Locs reward patience and consistency like no other style — but they have their own rules. Moisture has to travel further, buildup hides deeper, and what works for loose natural hair can backfire on locs. Here's the simple care rhythm that keeps locs clean, moisturized, and thriving at every stage.
1. Cleanse properly — buildup is the enemy
The biggest myth in loc care is that washing should be rare. Clean locs are healthy locs: sweat, product residue, and lint that settle into the coils can cause odor, itch, and dullness. The catch is that harsh shampoos leave residue of their own. A co-wash made for locs — like our ultra-hydrating Locks Co-Wash — cleanses without stripping, and rinses clean so nothing is left behind to build up. Wash on a consistent schedule (weekly to bi-weekly for most), and always dry locs fully to keep them fresh.
2. Moisturize daily — locs are thirsty
Because natural oils struggle to travel down a coiled, compressed strand, locs dry out faster than loose hair. Daily light moisture is the fix — not heavy creams, which cause buildup, but water-based spritzes. Our Lock Tonic Spray is a leave-in made for exactly this: a few sprays to the scalp and lengths keeps everything soft, fresh, and itch-free between washes.
3. Oil the scalp — growth starts at the root
An itchy, tight, dry scalp is the most common loc complaint, and scratching damages both skin and roots. After each wash (and a couple of times a week between), massage a restorative oil into the scalp and along the locs. Our Locks Oil softens, adds shine, soothes the scalp, and deeply conditions the locs themselves — a little goes a long way.
4. Protect at night
Cotton pillowcases pull moisture and lint into your locs while you sleep. A satin or silk scarf, bonnet, or pillowcase keeps moisture in and lint out — the cheapest upgrade in all of loc care.
A simple weekly rhythm
Wash day (weekly/bi-weekly): co-wash, dry thoroughly, oil the scalp.
Daily: a few sprays of tonic; retie your scarf at night.
2–3× a week: scalp massage with oil.
That's the whole system. No twenty-product shelf — just clean, moisturized, protected locs, consistently.
Want the complete kit? The SolEther Loc Care Set bundles the Co-Wash, Locks Oil, and Tonic Spray — the full rhythm above in one box. Or take our Hair Care Quiz for a personalized match.