Understanding hair porosity is a game-changer for building a truly effective hair care routine. Let’s walk through this together:
What Is Hair Porosity & Why It Matters
Porosity refers to how well your hair can absorb and retain moisture—based on how open or closed the cuticle layer is.
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Low porosity → tightly bound cuticles: moisture struggles to enter, hair feels resistant and products build up.
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Medium porosity → slightly raised cuticles: moisture absorption and retention are well balanced.
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High porosity → raised or damaged cuticles: water and oils absorb quickly but escape just as fast—resulting in dry, frizzy hair.
How to Test Your Porosity at Home
1. Float test
Clean, product-free strand in a glass of room-temperature water:
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Floats → low porosity
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Middle → medium
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Sinks quickly → high porosity
2. Slide test
Run fingers from tip to root:
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Smooth → low
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Slight resistance → medium
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Rough/bumpy → high
3. Water-droplet test
Spray hair lightly:
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Beads up → low
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Absorbs slowly → medium
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Absorbs quickly → high
Best Oils for Each Porosity
| Porosity | Why It Needs Care | Recommended Oils | Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low | Cuticles repels moisture; buildup common | Jojoba, Argan, Grapeseed, Sweet Almond | Lightweight, penetrates without heaviness |
| Medium | Balanced absorption; versatile needs | Coconut, Avocado, Olive, Argan, Rosehip | Provide nourishment and hydration balance |
| High | Cuticle gaps let moisture escape | Castor (incl. Jamaican Black), Coconut, Olive, Avocado, Shea Butter | Heavier oils that seal and protect |
How to Use Your Oils
Low porosity
Use lightweight oils like jojoba or argan. Warm slightly and apply on damp hair. Use a heat cap or warm towel to improve absorption.
Medium porosity
Mix mid-to-heavy oils with lighter ones. Try a 1:1 ratio (e.g. avocado + sweet almond) and adjust as needed. Use as part of your regular leave-in or mask routines.
High porosity
Apply heavier sealing oils like olive, castor, or shea butter (optionally mixed with light oil like argan) to damp hair right after washing to lock in moisture. Leave on 30+ minutes or overnight, then rinse with cool water.
Build Your Personal Routine
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Test porosity: float + slide tests at home.
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Choose suitable oils per your hair porosity.
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Create oil blends if your hair leans toward medium.
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Apply as pre-shampoo, leave-in, or sealant, focusing on damp hair for better results.
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Observe and adjust: if it feels greasy or dry, tweak oil type or frequency.