Have you ever wondered why the same shampoo or conditioner works well for someone else but not for you?
The answer may have less to do with the product and more to do with your hair porosity.
Hair porosity affects how easily your hair absorbs and holds onto moisture. Understanding your porosity level can make it easier to choose the right shampoo, conditioner, and leave in conditioner for your hair.
Many people also try the popular hair porosity water test at home. While it can provide a rough indication of your hair's porosity, it should not be considered a scientifically accurate test. Your hair's everyday behaviour is often a much better guide.
Let's understand what hair porosity is and how to identify whether your hair has low, medium, or high porosity.
What Is Hair Porosity?
Hair porosity describes how well your hair absorbs and holds onto moisture.
It depends on the condition of your hair's outer protective layer, known as the cuticle.
When the cuticles are tightly packed, moisture enters the hair more slowly. When they are more open, moisture enters quickly but also escapes more easily.
Knowing your hair porosity helps you build a hair care routine that actually works for your hair instead of following routines designed for someone else.
Low Porosity Hair
Low porosity hair has tightly packed cuticles, making it more difficult for moisture to enter the hair strand. While it takes longer to absorb water and products, it usually holds onto moisture well once hydrated.
Common Signs
- Water sits on your hair before absorbing.
- Hair takes longer to become fully wet.
- Products often remain on the surface.
- Your hair takes longer to dry naturally.
- Heavy products can leave your hair feeling greasy or weighed down.
Water Glass Test
Take a clean strand of hair that is free from styling products and place it in a clear glass of room temperature water.
If the strand floats near the top of the water, it may indicate low porosity hair because the tightly packed cuticles slow down water absorption.
Products That Usually Work Well
- Lightweight moisturising shampoo
- Lightweight conditioner
- Leave in conditioner used sparingly
- Water based hair products
Medium Porosity Hair
Medium porosity hair has a balanced cuticle structure that allows moisture to enter and stay in the hair without too much difficulty. It is often considered the easiest hair type to manage.
Common Signs
- Hair absorbs products easily.
- Hair dries at a normal pace.
- Hair usually feels soft and manageable.
- Styling is generally easier.
- Less frizz compared to other porosity types.
Water Glass Test
Take a clean strand of hair and place it in a glass of room temperature water.
If the strand settles around the middle of the glass, it may indicate medium porosity hair, meaning it absorbs and retains moisture at a balanced rate.
Products That Usually Work Well
- Gentle moisturising shampoo
- Regular conditioner
- Occasional leave in conditioner
- Weekly deep conditioning if needed
High Porosity Hair
High porosity hair has a more open cuticle layer, allowing moisture to enter quickly. However, it also loses moisture just as easily.
This type of hair is common after colouring, bleaching, frequent heat styling, or other chemical treatments, although some people naturally have high porosity hair.
Common Signs
- Hair becomes wet very quickly.
- Hair dries quickly.
- Hair often feels dry.
- Hair becomes frizzy easily.
- Split ends and breakage are more common.
Water Glass Test
Place a clean strand of hair into a glass of room temperature water.
If the strand sinks towards the bottom of the glass, it may indicate high porosity hair because water enters the hair more quickly through the open cuticle layer.
Products That Usually Work Well
- Rich moisturising shampoo
- Nourishing conditioner
- Leave in conditioner
- Weekly deep conditioning treatments
Is The Water Glass Test Always Accurate?
The water glass test is one of the most popular home experiments for checking hair porosity, but it should only be used as a rough guide.
The result can be influenced by:
- Product buildup.
- Natural oils on the hair.
- Hair damage.
- Water quality.
- Whether the strand is completely clean.
For a more reliable understanding of your hair porosity, pay attention to how your hair behaves every day. How quickly it becomes wet, how long it stays hydrated, and how it responds to products often provide better clues than the water test alone.
Choose Products Based On Your Hair, Not Trends
Many people searching for the best skincare products for beginners are looking for routines that genuinely suit their needs rather than following every trend they see online.
Hair care works the same way.
Understanding your hair porosity helps you choose products that support your hair instead of working against it.
At Fiore, we believe healthy hair begins with understanding what your hair truly needs. Once you know your porosity, choosing the right shampoo, conditioner, and leave in conditioner becomes much simpler, allowing you to build a routine that keeps your hair healthy, hydrated, and easier to manage.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is hair porosity?
Hair porosity is how easily your hair absorbs and retains moisture. It helps determine which hair care products and routines are most suitable for your hair.
2. Is the water glass test accurate?
The water glass test can provide a rough indication of your hair porosity, but it is not considered completely reliable because product buildup, natural oils, hair damage, and water quality can influence the results.
3. Can hair porosity change over time?
Yes. Colouring, bleaching, heat styling, chemical treatments, and environmental exposure can all affect your hair porosity over time.
4. Which hair porosity needs the most moisture?
High porosity hair usually benefits from richer moisturising products because it absorbs moisture quickly but also loses it more easily.
Author: Fiore Labs Team