Do your locs ever feel dry, frizzy, or just not quite “right” after a retwist? You spend time and care on your locs, but the final look often depends on what you use to hold those new roots in place. Choosing the perfect product to retwist your locs can feel like a confusing maze. Should you use gel, wax, or something else entirely? Many people end up with crunchy locs, buildup, or products that just don’t last, leading to frustration and wasted money.
This guide cuts through the confusion. We are diving deep into the best products for locking in those fresh retwists. You will learn exactly what ingredients to look for, how different products affect your hair type, and how to achieve a neat, long-lasting retwist every single time. Get ready to say goodbye to guesswork and hello to beautiful, healthy locs!
Top Product To Retwist Locs Recommendations
- Loc Retwist - Our Loc Butters hold loc retwists, twists and braids with no build up or residue
- All Natural & Made In The USA: Made with natural plant extracts and oils
- No Loc Build Up or Residue: Guaranteed! Used in Salons and Homes
- Healthy Locs: Our loc retwist butters moisturize and strengthens hair
- Black Owned Loc Company + Womand and Family Owned
- Loc Retwist Loc Butter & Dreadlocks Wax - No Build Up
- All Natural & Made In The USA: Our loc moisturizers are made in small batches in the USA using quality oils, herbs and extracts from across the Caribbean.
- No Loc Build Up or Residue: Guaranteed! Our loc oils are made specifically for dreadlocks and are used in homes and salons across the world. With over 20 years experience, we can stand behind our products 100%.
- Long Lasting Loc Retwists : A soft all natural butter that holds retwist in place while continuing to moisturize and condition rrough, dry locs.
- Moisturizing & Conditioning : An excellent moisturizer for dreadlocks. Apply to damp hair for softness, conditioning and shine.
- Firm Hold for Locs, Twists & Braids: Provides strong, long-lasting control for starting and maintaining locs, twists, braids, and protective styles without flaking or buildup.
- Moisturizes & Strengthens Hair: Enriched with Moringa Oil, Manuka Honey, and Aloe Vera to nourish resistant textures, soften strands, and promote healthy, resilient hair.
- Soothes & Hydrates Scalp: Lightweight formula calms dryness, reduces itchiness, and keeps roots moisturized for a comfortable, refreshed scalp.
- Frizz Control & Smooth Shine: Smooths flyaways and frizz while adding natural shine, leaving locs, twists, and braids looking polished, neat, and vibrant.
- Easy Styling & Retwisting: Ideal for palm rolling, twisting, or retwisting new growth; sits under dryer for enhanced hold, making protective style maintenance simple.
- NO BUILD UP Loc Butter For Loc Retwists
- All Natural & Made In The USA: Our loc moisturizers are made in small batches in the USA using quality oils, herbs and extracts from across the Caribbean.
- No Loc Build Up or Residue: Guaranteed! Our loc oils are made specifically for dreadlocks and are used in homes and salons across the world. With over 20 years experience, we can stand behind our products 100%.
- Long Lasting Loc Retwists : A soft all natural butter that holds retwist in place while continuing to moisturize and condition rough, dry locs.
- Moisturizing & Conditioning : An excellent moisturizer for dreadlocks. Apply to damp hair for softness, conditioning and shine.
- Super Strong Hold: Our #1 selling retwist gel offers a long-lasting hold perfect for retwisting locs or laying edges
- Works on All Hair Textures: Suitable for all hair types, delivering a durable hold without flaking or residue
- Perfect for Retwisting and Edges: Ideal for securing a sleek, firm hold during retwists and keeping edges laid
- Lightweight and Non-Sticky: Provides a strong hold without feeling heavy or sticky, dries clear with no residue
- Best for Damp or Dry Hair: Works effectively on both damp or dry hair for a flexible, reliable retwist
- 🍎Strict Quality Control: Sturdiness, strong, smooth, tight, hold well and does NOT snag hair when sliding clips in or out, easy to use, No dents!
- 🍋Small Size: 4.6cm double prong metal hair clips can fit more in the small space when do root-clip or other hair styling.
- 🍐Really A Steal Deal：Lots of silver clips in a package so you can divide between home, gym bag, and travel bag, no worries about missing.
- 🍧Widely Use: Styling hair; making bows; retwisting dreadlock styles; twists into locs; for rollers; clip curls while hair dries; lift roots; get a 1920's style hairdo/retro glam/retro pin-up looks; as fabric clips make sewing pattern markers/sewing pleats.
- 🍇Velvet Bag to Store: 60pcs double prong clips (4.6cm/ 1.81")+ 5 large styling clips (8.9cm/ 3.50") and a velvet drawstring bag to store (4.72" × 5.90").
- 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.
- All Day Versatility & Extreme Hold: Whether used as an all day braid gel, loc gel for retwist no build up extra hold, or a twist gel for locking, this product adapts to your needs. Its formulation ensures a secure, neat braid finish that works wonders for loc n braid and neatbraid applications, ensuring confidence all day long.
- Supreme Hold for Locs & Twists – Ideal for microlocks, interlocks, dreadlocks, faux locs, and twists, keeps locs tight and smooth, offers long-wear structure without stiffness or flaking.
- Moisturizing Support for Dry or Brittle Hair – Works wonders on natural, relaxed, dry, dull, or brittle hair, adding shine and softness with every application.
- Multi-Texture Friendly – Works across curl patterns and porosity types, giving clean retwists, smooth separation, and defined hold for all-day wear.
- Powered by Nourishing Botanicals – Shea butter restores moisture, biotin promotes growth and strength, and castor oil penetrates to deeply condition.
- Made for Healthy Styling & Protective Maintenance – Perfect for loc journeys, wig prep, and routine retwists—gentle on hair, strong on results.
Your Guide to Choosing the Best Product to Retwist Locs
Keeping your locs neat and tidy is important. Retwisting is how you maintain your roots. Choosing the right product makes this process easy and healthy for your hair. This guide helps you pick the perfect retwisting aid.
Key Features to Look For
Hold Level
The hold level tells you how strongly the product keeps the new growth twisted in place. Some people need a very strong hold, especially if their hair is fine or they live in humid weather. Others prefer a light hold that feels less stiff.
- Strong Hold: Best for beginners or very curly new growth. Keeps twists tight longer.
- Medium Hold: A good balance for most users. Offers control without stiffness.
- Light Hold: Great for looser textures or styles that need more movement.
Moisture Content
Your scalp and locs need moisture. A good retwisting product should add some hydration, not dry your hair out. Look for ingredients that keep your hair feeling soft.
Residue and Flaking
Nobody wants white flakes in their locs! Check reviews to see if the product dries clear or leaves behind a crusty residue. A clean finish is always better.
Important Materials in Retwisting Products
The ingredients list tells the real story about what the product does. You want good things for your hair.
Helpful Ingredients
- Natural Oils (like Jojoba or Coconut Oil): These moisturize and add shine.
- Aloe Vera: This soothes the scalp and provides light hold.
- Glycerin: This draws moisture from the air to keep the hair hydrated.
Ingredients to Use Sparingly
Some products use heavy ingredients that can build up quickly. This buildup can clog your locs and lead to a musty smell or breakage. Be careful with heavy waxes or petrolatum if you wash your locs infrequently.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Quality
Factors That Improve Quality
High-quality products often use fewer harsh chemicals. They are formulated to work with the natural curl pattern. Products that rinse out easily are also considered high quality. Easy rinsing means less buildup over time.
Factors That Reduce Quality
Products that are too sticky or too dry reduce the quality of your retwist experience. If the product makes your hair brittle, it can lead to breakage when styling. Also, products that require excessive amounts to achieve a hold are usually lower quality.
User Experience and Use Cases
How the product feels when you use it matters a lot. Application should be smooth, not messy or overly difficult.
Ease of Application
Gels and creams apply differently. Creams are often easier to spread evenly across the new growth. Gels might offer a stronger hold but can sometimes clump if you are not careful when applying them.
Use Cases
- For Maintenance: If you retwist every 4-6 weeks, a medium-hold cream works well.
- For Starter Locs: Beginners often need a stronger gel or pomade to lock those tiny new roots in place firmly.
- For Professional Use: Stylists often look for products that dry quickly so they can move faster between clients.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Retwisting Products
Q: Can I use regular hair gel to retwist my locs?
A: You can, but it is not recommended. Regular gels often contain high amounts of alcohol or strong polymers that cause heavy, hard-to-remove buildup in locs.
Q: How often should I retwist my locs?
A: Most people retwist every four to six weeks. This depends on how fast your hair grows and the style you keep.
Q: Does the product choice affect how long my retwist lasts?
A: Yes, the hold strength directly affects longevity. A stronger product usually keeps the twist looking fresh longer, especially in humidity.
Q: What is “buildup” and why is it bad?
A: Buildup is leftover product mixed with dirt and oils stuck inside your loc. It makes locs look fuzzy, feel heavy, and can cause them to rot from the inside if not cleaned.
Q: Should I use a pomade or a gel?
A: Gels usually provide a clearer, firmer hold. Pomades are often thicker and offer moisture but might leave more residue. Choose based on your hold preference.
Q: Can I use these products on wet or dry hair?
A: Most products work best on damp or slightly moist hair. This helps the product spread evenly and allows the roots to lock in as they dry.
Q: Are organic products always better for retwisting?
A: Organic products often use better natural oils, which is great for moisture. However, “better” still depends on the specific hold you need for your hair texture.
Q: How much product should I apply?
A: Always start small! Apply a pea-sized amount to the new growth area first. You can always add more, but too much causes unnecessary buildup.
Q: Will using a retwisting product stop my locs from maturing?
A: No, the product only helps secure the new growth during the locking process. It does not stop the natural maturing of the locs.
Q: How do I choose the right color product?
A: If you have colored locs, choose a clear or very light-colored product. Dark products might stain your light-colored roots when you twist them.