20 Best Shampoos For Dreads In 2023

Dreadlocks are becoming increasingly popular in the fashion world, and for good reason. They can be styled to create a variety of looks that range from classic to modern. But it takes more than just styling products to keep dreads looking their best, finding the right shampoo is essential.

Here, we’ve rounded up the 20 Best Shampoos for Dreads in 2023 – so you can keep your locks looking fresh and healthy all year round! From cleansing formulas that tackle buildup, to nourishing options that add moisture, these shampoos will help you maintain beautiful dreadlocks without compromising on quality or performance.

So go ahead and explore the best shampoos for dreads in 2023 – your dreads will thank you.

1. Blu Atlas Shampoo
 

If your aim is to keep your dreadlocks healthy and nourished, then Blu Atlas Shampoo is the best product for you. This gentle shampoo is formulated with premium ingredients like jojoba oil, aloe barbadensis leaf extract, and saw palmetto to strengthen hair strands and provide deep hydration. 

Jojoba oil contains numerous beneficial vitamins for hair health, such as vitamins A, E, and D, plus fatty acids that penetrate the scalp deeply to provide maximum nourishment. Dreads can be prone to dryness and breakage, so the jojoba oil in Blu Atlas Shampoo helps to keep them healthy and soft. 

Aloe barbadensis leaf extract is a natural moisturizer that contains antioxidants like beta carotene (vitamin A), vitamin C, and vitamin E. Its anti-inflammatory properties help reduce scalp irritation while promoting hair growth.

The aloe vera in Blu Atlas Shampoo also helps protect dreadlocks from environmental pollutants and harsh weather conditions such as sun exposure or windy days.
Finally, saw palmetto works to counteract DHT, a hormone that contributes to hair loss. This ingredient helps improve hair volume and hydrate the scalp, making your dreadlocks look full and healthy. 

You get all of these active ingredients in one product when you choose Blu Atlas Shampoo to care for your dreadlocks. It cleanses dirt and oil without stripping away natural oils or moisture from the scalp. It's vegan-friendly and sulfate-free so you can use it without any worries.

Give your dreadlocks the nourishment and protection they need with Blu Atlas Shampoo.

2. Knotty Boy Dreadlock Shampoo Bar
 

Healthy hair locks up better — that's what Knotty Boy Dreadlock Shampoo Bar is here to help you with. This all-natural shampoo is specifically formulated for dreadlocks, providing essential oils to cool and soothe itchy scalps during the locking process. 

It was one of the first shampoos on the market explicitly made for dreads and it's still one of the best! With a refreshing minty scent and natural ingredients such as saponified vegetable oils, peppermint, rosemary, and tea tree - this shampoo is perfect at keeping your dreads clean and healthy.

No harsh chemicals or added conditioners make Knotty Boy Dreadlock Shampoo Bar perfect for those trying to create their locks and want a residue-free way to clean them without compromising their structure. It foams up naturally so you don't have to worry about SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulphate) or other added chemical agents.

This fantastic shampoo bar is biodegradable and mountain-stream friendly, meaning that you can use it without any worry of environmental damage. Not to mention, its invigorating scent will leave your scalp feeling refreshed and renewed!

It's the perfect way to keep your locks looking great while preventing common problems like dandruff and itchiness before they start.

In short, Knotty Boy Dreadlock Shampoo Bar is a must-have for those with dreadlocks - or anyone who wants to learn how to create them. Its refreshing scent and all-natural ingredients make it an ideal choice for keeping your dreads looking and feeling their best.

3. Dollylocks Coconut Lime Grapefruit Dreadlock Shampoo Bar
 

The second shampoo bar on our list is Dollylocks Coconut Lime Grapefruit Dreadlock Shampoo Bar. This bar is a refreshing and antioxidant shampoo that uses vegan-based ingredients to provide gentle yet effective cleansing for your scalp and dreadlocks. 

The mango seed extract, sea salt, and coconut butter help to soothe irritation while improving the elasticity of your scalp and hair.

This lightweight formula will leave your hair feeling squeaky clean without any residue or buildup of product left behind. With its invigorating fragrance made with grapefruit and lime oils, this shampoo bar promises to lift your spirits every time you use it!

Not only does it help you keep your dreads looking and feeling clean and healthy, but this bar is also an eco-friendly option since it doesn’t need plastic packaging.
The Dollylocks Coconut Lime Grapefruit Dreadlock Shampoo Bar is a great way to help you maintain your dreadlocks. It cleanses and revitalizes your scalp and provides some additional hydration thanks to its nourishing ingredients that leave hair soft and manageable.

This product helps reduce friction between the strands of your dreadlocks, making them easier to manage while providing a deep cleanse that eliminates dirt, oil, pollutants, and other impurities from your scalp and hair.

4. Taliah Waajid Total Body Black Earth Shampoo
 

Taliah Waajid Total Body Black Earth Shampoo is the perfect choice for those of you with dreadlocks who want to keep their hair clean, nourished, and healthy. This all-natural shampoo is specifically designed to help care for dry, damaged, and over-processed hair while deeply moisturizing it at the same time. 

The carefully chosen blend of natural ingredients such as blackberry, wheat germ, olive oil, vitamin E, yarrow root, and rosemary will give your dreads the nutrition they need to stay strong and vibrant. The added amino acids also provide an extra boost of moisture that will leave your locks feeling silky and soft. 

Using Taliah Waajid Total Body Black Earth Shampoo is incredibly easy. Wet your hair and scalp, apply the shampoo to your scalp, and massage it into your dreads from root to tip. Rinse thoroughly before repeating the process if necessary.
It's very challenging to get rid of product build-up in dreadlocks, so it's essential to make sure that you shampoo and rinse your hair thoroughly. 

5. Jamaican Mango And Lime Tingle Dreadlock Shampoo
 

Just by reading the label, you know your hair will smell fresh and healthy with Jamaican Mango And Lime Tingle Dreadlock Shampoo. But it's more than just an invigorating scent, this shampoo is specifically formulated to nourish and cleanse your dreadlocks.
The natural extracts of tea tree oil help to stimulate the scalp and relieve itching, while manuka honey binds in moisture to reduce dryness and flaking. This, combined with moringa seed oil, helps keep your dreads hydrated and sealed, allowing them to stay healthy for longer.

With no parabens or synthetic chemicals added, you can trust that your hair is getting a truly natural product. The addition of essential oils like lime, tangerine, and mandarin provides an uplifting scent that will leave you feeling energized.

6. Dr. Locs Yaya Oil
 

Just like with Blu Atlas, one of the key ingredients of this deep-cleansing shampoo is jojoba oil. Jojoba oil is an incredibly effective natural treatment for dreadlocks due to its ability to penetrate deep into the scalp and nourish it from within.

Not only does this help keep your dreadlocks healthy, but it also gives them an incredible shine that will make them look even more beautiful. 
But what makes Dr. Locs Yaya Oil stand out, and earns it a place on our list of the best shampoos for dreads is its combination of grape seed oil, avocado oil, and jojoba oil – all of which provide additional benefits to the hair and scalp.

Grape seed oil helps treat dryness, while avocado contains fatty acids that penetrate deeply into hair strands, providing moisture from within. Jojoba oil not only helps to lock in moisture but also keeps the scalp and hair hydrated and soft. 

The benefits of Dr. Locs Yaya Oil don’t stop there either, as it has been reported that argan oil can help reduce scars, stretch marks, sunburns, and acne when applied topically. It may even have anti-aging properties.

These features make this product a great choice for those looking to maintain their dreadlocks and keep their scalp healthy. 

7. Dreadhead HQ Dread Dreadlock Soap
 

Lubricating your locks is one of the fastest and safest ways to maintain dreadlocks in excellent condition. Dreadhead HQ Dreadlock Soap is a revolutionary product for those looking to keep their locks healthy and strong. 

This special dread soap is designed to clean the hair and scalp without leaving any residue behind. It helps your dreads tighten faster than other shampoos, and unlike many soaps, it does not leave oils or residues on the scalp that can slow down the locking process or cause irritation.

Its hypo-allergenic nature makes it ideal for even those with sensitive scalps, as it leaves nothing behind to irritate them.  This dread soap is a very straightforward product that comes with numerous benefits. It is 100% vegan-friendly, free of dyes and fragrances, and without phosphates or oxidizers that can damage the locks. When washing your hands with this soap, you won't smell any fruits or flowers, only cleanliness. 

Because it gets so deep into the scalp, it helps remove excess oil from there as well, which is especially useful for those with dreads, as brushing moves the oil from the scalp to the hair and can cause dryness if it's not removed. 

It boasts organic coconut-based surfactants, which are the latest in cleaning technology and help to get rid of all oils, scents, conditioners, moisturizers, and inhibitors, making sure your dreadlocks stay strong and healthy for years to come!  

8. Nothing But Clarifying Shampoo
 

Nothing But Clarifying Shampoo is a shampoo made not just for dreadlocks, but for all hair types. This shampoo has been specially formulated to deeply cleanse and nourish your hair without damaging them.

With its honest ingredients, you can be sure that it is safe to use on dreads as well as color-treated, curly, African American, and biracial hair. 
Cleansing your dreadlocks with this shampoo will remove the build-up of dirt, oil, and hair products that can otherwise weigh down your dreads. When you use the

Nothing But Clarifying Shampoo, your dreads will be left feeling light and clean. This is because it has been specifically designed to be gentle on all hair types while still giving a thorough cleansing experience. 

The formula contains no petrolatum, mineral oil, sulfates, paragons, or phthalates, so you know that you are getting a purer product with nothing but natural ingredients. This means that your dreads are not only being cleansed but they are also being nourished as well. 

9. Design Essentials Deep-Cleansing Shampoo
 

When you hear the word ‘henna’, what comes to mind? Rich, vibrant color and the perfect way to make dreadlocks look beautiful. But, did you know that henna is also an excellent ingredient to feature in a shampoo designed specifically for dreads? 

This natural blend of botanicals provides deep cleansing action to remove buildup and residue from your scalp, promoting healthy hair growth, while adding volume to fine, thinning, or limp hair. Its key ingredients are hydrolyzed oat protein which acts as a humectant to condition and hydrate, and henna to add strength, shine, and volume. 

The formula is gentle enough for daily or weekly cleansing, making it perfect for all hair types, including dreads! It helps prevent breakage while adding moisture to each strand. The combination of oat protein and henna will leave your locks feeling light, bouncy, and ever so lustrous, giving you the best-looking dreadlocks around. 

10. Knatty Dread Dreadlocks Shampoo
 

Having dreads for a long time can build an oily coating, making it difficult to keep your hair healthy and looking its best. This is why Knatty Dread Residue Free Dreadlocks Shampoo has been formulated with a unique blend of coconut surfactants that can help you clean and maintain your dreads in the most natural way possible.

This shampoo is carefully designed to be residue-free so that you can enjoy cleaner, thicker dreads without having to worry about any unwanted build-up over time.

It's also great for helping speed up the locking process at the roots for those who like their dreadlocks to look neat and tidy.

If you're used to using shampoos that leave a strong scent in your dreads, you'll be happy to know that this shampoo is designed to leave them smelling natural and fresh.

If you're looking for a shampoo specifically designed with the needs of dreadlocks in mind, then Knatty Dread Residue Free Dreadlocks Shampoo should definitely be on your list. Its unique blend of coconut surfactants can help keep your locks feeling cleaner, healthier, and easier to manage over time.

And best of all, it won't leave any unwanted residue behind so you can enjoy clean dreads without having to worry about any build-up.

11. Alaffia Authentic African Black Soap
 

Crafted with the use of charcoal and handcrafted shea butter, Alaffia Authentic African Black Soap is the perfect choice for those looking to give their dreadlocks the best care. This amazing product provides numerous benefits that help keep your hair and scalp healthy, earning it a spot on our list of the best shampoos for dreads.

Alaffia's soap contains West African palm oil that is grown and harvested by small-scale farmers in the maritime region of Togo, from the town of Tsevie to Kpalime. The oil is extracted using traditional methods, ensuring it retains its natural properties which are great for dreadlocks.

The soap's natural ingredients help to clarify and detoxify the hair, removing build-up from styling products and environmental pollutants. It also helps to keep your scalp healthy by fighting bacteria, preventing irritation and itching.

Alaffia's Authentic African Black Soap is gentle enough for everyday use without causing any damage or drying out your dreadlocks.

Alaffia has made sure that its product is sulfate-free which means it won't strip away natural oils from your hair leaving it dry and brittle. In addition, the soap also acts as a moisturizer that deeply nourishes your locks while locking in moisture. This helps to keep your dreads healthy, strong, and looking great.

12. Neutrogena Anti-Residue Shampoo

This deep-cleansing shampoo is a must-have for anyone with dreadlocks. Neutrogena Anti-Residue Shampoo offers salon-level treatment that you can do right at home. Its gentle, non-irritating formula is free of artificial dyes and parabens, so it won’t strip away your hair’s natural oils or damage your color treatments.
When using this shampoo on dreadlocks, it will break down any dirt and buildup without leaving behind residue that makes your locks look dirty or dull. This helps to keep them looking clean and healthy for longer, so you don’t have to worry about styling them as often.

The shampoo also helps to increase manageability and prevents tangling which can cause breakage.

The natural ingredients in the formula help to maintain your locks’ moisture levels, keeping them soft and hydrated for longer so they don’t become dry and brittle over time. It is also pH-balanced which helps to restore the scalp’s natural balance, preventing it from becoming overly oily or dry.

13. Dollylocks Locking Powder
 

If you haven't tried using a dry-powdered shampoo for your dreadlocks, you're missing out on a world of possibilities. Dollylocks Locking Powder is a fantastic choice to help keep your dreads looking sleek and stylish, while also providing essential nutrients to ensure healthier hair growth.
Dry shampoos are essentially powders that you sprinkle on your scalp and hair, allowing them to absorb excess oil and stimulate the scalp. This helps keep your dreadlocks tight, prevents slippage, and reduces the need for regular maintenance.

Dollylocks Locking Powder comes in two shades, Dark/Brown and Light/Blonde, so you can choose one based on your current hair color. The Dark/Brown powder contains iton oxide pigment which blends perfectly with darker hair shades, while the Light/Blonde does not have any added pigment. 

Not only does this dry shampoo help keep your dreads looking great all day long, but it also helps promote healthier hair growth.

It's packed with natural ingredients such as tapioca starch, arrowroot powder, kaolin clay, and baking soda that help to absorb excess oil while providing essential nutrients to your scalp. This in turn helps reduce the amount of product buildup and provides a more voluminous look.

14. SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore
 

If you worry about breakage and split ends, the SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore shampoo is a must-have for your haircare routine. This special formula is made with potent oils and certified organic shea butter to nourish hair while cleansing both scalp and strands. It's sulfate-free so it won't strip away much-needed moisture, leaving your dreadlocks feeling soft, strong, and healthy.

This shampoo also revives dull locks to restore vibrancy in color-treated or heat-styled hair. With regular use of this product, you'll start noticing improved strength in your dreads, as well as less shedding.

Jamaican Black Castor Oil helps keep hair follicles strong to promote healthy and longer growth, which is especially important for dreadlocks that require lots of TLC.

Overall, SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore shampoo is formulated to provide deep moisture and nourishment while gently cleansing and clarifying the scalp.

15. Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Liquid Soap in Peppermint
 

If you're familiar with this product, you may ask why this body soap is featured as one of the best shampoos for dreadlocks in 2023. Well, it's because Dr. Bronner's Pure Castile Liquid Soap in Peppermint is a fantastic product that offers a great cleanse and provides superior nourishment and protection to your scalp. 

This product is made with organic and certified fair trade ingredients, including organic hemp seed oil. This unique formulation doesn't just offer a deep cleanse, it also helps to nourish your scalp with its natural oils.

It's pH balanced for extra gentle cleansing and also offers a peppermint burst that tingles the scalp while providing aromatherapy benefits like clearing sinuses and sharpening the mind. 

Not only does this soap help to keep your dreads looking healthy and beautiful, but it also helps to protect them from the damage caused by environmental stresses such as sun exposure or wind. The natural oils in this soap help to form a protective layer around your dreads, locking in moisture and keeping them from drying out. 

16. Twisted Sista Luxurious Clarifying Shampoo
 

If we can describe this shampoo using only one word, it would be ‘luxurious’. Twisted Sista Luxurious Clarifying Shampoo is a sulfate-free shampoo that offers a delicious blend of nutrients, so you can be sure your dreadlocks will stay healthy and hydrated in the long term.

The coconut oil and avocado oil help to keep your hair nourished while also adding extra moisture to prevent future drying out. Almond oil works as a powerful nutrient for strengthening your locks and preventing split ends from forming over time. 

The lightweight formula makes this shampoo easy to apply without causing any stickiness or heaviness on the scalp. Its thorough cleansing power ensures your locks are squeaky clean and free from any buildup. This makes it a great choice for those who are looking to cleanse, moisturize and tighten their dreadlocks in one go. 

Twisted Sista Luxurious Clarifying Shampoo is not just about providing moisture but, more importantly, keeping the scalp healthy too. It helps to protect against the flakes and dandruff that may be caused by dryness or poor hygiene.

As part of a regular routine, this shampoo can help keep your dreads stimulated with hydration and nourishment to encourage better hair growth over time as well. 

17. Lion Locs 2 in 1 Shampoo and Conditioner
 

Co-washing is washing your hair with conditioner instead of shampoo. When it comes to co-washing dreadlocks, we believe there is no better product than Lion Locs 2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner! This two-in-one product has been formulated specifically for dreadlocks and braid hairstyles.

It helps maintain the dreads without harsh chemicals, while also delivering a softer, healthier, and shinier look.

The unique formula contains key ingredients that help nourish your hair from the very first wash itself — aloe leaf extract, castor oil, argan oil, jojoba oil, wheat protein, and mustard oil which all work together to reduce breakage and improve the overall health of your hair. Additionally, green tea leaf extract and rooibos leaf are also added to ensure that you get a good fragrance from this product. 

The Lion Locs 2-in-1 Shampoo and Conditioner is affordable yet effective, and its natural ingredients make it the best choice for people with sensitive scalps. It helps keep dreadlocks hydrated and nourished while providing a soft and silky look. 

18. Cantu Txtr Soothing Shampoo

 One of the biggest struggles of wearing your beautiful locks is the potential for itchiness, dryness, and the buildup that can come with wearing dreads. And your dreadlocks will suffer if you don’t have a good shampoo to help tame these issues.

Fortunately, there is Cantu TXTR Soothing Shampoo! Formulated with apple cider vinegar, tea tree oil, and shea butter. This shampoo helps remove impurities from the scalp and hair, soothing itching and removing buildup without stripping strands, so you can keep those luscious locks looking healthy. 

The apple cider vinegar in the formula helps to gently cleanse away dirt, product residue, and impurities, while the shea butter nourishes and hydrates giving your locks a healthy shine. For those dealing with an itchy scalp, spearmint oil is included to soothe dryness, while tea tree oil works to promote healthier hair growth.

Oat kernel extract works to comfort and soothe irritation or flakiness on the scalp, and aloe helps detangle and smooth strands for easier styling. The best part? This shampoo contains no silicone, mineral oil, parabens, or sulfates, making it perfect for even the most sensitive scalps.

19. Peculiar Roots Nourished Clarifying and Detox Black Charcoal Shampoo
 

Most people with non-straight hair get iffy when they see the ingredient ‘keratin’ on a shampoo bottle. This is because keratin is a protein often associated with straightening treatments.

But don’t worry, Peculiar Roots Nourished Clarifying and Detox Black Charcoal Shampoo is here to help you keep your dreadlocks looking healthy, clean, and beautiful, not to straighten them!

This shampoo is unique in its use of keratin protein, which helps strengthen your hair and prevent breakage while reducing frizz. The great thing about this shampoo is that it won’t leave any residue or build-up in your dreads, so you can use it frequently without worrying about damaging them over time. 

This specially-formulated shampoo comes with activated charcoal that effectively detoxifies. This powerful ingredient helps remove dirt, excess oil, product buildup, sebum, and other impurities from hair and scalp without stripping or drying out the hair.

Coconut oil conditions the follicles, while kaolin clay removes product buildup so your dreads look refreshed and revitalized.

Whether you maintain the locks, twist them into a style, or wear a weave, Peculiar Roots Nourished Clarifying, and Detox Black Charcoal Shampoo will help keep your dreadlocks looking their best every day.

20. Dreadhead Organic Shampoo
 

Rounding out our list of the best shampoos for dreads in 2023 is Dreadhead Organic Shampoo. This amazing shampoo helps to bridge the gap between residue-free and organic goodness, giving you clean dreads, free from buildup, and a happy scalp.

The natural ingredients of this shampoo will leave your hair feeling soft, shiny, and healthy, not to mention invigorated by its energizing eucalyptus scent!
Dreadhead Organic Shampoo doesn’t contain any synthetic components, just all-natural goodness that won’t clog up your locks or cause them to dry out. And because it isn't completely residue free, you can also enjoy a fantastic hair washing experience every day.

By using Dreadhead Organic Shampoo on your dreadlocks, you’ll not only be able to reduce the build-up of residue that could cause damage over time but also feed your locks with all the nutrients they need. The added essential oils and fragrances will help to nourish your dreads and keep them looking great.
This shampoo is specially formulated to strengthen hair follicles while adding shine and volume, making it perfect for those with thick or thin locks alike.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of using a dreadlock-specific shampoo?

A specialized dreadlock shampoo offers several benefits, including removing buildup from styling products and environmental pollutants, as well as restoring moisture and shine to your locks. It also helps to reduce frizz, prevent breakage, and keep your hair looking healthy.

How often should I wash my dreadlocks?

Ideally, you should wash your dreadlocks every one to two weeks with a mild sulfate-free cleanser, or a specialty shampoo made for locks. However, if you live in an area with hard water, you may need to wash more frequently.

Can I use regular shampoo on my dreadlocks?

No, it is not recommended to use regular shampoo on your dreadlocks as the harsh sulfates can strip away essential oils and cause buildup in your locks. Using a specialized shampoo for dreadlocks or a mild sulfate-free cleanser is best. 

What else do I need to know when washing my dreadlocks? 

When washing your dreadlocks, be sure to massage the scalp gently with your fingertips and rinse thoroughly with lukewarm water until all of the product is removed. Avoid scrubbing the scalp or using a brush as this can lead to breakage and frizz. Additionally, make sure to use a light oil-based conditioner after shampooing and wrap your locks in an old t-shirt or towel for extra moisture protection

Final Thoughts

So, there you have it! We hope that this article has helped you to decide which is the best shampoo for your dreadlocks. With so many options out there, it can be challenging to choose the right option, but based on our research and reviews, we feel that Blu Atlas Shampoo is the best choice.
Not only does it provide nourishment for hair, but its natural ingredients make it gentle enough for all types of locks. Its affordable price makes it an ideal choice for those looking to maintain their dreadlocks without breaking the bank.