Selecting the best loc gel can be quite a hassle, especially if you’re starting your dreadlocks journey. There is vast online information recommending various products; thus, choosing the best log gel can be overwhelming. Well, you don’t have to look any longer because I have developed a comprehensive guide to help you pick out the best loc gel suited for your needs, be it nourishing your scalp, reducing frizz, retwisting your locks, or just styling your locs. Hover over the table below to skip to your preferred section.
Overview of the Best Loc Gels
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| Loc Gel | Pros | Cons |
| Stylin’ Dredz Mouldin’ Gel Wax | 1. Provides a stronghold 2. Maintains dreadlocks. Moisturizes and soothes the scalp, softens hair, and leaves a shiny finish on dreadlocks. | 1. Sometimes, it gets greasy after application. |
| Loc N Gel | 1. A firm hold on locs. 2. Extra shine and smoothening on the dreadlocks. | 1. A firm hold on locs. 2. Extra shine and smoothening on the dreadlocks |
| Lockology’s Loc and Twist Butter | 1. Does not leave any residue or cause buildup. 2. Moisturizes hair, strengthens it, and promotes growth. | 1. This gel is quite oily. |
| Lockology’s Peppermint Tea Tree Loc Moisturizer | 1. Reduces itch and nourishes the scalp. 2. Leaves no reverse residue and does not cause any frizz. | 1. Has a slightly unpleasant smell. |
Characteristics of a Good Locking Gel
- Firstly, a good gel contains a residue-free formula. Loc products that leave residues can affect loc cleanliness and cause an itchy scalp or a dull appearance. Therefore, choosing a product that moisturizes your scalp and does not leave a flaky residue is essential.
- Secondly, a good loc gel deeply moisturizes and nourishes locks. Some loc gels can strip deadlocks of natural oils, which you should avoid. Any product you use should focus on deeply moisturizing the scalp and promoting that glossy look. Ultimately, the best loc gel ensures the versatility and longevity of dreadlocks.
- Thirdly, and most importantly, you should choose a gel that provides extra grip and hold on the dreadlocks; when selecting a retwisting gel, you should choose one that holds retwists in place. Pro tip: check out the product’s ingredient list to ensure that it does not contain harmful ingredients for natural hair.
How To Choose the Best Loc Gel
- Identify your loc stage – for instance, starter loc gels require a different type of loc gel than mature locs.
- Hair type – The type of gel that would work for 4 c hair would not work for straight hair; thus, it is essential to understand your hair’s texture and thickness.
- Reviews – Read as many reviews online as possible to know the pros and cons of certain loc gels before purchasing.
Best Loc Gel for Starter Locs
Stylin’ Dredz Mouldin’ Gel Wax
The best product for starter locs depends on your type of hair and the method used to lock your dreadlocks. The first product that I recommend is Stylin’ Dredz Mouldin’ Gel Wax- Loc and Twist gel for starting the dreadlocks journey. This dreadlock gel contains tea tree oil as its primary ingredient; it provides a firm hold during twists and helps create and maintain dreadlocks. It also moisturizes and soothes the scalp, softens hair, and leaves a shiny finish on dreadlocks. Besides, the product is affordable and has a great customer rating.
Best Loc Gel for Dreadlocks Retwists
The best loc gel for retwists should provide a firm hold on dreadlocks and give them a neat definition. This gel will be used during retwists, typically every 4 to 6 weeks. I recommend two significant products for the retwists, as discussed below.
Loc N Gel
The Loc N Gel is a highly rated gel. Loc N Gel is used for retwisting locs and defining braid roots; it provides an extra hold and a cleaner look. This gel maintains dreadlocks for long and is especially recommendable for thicker hair. In addition to retwisting locs, this gel provides other benefits, such as extra shine and smoothening on the dreadlocks. Besides locks, this gel can also be used on twists and braids to give an extra hold. It can also be used in defining partitions in braided hairstyles such as senegalese twist, passion twists, mermaid braids, and butterfly braids. However, one of the significant downsides is that, in my experience, the product can get oily during the hot season and leave some residue.
Lockology’s Loc and Twist Butter
The third one is Lockology’s Loc and Twist Butter. The product contains all-natural ingredients, including quality herbs and oils from the Caribbean. It does not leave any residue or cause buildup. This gel is best for retwisting and ensures locs stay in place. Besides locking in dreadlocks, this hair product moisturizes hair, strengthens it, and promotes growth.
Best loc gel for nourishing scalp and reducing inch
Lockology’s Peppermint Tea Tree Loc Moisturizer
The best overall lock for reducing itch and nourishing the scalp is Lockology’s Peppermint Tea Tree Loc Moisturizer. The product has a 4.4-star rating, meaning it has worked for most individuals. The product has a great blend of rosemary, peppermint, and tea tree oil, focusing on reducing each in the scalp and promoting local growth. This oil leaves no reverse residue and does not cause any frizz.
Bonus: Best natural oils for dreads
Tea tree, Olive, and coconut oil are recommended for nourishing and strengthening locs. If you were keen on the reviews above, you should have noticed that tea tree oil is one of the primary ingredients in most of the products mentioned. Yeah, tree oil helps promote scalp healing and prevent infection. It also reduces itching and dandruff. Coconut oil penetrates the hair deeply and provides oils to the hair. It also has natural SPF, which helps protect the hair from sun damage. Coconut oil tends to leave minimal residue if any at all. Olive oil contains vitamins A and E, providing extra strength to dreadlocks and significantly reducing split ends. Both coconut and olive oil give a natural-looking glow to dreadlocks and make them look healthier.
Besides these three products, using rosewater has been highly recommended by most individuals. With dreadlocks, less is more; you can incorporate only rosewater into your routine. Rosewater provides hydration to dreadlocks and frizz control, a common concern among those with dreadlocks. Rose water helps in defining the dreadlocks.
Conclusion
Choosing the right products for your dreadlocks ensures healthy-looking, moisturized, and well-maintained dreadlocks. The best loc gel for starting locs is Stylin’ Dredz Mouldin’ Gel Wax, whereas one for twisting is Loc N Gel, and finally, the best for moisturizing the scalp is Lockology’s Peppermint Tea Tree Loc Moisturizer. Consult your hairdresser to provide a personalized recommendation on the best log gel based on your hair type and stage in the loc journey.