The Right Routine for Low, Medium and High Porosity Hair
You do not need a cupboard full of products. You need the three or four that match your cuticle.
You finally know your porosity. Now you can build a routine that works over months rather than for one good hair day. Each porosity type has its own needs — give hair what it is asking for and it gets softer, better hydrated and far easier to style.
Not sure yet? Run the air-dry test first.
Low porosity: light, but with heat
What it means: the cuticles are shut tight. Moisture has trouble getting in, but once it is in, it holds well.
Your routine:
- Before moisturising, open the cuticle gently — steam, a warm towel, or simply applying products in a hot shower.
- A light hydrating spray (water and aloe vera).
- A fluid leave-in or hair milk rather than a thick cream.
- A light oil to seal: jojoba or grapeseed.
- Clarify occasionally — low porosity hair collects build-up fast, and build-up makes the problem worse.
Avoid: heavy butters and rich oils like castor or shea. They sit on the surface, weigh the curl down and block the water you are trying to add.
Medium porosity: balance and restraint
What it means: your hair absorbs moisture well and keeps it without a fight. This is the easy one.
Your routine:
- A hydrating mask once a week.
- Leave-in plus a light cream every two to three days.
- A mild oil to seal: sweet almond or avocado.
- The L.O.C. method (Leave-in, Oil, Cream) when the weather turns dry.
- Protein once a month at most — medium porosity rarely needs more.
Avoid: product overload. The most common mistake here is fixing something that is not broken.
High porosity: go deep, then lock it in
What it means: the cuticles are wide open. Water gets in fast and leaves just as fast — which is why hair can feel dry an hour after a treatment.
Your routine:
- A rich repairing mask (honey, shea, aloe) under gentle heat.
- A thick, nourishing leave-in.
- A heavy butter or oil to seal: black castor oil, shea butter.
- Protein treatments regularly — high porosity often means gaps in the cuticle that protein temporarily fills.
- Gentle protective styles to keep moisture where you put it.
Avoid: products that are too light, heat tools without a protectant, and harsh sulphate shampoos. Each one widens the gap you are trying to close.
The point
You do not need a cupboard full of products. You need to know your hair and give it what genuinely suits it. Whatever the porosity, every texture deserves gentleness, care and patience.
