The Missing Piece of the Hair Care Puzzle? How to Test Hair Porosity and What It Means for Your Hair
- OOF!
- Mar 27
- 9 min read
Updated: 9 hours ago
If your hair never seems to respond to products the way it should, porosity might be the missing piece.
You can use the best products, follow every trend, and still end up with frizz, dryness, or buildup that makes no sense.
The reason is simple. If your hair cannot properly absorb or hold moisture, nothing you put on it will work the way it should.
The good news is you can figure it out in minutes with a simple at-home test.
Place a clean strand of hair in a glass of water
If it floats, your hair is low porosity
If it sinks slowly, it’s medium
If it sinks quickly, it’s high
Hair Porosity Key Takeaways
Hair porosity is how well your hair absorbs and holds moisture
There are three types: low, medium, and high porosity
The water test can help you quickly identify your porosity
Using the wrong products can lead to frizz, dryness, or buildup
The right routine makes your hair easier to keep healthy
What Is Hair Porosity? (And Why It Matters)
The secret to hair care just might lie in understanding your hair's porosity. Hair porosity refers to the hair's ability to absorb and retain moisture.
Hair porosity is an important but mostly overlooked piece of the hair care puzzle.
You can certainly find hair care products for different hair types, damage levels, and even colors, not many are geared toward the specific needs of low vs. high porosity hair.
Your hair’s porosity level can (and should) influence the hair care products you use and when you use them.
🧡 Pro Tip: Damaged Hair? Once you understand your porosity, follow this step-by-step damaged hair recovery plan.
My Story With Hair Porosity
My hair is wavy/curly. Blow dry and then brush it out and I look like I'm prepping for a witchy Halloween look.
So, to combat the frizz, I slathered my hair in super heavy moisturizing products.
I didn't know it at the time, but this was leaving it in a constant state of moisture overload.
What is different now? I learned that I had low porosity hair. My hair didn't need all that moisture.
After changing up my routine to water-based products and light moisture, my hair was so much shinier, healthier looking, and way easier to style.
Understanding Hair Porosity
Hair porosity is determined by the condition of the cuticle. The cuticle can have three different states: open, partially open, or closed.
You can think of this like shingles on a roof. If your "shingles" are lifted (open), water can get through. This would be high porosity hair.
If they are flat and smooth (closed), water can't get through. This would be low porosity hair.
Medium porosity lies somewhere in between.
🧡 Pro Tip: If your hair always feels dry no matter how much product you use, you’re likely dealing with high porosity. If products just sit on your hair, it’s usually low porosity.
The 3 Types of Hair Porosity
Low Porosity Hair (Resists Moisture)
Low porosity hair has a tightly closed cuticle, making it more difficult for moisture to penetrate.
This hair type takes longer to absorb water or products, but once absorbed, it retains moisture well.
Common signs:
Water beads on the hair
Products sit on top of the hair
Takes longer to get fully wet
Medium Porosity Hair (Balanced Moisture)
The cuticles are partially open, striking a balance between absorbing and retaining moisture.
This is generally considered the ideal porosity as it can absorb and retain moisture effectively.
Common signs:
Holds moisture well
Looks shiny and healthy
Styles last longer
High Porosity Hair (Absorbs Moisture Quickly but Loses It Fast)
High porosity hair has cuticles that are open, allowing moisture to be easily absorbed. However, it also loses moisture quickly.
This hair type tends to absorb water and products quickly but may struggle to retain moisture.
Common signs:
Hair dries quickly
Feels dry or frizzy often
Absorbs products quickly but doesn’t stay hydrated
High porosity hair is often linked to damage. If you are dealing with breakage or overprocessed strands, follow this step by step guide to repairing damaged hair.
How to Test Your Hair Porosity (At Home)
To test your hair porosity, place a clean strand of hair in a glass of water and observe what happens after a few minutes.
This simple test shows how well your hair absorbs and retains moisture.
Take a clean strand of hair (free of product)
Place it in a glass of room-temperature water
Wait 3–5 minutes
Watch where the hair settles
🧡 Pro Tip: Make sure your strand is completely clean before testing. Product buildup or oils can throw off your results and make your hair seem lower porosity than it actually is.
Watch how to test your hair porosity step by step:
In this video, you’ll learn:
How to test your hair porosity at home
What the results mean
How to avoid common mistakes
If Your Hair Floats (Low Porosity)
If your hair stays floating on top of the water, it likely has low porosity.
This means that the cuticle is tightly closed, making it difficult for moisture to penetrate.
If Your Hair Sinks Slowly (Medium Porosity)
The cuticle is partially open, striking a balance between moisture absorption and retention.
Medium porosity hair retains moisture well while allowing products to penetrate effectively.
If Your Hair Sinks Quickly (High Porosity)
The cuticle is fully open, allowing moisture to enter and escape easily.
To combat this, incorporate products that provide intense hydration and seal the cuticles.
Best Hair Care for Each Hair Porosity Type (Low, Medium, High)
Not Sure Where to Start?
If your hair routine isn’t working, don’t switch everything at once.
Start by identifying your porosity, then adjust your shampoo and conditioner first — that’s where the biggest change happens.
Hair Care for Low Porosity Hair
Your cuticle layer is tightly packed, making it harder for moisture to get in, but once it’s in, it stays put.
The right routine will help your hair absorb hydration without weighing it down.
1. Occasionally Use a Clarifying Shampoo
Use a clarifying shampoo once a month to remove product buildup and allow moisture to penetrate the hair.
2. Lightweight Moisture
Look for water-based shampoos and conditioners with lightweight moisturizers like aloe vera, glycerin, or honey that draw moisture in, and avoid heavy butters or oils that can cause buildup.
If your hair feels mushy when it's wet it could be over moisturized.
🧡 Pro Tip: If your ends look thin or uneven, trimming regularly makes a bigger difference than adding more products. Learn how to do it at home with our hair dusting guide.
3. Add in Some Heat
Conditioning with heat is particularly beneficial for low porosity hair. It helps open the cuticle for better product absorption.
Using gentle heat like warm water during washes or a heat cap with your conditioner can help open the cuticle so products absorb better.
4. Go Easy on Protein
Low porosity hair doesn’t usually need a lot of protein (too much can cause protein overload), and small amounts can help with strength.
Choose light proteins such as silk amino acids or hydrolyzed wheat protein, and use them occasionally rather than in every wash.
Looking for the best products for low porosity hair? Check out our recommended picks below.
Hair Care for Medium Porosity Hair
Lucky you — it’s the “sweet spot”.
It soaks up just the right amount of moisture and keeps it in, making it easier to maintain. Stick with a consistent, balanced hair care routine.
1. Balanced Moisture and Protein
Look for products that list both moisturizing ingredients (like aloe, glycerin, or oils) and light proteins (like hydrolyzed silk, wheat, or keratin).
Consider rotating between a moisturizing conditioner one wash and a light protein conditioner the next to keep hair balanced.
2. Avoid extremes
Skip heavy protein treatments or overly rich moisture masks unless your hair feels dry or weak — balance is key.
Apply a leave-in conditioner and seal with a natural oil or butter.
Deep condition your hair once a week to maintain moisture balance.
3. Stick to Light Leave-ins
Pick a leave-in that hydrates without weighing hair down. Look for lightweight oils like argan or jojoba.
Looking for the best products for medium porosity hair? Check out our recommended picks below.
Hair Care for Your High Porosity Hair
If the results of your hair porosity test point to having highly porous hair, don’t panic.
We have some great tips to help you protect and nourish your hair.
1. Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner
Your high porosity hair needs moisture. Start at the beginning of your routine with a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner system.
Look for ingredients with heavy moisturizers like shea butter, argan oil, and coconut oil.
2. Protein Treatments for High Porosity Hair
Protein can help fill in gaps in the cuticle and strengthen your hair.
Use protein treatment masks for a deep boost every few weeks, and in conditioners for light, regular strengthening.
Just remember to balance it with plenty of moisture to avoid protein overload.
Look for hydrolyzed or amino acid forms. These are broken down into small enough molecules to actually bind to the hair shaft.
🧡 Pro Tip: High porosity hair loves layering. Apply leave-in conditioner first, then seal it in with an oil or cream to help lock in moisture longer.
3. Avoid Hot Tools or Use Heat Protectant
When you have high porosity hair you should avoid hot tools as much as possible.
When you do use them, set them to their lowest temperature and make sure to use a heat protectant.
Looking for the best products for high porosity hair? Check out our recommended picks below.
Best Products for Each Hair Porosity Type
(Low, Medium, High)
Recommended Products for Low Porosity Hair
Maui Moisture Lightweight Hydration + Hibiscus Water Shampoo + Conditioner
Lightweight hydration that won’t sit on the hair—helps moisture actually absorb instead of building up.
Oli G Pure Detox Clarifying Shampoo
Removes buildup so low porosity hair can better absorb moisture and products.
milk_shake Leave-In Conditioner
A lightweight leave-in that softens and hydrates without weighing hair down.
Recommended Products For Medium Porosity Hair
Nécessaire Rosemary Hair Duo (Protein Support)
Helps maintain strength and balance with light protein support for healthy strands.
Amika Hydro Rush (Moisture Support)
Adds hydration without heaviness—perfect for maintaining moisture balance.
milk_shake Leave-In Conditioner
Keeps hair soft, smooth, and manageable without buildup.
Recommended Products for High Porosity Hair
Amika Hydro Rush Shampoo and Conditioner
Deep hydration to help replenish moisture and improve manageability.
Briogeo Deep Conditioning Mask (Protein Treatment)
Strengthens and helps repair porous strands to reduce breakage and frizz.
CHI 44 Iron Guard (Heat Protectant)
Protects fragile hair from heat damage and moisture loss.
Why the OOF! HALO Hair Towel Works for All Hair Porosity Types
No matter your porosity, how you handle your hair when it’s wet matters.
If frizz and breakage are part of your routine, your drying method matters more than you think. Most people are unknowingly causing damage right after they wash their hair. Learn how to dry your hair without causing frizz.
🧡 Pro Tip: Wet hair is when your cuticle is most vulnerable. Using a rough towel can undo all the work of your routine in minutes.
Whether your hair is low, medium, or high porosity, the OOF! HALO Hair Towel is your new BFF. Here’s why:
Less Frizz and Damage
Our t-shirt-soft cotton jersey knit means way less friction than microfiber or terry cloth, so your cuticles stay smooth.
Breathable & Curl-Friendly
Lets curls and waves dry in their natural pattern without trapping heat or moisture the wrong way.
Custom Fit
No buttons, loops, or elastic to pull at your strands — just wrap and tie however you like.
MoistureLock Magic
Absorbs just enough water to speed up drying without sucking out the moisture your hair needs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hair Porosity
What is hair porosity?
Hair porosity refers to how well your hair absorbs and retains moisture. It’s determined by the condition of your hair cuticle—whether it’s tightly closed, slightly open, or more raised—which affects how your hair responds to water and products.
How do you test hair porosity at home?
You can test your hair porosity using the water test. Place a clean strand of hair in a glass of water and wait a few minutes. If it floats, your hair is low porosity; if it sinks slowly, it’s medium; and if it sinks quickly, it’s high porosity.
Is the hair porosity water test accurate?
The water test can give you a general idea of your hair porosity, but it isn’t always perfectly accurate. Product buildup, oils, or residue on the hair can affect the results, so it’s best to use it as a guide along with how your hair behaves.
Can hair porosity change over time?
Yes, hair porosity can change. Heat styling, chemical treatments, and damage can raise the cuticle and increase porosity over time, while healthy hair care habits can help maintain or improve your hair’s condition.
What is the best routine for low porosity hair?
Low porosity hair does best with lightweight, water-based products that won’t sit on the surface. Using gentle heat during conditioning can help open the cuticle so moisture can absorb more effectively.
What is the best routine for high porosity hair?
High porosity hair needs a balance of moisture and protein. Hydrating products help restore moisture, while protein treatments can strengthen the hair and help fill gaps in the cuticle.
What products are best for hair porosity?
The best products depend on your porosity type. Low porosity hair benefits from lightweight hydration, medium porosity hair does best with a balanced routine, and high porosity hair needs richer moisture and occasional protein.
Why does hair porosity matter?
Hair porosity determines how your hair absorbs and retains moisture, which affects dryness, frizz, breakage, and how well your products work. Understanding your porosity helps you choose the right routine for healthier hair.
The Bottom Line
Once you know your hair porosity, choosing the right products and routine becomes so much easier.
No more random deep treatments that leave your hair frizzier, no more protein overload—just healthy, shiny, touchable hair that actually does what you want.
Your mission? Figure out your porosity, tweak your routine, and watch the magic happen.
We’ll cheer you on every step of the way. Reach out on our social channels @clearlyoof. Every purchase supports our initiative WOOF! by OOF! helping animals in need.
