Hair porosity is a perplexing topic for many of us with natural hair! Are you dealing with low, medium, or high porosity hair? Once you unravel that mystery, you gain the ability to influence how your hair behaves, leading to a complete transformation of your locks. But the question remains: what products should you use after you’ve identified your hair’s porosity level? It’s a valid inquiry, and you’re in luck because we’ve curated a selection of the finest hair products tailored for low, medium, and high porosity hair. Our compilation covers pre-poos (yes, we’ve got those for the enthusiasts of an extra step), shampoos, conditioners, and more. Keep scrolling to explore these remarkable products.
Understanding Hair Porosity
First things first, what exactly is hair porosity? It’s the capacity of our hair to absorb moisture and products. Porosity can be classified into three levels: low, medium, and high. The simplest way to determine your hair’s porosity level is to place a strand or two of hair into a cup (or bowl) of water. Observe where the strand settles after a few minutes. If it sinks, your hair has high porosity; if it hovers in the middle, it’s medium porosity; and if it floats, you’re dealing with low porosity.
High Porosity: Unfortunately, this level often indicates hair damage. The harm might be due to factors like UV exposure, heat styling, or chemical treatments. While your hair can soak up moisture, it might struggle to retain it. After washing, your hair dries quickly; wash and go styles lose definition rapidly, and you might find it challenging to maintain a style for more than a day or two (think twist-outs and the like).
Medium Porosity: Medium porosity strikes a harmonious balance. This means your hair can absorb moisture while also retaining it. Luckily, you can experiment with a wide range of (natural) hair products. However, steer clear of heavy oils and silicones. Despite being the “holy grail” of hair porosity, many companies target products towards either high or low porosity, making it somewhat challenging to find specific solutions.
Low Porosity: Hair with low porosity often appears weighed down, primarily because it struggles to absorb products, causing them to rest on the hair’s surface. Oils like coconut and castor oil should be avoided as they seal the cuticle, hindering moisture absorption. You should also be cautious of highly acidic products such as apple cider vinegar rinses, which are typically used to close the cuticle – not an ideal choice for low porosity hair.
Top Hair Products for Low, Medium, and High Porosity
High Porosity:
- Olaplex Hair Perfector No 3
- Mielle Rice Water Split End Therapy
- Camille Rose Sweet Ginger Cleansing Rinse
- Mielle Babassu & Mint Deep Conditioner
- Mielle Organics Rice Water Clay Masque
- Aphogee Keratin 2 Minute Reconstructor
Medium Porosity:
- Shea Moisture Manuka Honey & Yogurt Hydrate & Repair Multi-Action Leave-In Conditioner
- Lush Revive Hair Moisturizer
- Tangle Teezer Thick and Curly Detangling Hair Brush
- Grapeseed Oil
Low Porosity:
- Mixed Chicks Gentle Clarifying Shampoo
- Shea Moisture Low Porosity Protein Free Shampoo
- I Am As I Am Curl Clarity Shampoo
- Lottabody Moisturize Me Curl & Style Hair Milk
- Sweet Almond Oil
- Kinky-Curly Knot Today Leave-In Conditioner/Detangler
- Design Essentials Almond & Avocado Moisturizing & Detangling Conditioner
- Carol’s Daughter Almond Milk Daily Damage Repair Ultra Nourishing Hair Mask
- DevaCurl One Condition
- Carol’s Daughter Wash Day Delight Water-to-Foam Shampoo
These products are among the top contenders for low, medium, and high porosity hair types. Just like any natural hair journey, discovering what works best for you involves a bit of trial and error. We’re here to equip you with the tools that will support you on your path to embracing your natural hair.
Which of these hair products are you eager to try? Let us know in the comments below!
