New Dreadlock Aftercare
New Dreadlock Aftercare
New to dreadlocks?
Proper aftercare is essential during the first weeks of your dreadlock journey.
Read our full Dreadlock Aftercare Guide to learn when to wash, how to dry, how often to wax, and how to prevent dread rot.
Dread Love
Dread Love African Black Soap Shampoo Bar | Clarifying | For Locs & Natural Hair
Dread Love African Black Soap Shampoo Bar | Clarifying | For Locs & Natural Hair
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Our most popular shampoo bar. There's a reason.
Deep Clarifying. Traditional Ingredients. Loctician-Formulated.
African Black Soap has been used for centuries as one of the most effective natural cleansers in the world. When I started formulating shampoo bars for my studio clients, this was the one that kept getting requested again and again.
Now it's our bestseller.
Dread Love African Black Soap Shampoo Bar is a deep clarifying shampoo bar built for locs and natural hair. It removes buildup, excess oils, and impurities thoroughly — without disrupting your scalp's natural moisture balance.
Traditional ingredients. Modern formulation. Zero residue.
Handmade in Canada, in small batches. When it's gone, it's gone.
Why African Black Soap Works
African Black Soap is made with traditional ingredients — plantain skin ash, cocoa pod ash, and palm kernel oil — that have been used for centuries to gently but thoroughly cleanse skin and hair.
Unlike sulfate-based shampoos that strip everything, African Black Soap lifts buildup and excess oil while preserving the natural moisture your scalp needs to stay comfortable and balanced.
- Deep clarifying cleanse — removes buildup, residue, and excess oil
- Preserves natural scalp moisture balance
- Residue-free — nothing left behind on your locs
- Gentle enough for regular use, powerful enough for a deep cleanse
- 100% vegan — traditional ingredients, no synthetic strippers
Key Ingredients
- African Black Soap – The foundation. Centuries-old traditional cleanser known for gentle yet thorough deep cleansing
- Plantain Skin Ash – Traditional clarifying ingredient that lifts buildup without harshness
- Cocoa Pod Ash – Traditional clarifying ingredient that works alongside plantain ash for a thorough cleanse
- Palm Kernel Oil – Cleanses effectively while helping maintain moisture
- Shea Butter – Moisturizing and conditioning — keeps the cleanse from feeling stripping
How To Use
Wet hair and scalp thoroughly. Rub the bar directly on your scalp in circular motions to create lather, or lather in your hands first. Massage gently to cleanse and remove buildup. Rinse thoroughly.
Pro tip: Let the bar dry completely between uses on a soap dish. Kept dry, one bar lasts significantly longer than a bottle of liquid shampoo.
Follow with Dread Love Scalp Oil to restore moisture after cleansing.
Who It's For
- Locs needing a deep, thorough cleanse
- Scalps with buildup, excess oil, or residue from other products
- All hair types — especially those who prefer traditional, natural ingredients
- Periodic clarifying use or as a regular wash day bar
- Anyone switching to a cleaner, low-waste alternative to liquid shampoo
The Dread Love Difference
Created by a professional loctician with over two decades of hands-on experience.
Handmade in Canada. Vegan and made with traditional ingredients. Small batch — when it's gone, it's gone.
No residue. No buildup. No compromise.
Complete your routine with Dread Love Scalp Oil and our vegan nourishing lip balm — made with the same care and standards.
Available for shipping across Canada and local pickup in Toronto.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is African Black Soap good for locs?
African Black Soap uses traditional ingredients like plantain skin ash and cocoa pod ash that have been used for centuries to gently but thoroughly cleanse. It lifts buildup and excess oil without the harshness of sulfates — making it ideal for locs that need a real deep cleanse.
Is this your most popular shampoo bar?
Yes — it's our bestseller. Clients who try it keep coming back for it. The deep clarifying cleanse without the stripping feeling is what sets it apart.
Is it vegan?
Yes — 100% vegan. Traditional ingredients, no animal-derived additives.
Can I use this as my regular shampoo bar?
Yes. It works beautifully as a regular wash day bar, or you can rotate it with a gentler bar for a lighter cleanse between deep washes.
Will it leave residue on my locs?
No. This formula is specifically designed to rinse clean without leaving buildup on locs or natural hair.
How long does one bar last?
A long time — much longer than a bottle of liquid shampoo. Keep it dry between uses on a soap dish and it will last for many washes.
Is it handmade in Canada?
Yes — every bar is handmade in Canada in small batches by a professional loctician with 20+ years of experience.
Perfect for dreads and face! I love it!
The shampoo bar itself is great! I was just a bit disappointed that it was much smaller than it seemed in the image and it did not have the imprint of the mermaid on it. Nonetheless its the first natural shampoo that doesn’t cause eczema on my scalp. I will buy it again!!
Thank you so much for your thoughtful review and for supporting my small business! I’m especially happy to hear that the shampoo bar has been helpful with your eczema and that you’ve found a natural shampoo that works well for your scalp. That really means a lot to me!
Regarding the mermaid imprint, I actually have one special mold that creates the 3D mermaid design. Because it would take considerably longer to produce the bars individually using that one mold, I primarily use it for display and product photography rather than for regular orders. However, I’d be absolutely happy to make one specially for you with the mermaid design on your next order and include it as a complimentary gift! 🧜♀️
When you place your next order, just leave me a note reminding me that I promised you a custom mermaid bar, and I’ll take care of it!
As for the sizing, since each bar is handmade and cut individually, there can occasionally be some variation in size. I understand how that can be disappointing when the product looks larger in the photos. I’m going to issue you a partial refund as a gesture of goodwill, and I hope that helps make up for the difference. You should receive and email indicating the partial refund to your original payment method.
Thank you again for your support and for giving my shampoo bars a try. I’m so happy to hear they’ve been a good fit for your scalp, and I look forward to making your special mermaid bar next time! 💙
Very happy with how this soap bar works in my dreads. Really gets my scalp clean and keeps my scalp feeling clean longer than other products. Dreads feel software after using this but without any residue. I do wish the soap had more of a scent but I can’t really complain about that.
Love the shampoo bars! Great product! Cleans my dreads and rinses well. Perfect for travel!
Really amazing shampoo bars, they leave my dreads clean and my scalp doesn’t itch anymore.
Really amazing shampoo bars, they leave my dreads clean and my scalp doesn’t itch anymore.
Love the shampoo bars! Great product! Cleans my dreads and rinses well. Perfect for travel!
