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Hair Porosity Routine: What to Use for Low, Medium & High

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Porosity affects how your hair takes in and holds moisture , and for years I had no idea what mine even was, so I just used whatever product was in front of me. Once I learned my type and switched to the right routine, my hair became fuller and healt...
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KNOWING POROSITY WITH SPRAY YES

Instead of the float test which is easily thrown off by leftover product or natural oils on the strand. The spray test is more reliable because it checks how your hair behaves day to day, still on your head. Below step by step how to go about it.
 
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Start with clean, dry, product-free hair (no leave-ins, oils, or styling products).
273551 results for washing hair in all - Adobe Stock
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Section off a small piece of hair. Then mist it with a spray bottle of plain water from a few inches away. Watch what happens.
Hair Spray Bottle
 
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In low porosity Water beads up and sits on top . The cuticles is tightly sealed, so moisture takes longer to get in — but once it's in, it stays
Low Porosity Hair royalty-free images
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In Medium porosity water beads briefly, then absorbs after a moment. It is the easiest hair to work with — most products behave the way they're supposed to.
Master Guide to Medium Porosity Hair
 
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In high porosity water absorbs almost instantly . The cuticles are more open, so moisture gets in fast but also escapes fast.
High Porosity Hair: Characteristics & How to Care

LOW POROSITY

Your cuticle is tightly sealed, so moisture takes a little longer to get in but once it's there, it stays. The trick is keeping things light so nothing sits on top instead of soaking
 
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Sulfate-free and mild — regular washing matters most here since buildup happens easily on low porosity hair.
Moisturizing Hair, Body & Skincare Products
 
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Infuses moisture without weighing curls down, made with coconut oil, sulfate/paraben/dye-free — a lightweight, budget-friendly pick.
NOU Low Porosity Leave in Conditioner, for Curly & Coily ...
 
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Stick to something light like this a heavier oil will just sit on your strands and undo the moisture you worked to get in. A little truly goes a long
Organic Jojoba Oil
 
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In terms of oil you can either go with grapeseed oil
Grapeseed Oil For Hair
 
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If your hair ever feels coated or products stop absorbing like they used to, this is your reset button keep it in rotation even if it's just once a month.
Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Shampoo

Medium porosity

You've got it easiest , your hair absorbs and holds moisture well, so most products actually work the way they're supposed to. This is more about consistency than correction
 
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Honestly, if you're medium porosity, you have it easiest , most products work for you, and this is a solid, gentle everyday pick that won't overdo it either way
Carol's Daughter Almond Milk Sulfate Free Shampoo
 
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This is worth adding in every week or two , it's the difference between hair that's just "okay" and hair that actually feels strong and less prone to breakage
Mielle Organics Pomegranate & Honey Detangling ...
 
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It's Light enough for daily use, and pairs well if you want to add a touch of oil on top for extra shine
Carol's Daughter Almond Milk Leave-In Conditioner 8oz

HIGH POROSITY

Moisture gets in fast but leaves just as fast, so the goal is sealing it in and keeping it there. Rich, deep hydration isn't optional here , it's the whole routine.
 
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If your hair feels dry no matter what you do, this is a good place to start , it's formulated for exactly the fast-absorb, fast-lose-moisture cycle high porosity hair goes through.
Shea Moisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Shampoo
 
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This is the one I'd say is non-negotiable if you're high porosity it's become a go-to in the natural hair community for a reason, and it genuinely helps hair that dries out fast.
Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Conditioner
 
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Don't be afraid to go heavier here , high porosity hair actually needs the richness that would weigh other hair types down.
Coconut Oil Shea Butter for Hair
 
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this is what locks everything in after your routine, not instead of it.
The Benefits of Olive Oil for Hair
 
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Avocado oil also helps lock moisture.
Avocado Oil - Amazon.com
 
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This is the step I always recommend as a final treat for high porosity hair , mash a ripe avocado and apply it directly as a mask before rinsing, or use the oil version if you want something quicker to store and reuse. Either way, it's the sealing st...
Fresh Avocados and Guacamole Dips