How to Care for High Porosity Hair

If you have natural hair, you’re likely quite familiar with the term hair porosity, what it means and what high porosity hair products are. Since maintaining moisture is a top priority for textured strands, it’s important to know where your hair stands on the porosity scale. And if you have high porosity hair,v you’re probably finding it nearly impossible to retain moisture in your curls. No matter how diligent you are with a moisturizing haircare routine, it seems as if your strands lose moisture just as quickly as it’s absorbed. That’s because your hair’s porosity plays a huge role in how you keep your tresses hydrated, and high porosity hair has unique needs in this area. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about managing high porosity hair, plus the right products to give your high porosity hair the TLC it deserves.

What Is High Porosity Hair?

What does high porosity hair mean? Simply put, high porosity hair can easily absorb moisture or water but cannot hold onto it. The cuticle layer of the hair remains open in high porosity hair, so moisture leaves as easily as it enters. It’s the opposite of low porosity hair, which has a closed cuticle, repelling water and moisture and preventing them from ever entering the hair shaft. What does high porosity hair look like? Both hair types often look and feel dry to the touch and high porosity hair can also sport a frizzy appearance. While there’s no such thing as bad hair porosity, dry hair is more prone to breakage. So, no matter your hair type, you want to use the right hair products to keep your strands hydrated and healthy. High porosity hair is no exception, so adopt these tips to ensure your mane gets the right hair care and stays moisturized.

How do I know if I have high porosity hair?

How to know if you have high porosity hair? To determine if you have high porosity hair, try the water test. Simply take a strand of clean, dry hair and drop it into a glass of water. If your hair sinks quickly, it likely has high porosity, meaning it absorbs moisture easily but also loses it just as fast.

Another simple way to check is the spray test. Lightly spritz a section of your hair with water. If it absorbs quickly and feels damp almost instantly, your hair may have high porosity. This hair type tends to take in moisture quickly but struggles to retain it, often leaving it feeling dry or frizzy.

How To Care For High Porosity Hair

1. Try a moisturizing wash day routine

When it comes to caring for high porosity hair, your first line of defense should always be using a sulfate-free moisturizing shampoo and conditioner. Your top priority is to boost your strands with moisture, and you’ll want to start things off on the right note. If looking for the best shampoo for high porosity hair, try the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Moisture Shampoo. Then, go with the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Moisture Conditioner. This haircare duo works to gently cleanse and deeply replenish hair with hydration. Consider co-washing or alternating with gentle, sulfate-free cleansers to preserve your hair’s natural moisture while keeping it clean. Always rinse with lukewarm water instead of hot to avoid excessive moisture loss.

2. Layer your mane with moisture

One of the easiest ways to provide high porosity hair with long-lasting moisture is the LOC method: liquid (or leave-in conditioner), oil, and cream. This natural hair technique combines water or a water-based product, hair oil, and hair cream to help your curls retain moisture.

When it comes to a leave-in conditioner, you don’t want to use a heavy formula that can weigh your strands down. We recommend the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Curls Leave-in Conditionerto deeply nourish your hair and deliver soft, defined curls daily. Massage into damp hair from the roots to the ends. Swap it out for the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Total Repair 5 Protein Recharge Treatment a couple of days a week. It’s formulated to condition and strengthen hair while protecting against damage, including dullness and dehydration.

You should also always make it a point to seal in moisture with a light oil or a hair serum after every wash session. Pick up the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Bond Repair Oil-in-Serum to infuse dry strands with lightweight hydration. You can use it before shampooing to nourish hair and also before styling. Check out our article, LOC Method: Moisturizing Hair Care for Natural Hair, for more tips and information.

4. Don’t shy away from deep conditioners

Another way to help high porosity hair look and feel its very best is to rely on a deep conditioner that goes the extra mile to provide your strands with intense moisture, leaving you with the maximum hydration level. Of course, heading to the salon for treatment might be preferred, but if that’s not an option (let’s be honest, those visits can get pricey), you can do it yourself right at home. Look for products with hydrating ingredients, such as aloe, glycerin, honey, and panthenol. Give a break to strengthening ingredients like keratin, amino acids, and silk proteins. Consider giving the L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate Free Deep Nourish Conditioner a try. Specifically formulated for dry, brittle hair, it provides vital nourishment and deep moisture.

You can also pair this deep conditioner with theL’Oréal Paris Elvive Hyaluron + Pure Purifying Shampoo and the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Hyaluron + Plump Hydrating Conditioner to transform dry high porosity hair into tresses you love. If you can, try a weekly deep conditioning with heat. Use a steamer, hooded dryer or a heat cap.

5. Seal moisture into your mane

One of the easiest ways to provide high porosity hair with long-lasting moisture is the LOC method: liquid = L (water-based leave-in conditioners with humectants like hyaluronic acid or aloe vera), oil = O (lightweight oils like argan, jojoba, grapeseed. Avoid coconut oil, which can be too heavy) and cream = C (kinds of butter or creams that help seal moisture). This simple hair technique can help your mane retain moisture.

Regarding a leave-in conditioner, you don’t want to use a heavy formula that can weigh down your strands. We recommend the L'Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Frizz Killer Serum Leave-In to tame frizz and static.

Finish the LOC method with another hair cream to better define curly hair and reduce frizz in all hair types. Try the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths No Haircut Cream Leave In, which is formulated with castor oil, vitamin B3 and vitamin B5 to help seal split ends and reduce breakage without leaving behind a greasy texture.

L’Oréal Paris Elvive Hyaluron + Plump Flash Hydration Wonder Water, Sulfate-Free

After shampooing and conditioning your hair with the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Hyaluron + Plump Hydrating Shampoo, Paraben-Free and the L’Oréal Paris Elvive Hyaluron + Plump Hydrating Conditioner, Paraben-Free, follow up with this in-shower treatment for added hydration. Apply one dose (for thin hair) or two doses (for thick hair) of the liquid to the entire length of your wet hair and gently massage for eight seconds before thoroughly rinsing. Hair will be instantly hydrated with the added hyaluronic acid for the ultimate boost of moisture.

L’Oréal Paris Elvive Hyaluron + Plump Moisture Plump Serum, Paraben-Free

High porosity hair will appreciate this moisturizing serum from the L’Oréal Paris Hyaluron Plump collection that makes styling and further detangling easy. Spray this creamy hair serum all over your mane to refresh and revitalize strands to define curls and leave all hair types soft to the touch and shiny. Among the products for high porosity hair, this hair serum is perfect to add moisture to the hair between wash days and when your strands need extra hydration but you don’t have time for a deep conditioning treatment.

L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Curls Leave-in Conditioner

Since curly hair types are more prone to high porosity, it’s important to use styling products like this leave-in conditioner that add and retain moisture for long-lasting hydration. Similar to other hair care products in this guide, the goal is to add intense moisture that lasts multiple days and this leave-in does just that. The formulation of hyaluronic acid and castor oil helps soften curls while keeping them hydrated for a more defined and shapely look. This has to be included in the list of best products for high porosity hair.

High Porosity Hair Routine for Long-Term Health

A well-rounded routine for high porosity hair ensures long-term strength, moisture, and shine. Here’s a simple breakdown:

• Daily: Start by refreshing your curls with a water-based mist to hydrate. Follow with a lightweight oil to lock in moisture and a cream to define your curls without weighing them down.
  
• Weekly: Deep condition to replenish moisture and keep your hair soft. You can also incorporate a protein treatment as needed to strengthen and prevent breakage.
  
• Monthly: Use a clarifying shampoo to remove product buildup from heavy creams or oils. This helps maintain a clean, healthy scalp and allows your hair to absorb moisture more effectively.

Next Up: Low Porosity Haircare Tips You Should Know

Photo courtesy of L’Oréal Paris