According to Experts, These 8 Low Porosity Hair Products Are Just What You Need to Lock in Moisture This Season

No two heads of hair are exactly alike. Frankly, I consider hair one of the trickiest beauty subjects because there’s much more to hair care these days than the average shampoo and conditioner . There’s a chance that you may find yourself struggling to understand your strands after years of one-size-fits-all type of products. Perhaps you believe your hair is damaged because it’s so dry, or you think you have an oily scalp because your hair constantly feels weighed down — both could be true. But it’s also important to note that other factors, like your hair’s porosity, could be in place.

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“Hair porosity is typically broken down into high, medium, and low,” Maria Santiago , a Celebrity Hairstylist who’s worked with Mariska Hargitay and Ed Sheeran , told SheKnows . “Simply put, it’s the hair’s ability to absorb and retain moisture.” Sometimes, our hair woes can just be symptoms of not understanding our porosity levels — especially when it comes to products. Someone with low porosity hair finds it hard for moisture to penetrate their hair because their hair cuticles are tightly packed together. If this sounds like something you’re experiencing, then you might have low porosity hair, and this is just the spot for you.

Best Low Porosity Hair Products at a Glance

Best Shampoo for Low Porosity Hair : K18 PEPTIDE PREP Color-Safe Detox Clarifying Shampoo
Best Conditioner for Low Porosity Hair: Bread Hydrating Ceramide Hair Conditioner
Best Pre-Poo for Low Porosity Hair: The Rootist AHA+ACV Pre-Shampoo Scalp Clarifying Rinse
Best Hair Mask for Low Porosity Hair: Amika Hydro Rush Intense Moisture Mask with Hyaluronic Acid
Best Hair Oil for Low Porosity Hair: Bread Hair Oil

To help us get to the root of understanding low porosity hair, Santiago gave us a deep dive into how to care for it, ingredients to stray away from, and, of course, what to use. Below, find out everything you need to know and the best products for low porosity hair for light and moisturized strands.

What Does Having Low Porosity Hair Mean?

“Low porosity [hair] means there’s a tight cuticle that makes it much harder for moisture to penetrate,” Santiago said. “The hair is harder to get wet throughout and can be dry and brittle.” Santiago also mentions that all hair types could fall under the low porosity umbrella, but typically, straight hair is often the texture that experiences a lack of moisture due to lower levels of porosity. And I know it might seem like an easy fix to just dose your hair in as much water as possible to see how much it can soak up, but that won’t really work. If low porosity hair is left untreated, it can lead to “dandruff and greasy hair” since the hair shaft doesn’t absorb the products that are being applied.

What Are The Best Ways To Treat Low Porosity Hair?

Santiago recommends that you start “clarifying your hair” first and foremost. Using a clarifying shampoo “can remove build-up” and start the process of allowing moisture to penetrate the hair. She also recommends trying hair steaming. “Steaming the hair allows for the cuticle to open to absorb moisture,” Santiago mentions. Lastly, she suggests using deep conditioners or treatments as a way to lock in moisture. However, she does warn against using products that are heavy, like hair butter or ones that are made with silicone bases, as well as protein treatments.

Best Pre-Poo for Low Porosity Hair

BEST LOW POROSITY HAIR PRODUCTS

The Rootist AHA+ACV Pre-Shampoo Scalp Clarifying Rinse

Best Pre-Poo for Low Porosity Hair

If you’re someone who likes to touch up and cleanse their scalp as the start of your wash day process, Santiago recommends giving this clarifying scalp rinse a try. “It gently exfoliates the scalp and removes product buildup,” she mentions. It’s made with apple cider vinegar that’s an MVP at cleanses and balancing the scalps pH. It also has a blend of glycolic and lactic acid to aid in approving the hair thickness and strength. It also has a hint of hibiscus for a light and refreshing scent.

Glowing Review: “I am two weeks into using this product and I really like the results. My scalp gets oily and flaky especially in the winter, and this feels like it gets my scalp back to neutral. It also doesn’t strip my hair of color which I was concerned about.”

Best Clarifying Shampoo for Low Porosity Hair

BEST LOW POROSITY HAIR PRODUCTS

K18 PEPTIDE PREP Color-Safe Detox Clarifying Shampoo

Best Clarifying Shampoo for Low Porosity Hair

Hands down this has been the most loved and talked about shampoo , especially if you have low porosity hair. It works as a great detoxifying shampoo for all hair patterns and textures. It’s made with activated charcoal to absorb toxins, access oil, and build up along with salicylic acid and the brands special peptide formula that helps reduce protein loss.

Glowing Review: “I’ve tried other cheaper clarifiers and keep returning to this one. I love it. Deep cleans without stripping the hair. I’ve been using it for several years now and you don’t need to use much, so it does last awhile. I have thick almost waist length hair and wash it once a week. Highly recommend!”

Best Conditioner for Low Porosity Hair

BEST LOW POROSITY HAIR PRODUCTS

Bread Hydrating Ceramide Hair Conditioner

Best Conditioner for Low Porosity Hair

Conditioners can be tricking when it comes to low porosity hair. You obviously want something that’s hydrating and nourishing but won’t weigh your strands down. Bread’s Hydrating Ceramide Conditioner is made with super hydrating ingredients like watermelon that increases hydration levels over time, which is a must for low porosity hair that doesn’t absorb moisture as much. It’s also made with a ceramide blend that helps to reinforce the strength of hair strands. Plus, it’s super lightweight so it won’t weigh you down.

Glowing Review: “Product is five stars. I have very thick, very long curly hair, and this does a great job of detangling and adding shine without making my hair feel greasy. If you have thick, low porosity hair, this conditioner is it.”

Best Leave-In Conditioner for Straight Low Porosity Hair

BEST LOW POROSITY HAIR PRODUCTS

PHILIP B. Weightless Conditioning Water

Best Leave-In Conditioner for Straight Low Porosity Hair

When it comes to products that you’re not washing out, like a leave-in conditioner, you’ll want it to be as lightweight as possible. Philip B’s Weightless Conditioning Water is as light and nourishing as it’s going to get. It sprays out like a soft mist and is made with chamomile flower extracts that offer lightweight conditioning.

Glowing Review: “Leaves hair soft without being weighted down, is good for taming frizz, and smells amazing…light magnolia flower smell. Expensive but it goes a long way!”

Best Leave-In Conditioner for Curly Low Porosity Hair

BEST LOW POROSITY HAIR PRODUCTS

NOU Low Porosity Leave in Conditioner

Best Leave-In Conditioner for Curly Low Porosity Hair

Made with coconut oil, this hydrating leave-in conditioner is just what a curly-haired girl needs. It’s super lightweight but comes out more like a spray to really penetrate thick, tight curls without weighing them down. This is a great option to reach for when you want to refresh your hair even after wash day.

Glowing Review: “Obsessed! Have purchased this several times now it is that good! When I’m in a hurry it’s the only product I have time to put in my hair and my hair feels and smells amazing! It helps my curls look more defined and it’s is super light weight but it holds my curls go tames all the frizz! 100% recommend! Buy it!”

Best Hair Mask for Low Porosity Hair

BEST LOW POROSITY HAIR PRODUCTS

amika hydro rush intense moisture mask with hyaluronic acid

Best Hair Mask for Low Porosity Hair

Sometimes your wash day isn’t complete without a hair mask. Santiago recommends this one specifically because it’s great at adding moisture even after your rinse it out. And although it’s a relatively thick formula it leaves your hair light and bouncy and ready to style. It’s made with hyaluronic acid that’s a key ingredient for attracting hydration, bio-fermented coconut water that naturally hydrates hair, and squalane to prevent any moisture lost.

Glowing Review: “I recommend this product if you have low porosity hair! I have thick and low porosity hair and this product worked wonders! The cream is lightweight compared to hair mask that I have used in the past. After using this product my hair felt clean and detangled.”

Best Scalp Serum for Low Porosity Hair

BEST LOW POROSITY HAIR PRODUCTS

The Rootist Clarify Balancing Serum

Best Scalp Serum for Low Porosity Hair

I know after all that work to cleanse your scalp on wash day, the last thing you might want to use is a scalp serum. However, this balancing serum from The Rootist works as a nice seal to keep your scalp protected while balancing out and minimizing oil production. ” All hair starts at the root,” Santiago says. “This awesome lightweight serum controls oil and doesn’t weigh down the hair!” It’s made with salicylic acid to exfoliate and clarify the scalp by breaking down excess oil and chlorella extract to hydrate, soothe, and nourish which is just what your scalp needs.

Glowing Review: “My scalp got oily easily while at the same time dehydrated, it gets flaky and look like dandruff if I’m scratchin g . This serum defines what I need. After washing my hair it instantly sank into my scalp, leaving no residue whatsoever. I noticed that after a few uses my scalp is much more cleaner and I don’t feel the oiliness anymore. My scalp is well hydrated and feels super refreshing. The serum smells nice, like a minty scent that is relaxing and not overpowering . I highly recommend it for all hair types who experience problems like me.”

Best Hair Oil for Low Porosity Hair

BEST LOW POROSITY HAIR PRODUCTS

Bread Hair Oil

Best Hair Oil for Low Porosity Hair

Having low porosity hair, you might think a hair oil is out of the question — but not this one. Thanks to coconut extract, this little guy offers super lightweight gloss and shine while giving your hair a super silky texture. It also has Kakadu plum oil that has vitamin C for overall scalp health and safflower oil that offers nourishing fatty acids. This is a wonderful finisher to your wash day.

Glowing Review: “An unexpected and unscented surprise. I typically avoid hair oils because they’re too heavy, too scented, or just sit on my low density, low porosity hair. This oil is lightweight enough to reapply several times between wash days keeping it shiny and hydrated. A low risk and high reward option if you are looking for a new hair oil bc it’s also a body oil!”