ties as a solution for keeping thick hair in place without worrying about them snapping mid-wear. They're longer and wider than your average elastic, so they can handle the weight of your locs plus they're free of metal clasps and won't snag.

Who It's For

These oversized hair ties hold locs in place without snagging or breaking apart.

Product Type: Hair elastic

Where We Stand

Overall, we think the best shampoo for dreadlocks is Taliah Waajid Total Body Black Earth Shampoo on account of its hydrating, clarifying benefits. If you're just starting your loc journey and need something to hold your developing dreads in place, go with Taliah Waajid Black Earth Products Lock It Up Cream.

What to Consider When Buying Products for Dreadlocks and Locs

• Individual Hair Needs: No matter where you are on your loc journey, your hair still has its own unique needs, whether it's color-treated, damaged, or exposed to humidity. Taliah Waajid Black Earth Shampoo is a great choice for cleansing dreadlocks. But if you need moisture, you might consider an oil, a hydrating spray, or a conditioning treatment.
• Hair Type and Texture: Your natural hair texture matters too. "The higher the texture of your hair, the easier it is for your hair to loc up," says Powell. Very curly or textured hair with dreadlocks can usually handle moisturizing and conditioning treatments like It's Natural Coconut Milk Conditioner without coming undone. But if your hair is naturally straight or relatively slick, you might need something like Taliah Waajid Black Earth Products Lock It Up Cream to keep your locs in place.
  
• Natural Oils: Natural oils can pack a powerful punch when it comes to maintaining dreadlocks. Lavender oil, rosemary oil, and castor oil have all been shown to be powerful allies in the fight for stronger strands, so be on the lookout for products that include these ingredients. We love Maple Holistics Rosemary Essential Oil and Dr Locs Yaya Oil.
  
• Scalp Health: While your locs end up getting most of the attention, don't forget to give your scalp some TLC to prevent dryness and dandruff. Many hair care products come with built-in scalp benefits, but if yours needs extra consideration, try an astringent-based product, like Sea Breeze Fresh-Clean Astringent, to keep this sensitive area in tip-top condition.
  

Why Trust Byrdie

Kindra Moné is a freelance writer specializing in beauty, fashion, and lifestyle. She's been contributing to Byrdie since 2020, where she covers natural haircare, makeup, and skincare. For this story, she collected firsthand insights from people in the loc and dreadlock community to see what they use regularly on their hair. Theresa Holland, who updated this article, has been a writer for Byrdie since 2020 and specializes in beauty and hair care.

• Jamila Powell is the owner of Maggie Rose Salon in Miami and the founder of Naturally Drenched, a natural haircare line.