Everything you need to know about hair porosity
High, medium or low, which one is yours? Tests and products
G-Club
March 25th, 2025
March 25th, 2025
Have you ever heard of hair porosity? If the answer is no, don’t worry: you’re in the right place. In this article, I’ll explain everything you need to know to understand your hair’s porosity level and how to choose the right products to take care of them in the best possible way. Knowledge is power, even when we are talking about hair.
What is hair porosity?
Hair porosity refers to its ability to absorb and retain moisture, and it all depends on the structure of your hair. To better understand, imagine your hair as a pinecone: the scales that make it up are similar to the cuticles of your hair. If the cuticles are open, your hair absorbs moisture easily, but it also loses it just as quickly. If the cuticles are closed, your hair has more difficulty absorbing water, but once it has absorbed it, it retains it better.
What are the levels of porosity?
Hair porosity can be divided into three levels: high, medium, and low, each of which affects how your hair reacts to treatments and products.
- High porosity: High porosity hair has very open cuticles, as if they were more raised. This allows hair to absorb moisture quickly, but it also loses it just as fast. Hair with high porosity can appear dry, frizzy, or damaged, because moisture and nutrients tend to escape easily. For these types of hair, hydrating products and intensive treatments are ideal.
- Medium porosity: Medium porosity hair has cuticles in a more balanced position. They don’t absorb moisture too quickly but retain it well, maintaining a good balance between hydration and protection. This type of hair is generally the easiest to manage and responds well to most treatments, so you can use lighter or more nourishing products depending on your needs.
- Low porosity: Low porosity hair has very closed cuticles, which prevent moisture from entering easily. This type of hair tends to be shiny. For this hair, it’s important to use lightweight products and avoid those that are too heavy, as they may just accumulate on the surface, making the hair look greasy.
Hair porosity test
If you're still unsure about your hair's porosity, there are several tests you can do to find out. The most popular one is the glass test: take a hair strand and dip it in a glass of water for 5 minutes. If the hair stays on the surface, it means the porosity is low. If it sinks to the bottom of the glass, the porosity is high, while if it stays halfway, the porosity is medium. Another test you can try is to run two fingers through a strand of hair. If the surface feels rough, the porosity is high, while if it feels very smooth, the porosity is low. The final test is to spray your hair with a spray bottle. If the water forms droplets and slides off without soaking your hair, the porosity is low. If the water is easily absorbed and the hair gets wet quickly, the porosity is high. If the water stays on the surface for a few minutes and then is slowly absorbed by the hair, it means the porosity is medium.
Recommended products for high porosity hair
If you have high porosity hair, it’s recommended to use products that contain proteins or repair ingredients like keratin, silk protein, or collagen. These ingredients help strengthen and repair damaged hair. It’s also helpful to choose highly hydrating masks to deeply nourish your hair, as they tend to lose moisture easily. Additionally, using oils can be very helpful for sealing and retaining hydration, improving shine and softness.
Recommended products for low porosity hair
If you have low porosity hair, avoid using products that are too heavy and dense containing silicones, butters, and heavy oils, because these ingredients won’t be absorbed properly and will just build up on your hair, making it appear greasier. Instead, opt for water-based products and those with light proteins like rice and wheat proteins, and ingredients like hyaluronic acid, which hydrate without weighing the hair down. Also, once a week, do a purifying treatment to remove any product buildup. Before starting your hair care routine, wrap your hair in a warm towel for a few minutes: this will help open the cuticles, making it easier to absorb the products and maximizing the benefits of your hair care routine.
Recommended products for medium porosity hair
If you have medium porosity hair, consider yourself very lucky. For you, it’s important to choose products that maintain the balance between hydration and protection without weighing it down. Opt for hydrating masks containing ingredients like coconut oil and keratin. These products provide nourishment without overloading your hair. Use light serums and leave-in products with hyaluronic acid and oils suited to your hair type, like jojoba oil, almond oil, or argan oil. These products will help keep your hair healthy, soft, and shiny without compromising its lightness.
