Hair porosity is your hair's ability to absorb and retain moisture. Knowing your porosity — low, medium, or high — is the single most important factor in choosing the right products for your hair type.
If your hair feels dry no matter what you put on it, or products seem to sit on top without absorbing, you are likely using the wrong products for your porosity. This guide will help you identify your porosity in minutes and match you with the exact products your hair needs.
What Is Hair Porosity?
Hair porosity refers to how open or closed your hair cuticles are. Cuticles are the outer layer of each hair strand — think of them like shingles on a roof. When they lie flat and tight, moisture has a hard time getting in (low porosity). When they are raised and open, moisture gets in easily but escapes just as fast (high porosity). Medium porosity sits in the balanced middle.
How to Test Your Hair Porosity at Home
The Float Test (Most Popular)
- Take a clean, product-free strand of hair
- Drop it into a glass of room-temperature water
- Wait 2–4 minutes and observe
- Floats on top → Low porosity (cuticles are tightly closed)
- Sinks slowly to the middle → Medium porosity (balanced cuticles)
- Sinks quickly to the bottom → High porosity (cuticles are open)
The Slip and Slide Test
Slide your fingers up a single hair strand from tip to root. If it feels smooth, you likely have low porosity. If it feels rough or bumpy, you likely have high porosity.
The Spray Bottle Test
Mist your dry hair with water. If the water beads up and sits on the hair, you have low porosity. If it absorbs immediately, you have high porosity.
Low Porosity Hair: What It Means and What to Use
Low Porosity Characteristics
- Products sit on top of hair and do not absorb easily
- Hair takes a long time to get fully wet in the shower
- Hair dries slowly after washing
- Prone to product buildup
- Responds best to lightweight, liquid-based, protein-free products
Best products for low porosity hair: Use lightweight humectants and avoid heavy butters and proteins that will sit on the cuticle without penetrating.
Hair Dew Low Porosity Leave-In GrowPoo Moisturizing Shampoo Re-DO PrePoo Low Porosity Scalp Beverage Low Porosity Shop Low Porosity BundleMedium Porosity Hair: What It Means and What to Use
Medium Porosity Characteristics
- Hair absorbs and retains moisture well
- Styles hold well and last longer
- Requires the least maintenance of the three types
- Can tolerate occasional protein treatments
- Responds well to a balanced routine
Best products for medium porosity hair: A balanced routine with moderate moisture and occasional protein keeps medium porosity hair thriving.
Hair Dew Medium/High Leave-In GrowPoo Moisturizing Shampoo The Condish Protein Free Scalp Beverage Medium Porosity Shop Medium Porosity BundleHigh Porosity Hair: What It Means and What to Use
High Porosity Characteristics
- Hair absorbs moisture quickly but loses it just as fast
- Often feels dry, frizzy, or rough to the touch
- Common in chemically treated, heat-damaged, or color-treated hair
- Prone to tangles and breakage
- Responds well to heavier creams, butters, and protein treatments to fill gaps in the cuticle
Best products for high porosity hair: Seal moisture in with richer formulas and use protein treatments regularly to strengthen the cuticle.
Hair Dew High Porosity Leave-In The Condish Protein Re-DO PrePoo High Porosity Scalp Beverage High Porosity Shop High Porosity BundleCan Your Hair Porosity Change?
Yes. Hair porosity can shift over time due to heat styling, chemical treatments (color, relaxers, perms), hard water exposure, and environmental damage. It is a good idea to retest your porosity every few months, especially if you have recently changed your hair routine or noticed a change in how your hair responds to products.
Porosity and Protein: What You Need to Know
Low porosity hair is generally protein-sensitive — too much protein causes stiffness and breakage. High porosity hair typically craves protein to fill the gaps in the cuticle and strengthen the strand. Medium porosity hair can tolerate protein in moderation. Always listen to how your hair responds after a protein treatment.
The OrganiGrowHairCo Porosity-Based Routine
Every OrganiGrowHairCo product is formulated with porosity in mind. The full routine — pre-poo, shampoo, conditioner, leave-in, scalp oil, and styler — is matched to your specific porosity level so every product works with your hair, not against it.
Low Porosity Diamond Bundle Medium Porosity Diamond Bundle High Porosity Diamond BundleFrequently Asked Questions About Hair Porosity
What is the most common hair porosity?
Medium porosity is the most common, but many people with natural or curly hair have low or high porosity due to their hair's natural curl pattern and cuticle structure.
Is low porosity hair bad?
No. Low porosity hair is healthy hair — it simply requires lightweight, liquid-based products and heat to help open the cuticle during conditioning. Once you know how to work with it, low porosity hair can be incredibly shiny and resilient.
How do I moisturize low porosity hair?
Apply products to damp hair, use a steamer or warm towel to open the cuticle, and choose lightweight water-based leave-ins like the Hair Dew Low Porosity Leave-In from OrganiGrowHairCo.
What causes high porosity hair?
High porosity can be genetic, or it can result from heat damage, chemical processing (color, relaxers), hard water, and environmental exposure. Using a protein-rich conditioner and sealing with a heavier product helps manage it.
Can I have more than one porosity level?
Yes. It is common to have different porosity levels along the same strand — roots may be low porosity while ends are high porosity due to age and damage. Focus your routine on the most damaged section.
What products does OrganiGrowHairCo make for low porosity hair?
OrganiGrowHairCo offers a full low porosity routine including the Hair Dew Low Porosity Leave-In, Re-DO PrePoo Low Porosity, GrowPoo Moisturizing Shampoo, Stimulating Scalp Beverage Low Porosity, and the Grow Diamond Bundle Low Porosity.
