Are you starting your loc journey but don't know where to begin?
With so many products on the market, it can be hard to decide which one is best for starter locs.
We've done all the hard work for you and found five of the best shampoos that will ensure maximum hydration and strength in your new beginnings.
Check out this carefully chosen selection with options ranging from gentle aloe vera-based shampoo bars to all-natural herbal oil mixes – we have something just right for each kind of beautiful new start!
Start your journey off right by choosing a product that nourishes and hydrates while being gentle enough not to damage delicate strands or interfere with growth.
Get gorgeously maintained locks thanks to these best-in-class products created just for starters like you.
Browse this comprehensive list of shampoos today and pick out the perfect beginning companion for strong, healthy starter locs!
Design Essentials Moisturizing and Detangling Sulfate Free Shampoo
Shampoo will leave you locs looking glossy and feeling soft.
Why We Recommend It
Design Essential's Moisturizing and Detangling Sulfate Free Shampoo is a great choice for starter locs as it helps to keep your hair hydrated and clean while preserving its natural oils.
The sulfate-free formula is gentle on the scalp, making it ideal for those with sensitive skin. The shampoo also helps to reduce tangles and breakage, so that your locs can be strong and healthy from the start.
Plus, the almond and avocado oils in this shampoo will leave you locs looking glossy and feeling soft.
It is recommended because of its ability to cleanse, nourish and protect your locs from the very beginning of your journey.
It is also a great option for those with color-treated or chemically relaxed hair, as it helps to restore luster and life.
Its gentle yet effective formula will help ensure your locs are strong, healthy, and beautiful in the long run.
What You Need To Know
This best shampoo for starter locs will keep your hair nourished and hydrated while removing dirt, build-up, and stripping natural olive oil.
The sulfate-free, paraben- and the petrolatum-free formula is perfect for all hair types from normal to dry.
Use this shampoo to detangle, reduce frizz and increase strength with the bonus of being safe for color-treated and chemically relaxed hair!
This product will leave your hair looking and feeling great.
Design essential oils Moisturizing and Detangling Sulfate Free Shampoo is a great choice for those that have extensions.
It provides maximum moisture, detangles with ease, and helps promote healthy hair growth. It is specially formulated for wavy, curly, coiled, and kinky textured hair.
It is made with a combination of almond and tea tree oil. It contains no mineral oils and is backed by the Design Essentials guarantee.
It is tested by dermatologists and is vegan, cruelty-free, and made without sulfates, parabens, or petrolatum.
Sheamoisture Strengthen and Restore Shampoo
Removes buildup while infusing hair with nourishing moisture.
Why We Recommend It
Sheamoisture Strengthen and Restore Shampoo is a great choice for starter locs because it is specially formulated to target dry, damaged, and chemically processed hair.
It is a sulfate-free shampoo that removes buildup while infusing hair with nourishing moisture.
This shampoo also contains Jamaican Black Castor Oil and Shea Butter to help strengthen damaged hair and provide needed hydration.
It is perfect for those who regularly use heat styling tools, such as curling or flat irons, as well as those with kinky, curly, or wavy natural styles.
This shampoo is a great choice for beginners because it helps gently cleanse the hair while providing the nourishment needed for healthy starter locs.
What You Need To Know
If you are looking for the best shampoo for starter locs, look no further. Sheamoisture Strengthen and Restore Shampoo for Damaged Hair is the best shampoo for you.
This sulfate-free, clarifying shampoo removes buildup while infusing hair with nourishing moisture.
It is formulated with Jamaican Black Castor Oil and Shea Butter to help strengthen damaged hair, chemically processed hair, and heat-styled hair.
All Shea Moisture hair care products are sustainably produced and cruelty-free.
It contains no silicone, sulfates, parabens, phthalates, mineral oil, or petrolatum.
It provides a perfect balance of cleanliness, hydration, and nourishment for your starter locs.
It is specially designed for people who have color-treated, straightened, permed, or heat-styled their hair. It is tested by the best laboratories and has proven results.
Mielle Rice Water Hydrating Shampoo
Formula that gently cleanses and leaves your scalp feeling refreshed and invigorated.
Why We Recommend It
Mielke's hydration shampoo is perfect for those just starting their locs, as it's formulated to nourish your locks from the inside out. Rice water is known to be an excellent source of proteins, vitamins, and minerals that help hydrate the hair and promote growth.
This shampoo is a gentle, sulfate-free formula that gently cleanses and leaves your scalp feeling refreshed and invigorated.
Plus, its refreshing scent of rice will leave you feeling like you just stepped out of a luxurious spa! It is recommended because of its ability to provide your hair with the best hydration possible and promote strong, healthy locks.
Best of all, it is sulfate-free, making it safe for those with sensitive scalps. It is also very affordable, making it a great choice for those just starting on their local journey.
What You Need To Know
Mielle’s Rice Water Hydrating Shampoo is best for starter locs, as it is specifically designed to provide maximum hydration and strength.
This 500ml bottle is filled with all-natural herbal oil mixes, along with an incredibly gentle aloe vera-based shampoo that nourishes and hydrates while removing dirt, sebum, and other impurities.
It will leave your hair feeling clean and refreshed without stripping away any of its hair's natural oils or moisture.
Additionally, this eco-friendly shampoo contains natural ingredients that help you grow longer, fuller locks in a short period.
It is tested by the best labs to ensure its safety. Finally, this shampoo is best for those who have scalp sensitivity.
It is made in the USA and formulated without any sulfates, parabens, mineral oil, or petrolatum.
Why We Recommend It
Knotty Dread Dreadlocks Shampoo bar is a great choice for starter locs because it helps the new growth to lock, tightens existing dreadlock shampoo, and reduces drying time.
It is also completely residue-free and unscented, making it perfect for those with sensitive skin or scalp. Plus, its renewable coconut-based formula adds strength and hydration to your locs.
All in all, it’s the best shampoo for starter locs! It is recommended because of its renewing coconut-based formula which adds strength and hydration to your locs.
Furthermore, it is residue free shampoos and unscented, making it best suitable for those with sensitive skin or scalp. Overall, this shampoo bar is the best choice for starter locs.
What You Need To Know
Knotty Dread's all-natural, renewable coconut-based formula is a great choice for those starting on their local journey.
This shampoo cleanses and helps tighten dreadlock shampoos, especially for new growth, while reducing drying time after washing.
It’s completely residue-free and unscented, making it ideal for all hair types. It’s easy to use and affordable!
Plus, as a bonus, Knotty Dread's natural ingredients also help boost hair growth and promote healthy scalp maintenance.
It contains lactic acid, which helps maintain pH levels and prevent bacterial buildup in the scalp. It also offers intense hydration to protect hair from over-drying, as well as conditioning to make hair softer and more manageable. It is tested by the best and is cruelty-free.
Its unique quality and results make it a top pick for the best shampoo for starter locs.
Design Essentials Oat Protein and Henna Deep Cleansing Shampoo
Natural ingredients that don't strip the hair of its natural oils.
Why We Recommend It
Design Essentials Oat Protein and Henna Deep Cleansing Shampoo is best for starter locs because it brings the best of both worlds: deep cleansing and purifying with natural ingredients that don't strip the hair of its natural oils.
It's gentle, alcohol-free, non-stripping, silicone, sulfate, and cruelty-feel
Plus, it's great for all hair types! This shampoo is sure to help you start your loc journey the right way by promoting healthy hair and scalp, adding volume and shine, and strengthening hair for more resilience to damage and breakage.
It is recommended because of its ability to bring out the best in your new locs.
It is also backed by the Design Essentials guarantee, so you can be sure you're getting a quality product. Its natural ingredients make it the best choice for starter locs.
What You Need To Know
The best shampoo for starter locs is a mild cleansing formula that will act gently on your hair and scalp.
Design Essentials Oat Protein and Henna Deep Cleansing Shampoo is a great choice, with its alcohol-free and non-stripping formula, it ensures hair is deeply cleansed with all the natural oils intact, while also strengthening and conditioning.
Featuring hydrolyzed oat protein and henna that adds volume, shine, and help make hair more resilient to damage and breakage, it's ideal for all hair types.
And best of all, it's silicone and sulfate free, plus it's cruelty-free. It contains natural ingredients to ensure maximum hydration and strength for your new beginnings.
It is tested by an independent lab to guarantee a safe product for your hair and scalp. It is made in the USA and comes in a 32-ounce bottle.
Best Shampoo For Starter Locs FAQs
You've just started growing out you're loc'd, and you're not sure what shampoo is best for starter locs.
There are a lot of different shampoos on the market, and it can be hard to figure out which one is right for you.
We've put together a list of the best shampoos for starter locs, based on customer feedback and experience.
When should I shampoo my starter locs?
If you're just getting started with the baby stage, you should avoid shampooing as much as possible. You can use a light co-wash or cleansing conditioner to keep your locs clean and hydrated. Once your locs are more established, you can use a gentle shampoo specifically designed for locs or natural hair to keep them clean and healthy.
Can you wash starter locs?
Yes, you can wash starter locs with a gentle shampoo specifically designed for locs or natural hair. Make sure to rinse thoroughly and gently massage the shampoo into the locs to cleanse. Use a light conditioning product afterward to help keep them hydrated and add some extra shine.
How often can u wash starter locs?
You can wash starter locs as often as needed, but try not to overdo it. Washing too often can strip the hair of its natural oils and cause dryness. A good rule of thumb is to wash no more than once a week for starter locs.
Can you shampoo soft locs?
Yes, you can shampoo soft locs, but just like with starter locs, it's important to use a gentle shampoo specifically formulated for locs or natural hair. Be sure to rinse thoroughly and use a light conditioner afterward to help keep your locs hydrated and shiny.
How do you dry starter locs after washing?
Once you've shampooed and conditioned your starter locs, it's important to dry them properly. Towel-dry gently, then use a diffuser to evenly distribute heat and reduce frizz. If you don't have a diffuser, use your hands to shape the locs as they dry. Finally, use a light jojoba oil or cream to help seal in moisture and add shine.
What is the estimated cost of the best shampoo for starter locs?
The cost of the best shampoo for starter locs can vary depending on the brand and type of product you choose. However, most shampoos specifically designed for locs or natural hair will range in price from $10-$30.
How long do you keep starter locs in?
The length of time you keep starter locs in will depend on how quickly your hair is growing. Generally, most people keep them in for at least six months, but it can be longer or shorter depending on your hair's growth rate.
Can we use any shampoo for starter locs?
It's best to avoid using any lime tingle shampoo that contains harsh chemicals or sodium laureth sulfate, as these can strip the hair of its natural oils and lead to dryness. Instead, look for shampoos specifically designed for locs or natural hair that contain gentle, natural ingredients to ensure maximum hydration and strength.
Best Shampoo For Starter Locs
When starting your locs, you want to make sure that you have the right shampoo to keep your locks clean and healthy.
There are many excellent shampoos out there, but the ones featured in this article are among the best out there to keep yours locs looking beautiful and strong.
Look for natural ingredients, non-drying formulas, and pH-balanced ingredients when deciding on the perfect shampoo for your starter locs.
Use these tips to find the best shampoo for starter locs and feel confident that you are taking care of those locks in a healthy way!
Taking proper care of your starter locs is worth it in the long run, so take time to research what products to use.
Of course, discuss with a doctor or other professional if any concerns should arise; they might recommend something different from our recommendations here.
