Best Products for Dreadlocks and Locs

emily wright

Finding the Right Products for Your Locs

One of the most common questions on the loc journey is: what products should I actually be using? With so many options on the market, it can be overwhelming — and using the wrong products can seriously set back your progress. The golden rule is simple: avoid anything that leaves residue, coats the hair, or adds heavy moisture. Here's our guide to the best products for dreadlocks and locs at every stage.

1. Residue-Free Dreadlock Shampoo

A good shampoo is the foundation of any loc care routine. Most high-street shampoos contain silicones, conditioning agents, and fragrances that coat the hair shaft and prevent locking. Over time, these ingredients build up inside your locs, causing them to feel heavy, smell musty, and lock more slowly.

Our Dreadlock Shampoo is specially formulated to be completely residue-free. It cleanses your scalp and locs thoroughly without leaving anything behind — so your hair is free to lock naturally and efficiently. It's suitable for all loc types and all stages of the loc journey, from brand new starters to fully mature locs.

Best for: Weekly or fortnightly washing, all loc types, all stages.

2. Detox Dreadlock Shampoo

Even with a great regular shampoo, build-up can accumulate inside your locs over time — from hard water minerals, environmental pollutants, and old product residue. This is where a detox shampoo comes in.

Our Detox Dreadlock Shampoo is a deeper cleanse designed to draw out impurities and reset your locs from the inside out. After a detox wash, locs feel lighter, fresher, and more defined. Many people notice their locs tighten up noticeably after a good detox.

Best for: Deep cleansing every 2-3 weeks, removing build-up, refreshing mature locs.

3. Nourishing Spray & Hair Growth Tonic

Healthy locs start with a healthy scalp. If your scalp is dry, itchy, or inflamed, your hair growth will suffer — and your locs won't thrive. A lightweight scalp spray is one of the most underrated tools in a locker's kit.

Our Nourishing Spray & Hair Growth Tonic is designed to nourish the scalp without causing build-up in your locs. It's light enough to use between washes, and its growth-supporting formula helps stimulate the scalp for stronger, healthier hair. Simply mist it onto your scalp and massage in gently — no rinsing needed.

Best for: Daily or between-wash scalp care, promoting hair growth, soothing a dry or itchy scalp.

What to Avoid

Just as important as knowing what to use is knowing what to avoid. Steer clear of:

  • Wax-based products: Wax is almost impossible to remove from locs and causes serious long-term build-up.
  • Heavy butters and oils: While some light oils can be beneficial, heavy products like shea butter or coconut oil can coat the hair and slow locking.
  • Regular conditioner: Conditioner is designed to soften and detangle hair — the opposite of what you want for locs.
  • Dry shampoo: This leaves powdery residue inside your locs that is very difficult to remove.

Building Your Loc Product Kit

You don't need a huge collection of products to maintain great locs. In fact, less is more. A simple, effective kit looks like this:

With these three products, you have everything you need to keep your locs clean, healthy, and thriving at every stage of your journey. Browse our full dreadlock care collection at DreadCraft Wales.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use regular shampoo on dreadlocks?

We strongly advise against it. Regular shampoos contain conditioning agents and silicones that leave residue in your locs, slowing down the locking process and causing build-up over time.

How often should I use a detox shampoo?

Every 2-3 weeks is ideal for most people. If you live in a hard water area or use a lot of styling products, you may benefit from detoxing more frequently.

Do I need to oil my locs?

Your scalp produces its own natural oils, and over-oiling can cause build-up. A lightweight scalp spray like our Nourishing Spray & Hair Growth Tonic is a much better option than heavy oils for keeping your scalp nourished without weighing down your locs.

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