Unlock the Big Secrets of Shampoo for Low-Porosity Hair
Treat low-porosity hair the right way with ultra-hydrating shampoo. Natural ingredients help lock in moisture and keep your hair soft and shiny!
Having low-porosity hair can be a difficult challenge in your haircare routine. You may find it hard to retain moisture, find products that are rich enough to nourish and protect your locks or worry about product build-up from too many oils and heavy creams.
However, all hope is not lost! With the right knowledge and the correct shampoo for low-porosity hair, you can manage any of these difficulties and achieve beautiful bouncy strands.
In this article, we’ll discuss how you should go about choosing an appropriate shampoo for low-porosity hair, as well as which ingredients to look out for when buying it.
What is Low-Porosity Hair?
Having low-porosity hair means you have a type of hair that has difficulty absorbing moisture due to its tightly-packed cuticle layers. It can look very shiny, healthy, and strong on the surface but in reality, it lacks moisture because it often fails to absorb water molecules from its environment.
Low-porosity hair will appear to be resistant - even repellent - towards water, oil, and other products. This means that when washing your low-porosity hair you may find it difficult for shampoo or conditioner to penetrate through those tightly-packed cuticles.
In addition, low-porosity hair takes longer than normal porosity types when drying as well as has difficulty retaining moisture throughout the day – which is why it’s important for people with this type of texture to be mindful of how often they are washing and conditioning their strands.
What is the Float Test?
The float test is a diagnostic tool that identifies the level of hair porosity, or how porous your hair is. The test works by submerging a strand of your hair into a cup of water and observing how it behaves over time.
If the hair floats on the surface, it's a sign of low-porosity, while a high-porosity strand can sink quickly and stay submerged for an extended period of time.
Low-porosity often requires heavier ingredients in order to penetrate through thicker layers prior to entering into inner cortex structures where essential nutrients are needed most!
Knowing what type of hair you have will allow you more effectively choose products more suitable for your own personal needs and ultimately achieve stronger healthier locks!
We hope you discover your next favorite beauty find from the list below! Each product was independently selected by our editors. Some may have been sent as samples for us to try, but all opinions in this article are our own. And, FYI — GlamourBadger may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page if you decide to buy something (that's how we stay in business). Reviews have been edited for length and clarity. Enjoy your next favorite beauty find!
How We Choose
Looking for the best shampoo for low-porosity hair, but not sure where to start?
We’ve done the hard work for you! Our team has scoured through hundreds of reviews by real customers to bring you the best shampoos for your low-porosity hair.
No more guessing — get the products that people are raving about!
Why We Like It
SheaMoisture Strengthen, Grow & Restore Shampoo and Conditioner Set is an invigorating hair care set that helps to promote healthy hair growth.
Featuring a combination of peppermint oil and apple cider vinegar, this set is formulated to balance the pH levels of your hair for improved health and shine.
The peppermint oil promotes cell stimulation, making your hair stronger from root to tip while also encouraging natural hair growth.
In addition, the creation of a naturally balanced pH with the inclusion of apple cider vinegar helps keep your hair healthy and vibrant between washes.
Let SheaMoisture Strengthen, Grow & Restore Shampoo and Conditioner be the foundation of your respectful hair care routine for revitalized locks!
More to Know
Its unique combination of wholesome ingredients has been used naturally for generations by women in Jamaica, to protect and strengthen their hair. Now you can enjoy the same powerful effectiveness with this luxurious set.
Enriched with Jamaican black castor oil, this shampoo breathes life into chemically treated hair by helping it heal and repair itself. What's more, its gentle cleansing action softens up your locks while reducing split ends.
When used together with its corresponding Strengthen, Grow & Restore Conditioner - formulated with certified organic shea butter - your curly locks will be left feeling smooth and incredibly soft after every wash!
With its blend of natural oils that seal your open cuticles and reduce breakage, you can start seeing a noticeable improvement in the health of your hair within weeks of use.
Why We Like It
Maui Moisture Lightweight Hydration + Hibiscus Water Shampoo is the perfect choice for anyone wanting to revive and revitalize their hair without the heaviness of traditional shampoos.
Perfect for all hair types, this hydrating shampoo will help keep your hair feeling and looking fresh with a tropical scent achieved from ingredients like hibiscus water, passionfruit, and juicy watermelon.
With Maui Moisture Shampoo, you don't have to worry about it being too heavy or leaving residue - just soft and nourished hair full of shine! Not only is it ideal for everyday use but this shampoo is also safe on color-treated hair, making it great for those who want to maintain their vibrant shade.
Unlock the power of nature with Maui Moisture's Lightweight Hydration + Hibiscus Water Shampoo - bring out beautiful-looking locks that are healthy, strong, and shiny!
More to Know
This unique blend of aloe vera juice and pure coconut water is designed to deeply hydrate your hair while creating a healthy, glowing shine each and every time you use it.
Unlike most other shampoos on the market, Maui Moisture Lightweight Hydration + Hibiscus Water Shampoo doesn’t start with deionized water as its first ingredient! Instead, it starts with natural coconut water that works to cleanse and nourish your hair for beautiful results in no time.
Try this gentle formula today and enjoy improved softness, manageability, and hydration to give your hair the moisture it needs to look stunningly beautiful. Your strands will get maximum hydration without any added weight or fuss – giving you optimal results hassle-free.
Why We Like It
Experience a deep and calming cleanse with Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo. This sulfate-free scalp scrub was formulated to remove product buildup, dead skin cells, and excess oils while restoring balance to all hair types.
Made with coconut-derived cleansers and natural plant-based exfoliators, it helps soothe dry and itchy scalps. It will balance the scalp’s environment, leaving hair clean, moisturized, and flake-free. Its luxurious texture shields against damage while providing nourishment and strengthening hair fibers.
With continued use, your hair will be full of vitality to help you look healthy and strong. Respect your scalp by offering it the healing power of Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo to return it to its long-term health and wellness.
More to Know
This luxurious formula cleanses and detoxifies while restoring essential nutrients to your scalp and hair. Featuring nutrient-rich ingredients like coconut oil, panthenol, and tea tree oil, your locks will feel moisturized and soothed after every cleansing.
Binchotan charcoal helps to purify and rid your scalp of any buildup or impurities that could be weighing it down. Best of all, this product is 95% naturally derived and safe for color-treated, keratin-treated, chemically-treated, and relaxed hair.
With Briogeo, you can trust that only the best ingredients are being used in order to give your hair the look and feel you desire. Try it out today for a healthy scalp environment full of vitality!
Why We Like It
Introducing OUAI Detox Shampoo: your hair’s holy grail! Get ready to say goodbye to product buildup, hard water deposits, dirt, and oil – it’s time for a cleansing revolution.
This clarifying treatment is designed to be used once or twice a week. Just wet your hair and lather on the shampoo.
Enriched with apple cider vinegar, this detoxifying formula will give your strands back their natural shine, bounce, and strength.
Treat yourself to the ultimate ‘reset button’ for your hair; let OUAI Detox Shampoo cleanse, de-clog and restore for fresh, healthy tresses all week long.
More to Know
This is a luxurious hair cleanser that goes to work instantly to get your locks looking and feeling refreshed. Its unique combination of active ingredients allows it to flush out dirt, product build-up, excess oil, and impurities within seconds.
This clarifying shampoo is powerful enough to keep your tresses looking healthy, shiny, and vibrant with every wash. Meaningful botanicals like rosehip oil nourish the hair while replenishing moisture balance — leaving hair softer, stronger, more manageable, and ready for styling.
Crafted with amazing ingredients that are free from parabens, sulfates, and gluten; OUAI's products will never compromise on quality or do harm to the environment. And since celebrity stylist Jen Atkin crafted this range with real-life people in mind — you don’t need a glam squad to look fantastic!
Why We Like It
Care for your hair with Cantu's Avocado Hydrating Shampoo. This gentle, sulfate-free formula is specially crafted with avocado oil and shea butter to keep your locks healthy and nourished.
This unique blend deeply cleanses to remove product buildup while reducing breakage and frizz. Enjoy soft, well-hydrated hair that reveals the genuine beauty of your curls without harsh ingredients.
Trust Cantu’s special blend of carefully selected ingredients to help you reach all of your hair goals and make you feel your best. Experience a new level of hydration and authentic beauty only with Cantu's Avocado Hydrating Shampoo!
More to Know
This unique formula includes plant-based ingredients that are sulfate, paraben, and phthalate free. It's also cruelty-free and never tested on animals.
This shampoo is designed to be easy to use while producing maximum results. When applying the product to wet hair, simply massage it in from root to tip and repeat if necessary for heavy product build-up.
Its hydrating formula penetrates into every strand providing a strong yet gentle cleanse that won't strip moisture away from your hair. Enjoy beautiful soft locks at home with this soothing blend of avocado oil, shea butter, and other natural extracts for a healthier scalp and bouncier locks each time you wash.
Shampoo for Low-Porosity Hair FAQs
What shampoo should you use for low-porosity hair?
Low-porosity hair can be tricky to manage, as its cuticles are tightly sealed and resistant to moisture. To adequately address the needs of low-porosity hair, it is important to choose a sulfate-free shampoo that won't strip away its natural oils.
Look for shampoos that contain humectants like glycerin or panthenol, which attract moisture from the air and help nourish each strand without leaving product build-up deposition on the scalp.
Coconut oil is also an effective ingredient for hydrating low-porosity hair since it contains lauric acid which helps break through barriers in the hair shaft and improve elasticity.
What should I avoid with low-porosity hair?
You should pick shampoo and conditioners that are specifically formulated for low-porosity hair since they are more lightweight and lubricating than other products.
Additionally, you'll want to avoid silicones, mineral oils, and waxes in your products which can aggravate the problem of product buildup with low-porosity hair.
It's also important to keep your scalp moisturized but not oversaturated as too much moisture can cause problems such as mildew growth or dandruff issues.
Finally, make sure that when washing you use lukewarm water instead of hot or cold temperatures which can further dry out the strands leading to increased breakage or split ends.
How often should I wash my hair if I have low-porosity hair?
Generally, it’s recommended to wash your low-porosity hair no more than 2-3 times a week. However, the exact number of washes you should have really depends on your individual situation and lifestyle.
When washing low-porosity hair, use lukewarm water and avoid extreme temperatures. It’s also important to use products free from sulfates, alcohols, salts, and silicones as these can be too harsh for this type of hair texture.
Make sure to give yourself enough time during the shampoo process to properly ensure the product has been washed out thoroughly with either cold or lukewarm water followed by a conditioner free from any harsh chemicals or alcohols.
Deep conditioning is also advised after each wash so as not to strip your strands of their natural oils due to their thin cuticles which makes it difficult for moisture retention in your scalp and strands; an intensive deep conditioner such as avocado and jojoba oil mixture once every two weeks can help retain moisture within the strands even if left in temporarily before rinsing with cold water–leaving them nourished and hydrated all day!
What damages low-porosity hair?
Low-porosity hair is difficult to manage because it has a cuticle layer that doesn’t open easily. This makes products and moisture sit on the outside of the hair shaft, which can lead to build-up, causing more harm than good.
In order to properly nourish hair and avoid damage, it’s important to use light, water-soluble products that don't contain thick ingredients like butters or oils.
Other steps you can take include deep conditioning to help open up the hair cuticle layer so your haircare routine will be more effective, as well as avoiding unnecessary manipulation such as styling with extreme heat.
Is it OK to wet low-porosity hair every day?
No, it is not recommended to wet low-porosity hair every day. Low-porosity hair tends to be more sensitive and can become easily damaged if washed too frequently.
It will also take longer for your scalp and strands to absorb moisture from the water, so wetting your hair every day could cause dryness and breakage over time.
Why is low-porosity hair so hard to maintain?
Low-porosity hair is inherently more difficult to maintain because it has a decreased ability to absorb and retain moisture.
This means that the cuticles of low-porosity hair are tightly bound together and can prevent water, oils, and other moisturizing products from penetrating the strands.
Furthermore, when using certain styling products on low-porosity hair like gels or waxes, they can sit on top of the strands instead of absorbing into them resulting in product buildup.
How do you moisturize low-porosity hair daily?
To effectively moisturize low-porosity hair on a daily basis, try implementing a number of natural strategies such as using apple cider vinegar rinses, pre-shampooing with oils that are lightweight in texture like argan or grapeseed oil, using steam treatments on the scalp and ends of your hair before applying oil or butter based products, use warm water when washing instead of hot or cold temperatures, and introducing nutrient-dense products such as honey or aloe vera gel into your routine.
How do you keep low-porosity hair happy?
Always apply products from lighter-to-heavier textures – this ensures that whatever nutrients need penetrating are evenly distributed throughout the length of your strands.
Use steam treatment at least once a week - this helps those moisture molecules penetrate faster than without heat.
Avoid heavy styling products such as hairsprays with alcohol – these will create an extra layer on top of your strands instead of allowing them uptake nutrition.
Pre-poo before every shampoo by applying oils/conditioners overnight (or at least 30 minutes prior)- this helps open up the cuticles so they can take on more product during cleansing sessions.
Clarify scalp/hair regularly (once every 2 weeks minimum). Applying cleansers alone or in combination with mild exfoliants helps remove any buildup associated with previously used styling products.
Is low-porosity hair harder to grow?
Yes, low-porosity hair typically requires more specialized care to promote growth. Low-porosity hair has a tightly closed cuticle layer that prevents moisture from entering the hair fiber easily.
This leads to difficulty in absorbing moisturizers and styling products which can cause dryness, breakage, and slow growth.
What does low-porosity hair look like?
Low-porosity hair has distinct attributes that help you identify it. It usually appears shiny and smooth and can be resistant to water absorption due to a tightly packed cuticle layer.
When touched, low-porosity hair may feel like plastic or glass, which can make styling difficult if the wrong products are used. Low-porosity hair is also less likely to become frizzy in humid conditions because of its resistance to moisture.
For this reason, it’s important for those with low-porosity hair to avoid using heavy butters and oils that could weigh their strands down by clogging up their cuticles.
Low porosity also makes air-drying your strands extremely effective since the cuticles are tighter and not as easily broken down from heat damage as other hair types.
An added bonus of having low-porosity locks is that your style will last longer since your scalp's natural oils will take more time getting into each strand before drying out and needing a touch-up!
Bottom Line
Thank you for taking the time to read our article! We are so glad we could help you make the right shampoo choice.
As always, your personal care should be taken seriously and only the best products chosen when it comes to maintaining healthy hair.
With proper care, you will be able to rock that shiny new look while showing off bouncy and moisturized hair!
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