If you’re like many natural-haired beauties, you’ve probably got an arsenal of natural hair products that promise moisture for days–but by midday, those curls are back to feeling parched, right? You might be thinking “What am I doing wrong?!”. Don’t worry; it’s not just you! The secret to your curl hydration game could be a lot simpler than you think. It all comes down to one thing: your hair’s porosity.

Yep, porosity might just be the key to unlocking the moisture your curls have been craving all along. So, what is hair porosity, how do you figure it out, and most importantly, how can you use this information to keep your curls hydrated? Let’s find out!

What is porosity?

Porosity is all about how easily your hair absorbs and holds onto moisture. Your hair shaft is made of 3 different structures: the cuticle (outer layer), the cortex (middle layer), and the medulla (innermost layer). The porosity of your hair depends on how “open” or “closed” those outer cuticles are. If they’re too open, like with high porosity, moisture can enter the hair shaft but leave just as fast. If they’re too closed, like with low porosity, moisture has a hard time penetrating into the hair shaft.

Think of the cuticles on your hair shaft like blinds on a window. When they’re wide open, the light floods in (high porosity). When they’re closed tight, no light gets through (low porosity).

Knowing your porosity is the secret to picking the right products and routines for perfectly hydrated and defined curls!

Types of porosity:

Low porosity

Low porosity hair has cuticles that are tightly packed together, making it hard for moisture to get in. This can cause buildup on the hair and scalp, further making it harder for moisture to reach the hair shaft.

Signs you may have low porosity hair:

• Products and water sit on top of your hair
• It takes forever to dry
• Your hair feels greasy or weighed down easily

How to care for low porosity hair:

• Go lightweight: Opt for lightweight products that are easier for your hair to absorb.
• Detox regularly: Low porosity hair tends to get product buildup easily–consistent detoxing and clarifying is key to get rid of that buildup. TresLife’s Clay Detox is a great option. This blend of kaolin, bentonite, and rhassoul clay is mixed with apple cider vinegar to remove buildup of the hair and scalp while revealing your true curl pattern, all without stripping your hair and scalp of their natural oils.
• Steam treatments: Steam opens up cuticles and deposits moisture into your strands, making it your best friend!
• Use humectants: Ingredients like raw honey or panthenol are natural humectants, which means they draw moisture from the air giving your hair the hydration it craves long after you first use it. In our salon, we use the TresLife Coco Mango Deep Conditioner made with real coconut milk and add a tablespoon of raw honey to ensure ultimate hydration and lasting moisture. Try this with steam for the ultimate deep conditioning treatment!

By knowing how to work with your low porosity hair, you can finally say goodbye to dryness and hello to hydrated curls!

Normal porosity

If you have normal porosity hair, congrats! Your hair strikes the perfect balance between absorbing and retaining moisture. This means your strands stay hydrated longer and are easier to manage.

Signs you might have normal porosity hair:

• Your hair holds styles and stays moisturized
• You don’t battle much frizz or dryness
• Your hair dries at a moderate speed–not too fast, but not too slow.

How to care for normal porosity hair:

• Keep the balance: Stick with moisturizing products like our Aloe Vera Refresher made with real aloe vera and a blend of Ayurvedic herbs to maintain your hair’s hydration without overloading it.
• Avoid product overload: Too many heavy oils or butters can weigh your hair down, so focus on light-to-moderate products.

With normal porosity, it’s all about maintaining that balance–your hair will thank you by staying shiny, hydrated, and fabulous!

High porosity hair

Got high porosity hair? That means your cuticles are loosely packed, so moisture gets in fast–but escapes just as quickly, leading to dryness and frizz. High porosity can be genetic, but heat and chemical damage are the most common culprits

Signs you have high porosity hair:

• Hair dries super fast after washing
• Your hair is prone to frizz
• Products absorb quickly but don’t last
• You experience lots of tangles, breakage, and split ends

How to care for high porosity hair:

• Seal in moisture: Start with a leave in, like our Aloe Vera Leave-In made with real aloe vera for deep hydration, and follow with a light oil like our Seal Me Oil made with almond and jojoba oil to lock it in.
• Deep condition: Use treatments like our Coco Mango Deep Conditioner to replenish moisture. As stated earlier, adding a tablespoon of raw honey helps draw in even more hydration!
• Limit heat styling: High porosity hair is fragile, so use heat sparingly. If blow-drying, stick to low heat.
• Don’t overdo protein: Use protein treatments about once a month to strengthen, but balance them with moisturizing products to prevent further breakage. Too much protein without enough moisture can cause the hair to become too strong and easily break. Protein strengthens, but it doesn’t moisturize!

With the right care, high porosity hair can stay hydrated, strong, and frizz-free!

Unlock the secret to hydrated, gorgeous curls!

If your curls just won’t stay hydrated, understanding your hair’s porosity is key! By identifying whether your hair is low, medium, or high porosity, you can find the right products and techniques to keep your curls moisturized, shiny, and frizz-free.

Still not sure where to start? TresLife has everything you need, from lightweight conditioners for low porosity hair to rich oils for high porosity curls. Shop our all-natural products or schedule an in-depth consultation with us where we can assess your hair and its porosity and recommend the best products!