Best Shampoos for Dreadlocks (and How to Use Them)

Choosing the right shampoo can make a difference in keeping your locs healthy and residue-free. These are all shampoos with simple ingredients that have proven to be effective. Note that no shampoo is 100% residue free - even these shampoos will leave trace amounts of residue in your scalp over time. This is one reason to do an apple-cider vinegar cleanse every 3-4 months.

You may notice a trend – key ingredients such as tea tree oil, peppermint oil, coconut oil, aloe vera, and rosemary extract can help cleanse and soothe the scalp, provide moisturization and promote hair growth. It is important to avoid heavy, oily products that leave a heavy feeling or a slippery film after washing.

This list includes both liquid and bar shampoos. While they may cost slightly more up front, Bar shampoos are great for travel and are plastic-free, making them an eco-friendly option for hair maintenance. They save money in the long run, with an average shampoo bar containing 2-3 times more product than a mid-sized shampoo bottle.

Best Residue-Free Shampoos

Best for Dandruff - Trader Joe’s Tea Tree Tingle

This shampoo is anecdotally the best for anyone struggling with mild to medium dandruff. I recommend it to clients and they always give it a good review. The combination of peppermint and tea tree cleanses the scalp while giving a refreshing tingle. It can smell strong, so if you don't want to smell like tea tree for the rest of the day, you might want to water it down. For heavy dandruff that won't abate with over-the-counter shampoo, a trip to your general practitioner for a medicated shampoo may be in order. It's annoying, but it's worth it.

Best for Dry Hair - Locsanity Rosewater and Peppermint Shampoo

While normally it's recommended to avoid conditioner during your loc journey, this 2-1 shampoo and conditioner is specially formulated to be gentle on dry or damaged locs. The rosewater and peppermint gently cleanse and rehydrate the scalp, while the coconut oil helps stop it from drying out in the future. The formula is lightweight, which is very important when you have thick locs that easily trap product.

Best for Young Dreadlocks - Free and Clear

I have been using this shampoo on and off my entire life. It gets the job done, is easy to find in Walmart, Target, or CVS, and doesn't contain any necessary additives. If you don't want to smell like flowers, this is the shampoo for you; it simply has a light chemical smell. It will leave your hair fairly dry, which is good for tightening young dreadlocks but not great for those with naturally dry hair. Those folks need to moisturize after washing.

Best Deep Cleansing - Nia the Lock God Chamomile, Peppermint, and Lavender Shampoo

This shampoo is the best way to get a deep cleanse without a full apple cider vinegar cleanse. If you spend a lot of time outside, work out, use heavy products daily, or otherwise end up with sweat and debris in your hair, this shampoo will keep your locs light and fresh.

Best Sudsy Shampoo Bar - Zero Waste Shampoo Bars

Many shampoo bars don't lather well, so it can be hard to know if they are working. Zero Waste shampoo bars lather pretty well, and smell amazing without being overpowering. With a base of lemon juice, powdered lemon peel, coconut oil, jojoba oil, cocoa butter, and hemp seed oil, these bars have a delightfully short ingredients list and are a great choice for sensitive scalps. While not made specifically for dreadlocks, they are a great introduction to shampoo bars and do well with any hair texture. You can also buy separate soap savers and metal tins for travel.

Best for Travel - Made For Locs Shampoo Bars

Specifically formulated to cleanse locs without stripping them of moisture, these shampoo bars are made with natural ingredients like olive oil, cypress leaf extract, ylang ylang extract, macadamia oil, and cocoa butter. These shampoo bars come in a convenient metal container instead of a cardboard box, making them perfect for stashing in your gym bag or airport carry on.

Best Shampoo Bar For Dandruff - Essence By Ellie Herbal Ayurvedic Shampoo Bar

If you're looking for a dandruff shampoo but trying to cut down on plastic in the bathroom, this shampoo bar is the way to go. Peppermint oil is less prominent on the list, so you don't get the same "tingle" as the Trader Joe's, which can be a pro or con. It also isn't specifically a dreadlock shampoo, so the fun shape of the bar can be a bit awkward. I'd say if you have mild dandruff and want to try out a bar, try this one. If you have medium dandruff, stick with Trader Joe's for the added benefit of the Tea Tree oil.

Tips For Using Shampoo

While washing your locs, focus less on lathering your locs and more on cleaning your scalp - the excess will make its way down your locs. Massage the shampoo into the scalp without scrubbing too vigorously, then rinse thoroughly after 1- 3 minutes. If you have longer or thicker locs, it is especially important to wash all traces of shampoo from your hair by continuing to wash it until it runs clear, and running your hands through your hair to check for missed spots.

For liquid shampoo, only use a small amount (between the size of a teaspoon and a tablespoon) to avoid using too much product. If you have a tendency to pour too much, consider diluting it with water. For bar shampoos, massage the bar into your locs near the scalp, then use your hands to lather the shampoo onto your scalp.

By washing your hair in the morning, you can give your locs the entire day to air dry. Sleeping on wet locs can cause mold and mildew, damage the hair structure, and cause them to flatten out.