Whether you’re low, medium, or high porosity — your hair deserves the right care. Here’s a guide to must-have products and tools for each porosity type. Not sure what yours is? Start with the test below!👇
Sections
4
Porosity Test (easy at-home method)
Low Porosity Hair Favorites
Medium/Normal Porosity Hair Picks
High Porosity Hair Essentials
Porosity Test (easy at-home method)
Before picking products, this quick float test helps you figure out if your hair is low, medium, or high porosity. Super simple!
check this out!
High or Low? How to Do a Hair Porosity Test - HairCode
Low Porosity Hair Favorites
Low porosity hair struggles to absorb moisture — lightweight, heat-activated products work best.
OUAI's Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner are lightweight, sulfate-free products that work well for low-porosity hair. Formulated with babassu oil and kumquat extract, they provide hydration without weighing down strands, leaving your hair shiny and s...
Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner For Shiny Hair - OUAI
Pantene Pro-V Miracles Bond Repair Keratin + Vitamin E Shampoo is a sulfate-free formula designed to repair damaged hair. It gently cleanses while strengthening hair bonds and addressing issues like frizz, dullness, and split ends. Enriched with kera...
Pantene - Shampoo | Ulta Beauty
L'Oréal EverPure Moisture Shampoo is a sulfate-free formula infused with rosemary botanicals, making it ideal for low-porosity hair. It gently cleanses while replenishing moisture, leaving hair soft and shiny without weighing it down. Perfect for dry...
L'Oréal - 8.5 oz EverPure Moisture Shampoo | Ulta Beauty
L'Oréal Elvive Hyaluron + Pure Purifying Shampoo is formulated with salicylic acid and hyaluronic acid, making it ideal for low-porosity hair. It gently removes impurities and excess oil while hydrating the hair without weighing it down. Perfect for ...
Elvive Hyaluron Plus Pure 72H Purifying Shampoo for Oily Hair - L ...
Pureology shampoos are sulfate-free and ideal for low-porosity hair. Their Hydrate Sheer Shampoo is lightweight and silicone-free, providing moisture without weighing down fine or low-porosity strands. For damaged hair, the Strength Cure Shampoo stre...
Pureology - Ulta Beauty
Redken Extreme Length Shampoo is enriched with biotin and castor oil, making it ideal for low-porosity hair. It gently cleanses while strengthening hair bonds to reduce breakage and promote longer, healthier strands. Perfect for maintaining shine and...
Redken - Ulta Beauty
L'Oréal Elvive Hyaluron Pure Conditioner is infused with salicylic acid and hyaluronic acid, making it perfect for low-porosity hair. It hydrates lengths while keeping roots fresh and free from buildup, ensuring soft, airy hair without weighing it do...
Elvive Hyaluron Pure 72H Rehydrating Conditioner, Oily Hair - L'Oréal
The Shiseido Tsubaki Premium Repair Hair Mask is a luxurious treatment designed to deeply nourish and repair damaged hair. Infused with camellia seed oil, royal jelly extract, and hyaluronic acid, it hydrates and strengthens hair from root to tip. It...
Shiseido Tsubaki Premium Repair Mask, 6.3 oz - Walmart.com
Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector is a pre-shampoo treatment designed to repair and strengthen damaged hair. It works by rebuilding broken disulfide bonds within the hair shaft, improving its structure and resilience. Ideal for low-porosity hair, it hydra...
No. 3 Hair Repair Perfector - Olaplex - Sephora
Argan oil, often called "liquid gold," is a powerhouse ingredient in hair treatments. It's rich in vitamin E, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids, making it ideal for nourishing and protecting hair. Here are some ways it's used:
- Deep Conditioni...
Argan Oils in Hair Treatments - Walmart.com
Jojoba oil is a versatile and lightweight oil that's excellent for hair care, especially for low-porosity hair. Its composition closely mimics the natural sebum produced by the scalp, making it ideal for moisturizing without causing buildup. Here are...
Jojoba Oil Hair Growth - Walmart
A gentle cleanser that removes buildup while hydrating hair. Use warm water during application to open the hair cuticle for better absorption.
Perfect for daily use to lock in hydration. Apply sparingly to damp hair, concentrating on the ends.
Pomegranate & Honey Organic Leave-In Conditioner - Seal In Moisture
A powerful mask for recovery days. Leave it on for 30 minutes to help rejuvenate dry strands.
Tgin Honey Miracle Mask
Medium/Normal Porosity Hair Picks
You’ve got the sweet spot! Focus on maintaining balance with moisture + protein.
This formula is well-suited for medium-porosity hair as it provides balanced hydration while strengthening strands with plant-based proteins. It nourishes without overwhelming your hair, leaving it smooth, soft, and manageable.
Shampoos & Cleansers For Healthier Hair | Kérastase
Perfect for medium-porosity hair that needs a boost of volume. Its Filloxane and Bodifying Complex add lift and body while maintaining the right amount of moisture for healthy, lightweight strands.
Redken - Ulta Beauty
For medium-porosity hair, Kérastase Resistance Bain Force Architecte Shampoo is a fantastic choice. Enriched with Pro-Keratine Complex and Ceramides, it strengthens hair fibers, reduces breakage, and repairs split ends. Its balanced formula delivers ...
Résistance Bain Force Architecte Shampoo | Kérastase
Olaplex No. 8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask is a deeply hydrating treatment designed to repair and nourish hair. Infused with Olaplex Bond Building Technology, it strengthens damaged strands by rebuilding disulfide bonds. Perfect for medium-porosity hai...
The Amika Soulfood Nourishing Hair Mask is a rich, creamy treatment packed with jojoba seed oil and sea buckthorn, making it perfect for medium-porosity hair. It deeply conditions and hydrates strands without weighing them down, leaving your hair sof...
hair masks - Amika
The Pantene Miracle Rescue Hair Mask is an intensive treatment designed to repair and nourish damaged hair. Infused with Pro-V Melting Pearls, biotin, and hydrolyzed silk proteins, it strengthens hair bonds, reduces breakage, and restores softness. F...
Pantene Hair Masks in Hair Treatments - Walmart.com
Olaplex No. 6 Bond Smoother is a leave-in treatment designed to hydrate, strengthen, and protect hair. It uses Olaplex Bond Building Technology to repair broken bonds, reduce frizz, and improve manageability for up to 72 hours. Perfect for medium-por...
The Amika Blockade Heat Defense Serum is a lightweight, glossy serum designed to protect hair from heat styling up to 450°F. Infused with sea buckthorn berry, it hydrates, prevents moisture loss, and adds shine without weighing down medium-porosity h...
The Pantene Pro-V Smooth & Silky Argan Oil Hair Treatment is a lightweight, nourishing oil designed to hydrate and smooth dry or damaged hair. Infused with argan oil and vitamin E, it deeply conditions, tames frizz, and adds a silky shine without...
Coconut oil is a versatile and nourishing ingredient for hair care, offering benefits like hydration, protection, and repair. Here's how it works for medium-porosity hair:
- Hydration: Coconut oil penetrates the hair shaft, thanks to its low molecula...
Hair Coconut Oils - Walmart
The Ordinary 100% Cold-Pressed Virgin Marula Oil is a luxurious, antioxidant-rich oil derived from marula seeds. It contains oleic acid and linoleic acid, which deeply hydrate and nourish both hair and skin. For medium-porosity hair, it provides ligh...
The Ordinary 100% Cold-Pressed Virgin Marula Oil
Camellia oleifera seed oil, also known as tea seed oil, is a lightweight and nutrient-rich oil with numerous benefits for hair care. Here's what makes it special:
- Deep Moisturization: Rich in oleic acid, it penetrates the hair shaft to provide inte...
Camellia Oleifera Seed Oil - Walmart
High Porosity Hair Essentials
High porosity hair loses moisture fast — seal in hydration with heavier, protein-rich products
The L'Oréal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Oil Nourishing Shampoo is enriched with marula oil and camellia oil, making it a fantastic choice for high-porosity hair. It deeply nourishes and hydrates dry, damaged strands while restoring softness and shine....
L'Oreal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Oil Nourishing Shampoo, 12.6 fl. oz.
The Moroccanoil Hydrating Shampoo is a moisture-balancing formula enriched with argan oil, vitamins A and E, and red algae. It's designed to infuse high-porosity hair with much-needed hydration, improving manageability, smoothness, and shine. This sh...
Moroccanoil Shampoo | Sephora
The Amika Normcore Signature Shampoo is a sulfate-free formula packed with vitamins and antioxidants, including sea buckthorn, to deeply nourish and hydrate hair. It's designed to leave hair soft, shiny, and manageable, making it a great choice for h...
antioxidant signature shampoo : normcore - Amika
Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo is a restorative formula designed to repair and hydrate hair. It uses Olaplex Bond Building Technology to strengthen broken bonds, reduce frizz, and improve overall hair health. Perfect for high-porosity hair, i...
No. 4 Bond Maintenance™ Shampoo - Olaplex - Sephora
sulfate free
Shampoo Products Free of Sulfates & Parabens | Living Proof®
really good
Hair Conditioners & Leave-In Treatments | Living Proof®
great for hydration
L'Oréal Paris Elvive Hyaluron Plump - Walmart
The L'Oréal Professionnel Absolut Repair Molecular Leave-In Mask is a cutting-edge treatment designed for damaged hair. It uses peptides and amino acids to rebuild the molecular structure of hair, restoring strength, elasticity, and smoothness. This ...
Olaplex No. 8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask is a deeply hydrating treatment designed to repair and nourish hair. It uses Olaplex Bond Building Technology to strengthen damaged strands, reduce frizz, and improve overall hair health. Perfect for high-poro...
The Gisou Honey Infused Hair Mask is a deeply nourishing treatment enriched with Mirsalehi honey, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid. It's designed to hydrate, repair, and strengthen hair, making it an excellent choice for high-porosity strands. This mas...
Gisou Hair Masks | Sephora
The Gisou Honey Infused Hair Oil is a luxurious, multi-purpose oil enriched with Mirsalehi honey from the brand's own bee garden. It deeply hydrates, repairs, and strengthens hair while enhancing shine and reducing frizz. Perfect for high-porosity ha...
Castor oil is a powerhouse ingredient in hair treatments, offering numerous benefits for hair health:
- Promotes Hair Growth: Rich in ricinoleic acid, castor oil improves blood circulation to the scalp, stimulating healthier and faster hair growth.
-...
Castor Hair Oils in Hair Treatments - Walmart.com
Avocado oil is a fantastic addition to hair care routines, offering numerous benefits:
- Deep Moisturization: Rich in oleic acid and essential fatty acids, avocado oil penetrates the hair shaft to provide intense hydration, making it ideal for high-p...
Avocado Oil Hair - Walmart
Olive oil is a versatile and nourishing ingredient for hair care, offering numerous benefits:
- Deep Moisturization: Rich in oleic acid, it penetrates the hair shaft to provide intense hydration, making it ideal for high-porosity hair.
- Strengthens ...