When it comes to hair care, understanding your hair’s porosity can be a game-changer. Hair porosity refers to your hair’s ability to absorb and retain moisture, which directly impacts the health, hydration, and overall appearance of your strands. Knowing your porosity type can help you choose the right products and treatments to keep your hair looking its best.

Hair porosity is often overlooked but might just be the most important aspect of hair care.

What is hair porosity?

Hair porosity is determined by the structure of your hair cuticle, which is the outermost layer of your hair strand. The cuticle can be more or less open, affecting how much moisture and product your hair absorbs. There are three main types of hair porosity: low, medium (normal), and high porosity.

The three types of hair porosity

Hair porosity is categorized into three levels: low, medium (or normal), and high. Each type has its unique characteristics and requires specific care routines.

Low porosity hair

With low porosity hair, the cuticles are tightly bound, making it difficult for moisture to penetrate. Hair tends to repel water and takes a long time to dry.

Products often sit on the hair rather than absorbing easily.

Medium (normal) porosity hair

When you have normal porosity hair strands, the cuticles are slightly open, allowing for balanced moisture absorption and retention. Hair holds styles well and doesn’t dry out too quickly.

Requires minimal maintenance and can absorb products effectively.

High porosity hair

The cuticles are widely open or damaged with high porosity hair, leading to quick moisture absorption but poor retention. Hair often looks frizzy, dry, and prone to breakage.

This can be due to genetics or damage from heat, colouring, and chemical treatments.

How to determine your hair porosity

The water test

• • Take a clean strand of hair and place it in a glass of water.
  • If it floats on top, you likely have low porosity hair.
  • If it sinks slowly, you likely have medium porosity hair.
  • If it sinks immediately, you likely have high porosity hair.

The slip & slide test

• • Take a strand of dry hair and slide your fingers up from the end to the root.
  • If it feels smooth, you have low porosity hair.
  • If there is slight roughness, you have medium porosity hair.
  • If it feels very rough and bumpy, you have high porosity hair.

The spray test

• Spray a small section of dry hair with water.
• If the water beads up and takes time to absorb, you have low porosity hair.
• If the water absorbs at a normal rate, you have medium porosity hair.
• If your hair instantly soaks up the water, you have high porosity hair.

@paulmitchell Make sure to test on clean hair for accurate results ✨ #hairporositytest #hairtok #PaulMitchell ♬ Aesthetic – Tollan Kim

Best haircare products for each hair porosity type

Low porosity hair

• Use lightweight, water-based moisturizers and leave-in conditioners.
• Opt for humectants like aloe vera and honey to help attract moisture.
• Avoid heavy butters and oils, as they can sit on the hair rather than absorb.
• Use heat (steam or a warm towel) to help open up the cuticles for better product absorption.

Try: The Ordinary multi Peptide Serum for Hair – R475

Medium porosity hair

• Use balanced hair care products that provide both moisture and protein.
• Lightweight to medium-weight leave-in conditioners and styling creams work best.
• Deep condition regularly to maintain moisture balance.
• Avoid excessive heat and chemical treatments to preserve hair health.

Try: Redken Extreme Shampoo Strength Repair – R480

High porosity hair

• Use thicker creams, oils, and butters to help seal in moisture.
• Look for protein-rich treatments to strengthen the hair and repair cuticle damage.
• Deep condition frequently and use leave-in conditioners with rich ingredients like shea butter, avocado oil, and argan oil.
• Finish with anti-humectants to help retain moisture and prevent frizz.

Try: Kerastase Nutritive 8 Hour Magic Night Serum – R1600

Whether your hair is low, medium, or high porosity, the key is to work with your hair’s natural characteristics and provide it with the nourishment it needs!

First Published by: Woman & Home

Words compiled by: Amy Steenkamp

Also see: Tips to maintain french curl braids