Need Moisture? These Products for Low Porosity Hair Are a Must-Have

I you have low porosity hair, you might not even know it, but chances are you recognize the signs, as they can make styling your hair a bit of a struggle. If you have low porosity hair, your hair may down-right refuse to get damp and accept product, resulting in a desert-dry situation despite any moisture-rich formulas you might be using. Thankfully, the solution is as simple as a few product swaps with ingredients that keep your low porosity hair in mind. Ahead, we tapped experts to break down how exactly you know you have low porosity hair and what products you can use to make styling easier.

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What to Look for in Low Porosity Hair Products

Low porosity hair works a bit like a shut door, versus the open-door type of high porosity hair, where water and products can enter easily through the cuticle. “In low porosity hair, the cuticle scales, which form the outer layer of the hair, tend to overlap,” explains trichologist and president of Philip Kingsley, Anabel Kingsley. “Because there is not much space between the scales, it makes it harder for water, as well as products like oils and conditioners, to penetrate and deliver moisture to the hair shaft, which is where it’s needed.”

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Since you can weigh down strands with product buildup from heavy formulas that can’t actually penetrate past the outer layer of the hair, it’s best to opt for lightweight and hydrating formulas. Celebrity hairstylist and creator of Kim Kimble Hair Collection by HairUWear and Kimble Beauty, Kim Kimble, notes that for the low porosity client, she prioritizes a few different ingredients. “I look for options like shea butter and oils that provide extreme hydration, like jojoba, avocado or olive oils,” she says. “The goal is moisture without too much weight.”

“Consider opting for water-based formulas as well,” adds Kingsley.

The Moisture-Rich Products We Love for Low Porosity Hair

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Ceramides and AHAs work together to deliver intense hydration without the weight of traditional oils and moisturizers, which is perfect for notoriously dry low porosity hair.

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Jojoba and olive oil deliver lightweight hydration that penetrates deeply into low porosity hair, allowing for moisture to reach where it’s critically needed. Designed for low to normal porosity, this conditioner is truly a lightweight hydration dream.

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This weekly hair mask uses a weightless tsubaki seed oil to deliver much-needed moisture to low porosity hair without causing buildup.

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This formula uses murumuru butter to penetrate the hair shaft, which low porosity hair desperately needs. Hair is strengthened while it’s repaired and protected against thermal damage.

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Designed to be ultra-lightweight, this argan oil-infused treatment conditions and detangles, allowing your strands to shine with health instead of product buildup.

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Lightweight jojoba oil and nutrient-rich sea buckthorn work together to deliver intense hydration that won’t drag strands down.

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Water-based and designed for dry strands, this deep-conditioning treatment is designed to stop breakage and banish frizz while delivering intense hydration.