Best Locking Gel for Dreads | Comparison of Top 5 Lock Gels for Dreadlocks
People wear many hairstyles to make a fashion statement. Going by the trend, the one style that is attracting the generation next is Deadlocks.
Following the trend, many young people desire to experiment with this creative look. However, they are either unaware of the right procedure & products to use to get the perfect locs or are doubtful about its side effects like breakage, brittleness, and frizz.
In the following article we will be recommending five great locking gels for dreadlocks that one can use to start, maintain, or retwist, and mature.
The article aims to give you a complete insight into all the products including individual features, ingredients, pros & cons, and user reviews.
Let’s introduce you to the best of the best locking gels for dreads!
Top 5 Locking Gels for Dreads
| # | Locking Gel | Specialty |
| 1 | Jamaican mango and lime | Best Overall |
| 2 | Lion Locs | Best Composition of Nourishing Ingredients |
| 3 | Taliah Waajid | Best for Color-Treated Hair |
| 4 | African Pride | Best Stronghold/Strength |
| 5 | Cantu Moisturizing | Best for Moisturization |
The Best Locking Gel for Dreads: Jamaican Mango & Lime, Locking Hair Gel
Best Overall
The Jamaican Mango & Lime products are best in line for Locking Gel for dreadlocks. be it hard to lock hairs, fine or color-treated hairs, the Jamaican locking gels provide a solid hold and a smooth finish without leaving a residue or flaking.
The Jamaican Mango and Lime Locking Gel are for everybody and anybody who requires a solution for starting & maintaining healthy dreads, twists, and braids.
This unique formula offers a fantastic perfume smell. The Gel is infused with manuka honey and moringa seed oil. The product is free from mineral oil, sulfate, silicone petroleum, and paraben.
All ingredients present in the Jamaican locking gels are nourishing and further help in strengthening the hair follicles. The Gel effectively prevents brittleness and hair breakage and is capable of reversing scalp damage. It is safe for all kinds of hair textures.
The water-based Gel has a creamy consistency and is ideal for both starter locs and mature locs.
The Gel doesn’t get stick to fingers while applying; hence it’s a versatile product that suits all types of hair. Furthermore, it provides a stronghold and a soft and shiny finish. The Jamaican Mango and Lime Gel won’t allow the twisted locs to untwist or create a fuzz.
The most outstanding feature of the Jamaican Mango and Lime locking Gel is that it locs the hair without flaking & leaving no residue like traditional gels. Finally, the Gel gets easily washed out when needed.
The brand has reformulated and repackaged this cheap and readily available locking gel with all drug-free formulas to give excellent outcomes. The best part is that the brand has a 100% refund offer.
Considering all the above features and offerings, Jamaican Mango and Lime locking Gel stays at the top position as the best locking gel for dreads.
Specifications
- Hair Type: All (Colored/Gray/Fine
- Main Ingredients: Manuka Honey & Moringa Seed Oil
- Fragrance: Clean & Pleasant
- Consistency: Creamy
- Product Dimension: 2.75 x 2.75 x 3.25 inches
- Container Volume: 6 ounces
- Country Of Origin: United States
Pros
- No frizz
- Offer a long-lasting hold
- It can be used on all types of hair
- No build-up
- Very lightweight Gel
- It doesn’t stick to fingers
- Petrolatum And Paraben-Free
- 100% refund offer
Cons
- It’s a little greasy
User Reviews and Feedback on Jamaican Mango Lime Locking Gel
Users of Jamaican mango lime locking gel have consistently given this product splendid ratings.
Positive reviews
Below are some of the most positive reviews from the users of this locking gel product.
- Most buyers said that it is an excellent product for starter locs & retwisting. The Jamaican mango & lime locking Gel gives good texture and excellently locks straight hair as well as color-treated hair.
- Nearly all have rated this product high on fragrance and hold the locks quite well.
- Most reviewers agree that the solution doesn’t leave any dryness or flakes on the scalp.
- Several users describe it as a perfect gel for starter locs. It’s very easy to use. One can use it after shampooing. Just towel dry the hair and apply it to the roots with either a comb or your fingertips. One can even palm roll for stylish dreads.
- Mostly all customers find it affordable, lightweight, and suits all kinds of dreads.
Negative reviews
While more than two-thirds of users on various platforms have rated this product excellently, we encountered some negative comments. The most common were:
- Some users find that the Gel’s performance on thicker hair was not at par. The locs were not holding as expected.
- Some users reported its not so good packaging.
- Few found the gel/solution greasy, crunchy, and sticky. They found several ingredients present in the Gel were not natural as claimed.
What Makes Jamaican Mango & Lime Locking Hair Gel the Best Lock Gel for Dreads?
The original Jamaican Mango and Lime Locking Gel is our first choice for the best locking gel for dreadlocks. It has a pleasant fragrance (not overpowering at all), and its consistency is remarkable.
The brand uses a range of natural and nourishing ingredients necessary for healthy-looking locs. The use of mango butter helps you sustain your scalp and hair with vitamins A and E, whereas the manuka honey proteins can strengthen hair follicles and reverses scalp damage.
Again, the Gel is suitable and safe for all hair textures and types. The applied result on gray and fine hairs is excellent. Moreover, it helps in forming the dreadlocks in a short time without compromising on the hold and looks of the locs.
Besides these merits, the Jamaican mango lime locking gel products are the most effective products with affordable costs, which makes them a worthy choice for your hairstyle routine.
4 More Top-Rated Locking Gels for Dreadlocks
1. Lion Locs Firm Hold Hair Locking Dreadlock Gel Cream
Best Composition of Nourishing Ingredients
The Lion locs firm locking gel is a 100% organic and vegan cream that women curate. The locking gel comprises incredible natural ingredients such as aloe vera, vegetable glycerin, hydrolyzed wheat protein, argan oil, lavender & Ylang oil, PVP, etc.
This ingredient helps in repairing cells and promotes hair growth. In addition to that, the locking gel efficiently prevents locs breakage and protects hairs from heat and UV rays. The formula is paraben, chemical, and residue-free.
The brand has made a locking gel that works as a moisturizer and reduces itching. Easy to apply, the Lions locs gel is targeted for grip and control. It gives a stronghold over overlocking moisturizer and keeps your locs and curls in place.
Lion Locs Firm Hold Hair Locking Dreadlock Gel Cream is designed to give you dreadlocks that are amazing to look at. The locs feel natural and smell pleasant.
The lightweight cream gel is developed for all genders and is even ideal for those with sensitive skin. You can use it to retwist and maintain.
Moreover, the white-colored cream locking gel is applicable on all types of locs, leaving absolutely no residue, build-up, or debris. The Lion locs two-in-one dreadlocks formula prevents locs from drying out, moisturizes your hair shafts, and guarantees to deliver results.
Pros
- Handpicked natural ingredients
- More grip
- Ideal for mature or starter locs
- Made without any harmful chemicals
- Control frizz and tame stray flyaways
- Smelling amazingly fresh
Cons
- Some ingredients have the potential for discoloration
- Very less quantity at a high price
2. Taliah Waajid
Best for Color-Treated Hair
Want to Get an all-natural herbal dreadlocks experience on your already color-treated hair? Taliah Waajid Black Earth Tight Hold locs gel is your product. The product is mainly picked because of its excellent results on chemically-treated hair.
The brand was developed by women entrepreneur Taliah Waajid who is counted the first among few to offer a complete range of natural, toxic-free hair care products in the United States.
The brand launched its Black Earth Products series in 2018. The curator claims that this collection (shampoo, conditioner, locking gel, etc.) works well on all hair textures.
The product series includes the popular Taliah Waajid Black Earth Tight Hold locs gel formulated with plant-based and natural emollients for starter locs, lock grooming, two-strand twists, or to maintain the twist and curls.
The main ingredients comprise Rosemary Extract, Yarrow Root Extract, Soy Bean Oil, and Indian Hemp.
The light amber-colored locking gel works best on resistant color-treated and gray hair. This no-sticky locking gel cream is even suitable for those thicker hairs that are hard to hold.
Further, the solution promotes softening and smoothening of chemically processed hair while making it easier to manage and style.
Pros
- Made up of all-natural nourishing ingredients
- Great for wavy hair and color-treated hair
- Promote healthy hair growth
- Alcohol-free
- Non- greasy
- Better conditioning
Cons
- Have a medium hold
- The maintenance process can be expensive
3. African Pride Black Castor Miracle Extra Hold Braid
Best Stronghold/Strength
Infused with black castor oil and coconut oil, the African Pride miracle locking gel is one of the thickest solutions placing it on edge over its competition in the market.
The unique gel product that can be used in tiny quantities is sufficient for your entire head of hair.
Enriched with ingredients that help in the deep conditioning of hair shafts, the gel also prevents moisture loss and breakage. The overall result gives the user neat-looking dreadlocks while simultaneously contributing to hair growth.
Additionally, the African Pride Black Castor Miracle Extra Hold Braid locking gel boosts shine on all styles and long-term hold. Also, the product is designed to maintain & combat frizz.
The professional-grade locking gel is crafted to detangle natural hair and provide firm and tight locs that appear well-defined and nourished. The gel is suitable for all hair types, including those with thinning hair.
This high-quality locking gel product formula utilizes no harmful chemical components, including mineral oil, parabens, petrolatum, & sulfates- hence be confident that it’s an absolutely safe and effective product that provides long-term coverage.
Pros
- The thickest formula provides a stronghold
- It contains a range of natural oils
- Promotes natural shine
- It does not cause any flaking
- Non-sticky and long-lasting
- It can be used on dry and wet hair
Cons
- May leave residue
4. Cantu Moisturizing Twist & Lock Gel
Best for Moisturization
Cantu Moisturizing Twist & Lock Gel is the most budget-friendly locking gel product on our list, with all the essential features one searches for in a top-quality product.
Produced by a renowned brand, this hair-locking gel product is blended with plant-based moisturizing ingredients, including avocado oil, carrot & jojoba seed oil, almond oil, coconut extract, and pure shea butter (that is 100% naturally derived).
The most attractive part that we liked about the Cantu Moisturizing Twist & Lock Gel is it’s filled with smoothing, hydrating, and moisturizing benefits. The incredible result is almost identical for all types of hair.
The specially curated formula preserves the hair’s natural health and shine, regardless of curl pattern and thickness. Again, the hydrating properties of the natural ingredients help your hairstyle stay put.
The mega moisturizing gel with a soft hold easily controls frizz and flyaways. One can use this gel on wet, damp, and even dry hair.
Pros
- Manageable hold
- No- frizz
- Moisturizes the scalp pretty well
- It makes the twists firm
Cons
- Some users complaint of flaking
How to Select the Best Lock Gel for Dreads?
Picking the suitable locking gel for Dreads is not as tricky as it may sound to starters. Understanding and evaluating the product that caters to your needs and gives you the best results is important.
One has to check the ingredients that will be safe for your scalp/hair type and hold your locs for a long without leaving any residue. The selection of faulty and fake products might generate multiple problems like irritation, dry scalp, hair fall, and inflammation.
Hence, before buying the locking gel for dreads, do consider the below-mentioned aspects that will help you get a satisfactory product!
1. Identify Your Individual Needs/hair type/scalp
It’s essential to understand your need first. Remember that whatever we will put in locs will stay there in there. We can’t comb it out.
Before selecting a good locking gel for dreads, the first thing one should do is to identify the type of hair (straight/curly/ wavy) one has. The same will help you know which products are best for your hair. Pick the one that treats your hair well and retains its natural moisture.
Jamaican Mango and lime locking gel scores high when it comes to picking a gel that is compatible with all types of hair, including damaged hair.
Its ingredients and creamy water-based consistency help for starter locs or maintenance.
Again, if your hair has been chemically treated before, the product should be such that it can quickly dread them.
The Taliah Waajid Black Earth Tight Hold locs gel is the number one product currently on the shelves for the best locking gel that works excellently on chemically treated hair.
The gel contains natural herbs that enhance hair growth and smoothen color-treated hair.
2. Ingredients
It’s necessary to recognize the health of your hair, especially the scalp. What one needs is the prevention of dryness and dandruff on the scalp. The scalp shouldn’t feel cranky or itched after using locking gel for dreads. Instead, it should primarily be designed to condition or repair.
One should look for a gel-based product instead of was based formula as the latter leaves a significant pile-up on your scalp, making your hair unhealthy and look dirty.
Always go for locking gel infused with nourishing ingredients that contain natural oils such as Lavender oil, vegetable glycerin, olive oil, etc. the oils have a powerful ability that favors your scalp health.
Always check the specifications of the locking gel to get information about the ingredients uses and effects.
Lion Locs Firm Hold Hair Locking gel for Dreadlock stands out as a winner if one has to choose the best locking gel with a blend of all-natural and vegan compositions.
The branded product is infused with glycerin, aloe vera, lavender oil, argan oil, and ylang-ylang oil. These elements strengthen and moisturize your hair and increase sebum production.
3. Strengthening or Firm Hold
The most crucial aspect you should consider while buying an effective locking gel for dreadlocks is the product’s stronghold properties. The gel’s performance is rated based on how strong of a hold they provide.
Buy a product that provides extra and firm strength to all hairstyles. This feature prevents unwanted smudging, stranding, and tangling of your hairstyle even while you sleep. Moreover, better stability allows the locs to be twisted for longer.
If you need a good locking gel with excellent holding power, check reviews of African Pride Black Castor Miracle Extra Hold Braid loc gel.
the unique product offers extra hold without flaking on your dreadlocks while preserving your edges and preventing any flyaways
The Lion Locs Firm Hold Hair Locking Dreadlock Gel Cream takes the runner-up position.
This locking gel also provides a solid hold to your dreads while preventing any residue build-up
4. Know your brand
Buying a branded hair care product is always considered safe. A Haircare product’s authenticity can be judged by reading customer reviews and estimating the seller’s rank.
It is always advisable to buy high-quality products. Products from renowned brands are made with extreme care and precision and customer-centric services and policies.
Many brands like The Jamaican Mango & Lime offer a 100% refund guarantee in case of dissatisfaction.
This type of endorsement increases the customer’s faith in a brand
5. Moisturization
Best performing locking gels are created with nourishing, hydrating, and moisturizing benefits. Using natural substances instead of harmful ingredients may prove hazardous. The use of chemical or wax-based products over a long time can cause damage over time.
It’s always good to use a locking gel filled with natural elements like shea butter, almond oil, coconut oil, and aloe vera to nurture your hair and scalp.
Cantu Moisturizing Twist & Lock Gel is one such product that gives you a healthy scalp as it incorporates all goodness of shea butter and other moisturizing oils. It even promotes hair growth.
6. Flaking
Wax-based and heavy cream-based dreadlock products leave a massive build-up on your scalp. The most effective property of gel-based products is that they don’t flake or leave residue behind. Moreover, they are easy to wash out.
Hence shop for build-up-free products made especially for locs.
Your best bet under this category would be Jamaican Mango & Lime, followed by Taliah Waajid Black Earth Tight Hold locs gel.
7. Budget Or Price Range
Last but not least, the cost of the product is a crucial decision-maker in all types of buying decisions. However, the fact is that not all high-priced products will score well on quality, performance, functionality, or durability.
Quality products may be manufactured at a low cost. A first-time buyer should buy locking gel products in small quantities. This will save them money and time to test the product’s efficacy.
Jamaican Mango & Lime and Cantu Moisturizing Twist & Lock Gel comes in a budget-friendly price and volume range.
Comparison of Top 5 Locking Gels for Dreads
| Locking gel | Hair type | Fragrance | Main ingredients | Residue or build-up | Hold |
| Jamaican mango and lime | All but best for damaged hair | Pleasant | mango butter & manuka honey | No | Good |
| Lion Locs | All types of hair, especially straight and natural curly hairs | Fresh (naturally derived) | Organic and 100% vegan (glycerin, aloe vera, lavender and argan oil) | No | Very strong |
| Taliah Waajid | Colored | Rosemary aroma | Rosemary and Nettle | No | Medium |
| African Pride | Oily, Dry, Normal | pleasant scent | combination of black castor oil and coconut oil | Minimal | Very strong |
| Cantu Moisturizing | Frizz | Smells amazing | Shea butter with coconut extract, coconut oil, and almond oil | Minimal | Good |
Final Words:
Among many style statements, wearing an eye-catching hairstyle is predominant. Dreadlocks styling gives a complete individualistic look to your personality. We all need the best products to get the right and perfect locs.
So, to help you all out there searching for the best locking gel for dreadlocks on the market, this article may be a game-changer. We have duly researched and read hundreds of user reviews placed on multiple platforms before drafting the top five products.
These listed locking gel products have all the essential features needed to get a shiny good-looking hairstyle and that too- without burning a hole in your pocket.
