Do you struggle with dry, frizzy, textured hair that doesn't seem to hold moisture no matter what conditioning product you use?
If your answer is YES, then it's likely you have low-porosity hair.
If the term "low porosity" is new to you, don't worry -- we've got you.
This guide is a one-stop shop for all things low porosity – what causes it and, most importantly, which oils do the best job of fixing it.
Let's jump straight in and discover the solutions.
What is Low Porosity Hair?
The term porosity refers to the hair's ability to absorb and retain moisture.
Hair porosity is determined by the outer layer of the hair, known as the cuticle.
If someone's hair type has high porosity, it means the hair cuticle is open or damaged, and it absorbs a lot of moisture from conditioning treatments. It also means that moisture evaporates quickly from the hair leaving it looking dry, brittle, and dull.
Low porosity hair is the opposite – instead of being open, the hair cuticle is tight and closed,
This prevents moisture from being absorbed deep into the hair shaft. Instead, it tends to sit on the outer layers, unable to fully penetrate the cuticle.
This leaves the hair looking and feeling dehydrated, dry, and frizzy.
What Causes Low Porosity Hair?
Several things can influence the porosity of hair — some are within our control.
Factors include genetics, chemical treatments, and environmental influences such as heat, climate, and pollution.
3 Types/Levels of Hair Porosity:
- Low Porosity Hair: Where the hair cuticle is too tight or closed to let moisture penetrate deeply, and products tend to remain on the outer layers of the hair. The roots quickly get greasy from product build-up, while the ends are dry and dehydrated.
- Medium Porosity Hair: This is the ideal level of hair porosity where the cuticle is open just enough for moisture to get in but not so much that it can easily evaporate.
- High Porosity Hair: When the hair cuticle is open too much or is damaged, it means too much moisture is absorbed, and it can evaporate, leaving the hair dry, dehydrated, and in poor condition.
Best Oils For Low Porosity Hair
The ultimate weapon against low porosity hair is using specific conditioning oil treatments rich in saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids as they penetrate the hair shaft.
Benefits of Oil Treatments for Low Porosity
- Hydrates hair by penetrating the hair shaft.
- Promotes new growth cycles.
- Adds moisture without weighing your hair down.
- Strengthens the hair from within.
- Helps prevent hair breakage.
- Provides the nourishment your hair needs.
- Reduces frizz.
- Adds shine and a healthy glow.
It's important to choose the right oils for your hair care problem.
In our experience, the oils listed below showed the most significant benefits.
Jojoba Oil
Jojoba oil is well known for its amazing properties as a natural oil conditioner.
This oil is packed full of vitamin E and B-complex, which are essential nutrients required for hair growth and hair health.
Jojoba oil is also a lightweight, non-comedogenic (meaning it doesn't block pores) oil that closely resembles the scalp’s natural oils.
These properties make jojoba oil excellent at treating low-porosity hair types, as it's able to penetrate deeply within hair, adding moisture and hydration.
As well as all of these benefits, jojoba oil is also anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, and antifungal.
The real question should be this – if you're not already using this oil as part of your haircare regime - why not?
Jojoba oil is an absolute powerhouse for hair health.
That's why we’ve incorporated it into several of our products, including Moisture Mist, which is formulated to maximize moisture and hydration and is an excellent option to help treat low-porosity hair.
Avocado Oil
When dealing with low-porosity hair, avocado oil is a force to be reckoned with.
Enriched with essential minerals, nutrients, and fatty acids, this oil is also packed full of potassium, magnesium, and amino acids that allow it to not only nourish the scalp but strengthen and lock in moisture for even the driest, coarsest hair types.
If you're struggling with low-porosity hair that refuses to take in moisture, why not try our very own Avocado Hair Butter?
It’s specially formulated with a blend of 100% natural essential oils, including avocado oil.
This product will leave your hair looking and feeling revitalized, rejuvenated, and glowing.
Lavender Oil
Lavender oil has been scientifically proven to promote hair growth, and a study in 2016 found that when it was applied to mice, they started to grow more hair and new hair at faster rates than before.
Lavender oil is also good for low-porosity hair as it’s a lightweight oil that’s able to penetrate the hair shaft and seal in moisture.
It does this without weighing your hair down, unlike some heavier oils.
But the benefits don't stop there – lavender oil also has antimicrobial properties that help to keep your scalp clean and healthy.
And it’s known to reduce hair loss and hair thinning while also locking in moisture.
Rosemary Oil
Research has shown rosemary oil to be as effective, if not better, for promoting hair health and growth than famous brands like Minoxidil – without the side effects.
Rosemary oil is also lightweight, and like lavender oil, when applied to the hair and scalp, it has the ability to hydrate and moisturize dry, low-porosity hair.
At All Natural Kinks we’re aware of the power of oils like rosemary and lavender, and that's why we’ve combined them into some of our bestselling products, like Growth Oil for Locs.
Almond Oil
Almond oil has been used for centuries to treat and condition natural hairstyles, and that's mainly because it has some amazing benefits.
It’s a non-greasy oil rich in numerous proteins and vitamins that help promote hair growth, health, and shine.
It also contains oleic acid, which is known to nourish and soften dry, brittle hair.
Almond oil can do wonders for low-porosity hair, and that's why we’ve made sure to include it in some of our natural haircare products.
Argan Oil
Argan oil comes from a tree that only grows in a specific part of Morocco, and it has been used throughout the ages to promote healthy, long, hydrated locks.
This oil has two ingredients that make it a champion of hair hydration – linoleic acid and oleic acid.
These are two essential fatty acids that give argan oil an unrivalled ability to lubricate the shaft, banishing low-porosity hair for good
Castor Oil
Castor oil is a go-to conditioning treatment for coarser hair types with thicker textures.
It’s renowned for its ability to coat the hair shaft once moisture has been added. It acts as a sealant, keeping hydration locked in for longer.
It's a good idea to use castor oil as a final layer when treating low-porosity hair, after other conditioning products have been applied.
A great product for low-porosity hair is our Shea Butter Hair Sealant, which contains castor oil, along with 100% raw shea butter, grapeseed oil, olive oil, jojoba oil, and tangerine oil.
Grapeseed Oil
Grapeseed oil should be near the top of your list if you want to treat low-porosity locks.
Why?
Because it’s full of linoleic acid, an essential fatty acid with the power to deeply hydrate and nourish the hair cuticle, reducing porosity and adding shine without any extra weight.
By fortifying the shaft of the hair, products like our Aloe Hydration Leave-in Conditioner, which includes grapeseed oil, are able to preserve hydration for longer and minimize frizz, giving hair a lustrous, healthy shine.
If you're fighting a daily battle against tired, dry, low-porosity hair that simply refuses to hold moisture, then using our products might be the solution to all your hair care problems.
If you’re still unsure
Low-porosity hair can ruin our dreams of good hair days.
That's why we’ve developed amazing all-natural haircare products backed by science. They’re proven to help nourish your hair and add moisture back into your luscious locks.
If you’re unsure which of the products might be a good fit for you, see our sampler pack here.
Start making your hair dreams come true today, and check out some of our Client Testimonials on just how effective our hair care products are.