Have you ever used oil or conditioner, but your hair still felt dry? Or maybe it gets greasy quickly but still breaks easily? The reason could be your hair porosity.
Hair porosity is one of the most important things to know about your hair. It helps you understand how your hair absorbs and holds water, oils, and products. In this blog, we’ll explain what hair porosity is, how to test it at home, and how to care for your hair based on your porosity type.
What Is Hair Porosity?
Hair porosity means how well your hair absorbs and retains moisture.
It depends on how open or closed the outer layer of your hair (called the cuticle) is.
Imagine your hair like a sponge — some sponges soak up water quickly, others take more time. Hair behaves the same way.
Porosity determines how easily oils, water, and products enter and stay in your hair. If the cuticle is tight, it’s harder for moisture to get in. If it’s loose, water gets in quickly — but escapes just as fast.
Understanding your hair porosity helps you:
- Choose the right shampoo, conditioner, and oil
- Avoid dryness, frizz, and product buildup
- Save money on products that actually work
- Grow healthier, shinier, and stronger hair
Types of Hair Porosity
There are three main porosity types: low, medium, and high — and each one needs a different care routine.
Low Porosity Hair
Low porosity hair has a tightly closed cuticle layer, so water and products don’t penetrate easily. If you pour water on it, it might just sit on top.
Signs of low porosity hair:
- Hair takes a long time to dry
- Products sit on top instead of absorbing
- Hair feels heavy or greasy with oil
- You notice buildup quickly
How to care for low porosity hair:
Low porosity hair needs help letting in moisture. The cuticle is tightly closed, so water and products don’t go in easily. Using heavy oils or creams can make the hair feel sticky or greasy.
To care for low porosity hair:
- Use warm water when washing. Warmth opens the hair cuticle slightly.
- Try a lightweight oil like AccuFix Rosemary Oil. It’s light and won’t sit on top of your hair.
- Use a clarifying shampoo like AccuFix Clarify & Rebalance Shampoo once or twice a week to remove buildup.
- Use steam or a warm towel after oiling to help your hair absorb better.
Avoid using too many products at once. Keep your routine simple and clean.
Medium Porosity Hair
This is often called normal porosity hair. The cuticle allows just the right amount of moisture to enter and stay.
Signs of medium porosity hair:
- Feels soft and smooth
- Moisture stays without feeling greasy
- Easy to style and manage
- Not too dry, not too oily
How to care for medium porosity hair:
Medium porosity hair is the easiest to manage. It takes in the right amount of moisture and keeps it well. You don’t need to do too much—just follow a balanced routine.
To care for medium porosity hair:
- Wash with a gentle shampoo like Clarify & Rebalance Shampoo
- Oil your hair once or twice a week with AccuFix Rosemary Oil
- Use a light conditioner after washing
- Trim your hair every 6–8 weeks to avoid split ends
- Avoid too much heat or styling to keep it healthy
With regular care, this hair type stays soft, strong, and shiny.
High Porosity Hair
High porosity hair has an open cuticle layer that lets water in fast—but loses it just as quickly. This can be natural or caused by heat, bleach, or harsh products.
Signs of high porosity hair:
- Dries very quickly after washing
- Always feels dry, rough, or frizzy
- Breaks or tangles easily
- Needs frequent moisture
How to care for high porosity hair:
High porosity hair absorbs water and oil fast but also loses them quickly. This makes it dry, frizzy, and hard to manage. It needs products that add moisture and lock it in.
To care for high porosity hair:
- Use a gentle, moisturizing shampoo like AccuFix Salicylic Acid Shampoo
- Apply a conditioner or hair mask after every wash
- Use AccuFix Rosemary Oil after conditioning to seal in moisture
- Rinse with cold water to close the cuticle and keep moisture in
- Avoid blow-drying and heat tools as much as possible
- Be gentle while combing—use a wide-tooth comb
This type of hair benefits from deep care and hydration, especially if it has been damaged.
How to Test Your Hair Porosity at Home
You can easily find your hair porosity with a simple float test — the easiest hair porosity test at home.
Steps:
- Take a clean hair strand from your brush or comb.
- Fill a glass with clean water.
- Drop the strand in and wait 3–5 minutes.
Results:
- Hair floats → Low porosity
- Hair stays in the middle → Medium porosity
- Hair sinks → High porosit
Now that you know your hair porosity, you can choose the right routine and products.
Don’t Forget Your Scalp!
Healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp. If your scalp is oily, itchy, or full of buildup, even the best products won’t work.
To care for your scalp:
To take care of your scalp:
- Wash your hair regularly with a clarifying shampoo like Clarify & Rebalance Shampoo
- If you have dandruff or itchiness, use AccuFix Salicylic Acid Shampoo
- Massage your scalp with Rosemary Oil to increase blood flow and reduce hair fall
- Keep your scalp clean, calm, and healthy
A happy scalp means stronger, better-growing hair! Here you can see some discussion about hair porosity.
Final Thoughts
Hair porosity may sound like a big word, but it’s simple once you understand it. It’s all about how your hair takes in and holds moisture. Whether your hair is low, medium, or high porosity, you can build a routine that helps your hair grow strong, shiny, and smooth.
Take the Float Test today. Then use the right AccuFix hair care products to match your porosity. When you give your hair what it really needs, the results will show!