Hair Porosity Decoded: 

The Key to Choosing the Right Products

Ever wonder why your favorite product works for someone else but not you? The answer might be porosity. Hair porosity refers to how well your hair absorbs and retains moisture, and it’s one of the most important factors in building an effective hair care routine. Whether you’re natural, relaxed, or somewhere in between, understanding your porosity will help you choose products that work with your hair—not against it.

What Is Hair Porosity? 
Hair porosity is determined by the condition of your cuticle layer—the outermost layer of the hair strand. It controls how easily water and products enter and exit your hair.

There Are 3 Types of Porosity:

• Low Porosity

  • Tightly packed cuticles

  • Moisture has a hard time entering but stays in longer

  • Common signs: products sit on top of hair, long drying time

• Medium/Normal Porosity

  • Cuticles are slightly raised

  • Hair absorbs moisture and retains it well

  • Common signs: easy to style, holds moisture and styles evenly

• High Porosity

  • Raised or damaged cuticles

  • Moisture enters easily but leaves just as quickly

  • Common signs: frizzy hair, quick absorption, dries out fast

How to Test Your Hair Porosity

• Float Test: Drop a clean strand of hair into a glass of water. If it:

  • Floats = Low porosity

  • Sinks slowly = Medium porosity

  • Sinks quickly = High porosity

• Spray Test: Mist your hair with water. If beads form = low porosity. If it absorbs quickly = high porosity.

Best Products by Porosity Level

• Low Porosity Hair:

  • Lightweight, water-based leave-ins

  • Humectants like glycerin or honey

  • Heat or steam to open cuticle during deep conditioning

• Medium Porosity Hair:

  • Balanced moisturizers and stylers

  • Protein every few weeks

  • Occasional sealing with light oil

• High Porosity Hair:

  • Rich creams and butters

  • Protein-rich products to fill gaps in cuticle

  • Sealants like castor oil or shea butter

FAQs 

Q: Can porosity change over time?
A: Yes. Heat, chemical treatments, and damage can increase porosity.

Q: What’s the best porosity to have?
A: No type is “best”—just different. The key is using the right products for your porosity.

Q: Do I need to test porosity more than once?
A: It’s smart to retest if you’ve changed your regimen, color-treated, or noticed a shift in moisture retention.

• Moisturizing Regimen for 4C Hair

• Protein vs. Moisture Balance

• The Best Deep Conditioners by Hair Type

Hair porosity is the missing piece in many routines. Once you understand how your hair absorbs moisture, you can select products and treatments that make your regimen smoother, more effective, and personalized to you. Say goodbye to trial and error—and hello to results.

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