Image: MomJunction Design Team
Low hair porosity means the shafts of your hair are closed tightly, which prevents oils, water, and other hair care products from getting absorbed into your hair. It also prevents you from trying various hairstyles as it becomes difficult to maintain. However, the best low-porosity haircare products can help your hair absorb nutrients and moisture better for healthy growth, allowing you to try various hairstyles that you may like. If you are wondering which products suit low-porosity hair, look at our list of most popular hair care products with their descriptions to help you make a better choice. Soon, you will find your hair shiny and smooth.
Top Picks
13 Best Low Porosity Hair Products You Should Try In 2024
1. Best Anti-Residue: Neutrogena Anti-Residue Shampoo
Low porosity hair will also have difficulty absorbing the products you use for hair care, leading to buildup that tends to weigh your hair down. Hence, it is important to opt for a clarifying shampoo that will keep your hair and scalp clean and healthy. This anti-residue shampoo from a celebrity-endorsed brand claims to rinse away nasty buildup and help add volume making it an apt hair product for low porosity hair.
Pros
- The mild formula does not cause skin irritation
- Does not contain dyes or colorants
- Also suitable for chemically treated hair
Cons
- Contains SLS
- May not be ideal for sensitive scalp
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The whopping 24,488 positive reviews on Amazon reflect the superior quality of this product.
2. Best To Reduce Frizz: Thank God It’s Natural (tgin) Butter Cream Daily Moisturizer
Fortified with the goodness of shea butter, this daily hair moisturizer claims to promote healthy hair growth and control hair loss. This curl-enhancing product for low-porosity hair helps reduce frizz and adds shine to hair. This video review showcasing a tester’s experience will help you make an informed decision about this curly hair product.
Pros
- Shea butter keeps the moisture locked
- Vitamin E and cocoa butter help strengthen hair
- Makes hair smooth without making it greasy
- Helps tame flyaways
- Suitable for thick curly hair
Cons
- May not suit a sensitive scalp
- Can weigh down hair
"This hair butter’s creamy consistency reduces frizz and makes my hair more manageable. It even offers a healthy sheen to my strands, and the scent is not overpowering. However, I recommend using a pea-sized amount to keep it from feeling heavy."
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The 5,320 positive reviews on Amazon are proof that this product meets customers' expectations.
Do remember3. Best For Deep Hydration: Biolage Ultra Hydra Source Shampoo
The Biolage Ultra Hydra Source Shampoo is formulated to provide intense moisture to extremely coarse, thick, dry hair while cleansing the hair thoroughly, leaving them shiny. This shampoo, known for its proven efficacy, contains the combined goodness of ingredients like aloe vera, apricot kernel oil, and cupuacu butter which nourishes the hair and regulates its natural moisture balance.
Pros
- Free of parabens
- Safe for color-treated hair
- Cruelty-free and vegan
- 72 hours of frizz control
Cons
- May have a runny consistency
- May weigh down the hair
"Using this conditioner after shampooing my hair makes it look bouncy and soft. Although hydrating, it does not leave a residue, which is a big plus. Moreover, its scent is also gentle on my senses."
Neutrogena Anti-Residue Shampoo Best Anti-Residue | Thank God It’s Natural (tgin) Butter Cream Daily Moisturizer Best To Reduce Frizz | Biolage Ultra Hydra Source Shampoo Best For Deep Hydration | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hair Type | Multicultural | Curly | Dry |
| Dimensions | 3.7 x 1.3 x 5.8 inches | 1 x 1 x 1 inches | 2.38 x 2.38 x 9.02 inches |
| Weight | 7.68 Ounces | 12.8 Ounces | 14.07 Ounces |
| Rating | |||
| Reviews | 24,488 | 5,320 | 624 |
| Price | $1.05 | $14.49 | $23 |
4. Best With Almond Oil: Carol’s Daughter Almond Milk Leave-In Conditioner
Low porosity hair often tends to be dry due to a lack of nourishment. This leave-in conditioner claims to moisturize dry and damaged hair. Its combination of sweet almond oil, aloe, and shea butter can help strengthen and smoothen the hair. Check out this product review video and pick the best-suited one for your needs.
Pros
- Lightweight product strengthens hair
- Soya bean oil helps absorb and retain moisture in the hair
- Help manage and detangle dry, damaged hair
- Boosts bounce and shine in hair
- Free of paraben, petroleum, mineral oil
Cons
- The smell may be a bit strong for some
- May not be effective on extremely coarse hair
"I love styling my hair, which means regular use of heat-based products, so finding this conditioner has been a blessing. It takes care of my hair’s nourishment needs and the delightful scent that garners compliments."
5. Best For Color Treated Hair: Pure Nature Lux SpaArgan Oil Hair Mask
Image: Ouai Store With argan oil as its star ingredient, this expert-recommended hair mask claims to deep condition the hair to make it soft and shiny. Since argan oil is light, it will not cause product buildup or weight down your hair like other oils making it an apt hair oil for low porosity hair. This oil also contains amino acids and the hydrating blend of jojoba oil, collagen protein, and hydrolyzed keratin that strengthen the hair.
Pros
- Argan kernel oil tames frizzy hair
- Jojoba oil helps retain moisture
- Hydrolyzed keratin helps hydrate hair
- Also suitable for color-treated hair
Cons
- Gritty consistency could make application inconvenient
- Could dry out hair in some cases
"Incorporating this conditioner into my hair care routine has boosted the health of my low-porosity hair. It also worked well when I had dyed hair. Overall, it has been excellent at simplifying hair care."
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The product has earned its stripes, with over 4,449 reviews on Amazon.
6. Best For Fighting Dryness: Aunt Jackie’s Quench, Moisture Intensive Leave-in Conditioner
Fortified with shea butter and olive oil, this moisture intensive leave-in conditioner claims to replenish dry hair. This results-driven detangling deep conditioner for low porosity hair, containing natural ingredients, helps retain the natural curl pattern and keeps the hair bouncy and healthy.
Pros
- Helps fight dryness
- The slippery texture of marshmallow roots makes detangling hair easy and quick
- Extra virgin olive oil helps deeply nourish hair
- Free of paraben, petrolatum, mineral oil and sulfate
Cons
- May not be able to control the frizz fully
- Can leave hair a little dry
"My curly hair never looked so good! This product provides softness and enhances my curls without weighing them down. The scent is not my favorite, but the product offers an ideal solution for beautifying my thick curls, and I'm not complaining."
7. Best For Curly Hair: Design Essentials Natural Honey Curl Forming Custard
We know how difficult it is to maintain those lively, bouncy curls, and hence added this curl forming custard to this list. Enriched with ingredients like honey and chamomile, this anti-frizz hair styling product for low-porosity hair claims to enhance the texture of all kinds of curls. Watch this video showcasing a tester’s experience to get a detailed review of this hair product known for its proven efficacy.
Pros
- Honey helps moisturize low-porosity hair
- Chamomile helps make the hair smooth and shiny
- Helps fight shrinkage and frizz
- Free of parabens, paraffin, petrolatum, mineral oil
Cons
- Can be difficult to wash out
- Tends to leave a residue after drying
"It really brings out the bounce and shape of my curls! Despite its water-based formulation, it provides decent moisture. The scent is subtle and a solid choice for a gentle and natural hair care product."
Quick tip8. Best For All Hair Types: Camille Rose Naturals Curl Love Moisture Milk
Infused with nourishing ingredients such as natural oils, butter, and milk, this moisturizing product for low porosity hair contains moisture milk, claims to provide intense care for your hair. Its moisturizing formula helps add life to curly and coiled hair.
Pros
- Moisture lasts long
- Makes hair shiny and soft
- Suitable for all types of hair
Cons
- Can leave residue behind after drying
"The leave-in conditioner deserves praise for its ability to deliver defined curls. It maintains the hair's softness, and the scent is soothing. While it does leave a slightly heavy feel, it is a minor concern for me, given its moisturizing benefits."
9. Best Sulphate-Free: Majestic Pure Avocado and Coconut Hair Mask
Enriched with biotin, this deep conditioning treatment for low porosity hair claims to make the hair thicker and healthy. This professional-grade lightweight product for low-porosity hair is a sulfate-free formula and is suitable for all hair types.
Pros
- Lightweight avocado oil moisturizes hair without weighing it down
- Shea butter nourishes hair and leaves it smooth
- Coconut oil easily penetrates the hair shaft and makes it soft and manageable
- Safe to use on colored hair
Cons
- May not suit sensitive scalp
Do remember10. Best Cleansing: SheaMoisture Baobab & Tea Tree Oils Low Porosity Hydro-Infusion Shampoo
Boasting a formula containing shea butter, baobab, and tea tree oils, this sulfate-free SheaMoisture product for low-porosity hair claims to cleanse hair while nourishing it. This results-driven clarifying product for low porosity hair ensures that dry and lackluster hair looks healthy and shiny, making it a nourishing treatment for low porosity hair.
Pros
- Spearmint oil helps stimulate the scalp to boost healthy hair growth
- Clary sage can make hair silky and shiny
- Baobab oil deeply nourishes, and hydrates dry the hair
- Tea tree oil helps soothe the scalp
- Free of parabens, phthalates, propylene glycol, mineral oil, and petroleum
Cons
- Fragrance can be overwhelming for a sensitive nose
- Can dry out the scalp
"This conditioner is the right choice for my low-porosity, protein-sensitive hair. It keeps them hydrated without causing build-up and has been quite good at relieving scalp itchiness too. And thanks to the fast-absorbing oils, it moisturizes deeply."
11. Best For Moisturizing Hair: ApHogeeCurlific Moisture Rich Leave-In
Detangling and styling textured hair can be a serious task, but not with this deep conditioner. The leave-in conditioner for low porosity hair claims to moisturize curly hair so it can detangle and style easily. This styling product and curl cream contains shea butter, which is known as one of the best hair butter for low-porosity hair.
Pros
- Shea butter helps moisturize dry hair and make it soft
- Can detangle hair easily to make styling smooth
Cons
- Can leave a white residue after drying
"I’ve tried plenty of hair care products for my coarse hair, and this one stands out for its effectiveness. It delivers the right amount of hydration for my curly strands and leaves them looking shiny. I’m definitely ordering more!"
12. Best To Hydrate Hair: OGX Replenishing + Water Cream Hydrating Treatment
Created to suit low porosity hair, this flower water-based product claims to hydrate hair so it does not look or feel dry. It can nourish the mane, resulting in healthy-looking, shiny hair.
Pros
- Helps add volume to hair
- Smoothen dry hair strands
- Also suitable for colored hair
Cons
- Contains alcohol
"It has been a great find for rejuvenating my damaged curls. It is light yet effective and makes my hair more manageable without weighing it down. The product is worth trying for those seeking soft, defined curls and looking to controll frizz."
13. Best Nourishment: Latinoil Chia Oil Hair Mask Treatment
Specially formulated, this oil-based product for low porosity hair claims to fortify hair and seal open ends. This hair mask can help get rid of split ends and make hair shiny and healthy.
Pros
- Helps nourish and repair damaged hair
- Softens and smoothes hair fiber
- Can help detangle artificial hair too
- Also suited for chemically-treated and colored hair
Cons
- May not suit every buyer
"This hair mask does everything from compacting frizz to nourishing them in just a few applications. I’ve noticed that it also loosens the knots, making it easy to detangle my hair."
What Are The Signs Of Low Porosity Hair?
If you are not sure of the porosity of your hair, you can determine it through this simple and common ‘water test’.
Take a glass of regular water and drop a strand of your hair in it. If your hair sinks quickly to the bottom of the glass, then it means that your hair has high porosity. If it sinks slowly and stops midway in the glass, then it has normal porosity. If it does not sink at all and remains floating on the surface, it means that it has low porosity.
Other than this, low porosity hair exhibits the following characteristics:
- Does not get wet easily
- Wet hair does not dry quickly
- Products tend to build up on hair instead of getting absorbed
- Lacks elasticity
- Most likely to have dandruff and flaky scalp since product buildup contributes to lack of a clean scalp
Tiffany Young, a trichologist and founder of ThinHairThick, says, “Low porosity hair has a tightly knit hair cuticle shaft–picture a scale armor. When the scales are tightly woven, they offer better protection. While it may make styling curls difficult, the positive side is that the hair is typically in good condition because it is able to avoid environmental stressors better than high porosity hair.”
How To Find The Right Low Porosity Hair Products?
Not all products come with the label indicating that they are suitable for hair with low porosity. So, you have to judge every product based entirely on its ingredients.
With hair cuticles tightly bound, it is difficult for hair products to penetrate the hair fiber and shaft easily. It is essential you treat your hair to products containing moisturizing oils that are high on fatty acids such as lauric and caprylic acids. Natural ingredients such as shea butter, avocado oil, coconut oil, jojoba oil, and aloe vera are known to penetrate the hair shaft and nourish hair easily.
These ingredients can effectively penetrate through the shaft and moisturize your hair. You can also look for hair milk formulae that are light on the hair and do not weigh it down.
To ensure good health of hair with low porosity, you must avoid using products high in protein content. It is because such products tend to build up and leave the hair feeling stiff. Opt for clinically proven products without protein or with relatively less protein, and look for moisture-retaining ingredients such as honey or glycerin. Also, ensure your hair is free of build-up before applying any moisturizing agents.
How Often Should You Wash Low Porosity Hair?
This depends on how your hair behaves after every wash. If your scalp tends to get oily easily, you may need to wash it more often. If you are using a clarifying shampoo that keeps your head free of buildup for a long time, then you can wash it once a week.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What causes low hair porosity?
Low hair porosity is caused due to genetics, and other factors such as chemical treatments or exposure to heat do not affect hair porosity levels.
2. How do I keep my low-porosity hair moisturized?
Washing your hair to remove buildup and applying different oils, deep conditioners, and hydrating hair serums can help moisturize your hair. You can also try hair steaming to expand the hair cuticles for better absorption of products.
3. What kind of shampoo is good for low-porosity hair?
You can choose a sulfate-free shampoo, as sulfate may flatten the hair even more. A gentle shampoo enriched with the goodness of oils and one that can provide much-needed moisture can benefit low-porosity hair. You can also opt for dermatologist-recommended shampoos with UV protection elements and ingredients that shield against damage-causing environmental stressors.
Why Trust MomJunction?
Poulami Nag is a hair and skincare enthusiast who conducts extensive research on products to ensure she recommends the best ones for your skin and hair. She has analyzed numerous user reviews and product descriptions to compile this list of the best low-porosity hair care products to help make your hair healthier and more manageable. She has also included a buying guide to help you make an informed decision.
The Bottom Line
Maintaining the porosity of hair may not be a priority for most of us, but it can make all the difference to the quality of your hair. The best low-porosity haircare products are formulated to help you maximize the benefits of your hair care routine by improving your scalp’s ability to absorb nutrients. The options listed here from reputed brands are mild, chemical-free and safe for most skin types. They help rinse away buildup and add more volume while enhancing the hair growth rate so you can enjoy beautiful, healthy tresses that are easy to manage and style. We recommend the Neutrogena Anti-Residue Shampoo for detangling and adding volume, the Thank God Its Natural’s Butter Cream Daily Moisturizer with shea butter and vitamins to eliminate frizz, and the Biolage Ultra Hydra Source Shampoo for deeply moisturizing dry and protein-sensitive hair.
Infographic: How To Care For Hair With Low Porosity?
Hair with low porosity has a tightly bound cuticle layer, making it resistant to absorbing moisture. Understanding its unique characteristics can assist in selecting the appropriate hair care routine and products for optimal hydration and manageability. Refer to the infographic to learn how to care for low-porosity hair effectively.
Illustration: Momjunction Design Team
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