It’s a new year, and one of the best things you can do for yourself is create, or improve, your loc care routine.
A solid loc care routine really only needs two essentials:
shampoo and conditioner, with a lightweight hydrator in between washes being optional, but highly recommended.
If there’s one thing that matters more than products when it comes to locs, it’s consistency.
Locs are low maintenance, but they're not no maintenance.
Whether you’re newly loc’d or years into your journey, this guide will help you build a sustainable loc hair care routine that prioritizes hydration, scalp health, and long-term care.
Common mistakes in a loc hair care routine
Let’s start with what not to do.
We recently surveyed people with locs and found that up to 70% struggle with dryness, itching, or thinning. In most cases, these issues are caused by one (or more) of the following common mistakes.
Underwashing
Locs should be shampooed and conditioned at least once per week.
A common myth is that weekly washing dries out locs. That only happens when you’re using harsh or non-hydrating products. When you use a hydrating shampoo and conditioner, regular washing is the single best thing you can do to hydrate your hair and support your scalp health.
If you can, use products formulated specifically for locs. If not, a regular shampoo and conditioner diluted with water can work well.
Make sure you rinse thoroughly so no product is left behind. When your scalp starts itching, it’s often a sign that it’s time for another wash.
Heavy oils, creams, and too many products
You only need shampoo and conditioner. (Yes, you need conditioner.)
Anything used between washes should be lightweight and water-based, and you really don’t need more than one additional product.
Thick oils and creams can sit on the scalp and inside the loc, trapping residue and dirt that’s difficult to remove. Locs do best with lightweight, water-based products that absorb easily. We recommend our Elixir Loc Spray for hydration in-between washes.
Side note: if you have locs and a table full of hair products, something is wrong.
Oiling the scalp for hydration
Oil cannot hydrate your hair. It contains no water.
If you’ve been using oil to treat dryness, you may actually be making the problem worse. Oil can block moisture from reaching the scalp, attract dirt, and clog follicles over time, which can contribute to thinning.
For hydration, you need a water-based product with ingredients that allow moisture to penetrate the hair, bind to it, and slow evaporation.
Using water alone between washes
Spraying hair with plain water isn’t enough, neither is rosewater.
Water alone evaporates quickly. Washing helps because it fully submerges the hair in water, and conditioner helps seal that hydration in. But between washes, water needs to be accompanied by ingredients that help deliver it deeper into the hair, bind it to the hair, and reduce evaporation. That's how you get long-lasting hydration.
Sleeping without protection
Sleeping with your locs uncovered is one of the most overlooked causes of dryness, breakage, and thinning.
Cotton pillowcases and sheets absorb moisture from the hair, create friction along the loc shaft, and roughen the cuticle over time.
When this happens night after night, even the best products and routines can’t fully compensate.
Protecting your hair while you sleep helps preserve moisture you’ve already added, reduce friction and tension at the roots, and support healthier, stronger locs over time
Sleeping with a satin or silk bonnet, scarf, or pillowcase creates a smoother surface that helps your hair retain hydration instead of losing it overnight.
If your locs feel dry or rough in the morning despite a good routine, nighttime protection is often the missing piece.
Why consistency matters more than products
One of the biggest mistakes in loc care is constantly switching products or only using products when your hair is in crisis mode.
Locs respond best to steady, predictable care. Your scalp needs time to balance itself, and your hair needs regular hydration rather than occasional over-treatment.
A consistent loc hair care routine helps:
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Maintain moisture levels
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Reduce scalp irritation and buildup
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Support stronger, healthier locs over time
Now that that's out the way, let's create your new loc care routine.
A sustainable and highly effective loc hair care routine doesn’t require dozens of steps.
At its core, it looks like this:
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A hydrating shampoo formulated for locs, or a regular shampoo diluted with water
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A hydrating conditioner formulated for locs, or conditioner diluted with water
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An optional lightweight hydrator between washes, like our Elixir Loc Spray
This year, instead of chasing quick fixes, focus on habits that last. Loc care is a long game, and consistency is what makes the difference.
Our 6-Month Elixir Supply is a great option if you’re ready to take your hair care seriously and remove the guesswork from staying consistent.
Healthy locs aren’t built overnight. They’re built through daily care, thoughtful choices, and routines you can return to again and again.
If you’re committed to supporting your crown this year, all you need to do is combine these simple, proven methods with consistency.
