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When trying to soak the hair in the shower, it seems like water bounces right off of it. Any hair type can be low porosity, but coily hair is the most common. The best products for low-porosity hair are deeply hydrating and won't weigh down strands. This is another great product from Bounce Curl that adds so much hydration and softness to the hair.
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14 Best Low Porosity Hair Products of 2024 (Tested & Reviewed) - Cosmopolitan
14 Best Low Porosity Hair Products of 2024 (Tested & Reviewed).
Posted: Thu, 12 Oct 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
If you have low porosity hair, you know how frustrating it can be to try to retain moisture. Your hair may feel dry and brittle, and no matter what products you use or test, it always seems to fall flat. There are plenty of great products out there that can help you get the moisture your hair needs. Here are some things to keep in mind when choosing products for low porosity hair.

Best Shampoo For Low-Porosity Hair
DevaCurl’s styler is free of silicones, so it won’t weigh hair down, and the humectant glycerin draws moisture into hair without leaving a heavy feel. The result is a light hold and no crunchy feel—instead, waves and curls retain movement and bounce. It’s important to use products that support your hair’s porosity and moisture retention levels.

First of All, What Is Hair Porosity?
My hair feels soft and hydrated, but not greasy like it does after I use a lot of conditioners. One thing to note, which Francis points out, is that having low porosity hair isn't a bad thing. "Everyone wants small 'poreless' skin, but when it comes to hair, there is confusion." Ultimately, for healthy hair, you want moisture to get in and stay in. Now that you have the why and how-tos in place, check out some expert-approved products that will hydrate low-porosity curls, and ultimately make wash day a whole lot easier. Hill explains that extremely low porosity hair requires a little alkalinity for best results.
These don't absorb quickly, so they'll likely just leave a residue on your low-porosity hair. Trichologist Bridgette Hill also recommends avoiding protein overload on any hair type, of course, but especially for low-porosity hair that's prone to looking flat and stringy, according to a previous Cosmo article. Breaking down protein may not seem like a good idea for hair, but Hill explains that this process allows humectants and moisture to penetrate the hair fiber deeper, giving the hair more elasticity, softness, and shine. She also notes that your hair won't feel great to touch after shampoo, but says that it will after you properly condition it. This conditioner from Ouidad is perfect for low porosity hair, especially since it’s free from parabens, sulfates, phthalates, and non-water soluble silicones. This means it won’t form any nasty buildup on your hair, and will foster a smoother, more hydrated look as well as better defined curls.
The formula also comprises burdock root along with nettle leaf which help in nourishing the scalp and adding shine. This product initially has a light-cream consistency, but it thickens over time. The formula offers lasting nourishment, promotes healthy hair growth while reducing hair shedding.
"Such hair often feels smooth and can seem resistant to styling products," says Park. Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with five years of experience researching, writing, and editing hair stories that range from shampoos for oily hair to hair-straightening products. Once you've found what products work best for you, Dominique Burton, curl expert and founder of La Fleur Hair Studio, says you should adopt the LCO (liquid, cream, oil) method.
The Product Absorption Test
With the right products and techniques, low-porosity hair can be healthy and beautiful. Transitioning from these carrier oils, I would also like to mention the potent benefits of essential oils. When diluted correctly, certain essential oils can be highly effective for low porosity hair, enhancing the beneficial properties of the carrier oils and adding their unique touches. A major downside of the film formed by flaxseed oil is that it can make hair look and feel weighed down. This weighted-down appearance is most noticeable in those with fine, thin, or limp hair.
And if it stays in the middle of the glass, you likely have medium to normal porosity. Restore your hair’s manageability with this conditioner, made for nourishing and repairing damaged strands. For starters, hair texture exists on a spectrum from 2a to 4c, and once you I.D. Your own, you then have to assess your hair's density (i.e., the number of strands on your scalp) and your hair porosity. Folks with low porosity hair will need an entirely different product lineup than those with high porosity hair—which brings me to this handy little buying guide below.
On the other hand, low porosity can also be the result of intense product buildup that's acting as a kind of temporary shield between the hair and outside elements—even beneficial ones. "Caring for low-porosity hair involves utilizing heat, such as warm water and heat-based treatments, to enhance product absorption," Park says. Warmth has the ability to open hair's cuticles, allowing for nourishing products to penetrate deep into strands. If you plan on using hot styling tools on your low porosity hair, Park recommends the Kérastase Nutritive Heat Protecting Leave-In Spray ($46) "because it offers both heat protection, while it also deeply moisturizes." A good scalp scrub is key for buffing away product buildup—a common issue for those with low-porosity hair—as long as you're using one without heavy oils.
Besides carrier oils and essential oils, another excellent way to maximize the benefits of an oil is by using it to make it a hot oil treatment. This method amplifies the oil’s hydrating properties, ensuring deeper penetration into the hair shaft. Grapeseed oil benefits low porosity hair because of its high smoking point of 240°F (215°C). The high smoking point allows the oil to withstand higher temperatures without breaking down into harmful compounds. High temperatures when heat styling is often employed by those with low porosity hair to open up the hair cuticles for better product penetration. Because porosity indicates your hair’s ability to absorb and retain moisture, it significantly influences how various oils can benefit or harm your hair.