If your hair seems to resist moisture or take a long time to get fully wet, you may be working with low porosity hair. This hair type can be healthy and strong, but it is naturally hydrophobic, which means that it repels water. As a result, moisture does not easily absorb, products tend to sit on the surface, and wash day can require a bit more patience than other hair textures.
The good news is that once you understand how low porosity hair works, caring for it becomes much easier. With the right products for low porosity hair, your curls can stay soft, hydrated, and manageable. Here’s everything you need to know about how to care for low porosity hair.
Understanding Low Porosity Hair
Porosity refers to how well your hair absorbs and holds moisture. Every strand has an outer layer called the cuticle, and in low porosity hair, these cuticles lie very flat and tightly packed. This protective barrier makes the hair strong, but it also makes it difficult for water and conditioners to enter the strand.
As a result:
- Water beads on the surface
- Moisturizers do not absorb easily
- Products can build up more quickly
Low porosity hair thrives when moisture is encouraged to enter the strand rather than simply sit on top.
Signs of Low Porosity Hair
Signs of low porosity hair include:
- Products sit on the hair instead of absorbing.
- Water takes a long time to penetrate during wash day.
- Your hair dries slowly.
- Protein products make the hair feel stiff or overly firm.
- Buildup forms easily, even with light product use.
How to Test for Porosity
You may have heard of the float test, where you place a clean strand of hair into water to see if it sinks or floats. While it’s a popular method, it’s just not very accurate. It only measures the porosity of that one strand, and most people have different porosity levels throughout their hair. It’s also common for roots to be low porosity while older ends are higher in porosity.
A better way to check your porosity is in the shower:
- Shampoo your hair until it feels completely clean.
- Let the water run over your hair and watch how it reacts.
- Notice if water slides off before soaking in.
- Pay attention to whether your curls puff up once they come out of the water.
If your hair resists water at first and takes time to absorb moisture, those are clear signs of low porosity hair. This simple method gives you a more accurate understanding of how your hair behaves in real conditions.
How to Care for Low Porosity Hair
Once you’ve determined that your hair is low porosity, the next step is learning how to care for it. Below are some tips and helpful changes to make in your routine to better care for low porosity hair and encourage proper moisture penetration.
Use Heat to Help Moisture Penetrate
Since the cuticles lie flat, a little heat helps them lift slightly so conditioners and treatments can absorb. You can use a steamer or heated cap, but even warm water during your wash routine will help with lifting.
Cleanse Regularly
Low porosity hair is prone to buildup. A cleansing shampoo used weekly helps remove residue so moisture can enter more easily.
Choose Lightweight, Water-Based Leave-ins
Light moisturizers, milky leave-ins tend to absorb better than thick creams when it comes to this porosity type. Water-based ingredients work best for hydrating the hair without weighing it down.
Limit Heavy Oils, Butters, and Silicones
Thicker products often sit on the surface of hair with low porosity. You don’t have to give them up entirely, but be sure to use them sparingly, especially if you notice your hair feeling coated or greasy.
Be Cautious with Protein
Low porosity hair may be more sensitive to protein. Too much can lead to dryness and stiffness. Moisture-focused products are generally more effective.
Seal Moisture Effectively
Once the hair is hydrated, sealing helps lock that moisture in. The LCO (Liquid, Cream, Oil) or LOC (Liquid, Oil, Cream) method can help maintain hydration without heaviness. We love the Moisturizing Hair Pudding for low porosity hair because it’s like your LOC in one.
Protect Overnight
Protecting your hair overnight can reduce friction and help prevent moisture loss from dry air. The WC Hair Sock is a great option for bedtime protection.
Wash Day Routine for Low Porosity Hair
Featuring products from Wonder Curl’s low porosity hair bundle, here’s an easy-to-follow, 3-step routine for your next low porosity wash day:
1. Gently Cleanse to Remove Build-Up
Start with our Detoxifying Shampoo Bar, which contains activated charcoal to provide an effective yet gentle cleanse. It removes buildup without stripping your strands, allowing moisture to penetrate more easily during the conditioning step.
2. Condition
Next, apply the Hydrate & Renew Conditioner to soften your hair and make detangling easier. Be sure to fully rinse out the conditioner before moving on to styling!
3. Style and Seal
After rinsing, begin to style your curls with products that provide lasting moisture. Our Moisturizing Hair Pudding is a great choice to hydrate, define, and soften the hair. Its creamy formula nourishes strands, supports healthy hair growth, and helps prevent breakage. It’s best to apply on soaking wet hair since low porosity hair needs the moisture.
Lastly, set the hair and create hold with the Get Set Hair Jelly. A holding product is a necessary step for locking in moisture and providing lasting definition so you can refresh less and discourage buildup throughout the week.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using heavy creams, thick butters, or heavy oils
- Using moisturizing shampoos or co-washes, which will add residue to the hair rather than break it down
- Overusing protein treatments
- Deep conditioning (unless needed for damaged hair or protective style transitions)
- Layering too many products at once
Wonder Curl’s Low Porosity Hair Bundle
If you are looking for a simple, effective routine for low porosity hair, Wonder Curl has you covered with our low porosity hair bundle.
This set has everything you need for a strong wash day, including:
- Detoxifying Shampoo Bar to cleanse and prevent buildup
- Hydrate & Renew Conditioner to moisturize and replenish
- Moisturizing Hair Pudding to hydrate deeply and prevent breakage
- Get Set Hair Jelly to define curls with long-lasting flexibility
Together, these products will work to encourage moisture absorption, help maintain hydration, and support healthy, defined curls for our low porosity naturals without the weigh down. Tag us on socials if you give it a try!
Xoxo,
Wonder Curl