Whenever you shower, do you notice that it takes some time for the water to saturate your hair? Or your hair takes a long time to dry? Chances are you have low porosity hair. Don’t raise your eyebrows yet! If you are new to this hair porosity scene, don’t worry, I got you. What is hair porosity? What does low porosity hair mean? I know these questions are running in your mind. I have all the answers to your questions.

Hair porosity is the ability of your hair to absorb water. If you have low porosity hair, it means that the cuticles of your hair are tightly packed together. This makes it difficult for water or for other hair care products to penetrate your hair strands. But don’t fret. Having low porosity hair does not mean that your hair is damaged. Sure it may feel dry but with some effort and we can get moisture in your hair.

Wondering what low porosity hair is?

If you’re wondering what low porosity hair is, it’s simply hair that doesn’t absorb moisture well. This can be due to a number of factors, including a tight cuticle, high protein content, or low levels of melanin. Because of this, low porosity hair may appear dry, brittle, or frizzy. It can be difficult to style and may not hold color well. If you have low porosity hair, you’ll need to take extra care to keep it hydrated and healthy.

How to tell if you have low porosity hair? 

There is a very simple way to know if you have low porosity hair. Get a clear glass and fill it with water. Put a few strands of hair in the water. If your hair floats, it means you have low porosity hair. Water cannot get in hence your hair staying afloat. 

Since water or hair care products are not absorbed by the hair strands, they only sit on the hair. The tightly packed cuticles can only absorb a small number of products. This can make your hair feel heavy and oily.

Haircare for low porosity hair

Clarify

Because hair care products sit only on the surface of the hair strands, low porosity hair is prone to gunk and product build-up. That is why clarifying and cleansing your hair is important. Choose a shampoo or clarifying product that contains honey and glycerin to help in penetrating your hair cuticles.

Moisturize

Even though we have said so many times that low porosity hair does not absorb much product, we still recommend moisturizing your hair. Find a moisturizer with emollients like avocado, aloe, jojoba and shea butter. These hair-softening ingredients coat the strands to seal in water and moisture in the hair.

Use light oils (water-based products)

Since low porosity hair has tightly packed cuticles, water-based products tend to get absorbed easier. Oils have a thick consistency that prevents them from getting absorbed by the hair strands. This can lead to product build-up on the hair and scalp making it feel heavy.

Deep conditioning with heat (but not with heat tools)

When you do your deep conditioner, you might want to add heat from the steamer or heat cap. This will open the hair cuticles making the absorption of the product more effective.

Use humectants

Use hair care products that contain humectants. Humectants are commonly found in hair care products for their ability to preserve and retain moisture.

Products to use

Shampoo & Conditioner

Briogeo Be Gentle, Be Kind Banana + Coconut Nourishing Superfood Shampoo A quick-rinse shampoo for gentle but effective cleansing of the hair and scalp. It has a liquid formulation that easily flows in between hair strands to the scalp. The Micellar Technology attracts and lifts away heavy product build-up without stripping away the hair’s natural oil. It contains aloe that seals in moisture to the strands. Buy On Amazon

This is a one-of-a-kind hair cleanser. It has a liquid formula instead of the usual thick consistency of regular shampoo. This makes cleansing fast and effective. Although it does not lather on the hair much, it will still give a squeaky clean feel after your shower.

Design Essentials Almond & Papaya Moisturizing and Detangling Conditioner Nourish and hydrate your hair with almond, avocado oil and shea butter. Deliver intense moisture to your hair while improving your hair’s health inside-out.  Buy On Amazon

This conditioner contains enough emollients – almond, avocado oil and shea butter – to make soften and moisturize your hair.  Plus this is an effective hair conditioner for detangling your curls.  

Oribe Shampoo for Moisture & Control Revitalize and repair dry and damaged cuticles with this ultra-hydrating conditioner. This shampoo has a revolutionary bio-restorative complex that softens and smoothens every cuticle to undo hair damage from styling. Good for curly,coily and thick hair. Buy On Amazon

Orbie moisture control shampoo helps curly, coily and thick hair to get instant moisture gratification and even a bit of devolumisation leaving it smooth, sleek and completely under control.

Leave-in Conditioner

Mizani 25 Miracle Milk Leave-in Conditioner Packed with the nourishing blend of Fennel oil and Coconut oil, this leave-in conditioner gives 25 benefits. Heat protection, detangling, damage repair, frizz control, anti-dryness and the list goes on. Coconut oil moisturizes and softens dry hair and Fennel oil strengthens the hair preventing breakage.  Buy On Amazon

For all your hair concerns, trust Mizani 25 Miracle Milk Leave-in Conditioner to solve it for you. This leave-in conditioner works by penetrating your hair follicle so you are just one spritz away from moisturized and shiny hair.

Aveda Cherry Almond Softening Leave-in Conditioner 12 benefits in one bottle for you. It contains a blend of cherry blossom extract, sweet almond oil and moringa oil that makes the hair soft and touchable. Buy On Amazon

No joke but this leave-in conditioner will make your hair smell like a botanical garden. After a shower, on my damp hair, I apply this leave-in conditioner and my hair smells like flowers the whole day.

Aunt Jackie’s Quench Leave-in Conditioner Quench your thirsty hair with this mega-moisturizing and conditioning treatment. Enriched with shea butter, virgin olive oil, and marshmallow root that moisturize the hair without the oily and sticky feel. Buy On Amazon

Planning to go under the sun for hours? Your curls are most likely to get fried and dried. Prep and protect your curls with this mega-moisturizing leave-in conditioner and look your best while enjoying the outdoors.  

Deep Conditioner & Treatments

Carol’s Daughter Almond Milk Daily Damage Repair Ultra-Nourishing Hair Mask Reverse and repair heavily damaged hair from too much styling and over-processed hair with this ultra-nourishing hair mask. It contains almond oil, aloe butter, shea oil, coconut oil, shea butter and sweet almond protein that deeply nourishes the hair and protects it from damage. Buy On Amazon

Having low porosity hair does not mean that your hair is heavily damaged. But the emollients on this hair mask are beneficial in making moisture stay in your tresses.

Ouidad Curl Immersion Triple Treat Deep Conditioner Banish hair dryness and enhance your natural curls. It contains coconut oil and avocado oil that infuses moisture to the hair without weighing it down. The grapeseed oil seals in the infused moisture to keep the hair hydrated. Buy On Amazon

This deep conditioner gives the perfect combo for your low porosity hair. First, infuse moisture on your strands. Then seals down the moisture so your hair stays hydrated.  

Oil & Styling Product

Curl Definer: Ouidad Curl Shaper Take Shape Plumping + Defining Cream A lightweight cream that builds the curl’s body and definition from the inside. Get plump and defined natural curls that last the whole day while giving you soft and bouncy hair. Buy On Amazon

Help your curls be their best shape with this defining cream. And you don’t need to worry about product build-up. This product is so lightweight that you wouldn’t even feel it in your hair.

Camille Rose Curl Love Moisture Milk Thick, nourishing rice milk blended with avocado oil, macadamia oil and castor oil that moisturizes and conditioner the hair. It gives the hair long-lasting shine and smoothness. Buy On Amazon

You can use this product in 2 ways: as a leave-in conditioner after showering for all-day moisture or as an instant refresher for dry and frizzy hair. This product has a thick formulation so a small amount can go a long way. 

Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil Promote the health of your natural hair with this hair strengthening oil. It has a nutrient-intensive rich formula infused with Biotin to nourish and strengthen the hair. It nourishes the hair follicles that helps in the growth of healthier and stronger hair. Buy On Amazon

This is my go-to hair oil when I want to give my scalp a good massage. I love how this product works to benefit not only my hair as low porosity but as curly hair in general.

Kreyol Essence Haitian Black Castor Oil  A multi-function oil made from 100% pure Haitian Black Castor Oil. It can be used to promote hair growth, thicken eyebrows and eyelashes, seal in moisture to the hair and skin moisturizer. All the benefits are in one small bottle. Buy On Amazon

This is one versatile product in a small bottle. Not only does it benefit your low porosity hair by sealing in moisture, but you can also use this on your other facial hair and as a skin moisturizer. Speaking of value for your money!