Do your dreadlocks feel loose or frizzy when they should be locking tight? Keeping dreadlocks neat and secure can feel like a constant battle. Many people try different products, hoping for that perfect hold, but often end up with sticky residue or dry, brittle locs.
Choosing the right locking gel is crucial. The wrong product can attract dirt or actually slow down the locking process. You want a gel that holds firmly without weighing your hair down or causing buildup. It’s frustrating when you invest time and care into your locs only to have them look messy.
This post cuts through the confusion. We will explore the best locking gels available. You will learn what ingredients really matter and how to choose a gel that supports healthy, strong dreadlocks. Get ready to discover the secret to long-lasting, beautiful locs.
Top Locking Gel For Dreads Recommendations
- ❥ AllDay Locks Lock N Twist (5 oz)
- ❥ Supreme hold Locking Gel for dreadlocks, faux locs, interlocks, microlocks! Also great with braids, twists, and cornrows!
- ❥ Design, create, and maintain all of your beloved loc styles! Say goodbye to frizzy, lackluster locs and say hello to healthier, shinier, and fiercer locs!
- ❥ Re-twist with ease, protect and maintain your locs, no build-up, or flakiness. Leaves you with a healthy shine and provides a long-lasting supreme hold
- Item Package Length: 8.89cm
- Item Package Width: 8.89cm
- Item Package Height: 9.906cm
- Item Package Weight: 0.454 kg
- Country of origin is United States
- The package weight of the product is 1.1 pounds
- No build up
- Flake-free hold
- MOISTURIZING TWIST LOCK GEL: Twist, Hold, Mold, and Tame your locks and curls, prevent further breakage, and makes locs healthier and shinier.
- CONTROLS FRIZZ: Made from all-natural ingredients this twist and lock gel penetrates into hair and seals open hair cuticles to control frizz and tame stray flyaways.
- FOR ALL LOC and HAIR TYPES: Specifically made to help with any hairstyle or type. Whether microlocs, interlocks, dreadlocks, braidlocks, braids, faux locs, crochet locs, boho locs, twistlocks, or sisterlocks, this product will work for you.
- 100% ORGANIC: Proudly vegan and cruelty-free with handpicked natural and organic ingredients for all loc and hair types.
- Strong Hold & Definition: Achieve perfectly defined braids, twists, and locs with Tropical Roots Firm Locking Gel. Enjoy a strong, lasting hold that keeps your styles sharply defined and intact all day without flaking or residue.
- Enhances Hair Health: This gel not only locks in your style but also promotes healthier strands, thanks to its formulation designed to support hair strength and reduce breakage during styling. Moisture & Nourishing Ingredients: Infused with natural Pineapple and Guava Extracts, and fortified with Vitamins B5 & B12, the gel provides essential moisture and nutrients, enhancing the shine and health of your hair.
- Versatile Styling Companion: Ideal for a variety of natural hairstyles, this locking gel is perfect for those seeking a firm but flexible hold that supports locs, twists, and braid styles while maintaining the natural beauty of hair.
- Empowering Black-Owned Excellence: With 60+ years of experience, Bronner Brothers is a trailblazer in the beauty industry. As a Black-owned business, we are deeply committed to serving and uplifting our community, setting new standards of excellence, and continually innovating to meet the needs of our customers.
- Ultimate Styling & Nourishment: Lock in Locs is a pure loc and twist gel enriched with 99.8% pure vitamins. Infused with 5 oils (Argan, Castor, Sunflower, Avocado, Olive) plus Aloe, Lavender, Houttuynia Cordata, and Ginseng, it delivers deep conditioning, frizz-free softness, shine, and moisture.
- Long-Lasting, Non-Greasy Hold: Enjoy an all day braid gel and locking gel for locs that secures your style without build-up. This extreme hold formula works as a braid gel, retwist gel, and neatbraid gel—perfect for locs, twists, box braids, and dreadlocks, keeping your look fresh and intact throughout the day.
- Premium, EWG VERIFIED Quality: Made in Korea under rigorous quality control, Lock in Locs meets EWG VERIFIED standards. Its balanced formulation, right mixing time, and ideal temperature ensure every drop delivers perfect hold and a beautiful finish, making it the ultimate lock gel for dreads and twist hair products enthusiasts.
- Nourish & Enhance Hair Beauty: More than just a loc retwist gel, this extra hold hair gel soothes and deeply conditions while locking in moisture. It transforms into the ideal hair braiding gel for box braids, providing a pure braiding gel experience that leaves your hair soft, shiny, and frizz free with every application.
- ❥ AllDay Locks Lock N Twist (10 oz)
- ❥ Supreme hold Locking Gel for dreadlocks, faux locs, interlocks, microlocks! Also great with braids, twists, and cornrows!
- ❥ Design, create, and maintain all of your beloved loc styles! Say goodbye to frizzy, lackluster locs and say hello to healthier, shinier, and fiercer locs!
- ❥ Re-twist with ease, protect and maintain your locs, no build-up, or flakiness. Leaves you with a healthy shine and provides a long-lasting supreme hold
- Extra Hold Locking Gel for Locs, Braids & Twists: Provides long-lasting, moisture-resistant hold that keeps your locs, twists, and braids neat and defined all day. Perfect for retwisting and styling natural hair.
- Humidity & Sweat-Resistant Formula: Delivers reliable control even in hot or humid conditions. Keeps protective styles smooth, polished, and frizz-free without buildup.
- Non-Flaking, Lightweight Texture: Dries clean without residue or crunch. Ideal for natural hair care routines that require a smooth finish and long-lasting hold.
- Enriched with Manuka Honey & Moringa Seed Oil: Infused with natural oils that moisturize, strengthen, and protect hair while promoting a healthy scalp and shine.
The Ultimate Buying Guide for Locking Gel for Dreads
Locking gel is an essential tool for anyone starting or maintaining dreadlocks. This guide helps you choose the best gel for your hair. Good gel keeps your locks neat and strong. It helps new hair twist into solid locks.
Key Features to Look For
When buying locking gel, look for these important features. They make a big difference in how well the gel works.
- Strong Hold: The gel must hold your twists firmly. A strong hold prevents frizz and keeps new growth locked in place longer.
- Non-Flaking Formula: Good gel dries clear. It should not leave white residue or flakes in your hair, especially after brushing or touching.
- Lightweight Feel: Heavy gels weigh down your hair. Look for a formula that locks well without feeling sticky or crunchy.
- Moisturizing Properties: Dreads need moisture. The best gels hydrate your scalp and hair, preventing dryness and breakage.
- Residue Control: Some gels build up over time. Check reviews to see if the product leaves excessive buildup that requires heavy washing to remove.
Important Materials in Locking Gels
The ingredients in your gel determine its effectiveness and how it affects your hair health. Always check the ingredient list.
Natural vs. Synthetic Ingredients
Some gels use mostly natural ingredients. Others rely on stronger synthetic polymers for hold.
- Natural Binders (Good for Sensitive Scalps): Ingredients like flaxseed extract or aloe vera offer a gentle hold. These are often better for sensitive skin.
- Synthetic Polymers (Strongest Hold): Chemicals like PVP (Polyvinylpyrrolidone) provide the strongest, longest-lasting hold. These are great for very loose or fine hair textures that struggle to lock.
- Oils and Butters: Look for nourishing ingredients like Jojoba, Coconut, or Shea Butter. These keep the hair soft while it locks. Avoid gels with too much mineral oil, which can cause heavy buildup.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Not all gels perform the same way. Several factors determine if a gel is high quality for your dreads.
What Improves Quality:
- Humidity Resistance: A high-quality gel resists moisture in the air. This stops frizz from ruining your neat twists, especially in humid climates.
- Scalp Health: Gels that include tea tree oil or peppermint often soothe the scalp and fight itchiness, improving overall hair health.
- Easy Rinse Out: The best gels wash completely out of the hair with regular shampooing.
What Reduces Quality:
- Alcohol Content: High levels of drying alcohol strip moisture from your hair. This leads to brittle locks and potential breakage.
- Excessive Stickiness: If the gel stays overly sticky after drying, it attracts dirt and lint easily, making your locks look dirty faster.
User Experience and Use Cases
How you use the gel impacts your results. Different stages of dreadlocks need different products.
Starting New Locks (Fresh Twists):
When you first twist your hair, you need maximum hold. Use a firm-hold gel. Apply a small amount to the new growth, twist tightly, and let it dry completely. This sets the foundation for your lock.
Maintaining Mature Locks:
For established dreads, you might use a lighter gel or a locking pomade just on the new growth during retwisting. The goal here is maintenance, not aggressive setting.
Hair Texture Matters:
- Coarse/Thick Hair: This hair type might need a slightly heavier gel or more frequent application to keep everything tight.
- Fine/Thin Hair: Use lightweight gels. Heavy products will cause these delicate new locks to droop or unravel easily.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Locking Gel
Q: How often should I use locking gel?
A: You should use gel primarily when you retwist your new growth, usually every 4 to 8 weeks, depending on how fast your hair grows.
Q: Can I use regular hair gel on my dreads?
A: It is not recommended. Regular gels often contain ingredients that cause heavy, flaky buildup, which is very hard to remove from locked hair.
Q: Will locking gel make my dreads crunchy?
A: Some strong gels do. Look for moisturizing or “soft hold” formulas if you dislike the crunchy feeling after it dries.
Q: How much gel should I use per section?
A: Use a small amount—about a dime-sized dollop—for each section when starting new locks. Too much gel increases drying time and buildup.
Q: Can I use locking gel if I have a sensitive scalp?
A: Yes, but choose gels made with natural ingredients like aloe vera. Avoid products with heavy fragrances or high alcohol content.
Q: Does locking gel help stop frizz?
A: Yes, a primary job of locking gel is to smooth down the loose hairs during the twisting process, which significantly reduces frizz.
Q: How long does it take for the gel to dry completely?
A: Drying time varies. It can take anywhere from a few hours to overnight, depending on the product thickness and how much you used.
Q: Can locking gel cause my locs to smell?
A: If the gel traps moisture or leaves behind heavy residue that doesn’t rinse out, it might start to smell over time. Always rinse thoroughly.
Q: Is it okay to use oil and gel together?
A: Use oil sparingly on the scalp or mature locs. Applying oil directly with the locking gel can interfere with the gel’s ability to hold the twist tightly.
Q: What should I do if the gel builds up in my locs?
A: You need to perform a clarifying wash. Use a clarifying or apple cider vinegar rinse to break down and remove the stubborn buildup.
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