I started my hair care journey with the aim of just getting my curls back in shape. After some research and readings, I found out many wonderful things about curly hair. I learned about my curl type, how to take care of them and what hair care products work best for me. My latest discovery is my hair porosity. Hair porosity is the ability of the hair to retain moisture. Our hair strands are made up of layers called cuticles that seal in moisture. So what does our hair porosity say about our hair? Hair porosity has three types: low, normal and high porosity. Low porosity means that cuticles are closed together while high porosity means that cuticles are more open and widely spaced. Normal porosity has cuticles that are spaced normally. 

Characteristics of high porosity hair

If you have high porosity hair, it means that your hair strands cannot hold moisture well. Imagine a sponge that cannot hold water, this is exactly your high porosity hair. Your hair has the tendency to be more prone to frizz and dryness due to lacking moisture. How will you know if you have high porosity hair? You can do the porosity test. In a clear glass of water, put a few strands of your hair. If your hair floats, it means that water cannot penetrate your hair strands and you have low porosity hair. If your hair sinks at the bottom of the glass, it means that the cuticles of your hair are widely spaced allowing water to seep in easily. Then you have high porosity hair. 

The Best Routine for your High Porosity Hair

As needed (LOC Method)

Hydrate your hair using a liquid a.k.a. water, seal in moisture with oil and finally, prevent the loss of moisture with cream. 

Pre for wash day (Pre-poo)

Pre-poo means applying hair care products to your hair before the actual shampooing. Because shampooing can strip off the hair’s natural oil, pre-poo can help in retaining the natural oil by creating a protective layer in our hair strands.

Wash day (weekly)

Giving your hair a good wash with shampoo once a week will keep your hair cleansed without drying. Couple it with a good deep conditioner to replenish moisture in your hair.

Monthly (Protein treatment)

Doing rice treatment or protein treatment once a month can help in replenishing the hair’s natural protein. This can improve the hair’s elasticity and strength.

7 Tips on How to Care for High Porosity Hair

Have a go-to conditioner

Get yourself a trusted hair conditioner that can lock in moisture or supply your hair with much need protein. Moisture and protein in the hair can help in making the hair strand stronger and less prone to frizz.

Deep condition regularly

Once a week, treat your hair with good deep conditioning. This hair treatment is a good way to hydrate and moisturize your hair strands on a deeper level. It is like a salon treatment but in the comfort of your own home.

Find a good leave-in conditioner

Having high porosity hair means that you are prone to frizz and dryness. Combat frizz and dryness anytime with a trusted leave-on conditioner. 

Be sure to use heavier products to compensate for what you are missing

If you have high porosity hair, you might be missing much-needed moisture and protein in your hair. Heavy products like castor oil and avocado oil can act as a protective layer that prevents the loss of moisture in your strands.

Seal with the right butter and oil

The right kind of butter and oil can help in sealing the hair’s moisture. Shea butter,  avocado oil and olive oil are effective heavy oils and butter that works best for high porosity hair.

Avoid too harsh treatments and hot tools

High porosity hair does not hold too much moisture. Using harsh treatments and even hot tools can suck out moisture and further the dryness and damage of the hair.

Protein treatment

Protein treatment can fill in the spaces between the hair cuticles. This can make the hair stronger and improve its elasticity. Because there is such thing as “too much protein” in the hair, so once a month protein treatment will suffice.

Products

Shampoo and Conditioner

Malin + Goetz Gentle Hydrating Shampoo Cleanse and clarify your hair and scalp without dryness. Contains amino acid cleanses and peppermint extract that clarifies the hair and scalp. Effective in removing product build-up without stripping off the hair’s natural oil. Buy On Amazon

Once a week, give yourself a reset wash without drying your hair. And this product will do the trick. It removes oil, dirt and product build-up but not your natural hair oil. The best part is the peppermint scent that awakens the sense while in the shower.

As I Am Coconut Co-wash Cleansing Conditioner A hair cleanser and detangler in one. A hydrating conditioning cream that removes dirt and oil in the hair and scalp. This cream conditioner makes detangling easy plus the tangerine scent makes for a refreshing shower. Buy On Amazon

Don’t be confused. This is a cleanser and a conditioner in one. It has the cleansing properties of regular shampoo and the moisturizing properties of a conditioner. This is a good alternative for your regular shampoo if you are into co-washing.

Shea Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner Jamaican Black Castor Oil Certified organic shampoo and conditioner that invigorates hair and scalp to make hair stronger and promote hair growth. Made with shea butter, apple cider vinegar and peppermint to combat hair damage due to chemical and heat treatment. Buy On Amazon

This is the duo that I trust the most. The two products that I swear by when it comes to making my curls healthier and stronger. If your hair has become dry and damaged from chemical and heat treatment, these products will save your curls.

Leave-in Conditioner and Detanglers

Curlsmith Curl Conditioning Oil-in-Cream Bring back life to your dry and porous hair with this intense leave-in conditioner. The buttery consistency infuses curls with nourishing goodness without weighing them down. Certified vegan and made with zero harsh chemicals. Buy On Amazon

This is a multi-function product for curly and coily hair. It can be a detangler, a styler or cream for twists and braids. This is my go-to product to enhance my natural curls when I want to flaunt them. This may feel thick but a little goes a long way so don’t get carried away.

Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector  Salon-like treatment at the comfort of your own home. It works at a molecular level to repair, protect and strengthen the hair strands. It repairs damaged hair, strengthens hair structure and protects from breakage.  Buy On Amazon

If you want a trusted hair care product backed by science, Olaplex is what you need. They walk the talk and deliver their promise of healthy hair. This brand is one of the highest-rated brands in Amazon so need we say more?

Briogeo Farewell Frizz Rosarco Milk Leave-in Conditioning Spray Anti-frizz and detangling hair spray made from a combination of Rosehip oil, Argan oil and Coconut oil. Safe for colour and chemical-treated hair and promotes hair’s natural shine and bounce. Buy On Amazon

For instant smooth and frizz-free shampoo, use this leave-in conditioning spray. If you are always on the go and love the outdoors, this should be a staple in your hair care pouch.

Kinky-Curly Knot Today Leave-in Detangler A creamy herbal hair detangler that smoothens hair cuticle to remove knots and tangles. This effective detangler is enriched with botanical extracts that loosen curls and detangle thick curls. Buy On Amazon

Detangling is such a chore especially for those with thick curls. Not anymore with this leave-in detangler. This is also an effective product for removing hair extensions and braids. 

Deep Conditioner and Treatments

Amika Soulfood Nourishing Hair Mask Quench your hair’s thirst for moisture and hydration with this luxuriously thick hair mask. It deeply conditions and hydrates the hair for long-lasting softness, shine and manageability. It contains Jojoba Seed oil that fills in the gap of the hair cuticles for stronger and smoother hair strands. Buy On Amazon

Give your hair a luxurious treatment with this nourishing hair mask. A once-a-week treatment using this hair mask will do wonders for your dry and frizzy hair.

Aphogee Two-Step Treatment Protein for Damaged Hair A protein treatment that works to rebuild hair structure and prevents hair breakage after 6 weeks of use. Ideal for permed and chemical-treated hair. Buy On Amazon

Warning! You might need help from a professional when using this product. If properly used, this product will repair and strengthen your hair strands. Chemical treatments like relax, perm and hair colour can strip our hair’s protein. Use this product to replenish your hair’s lost protein.

Carol’s Daughter Hair Milk Curl Defining Butter A multi-benefit curl defining butter that prevents frizz softens the hair and defines the curls. Enriched with Agave Nectar, Avocado oil, honey and rich oils to keep the hair hydrated and keep the curls defined for up to 24 hours. Buy On Amazon

Hair butter is one effective product for high porosity hair. The consistency of hair butter acts as a sealer to hair strands that keeps hair from losing moisture. And this hair butter does all that and so much more! 

Design Essentials Natural Almond & Avocado Wash Day Deep Moisture Masque Lock in intense moisture for stronger hair with the nourishing properties of avocado and almond infused in this deep moisturizing masque. It contains sunflower oil for soft and shiny and moisturized hair.  Buy On Amazon

Another once-a-week product that delivers intense moisture and protection from dryness to the hair. Detangle your hair during the shower with this moisture masque. After your regular shampoo, massage this product to the hair. Comb through to remove tangles and leave in for 15 minutes for major hair softness!

Oil & Styling Product

Carol’s Daughter Goddess Strength Scalp and Hair Oil Strengthen the hair as it grows with this 7 oil blend hair and scalp oil. Blended with Castor oil and Balck Seed oil that protects hair from breakage and split ends. Seal in moisture on every hair strand for stronger and healthy-looking hair.  Buy On Amazon

Growing your hair length is not easy for high porosity hair. Being prone to dryness and frizz, hair tends to develop split ends as it gets longer. Not if you use this hair oil. This hair oil seals in hair’s moisture and protect it from split ends and hair breakage. Now you can grow your hair longer and stronger.   

Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Scalp and Hair Strengthening Oil Infused with Biotin that nourishes the hair and prevents dry scalp. The combination of Biotin, rosemary and mint aids in length retention and nourishment of hair follicles. It can be used as a scalp massage oil or pre-poo treatment. Buy On Amazon

Healthy hair comes from healthy scalp and hair follicles. This hair oil targets dry scalp and nourishes hair follicles for stronger hair. So if you are planning to grow your hair longer, start with a healthy scalp.

Aussie Miracle Total Restoring Oil Lock-in hydration and repair damaged hair with the mixture of Apricot and Australian Macadamia Oil. Restore your hair’s shine by sealing in the hair cuticles while keeping the curls more defined.  Buy On Amazon

Hair oil is every high porosity hair’s best friend. This hair oil coats every hair strand and seals in moisture without weighing down the hair. Plus it has a grapefruit and sweet berry smell that makes for fun styling.