When it comes to choosing the right hair products and routines, knowing your hair porosity can be more important than knowing your curl pattern or hair type. Porosity refers to how well your hair absorbs and retains moisture—and it affects everything from how long your hair stays hydrated to how well it reacts to treatments and color.
Let’s break down what porosity is, how to test it, and what to do once you know where you land on the spectrum.
🧬 What Is Hair Porosity?
Hair porosity is determined by how tightly or loosely the cuticle layer of your hair is arranged. The cuticle is the outermost layer of the hair strand and acts like tiny shingles on a roof. How open or sealed these “shingles” are affects how easily moisture, products, and even color can enter and exit your hair.
There are three porosity levels:
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Low porosity: Cuticle is tightly packed
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Medium (normal) porosity: Cuticle is slightly raised
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High porosity: Cuticle is highly raised or damaged
🧪 How to Test Your Hair Porosity
Here are a few simple at-home tests:
1. The Water Test
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Take a clean strand of hair and drop it into a glass of room-temperature water.
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Wait 2–4 minutes.
If it…
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Floats: You likely have low porosity
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Sinks slowly: You likely have medium porosity
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Sinks quickly: You likely have high porosity
⚠️ Make sure the hair is freshly washed and product-free for an accurate result.
2. The Slip Test
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Run your fingers or thumb and forefinger down a strand of hair.
If it feels…
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Smooth and tight: Low porosity
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Slightly bumpy or rough: High porosity
3. The Absorption Test
Apply a leave-in conditioner or water-based product to dry hair.
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Sits on top and takes forever to absorb? → Low porosity
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Absorbs quickly but dries out fast? → High porosity
🧴 What Each Porosity Type Needs
🔒 Low Porosity Hair
Traits:
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Resistant to moisture
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Products sit on top of the hair
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Prone to buildup
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Takes a long time to air dry
What It Needs:
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Lightweight, water-based products
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Heat or steam to help open the cuticle (great time for hair steaming!)
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Clarifying treatments to prevent buildup
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Avoid heavy butters and oils that can suffocate the strand
💧 Medium Porosity Hair
Traits:
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Holds moisture well
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Responds well to most treatments
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Shiny and healthy-looking
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Easy to style and color
What It Needs:
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Balanced care—a mix of protein and moisture
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Deep conditioning weekly or bi-weekly
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Lightweight to moderate products
🌀 High Porosity Hair
Traits:
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Absorbs moisture quickly—but loses it just as fast
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Often frizzy, dry, or prone to tangling
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Frequently over-processed or damaged
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Air dries fast
What It Needs:
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Rich, moisturizing products to seal the cuticle
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Leave-in conditioners, creams, and oils to lock in hydration
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Protein treatments (in moderation) to rebuild and strengthen
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Protective styling to minimize exposure and friction
💡 Why It Matters
Understanding your porosity level helps you:
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Choose the right product texture (cream, serum, oil, etc.)
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Avoid wasting money on products that don’t absorb or work
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Create a personalized hair care routine that actually delivers results
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Improve the way your hair holds styles, color, and treatments