Hair porosity is defined by how well your hair can absorb or hold onto moisture. There are many levels of hair porosity — high, medium, and low — and can be determined by both genetics and your hair care and lifestyle routine.
Here, we discuss everything you need to know about what it is, how to determine if you have it, and the best hair care routine for high-porosity hair.
High porosity hair is categorised by having a more open cuticle layer than other hair types. While genetics and age are big factors, other things like damage and chemical treatments also encourage a high porosity finish.
High porosity hair is more likely to absorb water or products, but can also be harder to retain these elements as well, due to its open nature. For this reason, high-porosity hair can feel drier, look duller, and be more prone to breakage.
High porosity hair instantly soaks up water in the shower or products on application. Additionally, hair dries very quickly and is often more prone to frizz and tangles. If you aren’t sure what type of hair porosity you have there are a few tests you can do at home to help you understand.
1. Take a few strands of clean hair that has shed and place it in a bowl of water. If the strand sinks it has high porosity. If it floats, this indicates low porosity
2. Use a spray bottle to spritz a portion of your dry hair and notice what the water does. If it immediately soaks in, you have high-porosity hair. Otherwise, if it beads up on the surface, this generally means you have low-porosity hair.
Products can make a big difference in the outcome of any hair care routine for high-porosity hair, but you need the right type of products. If you have high porosity hair moisture levels, heat damage, and frizz are common issues. So targeted formulas that protect against heat styling, add and seal in moisture, and guard against humidity are key.
You should also avoid products that contain sulphates and alcohols, and instead, reach for products that are highly moisturising and generally thicker in consistency. Masques, leave-in conditioners, and serums are all great options, especially any product that also contains protein.
Starting with masques — we love adding ANGEL.MASQUE for added strength, YOUNG.AGAIN.MASQUE to restore, repair, and rejuvenate, and HYDRATE-ME.MASQUE for moisture balance.
Next, consider a bond-building treatment and leave-in like EVERLASTING.COLOUR TREATMENT and LEAVE-IN to add a high dose of strength and proteins to repair the hair from the inside out leading to hair that is nourished, hydrated, and protected.
Finally, because high porosity hair benefits from consistent moisture, consider adding YOUNG.AGAIN + YOUNG.AGAIN DRY CONDITIONER to your normal routine. These anti-ageing, rejuvenating products are great to add to any hair care routine for high-porosity hair to soften and revive dry, damaged hair when styling and between washes.
High porosity hair has an open cuticle, allowing moisture in—but also letting it escape easily. Masques and leave-ins help seal hydration and improve softness.
Yes. Protein strengthens weakened strands and improves resilience. Products like EVERLASTING.COLOUR TREATMENT help rebuild bonds and reduce breakage.
Regular care is key. Use masques weekly and apply leave-ins or oils like YOUNG.AGAIN daily to maintain moisture and protect hair between washes.
