DISCOVER YOUR HAIR POROSITY

What is Hair Porosity? And why should it matter to you?

Hair porosity refers to how well your hair absorbs and retains moisture — specifically, how easily water, oils, and other products can pass through the outer layer of the hair shaft (called the cuticle).

The three types

Low porosity — The cuticle is tightly packed and lies flat, making it hard for moisture to enter. Products tend to sit on top of the hair rather than absorbing. Hair takes a long time to get wet and dry.
Medium (normal) porosity — The cuticle is slightly raised, allowing moisture to enter and be retained fairly easily. This is the most manageable type and responds well to most products.
High porosity — The cuticle has gaps or is raised (often due to damage from heat, chemicals, or color), so moisture absorbs quickly but also escapes just as fast. Hair tends to feel dry and frizzy despite frequent conditioning.

Why it matters to you!

Product selection — Low porosity hair may do better with lighter, liquid-based products and heat to help open the cuticle. High porosity hair may benefit from heavier creams, butters, and sealants that lock moisture in.
Washing & conditioning — Low porosity hair may need clarifying washes to prevent buildup; high porosity hair may need deep conditioning and protein treatments more frequently.
Heat & chemical treatments — High porosity hair can be more vulnerable to further damage.

Some tests you can do to determine your hair porosity.

The float test

• Wash a few shed hairs with a gentle shampoo to remove any product buildup.
• Fill a clear glass with room-temperature water.
• Place the clean, dry hairs gently on top of the water surface.
• Wait 2–4 minutes without disturbing the glass.
• Observe where the hairs are sitting and record your result below.

LOW POROSITY: Floats (stays on top)

MEDIUM POROSITY: Sinks Slowly (mid- glass)

HIGH POROSITY: Sinks Fast (to the bottom)

Absorption and drying time test

The Absorption & Drying Time Test. Paying attention to how your hair behaves during and after your shower can be very telling. Notice how quickly your hair gets fully saturated in the shower and how long it takes to air dry.

LOW POROSITY: The strand may feel smooth, slippery or silky. This may be due to the cuticles being tightly closed and laying flat.

MEDIUM POROSITY: May feel relatively smooth, with a subtle even texture.

HIGH POROSITY: The strand may feel rough, dry or bumpy. This may be caused by raised or open cuticles