When it comes to healthy natural hair, knowing your hair porosity is just as important as knowing your curl pattern. Porosity affects how your hair absorbs and retains moisture, and it plays a huge role in what products (especially oils) will actually work for you.
What is Hair Porosity?
Hair porosity refers to how well your hair can absorb and hold moisture. It depends on the structure of the hair’s cuticle layer which is the outermost layer that protects your strands.
There are three main types of hair porosity:
- Low porosity: Cuticles are tightly packed. Hair resists moisture and products often sit on top.
- Medium/Normal porosity: Cuticles are slightly open. Hair easily absorbs and holds moisture.
- High porosity: Cuticles are wide open (often due to damage or genetics). Hair absorbs moisture quickly but also loses it fast.
How to Test Your Natural Hair Porosity
The easiest method is the strand float test:
- Take a clean strand of dry, product-free hair.
- Drop it into a glass of water.
- Wait 2–5 minutes.
- If it floats, you likely have low porosity.
- If it sinks slowly, you have medium porosity.
- If it sinks quickly, you have high porosity.
Why Oil Type Matters
Different oils have different molecular weights and absorption abilities. Knowing your porosity helps you choose the right ones:
Low Porosity Hair:
- Use light oils that don’t weigh your hair down or sit on top.
- Great oils: Argan oil, Grapeseed oil, Sweet Almond oil, Jojoba oil
Medium Porosity Hair:
- Can handle both light and heavier oils.
- Great oils: Olive oil, Baobab oil, Avocado oil
High Porosity Hair:
- Needs heavier oils and butters to lock in moisture.
- Great oils: Castor oil, Shea butter, Coconut oil (in moderation), Mango butter
Other Tips Based on Porosity
- Low porosity: Use heat during deep conditioning to help products penetrate.
- High porosity: Focus on sealing moisture with the LOC or LCO method.
- All types: Avoid product overload and clarify your hair every 2–3 weeks.
Understanding your porosity helps you:
- Choose the right oils and moisturizers
- Prevent dryness and breakage
- Build a more effective and affordable haircare routine
At HairloomNG, we help our clients identify their porosity and build product routines that actually work. Book a consultation or ask during your next visit. Your hair will thank you!