If your hair is like mine and takes forever to get fully wet in the shower, takes hours to to dry, and products just sit on top instead of absorbing, you probably have low porosity hair.
Low porosity hair means your cuticles are tightly packed and lay flat. While that can make your hair look shiny, it also makes it harder for moisture to get in. They key is not using more products. It is about using the right techniques.
Here is how to actually help low porosity hair thrive.
- Use Heat When Deep Conditioning
Low porosity hair struggles to absorb moisture because the cuticle layer is tightly closed. Heat gently lifts the cuticle, allowing conditioners and treatments to penetrate.
When deep conditioning:
- Apply your conditioner to damp hair
- Use a shower cap
- Add heat (a hooded dryer, heated cap, or even wrapping a warm towel around your head)
- Leave it on for 20–30 minutes
Without heat, the product may just sit on top and rinse right off.
A product I use on my wash days is the Debecty Heated Cap. This helped my curls
2. Choose Lightweight Products
Heavy butters and thick oils can easily cause buildup on low porosity hair. Instead of thick creams, look for lightweight, water-based products. Check the ingredient list. Water should be one of the first ingredients. Avoid layering too many oils and heavy stylers, it can leave your hair feeling coated instead of moisturized. A good leave in for low porosity hair would be Honey Gloss Ceramide Therapy Hydrating Conditioner. layer that with lightweight oils like; Joboba oil, Argan oil, and Grapeseed Oil. If you are unsure which oil works best for your curls, I break everything down in my post The Best Oils for Hair Growth
3. Clarify Regularly
Because low porosity hair is prone to buildup, clarifying is extremely important. If moisture can’t get in, sometimes it’s because there’s a layer of product blocking it.
Use a clarifying shampoo every 3–4 weeks (or sooner if your hair feels coated, dull, or dry despite moisturizing). This resets your hair and allows hydration to actually penetrate again. If you want to know more about clarifying shampoos check out my post. The Curl Reset You are Missing.
Video Credits: Rose Alzeir @r.osebassam
4. Apply Products on Damp Hair:
Low porosity hair absorbs moisture best when it’s already wet and warm. Applying leave-in conditioner or moisturizer on dry hair usually won’t do much because the cuticle is tightly closed, making it harder for products to sink in.
After washing:
- Keep your hair damp, dont let it fully air dry before styling
- Apply leave-in immediately while your hair is still wet
- Distribute evenly, focusing on your mid lengths and ends R
- Seal lightly if needed
This helps trap water inside the strand instead of trying to force moisture into a dry cuticle.
Ready to fix your routine?
If this sounds like your hair, start by changing just one thing this week. Small adjustments make the biggest difference over time.
For more curl care tips and product breakdowns, explore more on The Frizz Files
Comment below if you have ever tried any of these tips
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