13 Best Shampoos For Dreadlocks 2024

Dreadlocks are one of the coolest hairstyles with cultural and spiritual significance. They are matted or braided chunks of hair that usually look like a rope.

However, unlike conventional hairstyles, they do not need to be brushed or trimmed on a regular basis.

Maintaining them can be a little tedious and they are prone to dandruff, irritations and can even cause bacterial infections on the scalp and hair.

If you’re planning to opt for dreadlocks, then make sure you use the right shampoos for dreadlocks to keep them clean and build-up free.

Best Shampoos For Dreads	Jamaican Mango and Lime Tingle Shampoo	Dollylocks Tea Tree Spearmint Dreadlock Shampoo	Knatty Dread Dreadlocks Shampoo	Twisted Sista Luxurious Clarifying Shampoo	Knotty Boy Dreadlock Shampoo
Images
Clarifying	4/5	5/5	4/5	4.5/5	4.5/5
Ingredients	4.5/5	5/5	4/5	4.5/5	3.5/5
Gentle On Scalp	4/5	3.5/5	4/5	4.5/5	3.5/5
Price	3.5/5	4/5	5/5	4/5	5/5
Is It Sulfate-Free	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	No

At A Glance:

• After looking at several shampoos in the market and testing them out on factors like ingredients, gentleness, etc. I’ve found that the Knotty Boy Dreadlock Shampoo is the best shampoo for dreadlocks.
• The Knotty Boy Dreadlock Shampoo does not leave any residue on the hair. It contains a blend of herbal ingredients that are gentle on the scalp.
• The product helps control inflammation too . This shampoo helps keep dreadlocks looking great.
• You need a separate shampoo for your dreads as most regular shampoos even the sulfate-free ones contain other ingredients that are too harsh on dreads. They might also loosen your dreads.
• When choosing a shampoo for dreads choose products that are sulfate-free, salt-free, extra-moisturizing, contain natural oils like coconut oil, avocado oil, etc.

Top Shampoos For Dreadlocks

How To Select The Right Shampoo For Dreadlocks?

A regular shampoo will not be effective on dreadlocks. These contain harsh ingredients like sulfates that leave your type 4 hair very dry and prone to breakage. They also do not help tighten your dreadlocks and will leave them tangled and frizzy. So here is a guide on how to select your cleansing product for dreads.

• The shampoo must be moisturizing – African American hair needs more nourishment. This means your shampoo should contain ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, argan oil, mango butter, etc. that will retain moisture in your tresses and give your dreads the slip they need.
• The shampoo should contain harsh ingredients – So the shampoo for dreads must always be free of SLS and SLES. It should also be free of alcohol, perfumes, and other such hidden components that can dry it out in the long run.
• It shouldn’t cause product buildup – Dreads are not washed often like straight hair. So it is imperative that the shampoo shouldn’t contain silicones that will leave residue on hair.
• The shampoo should cleanse scalp but gently – A good shampoo for dreads should cleanse your hair but not strip it out it’s natural oils. So cleansing agents like coconut-derived surfactants, soapnut, salicylic acid are all great ingredients to be present in dreads shampoo.

How often should I wash my dreadlocks in a week?

It is important to keep your dreadlocks clean and free from dirt, dust and debris to maintain healthy and strong locks. The frequency with which you should wash your dreadlocks depends on your individual scalp and hair type.

Generally, it is recommended to wash them about once or twice a week. However, if you have an oily scalp, you may opt to wash them more frequently. In addition, after working out and sweating, you may want to go ahead and wash them then.

Why can’t I use a regular shampoo on my dreadlocks?

Wondering why a special shampoo for dreads is needed? Well, regular shampoos have a lot of cleansing agents that help remove dirt, grease, and even hair’s natural oils along with the debris. This isn’t good for dreads as you need your hair matted and oiled up. You just need something to cleanse your scalp to keep it healthy and a sulfate-free, gentle dreadlocks shampoo will do the job.
A regular shampoo is filled with sulfates and contains other components like alcohol and perfumes, (which dry out the hair) and silicones (which makes hair slippery, causing knots to come undone).
So you’ll have to skip shampoos like these as they will make hair too “clean”, dry and slippery and not make your dreads matte or the knots tightened at the scalp.

Is it okay to use a shampoo bar on your dreadlocks?

Using a shampoo bar on dreadlocks is a great choice. While it is important to use natural oils and waxes to help dreads form and mature, a shampoo bar can be an effective tool for removing dirt and product build-up without over-drying or damaging your locs.
The key is to avoid traditional sulfate-based shampoos, which can strip the hair of its natural oils. Opt for a mild shampoo bar specifically designed for dreadlocks, as that will help dreads maintain their shape and structure.
Additionally, it is important to use a conditioner or a moisturizer after shampooing to ensure your dreadlocks stay healthy and hydrated.

Jamaican Mango and Lime Tingle Shampoo

The first shampoo I tried out on my dreads was the Mango and Lime shampoo by Jamaican. I found this shampoo one of the best ones I’ve used as it manages to be both clarifying and nourishing at the same time.

So this products top priority is to moisturize your scalp and keep it flake-free.

Mango seed oil is also rich in vitamins and minerals and provides numerous benefits to your hair such as preventing dandruff, nourishing your hair, accelerating hair growth etc.

And the manuka honey helps in hydrating your hair by absorbing and retaining moisture.

I could feel the effects of these ingredients on my hair on the first wash itself.

If you have a dry and flaky scalp, this is one of the best products for you.

I also found this shampoo to be excellent at cleansing my dreads and removing any product buildup that might be present on your scalp.

One of the most interesting things I found was the inclusion of menthol in the shampoo. Now this ingredient is really good at any infections or irritations on scalps.

So summarizing, I liked this shampoo as it contains a lot of natural ingredients that will nourish your scalp.

I also give it extra points for being suitable for all types of hair (type 4a, 4b and 4c curls).

If I had one issue with this shampoo it’s the inclusion of sulfates. Why just why! If you have coloured hair, I suggest you avoid this one as the sulfates will strip hair color.

Also folks with really sensitive scalps should try something milder like the sulfate-free Dollylocks shampoo.

Pros:

• Relieves dandruff and itching thanks its mango seed oil formula
• Soothing fragrance that is not overwhelming

Cons:

• Contains sulphates that strip hair color and moisture

My Ratings:

• Residue-Free – 4/5
• Mildy Cleansing – 3.5/5
• Moisturizing – 4/5

Dreadhead HQ Dread Dreadlock Soap

This is a cult favourite for many people with dreadlocks. And one of my go-to products when I wear my hair in locs or other protective styles.

The one problem I’ve always faced with dreadlocks is keeping clean and make sure that there are no product residues on them. This can get difficult as most products for 4c hair are very nourishing and heavy.

So thank goodness for this shampoo! It left my dreadlocks squeaky clean and nourished. I really liked that the shampoo is free of oil and residue which actually made my dreads even tighter!

There’s also good news for sensitive scalp folks as this shampoo does not contain harmful ingredients such as dyes, fragrances, phosphates and oxidizers. Phew! That was a long list!

Also, this is also a 100% vegan product.

I would suggest using this shampoo if you have a sensitive scalp or want a clarifying product that will remove product build-up.

This shampoo took some time to show effects on my hair. It doesn’t contain silicones so you won’t find that immediate glossy, smooth shine on your dreads after the first wash.

But don’t give up on it and use it for a few wash cycles as it helps dreads considerably.

Pros:

• Does not leave residue on hair as it’s silicone-free
• Oil-free formula is lightweight on hair
• Tightens your dreads and locks hairstyles in place

Cons:

• Doesn’t help with frizz immediately as it doesn’t contain silicones

My Ratings:

• Residue-Free – 4.5/5
• Mildy Cleansing – 4/5
• Moisturizing – 4/5

• Related: Best locking gel for dreads
• Related: Best shampoo for weaves
• Related: How To Make Faux Locs Less Frizzy

Knotty Boy Dreadlock Shampoo

I was looking for a thoroughly clarifying shampoo for my dreads that doesn’t contain sulfates and that’s when I stumbled across the Knotty Boy shampoo.

I simply loved it! It’s guaranteed to give you mint fresh, sparkling clean dreadlocks as it contains saponified oils (which act like a milder form of surfactants).

Most people with African American hair either use a curly-hair shampoo or a clarifying scalp cleanser. So it was nice to use a product that has been specifically made for dreaded hair.

Oh, and it left my hair smelling amazing as it is formulated with a blend of rosemary, peppermint and tea tree essential oils. No perfumes here!

So all those sensitive scalp folks can use it without a hitch! I found the shampoo removes any itchiness, irritation, flakiness and inflammation from your scalp.

There is more to it, you can also use it as a body wash! I’ve actually tried this in the shower. But found the cost of using this product for both hair and body was not at all feasible. But hey, you can do it as the shampoo’s really moisturizing on skin as well.

Oh, and bonus points to this shampoo for being biodegradable and non-toxic. It’s good to see the environment being cared for!

Pros:

• Biodegradable shampoo is good for environment
• Specifically created for dreadlocks so it suits your hair’s needs
• Pleasant smell that is not artifically added
• Can be used at a body wash too
• Does not contain SLS so it’s safe to use on colored hair

Cons:

• Not recommended for extremely sensitive scalp

My Ratings:

• Residue-Free – 4/5
• Mildy Cleansing – 3.5/5
• Moisturizing – 4.5/5

Dollylocks Coconut Lime Grapefruit Shampoo Bar

I was at first hesitant to use a shampoo bar as I had never done so before. But this shampoo bar is created using plant-based ingredients so I was intrigued.

I liked that the ingredients include coconut, which is a nourishing ingredient for the hair. It provides hydration to the hair and prevents scalp inflammation.

It also has sea salt which helps in relieving irritation, dryness, flakiness, dandruff and bringing volume to your hair.

After using this bar, I noticed that it also assists in tightening the dreadlocks. My favorite thing about this shampoo is lightweight, residue-free and cleans your dreadlocks thoroughly.

It also has a very refreshing scent that will make you feel fresh the whole day.

This is also a sustainable option for those who want to make the switch from bottled shampoos.

Pros:

• Sustainable packaging that is eco friendly
• Pleasant smell without the use of perfumes
• Contains coconut oil and mango seed oil that nourish without leaving residue
• Lightweight so it’s good for type 3 hair
• Hypoallergic so you can use for sensitive scalps

Cons:

• Expensive

My Ratings:

• Residue-Free – 4/5
• Mildy Cleansing – 4/5
• Moisturizing – 4/5

Loc Medic Hydramint Shampoo

I recently decided to give the Loc Medic Hydramint Shampoo a try. dreadlocks smell good all day long after using this shampoo, something that was not possible with some others I had tried.

Overall, I couldn’t be happier with the Loc Medic Hydramint Shampoo. Its natural ingredients work together beautifully, leaving my hair clean, soft and manageable.

The smell is also delightful and I can hardly wait to wash my hair with it again. For anyone looking for a good quality shampoo to keep their dreadlocks looking and feeling great, I highly recommend this product.

Pros:

• Lightweight and won’t laeve residue
• Cleans well despite being sulfate-free
• Pleasant mint smell

Cons:

• None, according to me

My Ratings:

• Residue-Free – 4.5/5
• Mildy Cleansing – 4.5/5
• Moisturizing – 3.5/5

Twisted Sister Luxurious Clarifying Shampoo