If you’re struggling with dry hair, product buildup, or inconsistent results from your hair care routine, your hair porosity might be the missing piece of the puzzle. Understanding your hair porosity can help you choose the right hair care products and treatments — and keep your hair healthy, shiny, and strong.
In this guide, we’ll break down what hair porosity is, the different types of hair porosity, and exactly how to test your hair porosity at home.
💧 What Is Hair Porosity ?
.According to Healthline, hair porosity refers to how your hair absorbs and retains moisture, which affects how well it responds to products and treatments.
There are three levels of hair porosity:
- Low Porosity Hair – Cuticles are tightly packed, making it hard for moisture to enter or escape.
- Medium Porosity Hair – Cuticles are slightly raised, allowing balanced moisture flow.
- High Porosity Hair – Cuticles are lifted or damaged, causing hair to absorb moisture quickly but lose it just as fast.
Why it matters: Knowing your porosity helps you choose the right hair care products and avoid dryness, frizz, and breakage.
🔍 How to Check Your Hair Porosity at Home
Here are three easy methods you can try using things you already have at home:
1. The Water Float Test
Steps:
- Take a clean, dry strand of hair (free of product).
- Drop it into a glass of room-temperature water.
- Wait 2–4 minutes and observe.
Results:
- Floats on top = Low porosity
- Sinks slowly = Medium porosity
- Sinks quickly = High porosity
2. Slide Test for Hair Porosity
Steps:
- Take a single hair strand.
- Slide your fingers upward (from tip to root).
Results:
- Smooth = Low porosity
- Bumpy or rough = High porosity
3. Water Spray Test in Hair Care
Steps:
- Spray water on a small section of clean, dry hair.
- Watch how the water behaves.
Results:
- Water beads up = Low porosity
- Water is absorbed instantly = High porosity
- Water sits briefly, then absorbs = Medium porosity
🌿 Hair Care Tips for Every Porosity Type
Once you know your porosity, here’s how to care for your hair more effectively:
🟢 Hair Care for Low Porosity Hair
Challenges: Product buildup, moisture resistance
Best Products: Lightweight, water-based leave-ins and conditioners
Tips:
- Use warm water or steam to open cuticles before deep conditioning.
- Avoid heavy oils and butters that sit on the hair.
- Clarify hair regularly to remove buildup.
🟡 Hair Care Tips for Medium Porosity Hair
Challenges: Can become high porosity with damage
Best Products: Balanced conditioners and stylers
Tips:
- Maintain moisture-protein balance.
- Use heat protectants before styling.
- Deep condition regularly.
🔴 High Porosity Hair Care Routine
Challenges: Moisture loss, frizz, breakage
Best Products: Heavy creams, oils, and protein-rich treatments
Tips:
- Seal moisture with oils or butters.
- Use protein masks to strengthen hair.
- Avoid frequent heat styling and chemical treatments.
🧴 Not sure what hair care routine to follow based on your porosity?
Read about The Best Hair Care Routine Based on Your Hair Porosity
✅ Final Thoughts on Hair Care and Porosity
Whether your hair is low, medium, or high porosity, the key is understanding how it behaves — so you can treat it with the hair care it needs. Testing your hair porosity is simple, and once you know it, you’ll be able to choose products and routines that actually work.
Ready to build your perfect hair care routine? Start by testing your porosity and shop our curated collection of products for every hair type and porosity level.
