What Type of Hair Porosity Do You Have?

Posted on Tuesday, 8 April 2025 - By Gemma

We’ve heard about different hair types, but do you know your hair porosity? A deeper understanding of hair porosity will totally change how you care for your locks. Whether your hair absorbs moisture like a sponge or struggles to stay hydrated, this hair porosity test will help you figure out your porosity type and adjust your routine to leave your hair looking (and feeling) its absolute best.

So, what Is Hair Porosity...
and how do I know mine?

Hair porosity refers to how easily your hair absorbs and retains moisture and products. It’s influenced by the structure of your hair’s cuticle - the outermost layer of your hair shaft. This determines how well your hair stays hydrated and nourished. Porosity is partly determined by genetics, but it can also change over time due to damage from heat styling, colouring, or other chemical treatments that harm the hair’s cuticle.

There are a few tests you can try to work yours out:

Take a section of strands for different places on your hair, stretch out and slide your thumb and finger from the tip to the scalp. If your fingers move easily, and your hair feels dense and hair then your hair’s low porosity. If it feels smooth, then your porosity is pretty balanced. If your hair feels rough (or it breaks), then you have high porosity hair.
Try taking a hair that you’ve shed into a glass of water. If it sinks straight away your hair is high porosity. If it floats, your hair’s low porosity. Sinks slowly? Your hair’s balanced when it comes to your porosity. 
Another way to check is to lightly spray a small section of your hair with water and see what happens. Does it soak up the water quickly? High porosity. Does it sit on top of your hair? Low porosity.

Low Porosity Hair

Low porosity hair cuticles are tightly packed so repel water and products, meaning they sit on the hair surface rather than being absorbed. Low porosity hair can be prone to product build-up, and take longer to wet and moisturise however once moisture is in, it’s retained well.

How to Care for Low Porosity Hair:

Use lighter, water-based products: Try Thirsty Curls Shampoo and Conditioner and Detangler which hydrate without weighing your hair down, giving you frizz-free curls for up to 72 hours*
Regular clarifying shampoo: We love the Hair Detox Charcoal Purifying Shampoo to remove build-up
Apply products on wet hair in sections: Warm water helps open the cuticle for better absorption
Avoid protein-heavy products: Low porosity hair is often protein-sensitive. Excess protein can make your hair stiff and prone to breakage.

Medium Porosity Hair

Medium porosity hair strikes a balance - it allows moisture to enter and be retained fairly easily as the hair cuticles are not too tight or too open. Medium porosity hair responds well to treatments and holds styles easily, it also doesn’t take too long to dry.

How to Care for Medium Porosity Hair:

Maintain moisture balance: You don’t need heavy treatments but can enjoy a mix of moisture and protein treatments
Regular deep conditioning: Use a hydrating mask to maintain healthy, happy hair

High Porosity Hair

High porosity hair cuticle layer has gaps and is lifted, allowing moisture, water and products to enter quickly but causing it to escape just as fast. High porosity hair feels frizzy, dry, and tangles easily. Hair dyes and treatments penetrate well, but results fade fast. Hair can look and feel dehydrated.

How to Care for High Porosity Hair:

Seal in moisture: Products like No More Frizz Serum and The Frizz Oil are your best friends.
Protein treatments: Regular use of protein rich products can help strengthen your hair by filling the gaps in your cuticle layer.
Cold water rinse: After conditioning, a cold rinse helps close the cuticle and locks in moisture.
Avoid harsh treatments and excessive heat: Chemical treatments and high-heat styling can worsen porosity. If heat styling is a must, use a heat protectant and avoid temperatures above 180°C

Frizzy hair is usually a sign of high porosity. When the cuticle is open or damaged, it allows moisture to escape, leaving the hair dry, brittle, and prone to frizz.

Understanding your hair porosity can revolutionise the way you care for your hair, helping you select the right products and routines to keep your locks healthy, hydrated, and beautiful. Whether your hair is low, medium, or high porosity, the key is finding balance, using the right treatments, and embracing your hair’s unique needs.

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