The 13 Best Products for Low-Porosity Hair, According to Hairstylists

If you don't know your hair's porosity level, there are many ways to find out - and you should know. Knowing whether your hair has low or high porosity can make a big difference in the products you choose and the way you style your hair. 

Essentially, porosity refers to the way your hair reacts to moisture and retains it. In low-porosity hair, the cuticles tend to be tightly packed, which means moisture is retained within the hair shaft (which is a good thing) but products have a harder time penetrating (which can be a challenge). 

Celebrity hairstylist Sophie Gutterman says if you have this hair type, you should choose lightweight, water-based products that will nourish your hair. "Water-based hair care products are typically lightweight, so they can easily penetrate low-porosity hair," adds celebrity hairstylist Kim Kimble. 

"It's a good idea to also use detoxifying products to help your hair absorb more moisture." Mahogany Grace, a hairstylist and owner of Mahogany Grace Salon in New York City, says clarifying shampoo "helps remove the dirt that builds up in our hair from the products we use." Guttman recommends leave-in conditioners because they're not too heavy. 

She adds that you should definitely avoid products containing proteins and silicones, as they can cause hair buildup. If you want to try a product, apply it to the ends rather than the roots first and see how your hair reacts. 

For more specific advice, check out the best low-porosity hair care products from experts and rave reviews. 

1. SheaMoisture Low Porosity Lightweight Moisturizing Shampoo: Many customers don't like the smell. 

Grace recommends this lightweight, fragrance-free, hydrating shampoo that nourishes dry hair and is made with grapeseed, tea tree and sunflower oils. Plus, there's no added protein, which Grace says you should avoid if your hair has low porosity. "It cleanses but is also very lightweight and hydrating, so it's not really a degreaser," she adds. 

2. K18 Peptide Preparation Color Protecting Detoxifying Purifying Shampoo: This is a solid shampoo that detoxifies the hair and removes buildup, and not only does my own hairdresser recommend it, but so does Grace. "It's color-safe, gentle, reduces frizz and restores hair to its proper pH," she says. 

Editorial Comment: "I have this shampoo and I love it. A little goes a long way, and you don't have to use it often to see results." — Addison Aloian, Editorial Assistant 

3. Kim Kimble Premier Hair and Scalp Detox: Kimble recommends using a recipe of bentonite clay and apple cider vinegar to remove excess product buildup from your scalp. Apple cider vinegar has anti-fungal properties that can help balance the pH of your scalp and keep your hair follicles clean, thereby reducing hair loss. 

4. Moroccan Oil Purifying Shampoo: Grace says a clarifying shampoo is essential for removing dirt from products, and this one is a great option. It is color safe, rich in keratin, and contains extracts of lavender, chamomile and jojoba plants. Reviewers love that it's suitable for sensitive scalps and say it's great for oily hair. 

Warm Review: "For years I have struggled with hard water buildup that left my hair feeling greasy and limp, and I have struggled to identify my hair care products to combat these effects. This shampoo works! Use only After just one session, my hair feels as light and full as it did before the hard water. 

5. Olaplex No. 4C Bond Care Cleansing Shampoo: "This shampoo is great because it also helps cleanse the scalp, soften the hair and give it volume," says Grace. Reviewers love the scent and the fact that it's sulfate-free, so it doesn't strip your hair of its natural oils, leaving it soft and strong. 

Passionate review: "Wow! I can't remember the last time my hair had this much volume! This is the third time I haven't washed my hair and it's still fresh." 

6. Patterned Beauty Leave-In Conditioner: One of Pattern's best-selling products, this leave-in conditioner contains oils, biotin, and honey to detangle hair and lock in moisture. It helps define curls. Reviewers love the thickness of this conditioner, the way it holds curls in place, and the way it leaves hair soft. 

Warm review: "More importantly, it makes my 10-year-old's curly hair so much easier to manage. I wish I had discovered it years ago." 

7. SheaMoisture Low Porosity Lightweight Moisturizing Conditioner Made with grapeseed, tea tree and sunflower oil, this conditioner softens hair and is great for moisture-proof hair. It's especially suitable for curly and curly hair and helps hair retain moisture. Online customers love that it doesn't weigh down their hair, and one reviewer says it even helps them prevent hair loss. Warm review: "I think this is a great conditioner, especially for low-porosity hair." It absorbs into my hair very well and leaves it very soft. I add a little oil, like grapeseed oil, to my conditioner to make my hair softer. 

8. Moroccan Oil Moisturizing Styling Cream Grace says this lightweight styling cream is perfect if you have curly hair. "[It's] very lightweight and gives you great curl definition," she says. It also calms frizz, moisturizes and preps hair for styling. You only need one or two pumps to feel the full effects of the product. One reviewer said this really helped reduce her outliers. glowing review: "I have curly hair and live in a humid area! OMG! This product works like magic; it keeps my curls in place without making them frizzy. It smells great too Smells. Overall, I give it a 5 out of 5.” 

9. Briogeo Curl Charisma Rice Amino + Avocado Moisturizing Shampoo Suitable for curly and frizzy hair, this shampoo cleanses hair without stripping it of natural oils. Its rice amino acids seal the hair cuticle and prevent moisture from penetrating, and avocado oil provides softness. Reviewers love that it makes their hair soft and gentle at the same time. Warm review: "Very hydrating shampoo and leaves my hair feeling soft and healthy. Didn't spend a lot to get comparable results compared to more expensive brands. Would buy again." 

10.UNITE Hair 7SECONDS Detangler Leave-in Conditioner Gutterman recommends always using this lightweight leave-in conditioner. "It's very hydrating. It's suitable for all hair types and I love it," she says. "It's great for detangling your hair." It also works well with color and strengthens your hair. Additionally, it is safe for extensions and chemically treated hair. It's even vegetarian. Warm review: "Curly hair girl. This moisturizes your hair, prevents tangles, and doesn't weigh it down at all. I've been using this for six years and can't imagine styling my hair without it." 

11. Doux Mousse Def Textured Foam Just a few pumps of this 2022 WH Beauty Award-winning water-foaming product are enough to moisturize hair and add tons of softness. It defines curls perfectly and gives hair just enough hold without making strands feel hard or crunchy. Editor's comment: "I've tried a lot of mousses, but I will never give up on this one. I don't need to use it in addition to other leave-ins to get the best results, it doesn't build up on the hair, and it leaves four The diva's locks look like new!" - Danielle Jackson, beauty editor 

12. Kérastase Nutritional Nectar Thermique Heat Protectant Gutman also likes this primer from Kérastase because it's "specifically designed to rebuild these connections in the hair," she says. It's great for protecting your hair from the heat - just apply before blow-drying. Reviewers say it's perfect for curly and flowy hair, which is awesome. Editor's comment: "I've been using this primer as a heat protectant for my daughter's type 3A hair for a while now and it's great. Your hair is lightweight, making it silky soft without being greasy or heavy. I'm Fans.” —Brian Underwood, Beauty Director 

13. Tracee Ellis Ross’ PATTERN Intensive Conditioner This conditioner is ideal for hair with strong structure, i.e. H. 4A-4C, but suitable for all hair types. It softens, moisturizes and is perfect if you want a deep conditioning treatment. Reviewers say it actually helps bring moisture back into the hair and ensures it actually feels healthy. Rave reviews: "I've been struggling with dry hair for a long time, especially in the summer. I've tried a lot of different products, but when I tell you, I've never seen mine before The hair looks so beautiful! I could cry. I can definitely recommend it.