If you’ve ever reached for a bottle of oil or a creamy leave-in and felt like your hair just wouldn’t drink it up, you’re not alone. Hair porosity—the way your hair accepts, holds, and releases moisture—matters as much as the ingredients you choose. This guide walks you through the three porosity levels and gives practical, easy-to-fit product ideas you can start using today.

Low porosity: slow to take in moisture, but with a silver lining

Low porosity hair tends to resist moisture initially. Water and hair products absorb slowly, and water often beads on the surface rather than soaking in. Under a microscope, the strand looks smooth and compact, and thinner oils—like jojoba and grapeseed—tend to perform best because they penetrate more easily rather than sitting on top of the cuticle.

What to do if your hair is low porosity is simple: keep things lightweight and wash out product buildup regularly. Use lightweight clarifying options to prevent product residue from weighing strands down, and apply products to damp—not soaking-wet—hair to help absorption. Focus on moisture, then seal it with a light touch of the right oil or a water-based leave-in.

For Harley’s low-porosity routine, I’ve found a few steady go-to’s that work well across all textures. Aunt Jackie’s Curl La La curl enhancing cream, In Control frizz control crème, and Don’t Shrink hair gel are excellent starting points for styling. Pantene’s Gold Series (Purple Bottle) New Lengths Root Stimulating Shampoo and Root Rejuvenating Conditioner works wonders on cleansing her scalp, they’re on the thinner side and I can really work them in.

Medium porosity: a comfortable middle ground with easy absorption

Medium porosity hair drinks in moisture at a moderate rate. Under a microscope, the strand looks like it has slightly lifted shingles, suggesting a healthy balance between cuticle lift and sealing ability. The great news here is flexibility: you can use any type of product, and absorption tends to be reliable no matter the consistency. That means you can experiment with light or heavy foams, creams, oils, gels or serums and still see results.

My advice for medium porosity is to enjoy the freedom. You can mix consistency and textures, pairing a lightweight leave-in with a modest sealant if needed, and you’ll likely find your best routine without worrying too much about mismatches. Because mids tend to handle a wide range of formulas, it’s a great moment to test product textures/consistencies you’re curious about and notice what keeps your hair hydrated and what it quickly releases.

High porosity: thirsty strands that drink up moisture fast

High porosity hair absorbs moisture quickly, sometimes too quickly, leaving strands feeling dry or frizzy as moisture escapes just as fast as it’s taken in. Under a microscope, the strands resemble shingles that are about to fly off—the popular metaphor you’ll hear from many stylists is that the cuticle is a bit rough or spaced, which invites quick absorption and quicker moisture loss.

The trick with hi-porosity hair is to lean into thicker, heavier formulations that fill in gaps and slow evaporation. A heavier oil, like olive oil, can be especially forgiving and effective as a moisture barrier. Heavier shampoos and conditioners designed to smooth and seal also tend to perform best here. If you prefer thinner products, you’ll want to reapply more often to maintain moisture, which can work too if you’re mindful of buildup.

When my hair needs a hearty boost, the same product lineup you’d use for lo-porosity can work well, but I often apply more product overall and seal my ends with a thicker oil to ensure the moisture sticks around. The same trusted picks—Aunt Jackie’s Curl La La curl enhancing cream, In Control frizz control crème, and Don’t Shrink hair gel—are reliable across porosity levels and can be paired with a thicker oil and a heavier leave-in conditioner like Aunt Jackie’s Transform Hydrating Leave-In Conditioner as needed. I’ve also leaned on Mane N Tail Shampoo and Conditioner as a basic, solid option that’s good for shedding reduction and a straightforward routine. If you’re building out a small, porosity-aware routine, these are the kinds of items I reach for, and they’re easy to find at any local beauty supply store, Family Dollar/Dollar General or online. 

Putting it into practice: A simple porosity approach for you:

If you’re unsure which porosity category you fall into, a quick, practical test can help you get started. After washing hair, place a strand in a glass of water. If it sinks quickly, your hair is high porosity; if it sits in the middle and stays there, you’re medium porosity; if it floats near the top, you’re low porosity. Use this result as a guide to choose a routine: for high porosity, lean into richer cleansers and heavier oils to seal moisture; for low porosity, keep things light and build moisture gradually with water-based products; for medium, feel free to experiment with a range of textures while watching how your hair holds moisture.

A note from my own routine as a busy wife and mother on a budget:

As someone who often balances multiple product lines while keeping things simple, I’ve learned to let porosity guide my choices. It’s easy to drift from one collection to another, but I’ve found that some brands, like Aunt Jackie’s, offer enough variety within a single line to cover a range of porosities without sacrificing quality or draining my pockets. If you’re experimenting with your own routine, start with a lighter option and gradually introduce a richer product only where you need extra moisture retention.

A quick reminder: where to find these picks:

If you’re building a porosity-aware routine and want a curated selection that spans low, medium, and high porosity needs, check out Thick Pretty Hair oil at www.thickprettyhaircare.com, Aunt Jackie’s Curl La La curl enhancing cream, In Control frizz control crème, and Don’t Shrink hair gel at any beauty supply store, local Family Dollar/Dollar General or online.  

In short, porosity isn’t a one-size-fits-all label. It’s a practical way to understand how your hair drinks in moisture, how it holds onto that moisture, and which products will help you get the most out of every drop. Whether you’re shopping for a low-po, medium-po, or hi-po routine, the right combination can transform your daily washday into a simple, refreshing moment of self-care.