When it comes to healthy, hydrated, and defined hair—especially curly hair—understanding porosity is a total game changer. If your hair often feels dry despite using great products, or if you struggle with product buildup and frizz, you might be dealing with low porosity hair.
What Is Hair Porosity?
Hair porosity refers to your hair’s ability to absorb and retain moisture. It all comes down to the condition of your hair’s cuticle layer—the outermost layer that opens and closes to allow moisture and nutrients in (or out).
There are three types of porosity:
- Low Porosity – Tightly packed cuticles make it hard for moisture and products to penetrate. Water beads up or rolls off the hair shaft, and products often sit on top instead of absorbing.
- Normal (Medium) Porosity – Cuticles are slightly open, allowing moisture in and out at a balanced rate. Hair feels soft and manageable.
- High Porosity – Raised or damaged cuticles (often from bleaching, heat, or chemical processing) cause hair to absorb moisture quickly but lose it just as fast. Hair may feel dry, frizzy, or brittle.
Signs You Might Have Low Porosity Hair
If you relate to any of these, you might be in the low porosity club:
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- Products sit on your hair and take forever to absorb
- Water beads up on your strands rather than soaking in
- Hair feels dry or coated even after moisturizing
- Your wash day takes longer—products don’t penetrate easily
- You struggle with buildup despite using “hydrating” products
- Your curls look healthy but feel dry or lack bounce
Why Porosity Matters—Especially for Curly Hair
Curly hair is naturally more prone to dryness due to the structure of the curl pattern, which makes it harder for natural oils to travel down the strand. When you add low porosity into the mix, that dryness can feel magnified.
For curls, moisture is everything. But if the cuticle won’t open up to let hydration in, no matter how many masks or creams you use, your curls can still look dull, frizzy, or lifeless. That’s why understanding porosity is key to choosing the right products and routine.
How to Choose the Right Products for Low Porosity Hair
Low porosity hair doesn’t need more product—it needs the right product. And that starts with understanding ingredients.
What to Look For:
- Water-based formulas – Water should be the first ingredient. These help hydrate the hair without coating it.
- Lightweight moisturizers – Look for aloe vera juice, panthenol, glycerin (in moderation), and botanical extracts.
- Light oils – Argan oil, jojoba oil, grapeseed oil, and sunflower oil absorb more easily and won’t block moisture.
- Humectants – Ingredients like glycerin and sodium PCA attract moisture but should be used carefully depending on the weather (more on this below!).
What to Avoid:
- Heavy butters and oils – Shea butter, coconut oil, and castor oil can be too occlusive and sit on top of the hair.
- Too much protein – Low porosity hair is often protein-sensitive. Avoid frequent use of protein-rich masks unless your hair is damaged.
- Silicone-heavy products – These can build up quickly and block needed moisture.
Expert-Approved Tips for Caring for Low Porosity Hair (Especially in Summer!)
Warm, humid summer months can make low porosity hair extra tricky. Here’s how the pros suggest you care for it:
1. Use Heat Strategically
- Low porosity cuticles need a little help to open up.
- Wash with warm water to open the hair cuticle
- Deep condition with heat (use a hooded dryer, steamer, or warm towel wrap)
- Avoid cold rinses unless sealing with oil at the end
2. Clarify Regularly
Because buildup is common, use a clarifying shampoo once or twice a month to reset your strands and allow moisture to absorb better.
3. Use the LCO Method (Liquid, Cream, Oil)
This layering technique works wonders for moisture retention:
- Liquid – Water or a water-based leave-in
- Cream – A lightweight cream for hydration
- Oil – A light oil to seal it all in without suffocating your strands
4. Watch the Weather with Glycerin
Glycerin is a humectant that pulls moisture from the air. In moderate humidity, it’s great. In dry or overly humid weather, it can cause frizz or dryness.
Look for glycerin lower in the ingredient list or avoid it during weather extremes.
5. Pick the Right Stylers
We love lightweight gels that define and shine without crunch or buildup.
Understanding your hair’s porosity is one of the most empowering things you can do for your curls. It takes the guesswork out of product shopping, helps you build a routine that actually works, and unlocks the path to shiny, hydrated, healthy hair.
Low porosity doesn’t mean high maintenance—it just means smarter care.
Need help figuring out your hair type or finding the right products for your porosity? Stop by our salon or book a consultation with one of our stylists—we’ll walk you through your perfect routine.
