High porosity hair absorbs moisture more easily, but because the hair cuticle is raised or damaged in some way, it has a harder time retaining it. In low porosity hair, the cuticle tends to be tightly packed, meaning moisture stays in the hair shaft (a good thing), but products have a harder time penetrating it. That also means that thicker products, like oils and butters, can just sit on your scalp and cause buildup. So first things first: Choose lighter, water-based products that will more easily penetrate the hair shaft and nourish it, says celebrity hairstylist Sophie Gutterman.
The hair product aisle can be quite overwhelming, though! To the rescue: WH’s ultimate guide to healthy, happy low porosity hair…plus the absolute best products for this hair type, per our editors and celebrity stylists who work with it every single day.
What to consider
Identify these ingredients on the label
The best ingredients for low porosity hair include humectants, light oils, and emollients, says Joey Scandizzo, a celebrity hairstylist and co-creative director of ELEVEN Australia. “A few examples of humectants include glycerin, honey, and aloe vera,” he says. Examples of light oils include argan oil, sunflower oil, and jojoba oil, while emollients, an ingredient that increases moisture levels in the skin, may include avocado oil and sweet almond oil. On the other hand, you’ll definitely want to avoid products with protein and silicone because they can cause buildup on the hair, says Mahogany Grace, a New York City-based hairstylist and owner of the Mahogany Grace Salon.
How we chose the winning products
To find the best products for low porosity hair, we tapped our hair-obsessed editors to find out what products they use in their own routines, and consulted four professional hairstylists to find out what they recommend to their clients. I test at least a half-dozen hair products per month, sometimes more. In fact, I just learned about hair porosity a few months ago—my hair is low-porosity—but has already seen a difference in the appearance and health of her hair after testing some of the low porosity hair products on this list. Our beauty director, Brian Underwood, is also a pro on the best low porosity hair products because he styles and takes care of his daughter’s type 3A hair. After curating the top recommendations from our editors and stylists, we evaluated each product based on its key ingredients, consistency, scent, and overall efficacy.
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Pros
- A little bit goes a long way
- Doesn’t irritate sensitive scalps
Cons
- Not for daily use
To remove any leftover buildup from products, those with low porosity hair should ensure a clarifying shampoo is part of their hair routine. This one is a solid pick, says Grace. It’s color-safe and full of keratin. Plus, it has extracts of lavender, chamomile, and jojoba plants, all which hydrate hair.
This clarifying shampoo is technically suitable for all hair types, but users with sensitive scalps and oily hair are particularly drawn to the formula because of its ability to remove just enough buildup without leaving hair dry or brittle. We found that it lathers like a dream, so a little bit goes a long way. The shampoo is also a great pick for anyone who washes their hair with hard water, since it can help remove mineral buildup. As a nice bonus, Grace loved the beachy scent. Just don’t use it daily, as it’s really meant for a good, deep clean once a week.
Read more: Best Clarifying Shampoos
| Type | Shampoo |
|---|---|
| Key ingredients | Argan oil, lavender extract, rosemary extract, chamomile exctract, jojoba extract, keratin |
Pros
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Not stripping
Cons
- Though technically unscented, some users don’t like the smell
Made with grapeseed, tea tree, and sunflower oils, Grace says this is a lightweight and hydrating shampoo that’s unscented and nourishing for dry hair. Plus, there are no added proteins, which you should avoid if you have low porosity hair. “[SheaMoisture’s shampoo] purifies, but it’s also pretty lightweight and hydrating, so it’s not going to be really stripping (i.e. rid the scalp and hair of too many of its natural oils, thus drying things out and even leading to fading),” Grace says of the budget-friendly, under $20 pick.
Users say the formula is on the thicker side, but lathers relatively well. In our evaluation, we also found that the product can help clear up an itchy scalp due to product buildup. We also like that SheaMoisture—an affordable and widely available brand—also makes a companion conditioner for best results.
| Type | Shampoo |
|---|---|
| Key ingredients | Grapeseed oil, tea tree oil, sunflower oil, shea butter |
Pros
- Only need to use once per week for results
- Light floral scent
Cons
- Small bottle, especially given the price
Experts tell WH this is also a solid shampoo for detoxing your hair and removing sebum and mineral buildup thanks to ingredients like activated charcoal and salicylic acid. “It’s color-safe, gentle, helps reduce frizz, and brings the hair back to its proper pH balance,” Grace says. This not only helps to lock in the hair’s natural oils and prevent breakage, but also helps keep the scalp and hair follicles healthy by reducing protein loss, which can result in weaker hair.
Our assistant love and life editor, Addison Aloian, is a big fan. “I have this shampoo, and I adore it,” she says. “A l quarter-sized amount goes a long way, and you don’t need to use it super often to see results. One bottle lasts me about five to six months.”
| Type | Shampoo |
|---|---|
| Key ingredients | Activated charcoal, salicylic acid, K18Peptide |
Pros
- Expertly detangles
- Very light texture
Cons
- Some users with very fine hair say it’s a little too heavy
Gutterman recommends using this lightweight leave-in conditioner consistently. “It is so hydrating, it’s good for all hair types, and I just love it for detangling the hair.” The product also helps to strengthen your strands, thanks to ingredients like hydrolyzed rice protein.
We love how versatile this product is. It’s safe to use on colored hair, extensions, and chemically-treated hair. It’s also a vegan product. In fact, this has been one of my go-to’s for years. It makes my dry, wavy, tangle-prone hair so slippery that knots basically slide out, but doesn’t leave any irritating residue in its wake.
| Type | Leave-in conditioner |
|---|---|
| Key ingredients | Hydrolyzed rice protein, ProVitamin B |
Pros
- Helps tame frizz and flyaways
- Moisturizes hair
- Great scent
Cons
- Some users with fine hair say it’s a bit thick
Gutterman likes this primer from Kérastase because it’s specifically made with plant-based proteins and niacinamide to nourish hair and maintain moisture without heavy emollients. Just as importantly, it’ll help protect your strands from heat damage as a result of styling at temps up to 450 °F—more than the maximum on the majority of hair tools like straighteners and curling irons.
Users say it’s great for frizz and flyaways, too. “I’ve been using this primer on my daughter’s type 3A hair as a heat protectant for a while now and it’s fantastic,” says beauty director Brian Underwood. “Her hair gets weighed down easily and this one leaves it silky and soft and not greasy or heavy.”
| Type | Heat protectant |
|---|---|
| Key ingredients | Plant-based proteins, niacinamide |
Pros
- Thick and hydrating without being too heavy
- Great scent
Cons
- Some users say there’s not enough product to justify the price
One of Pattern’s bestsellers, this leave-in conditioner is made with oils, biotin, and honey, all of which lock in moisture and soften the hair, making it easier to detangle. Specifically, aloe and honey attract moisture, while jojoba oil locks it in. These superstar ingredients also help with curl definition and style extending, so you can rock shiny and hydrated wavy, curly, or coily hair longer.
Users say they love the consistency of this conditioner—it’s very thick and works wonders to keep coils in place and soften hair. Plus, they say it also helps tamp down frizz, even in very hot, humid weather
| Type | Leave-in conditioner |
|---|---|
| Key ingredients | Aloe, honey, jojoba oil |
Pros
- Makes the hair feel soft
- A small amount goes a long way
Cons
- May cause flaking if you use too much
Just a few pumps of this water-to-foam 2022 Women’s Health Beauty Award winner is enough to hydrate and add tons of softness to the hair using humectants, like blue agave and green tea. It perfectly defines curls and gives hair lots of hold without feeling tough or crunchy on your strands.
“I’ve tried tons of mousses, but I’ll never let go of this one,” says Danielle Jackson, senior beauty editor. “I don’t have to use it on top of other leave-ins to get the best results, it doesn’t build up on the hair, and it can make a four-day old twist out look brand new.”
| Type | Mousse |
|---|---|
| Key ingredients | Aloe, silk amino acids |
What Else To Consider
Look for clarifying shampoos
People with low porosity hair can benefit from incorporating a clarifying shampoo and moisturizing, water-based, leave-in conditioners, says Joey Scandizzo, a celebrity hairstylist and co-creative director of ELEVEN Australia. Clarifying shampoos “will help remove any buildup on the hair from products that we put on,” says Mahogany Grace, a New York City-based hairstylist and owner of the Mahogany Grace Salon.
Choose water-based products
Those with low porosity hair should also stick to water-based products because they’re usually thinner and more lightweight, which makes it easier for them to penetrate the hair cuticles, says celebrity hairstylist Kim Kimble. (Again, it’s key to avoid heavier hair products, such as castor oil, shea butter, and cocoa butter, says Scandizzo.)
Brigitt is a writer, editor and craft stylist with nearly 15 years of experience. She specializes in lifestyle topics, including home, health, parenting, beauty, style, food, entertaining, travel and weddings. She has written for Glamour, People, Good Housekeeping, Women’s Health, Real Simple, Martha Stewart, Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, and more.
Brian Underwood is the beauty director at Women’s Health. He is an award-winning journalist with more than 15 years of experience covering beauty and lifestyle for several national media outlets and previously served as beauty and wellness director at Oprah Daily. His work has appeared in Woman’s Day, Life & Style Weekly, Good Housekeeping, and many more. He also serves as a member of the Skin Cancer Foundation’s gala committee and lives in New York City with his daughter.
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