How to choose the right shampoo for your dreadlocks - calmly and step by step

Most dreadheads ask themselves the same question at some point: Which shampoo is actually best for my dreadlocks?

It can quickly feel confusing - especially when there are many different recommendations, rules, and product promises.

This guide walks you calmly and clearly through how to choose a shampoo that suits your scalp and your dreadlocks.

It’s not about how to wash your hair correctly (we cover that in a separate guide), but about understanding what your scalp needs and how shampoo can support that balance.

If you’re unsure about the washing process itself, you can read our guide here: How to wash dreadlocks.

Natural ingredients matter

When you have dreadlocks, choosing the right shampoo is especially important. Shampoo doesn’t just affect the hair - it also influences scalp balance and the maturation of your dreadlocks.

We always recommend choosing natural, residue-free products that care for the hair instead of masking issues. Shampoos with synthetic fillers may give a temporary feeling of “clean hair”, but over time they can cause build-up and imbalance.

Why switch shampoo when starting your dreadlock journey?

As hair forms into dreadlocks, both the hair and the scalp change. That’s why it often makes sense to switch to a shampoo that is:

• developed specifically for dreadlocks
• adapted to your scalp type
• free from ingredients that leave residue

At the same time, it can be helpful to adjust how often you wash, giving the scalp time to find its natural balance. Many people also benefit from switching to a dreadlock shampoo before starting their dreadlock journey, as this helps establish a healthy scalp balance from the beginning and gives the hair the best conditions to form and mature into dreadlocks.

Understanding pH - without getting technical

The scalp’s pH level plays an important role in both comfort and hair structure.

• Normal hair and scalp typically have a pH between 4.5 and 5.5
• Tap water usually has a pH around 7

A shampoo with a high pH can lift the hair cuticle and create volume - but it can also dry out the hair and scalp. So it’s not about “high or low pH”, but about choosing a shampoo that matches your scalp’s needs.

Choosing shampoo based on scalp type

Normal scalp

If your scalp generally feels balanced:

• it doesn’t feel oily or dry
• it doesn’t react strongly to weather or washing

…you have good conditions for choosing freely.

 

Our recommendations:

RAW ROOTs Midnight Magic Cleansing Shampoo Bar
Midnight Magic is a versatile shampoo that can be used in several ways - depending on your scalp, lifestyle, and dreadlocks’ needs.
For some, it works well as their only shampoo, especially if the scalp thrives with less frequent washing.

For others, it’s a supplement used when needed to cleanse thoroughly and keep dreads light and fresh. It’s also ideal after a detox treatment, helping to cleanse the hair and bring both scalp and dreadlocks back into balance. For this reason, many choose to keep Midnight Magic as a regular part of their dreadlock routine - either as their main shampoo or as a supportive supplement.

RAW ROOTs Greenie Genie Dreadlock Soap Bar
Especially suitable for young dreadlocks. Himalayan salt adds minerals and helps tighten and maintain dreads. Contains hemp oil, neem, and nettle to support both hair and scalp.

RAW ROOTs Muddy Luxury Dreadlock Soap Bar
A nourishing luxury shampoo bar with Moroccan clay, jojoba oil, and cocoa butter. Gently cleanses without drying and helps maintain balance in a normal or slightly dry scalp.

Oily scalp

If your scalp tends to produce excess oil, freshly washed hair may quickly collapse and appear shiny or greasy. This is often the scalp’s way of reacting to external factors such as weather changes, but hormonal influences can also increase sebum production.

Sebum is the scalp’s natural way of protecting itself from dryness. It consists of oil and dead skin cells, and when produced in excess, it can also appear as greasy flakes or dandruff.

How can you tell if your scalp is oily?

• Your hair becomes oily quickly after washing, often within 1-2 days
• Your scalp feels oily at the roots, especially during warmer periods
• If you rub a clean finger on your scalp, it feels greasy
  

 

Our recommendations:

RAW ROOTs Midnight Magic Cleansing Shampoo Bar
Ideal when a deeper cleanse is needed - for example if there is product build-up or if dreadlocks feel heavy and lose their freshness.

RAW ROOTs Greenie Genie Dreadlock Soap Bar
Tea tree, mint, and lemongrass have cleansing, antiseptic, and soothing properties.

RAW ROOTs Herbal Cleanser Dreadlock Shampoo
Calming plant extracts and a low pH help regulate oil production while reducing itching and irritation.

Dry or sensitive scalp

A sensitive scalp may react with dryness, irritation, or itching. Just like skin, the scalp is a complex system, and some people naturally have a more sensitive scalp than others.

How can you tell if your scalp is dry?

• Your scalp feels tight or dry, especially after washing
• You experience mild itching or dandruff, particularly during colder periods
• Your scalp may even feel oily a day or two after washing - this is often a sign of dryness underneath, not excess oil

 

Our recommendations:

RAW ROOTs Hydrating Dreadlock Shampoo
A mild shampoo with a pH close to the scalp’s natural level. Hydrolyzed corn and beet extracts provide moisture, while plant extracts help soothe itching and irritation.

RAW ROOTs Muddy Luxury Dreadlock Soap Bar
Especially suitable for dry or sensitive scalps - and for dreadlocks with curls. Muddy Luxury combines nourishing oils and butters with natural clay that gently cleanses without stripping the scalp. This helps retain moisture, calm dry or irritated skin, and add a light, natural weight to the hair.

The combination of moisture and gentle weight makes it particularly beneficial for curls, helping them stay gathered rather than becoming fluffy or flyaway.

When is it time for a deeper cleanse?

If your dreadlocks:

• feel heavy or dull
• lose definition
• start to smell even after washing

…it may be a sign of build-up over time.

A gentle detox treatment can help reset both scalp and dreadlocks. Detox treatments should only be used when there is a clear need - not as a regular routine.

If you’d like to learn more about when and how to detox properly, you can find our complete Dreadlock Detox Guide here.

A calm final note

There isn’t one shampoo that suits everyone - and your needs may change over time.

Listen to your scalp, pay attention to its signals, and adjust gently. When the scalp is in balance, healthy and lightweight dreadlocks often follow naturally.