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Just like a frustrated teenager acting up, low-porosity hair is rebellious and stubborn and acts out to gain attention. Well, why shouldn’t it? Having low-porosity in hair means you’re not taking enough care of your hair and pampering it as much as you should.
If you have low-porosity hair and are tired of tackling various hair problems that come with it, I’m here to lend a helping hand. The root cause of low-porosity hair is a lack of absorbing and retaining moisture, which can be fixed by using suitable oils and adding a few habits to your lifestyle.
Trust me when I say it; I’ve been there! So today, I’m here to spill my secrets as I help you understand low-porosity and how you can fix it to bring your hair back to life. So, what are you waiting for? Dig right into the article!
What is the Meaning of Low-porosity Hair?
Put simply, porosity shows how well your hair can soak up moisture. Your hair is made up of three layers: the cuticle, cortex, and medulla.
When it comes to hair with normal or medium porosity, the layers overlap nicely, allowing conditioning products to moisturize the hair well. But for low-porosity hair, the shaft doesn’t let moisture and nutrients in easily, leading to dryness, frizz, and breakage.
Having low-porosity hair means you need to understand how to keep it healthy. And you know what’s one great way to do that? Yep, lightweight oils for low porosity hair!
What Makes Light Oils the Best for Low-porosity Hair?
As you now know, low-porosity hair struggles to absorb moisture. That’s why light oils are low-porosity hair’s BFFs – they seal in moisture without making your hair heavy. And, of course, they absorb faster and won’t leave any product build-up for you to stress about later.
What are some of the best oils for Low-porosity Hair?
If you have low-porosity hair, you know allowing your hair cuticles to absorb moisture can be a nightmare. While it may seem impossible, keeping your hair from getting dry using the right oil can make all the difference.
Take a peek at the best oils that help fight low porosity in hair:
1. Argan Oil
Packed with unsaturated fatty acids, ferulic acid, and Vitamin E, Argan oil can help your hair gain strength and make them look beautiful as ever.
2. Jojoba oil
Filled with antioxidants, Jojoba oil is another light oil that offers moisture and protects low-porosity hair.
3. Sweet almond oil
Sweet almond oil comes with several vitamins and proteins, among other nutrients like zinc and potassium. It helps low-porosity hair absorb moisture while conditioning them thoroughly.
4. Pomegranate oil
Pomegranate oil supplies hair with oleic, punicic, linoleic acids, and Vitamin C to improve overall health and growth.
5. Grapeseed oil
A distinctive attribute of grapeseed oil is that it acts as a natural alternative to heat protectants apart from moisturizing low-porosity hair.
6. Baobab oil
A great supplier of Vitamins A, E, and F, and omega 3, 6, and 9, Baobab oil penetrates low-porosity hair and gives them that extra glow!
Some other amazing oils for low-porosity oils are:
- Apricot oil
- Camellia oil
- Avocado oil
- Sesame oil
- Rosehip oil
- Safflower oil
Top 5 Oils For Low-porosity Hair I Swear by
Here are my top 5 picks for penetrating oils for low-porosity hair:
1. Moroccanoil Treatment Hair Oil
Infused with various nutritionist ingredients, including Argan oil and Linseed extract, the Moroccanoil Treatment Hair Oil is a cruelty-free oil and one of the best products for low-porosity hair. I love this product for its versatility and how well it works on dry hair.
The Moroccanoil Treatment hair oil will ensure that your hair looks and feels healthy as it works its way through the frizz and dryness. This oil will quickly absorb in your low-porosity hair, improving the overall hydration, smoothness, shine, and softness of your hair.
2. Carol’s Daughter Goddess Strength Scalp Oil and Hair Oil
Next in line is the Carol’s Daughter Scalp and Hair Oil that will wrap your hair with moisture in such a way that your hair will feel alive again. The oil will keep split ends and breakage at bay, leaving your scalp feeling hydrated.
Packed with Vitamin E and nutritional oils such as Black Seed Oil and Castor Oil, this product works wonders for low-porosity hair. Suitable for all hair types, this vegan hair oil is mineral, paraben, and sulfate-free and comes with no added artificial colors.
Looking to moisturize your hair while bringing its strength back? You can trust this product to do the job for you.
3. Pattern Jojoba Hair & Scalp Oil Blend
A light oil formulated to help your hair retain moisture and reduce split ends, the Pattern Jojoba Hair & Scalp Oil blend makes for a great oil for anyone dealing with low-porosity hair. This oil will hydrate your hair while eliminating flaking and itchiness.
And its formulation of Safflower oil, Lavender oil, and Jojoba oil will promote your hair’s overall health and strength. Perfect for curly and wavy hair, this oil will effectively repair your damaged hair.
4. Cliganic Certified Organic Argan Oil
Chemical-free and cold-pressed, the Cliganic Certified Organic Argan Oil will add moisture to your hair without weighing it down. Packed with Vitamin E, linoleic acids, omega fatty acids, and various other nutrients, this oil will quickly get absorbed into your scalp without making your hair feel greasy.
What I love about this oil is that just a few drops can make your hair frizz-free, smooth, and shiny. If the low porosity of your hair makes it extremely dry, you should get this product without giving it a second thought.
5. Majestic Pure Avocado Oil
low-porosity hair is born to be pampered, and they make good friends with avocado oil. The Majestic Pure Avocado Oil is a 100% natural and pure avocado oil that hydrates and penetrates the scalp and hair in the best possible ways.
Best for a sensitive scalp, using this cruelty-free oil will ensure you keep dry hair problems at bay and nourish your hair with good fats. Additionally, this oil won’t clog your follicles and will make for an excellent oil for a relaxing head massage.
How often should you oil your hair?
As a general rule of thumb, you should oil your hair about once or twice a week to help keep it moisturized. However, if you have very dry hair, you may want to oil it more often.
How Do You Moisturize Low-porosity Hair?
Wondering how you can moisturize low-porosity hair without making much effort? Don’t worry, sister. I’ve got you covered! Here are a few habits that have helped me, and I’m sure they’ll help you deal with your low-porosity hair:
1. Light oils to the rescue
I’ve already shared a list of some top oils that do wonders for low-porosity hair. Oil your hair with a light oil a few hours before your head wash to see the magic happen!
2. Keep it low-key with your conditioner
Is it just me, or are you also guilty of adding water to your shampoo or conditioner when you feel it’s about to get finished? Well, I’m here to tell you that you should actually be adding a little water to your conditioner.
This is so you don’t overburden your low-porosity hair! Keep it light and penetrate every strand for the best results.
3. Clarify! Clarify! Clarify!
Using different chemical-infused products often leads to low-porosity hair. Thus, using a hair-clarifying shampoo will help you reduce the chemical buildup and become your best friend in this journey of moisturizing low-porosity hair.
4. Deep conditioning is the only way
Combined with heat, deep conditioning can drastically change your hair’s porosity. You can use a thermal heat cap or a hair steamer combined with oil for the best results.
The deep conditioning will help the hair cuticles absorb the oil while you enjoy warm relaxation with a cup of tea! (Or coffee, if you’re a coffee person😉.) The experience will feel like a home spa, and I’m sure we’re all here for it!
5. The greenhouse method
Don’t worry. I’m here to simplify this technical term for you. Simply put, once you moisturize your hair, you should consider covering it with a plastic cap overnight. Doing so will create sufficient moisture to help your hair absorb it.
6. Sleep like a Queen! (I mean, use a satin pillowcase or cap)
A satin pillowcase or cap doesn’t only help with frizzy hair, but it also helps with low-porosity hair. This is because, unlike cotton, silk does not take away your hair’s moisture.
7. Maintain distance from styling products
Styling products will be heavy for your hair, and they will also cause buildup. And you don’t want that to happen, do you? If you still need to use any styling products, ensure you’re not using heavy ones!
Some commonly asked questions –
1. Is coconut oil not good for low porosity hair?
While coconut oil can be an excellent natural haircare product for some hair types, it may not be the best choice for low porosity hair. Coconut oil is quite heavy and can lead to buildup on low porosity hair, making it difficult to absorb moisture.
2. Is castor oil bad for low porosity?
Since castor oil is quite thick and weighty, it may not penetrate low porosity hair well, leading to buildup and greasiness. Which is why it’s not a preferred choice.
3. Is Aloe Vera good for Low porosity hair?
Aloe vera can be a fantastic remedy for dry, damaged hair but be mindful that aloe vera gel is quite heavy, so if you have low porosity hair, it’s better to use it in moderation. You can mix aloe vera juice with water and spray it on your hair as a leave-in treatment or add it to your deep conditioner for a healthy boost!
Another way to add it to your regimen is by using also vera oil for hair instead of the gel. It has all the moisturizing and nourishing properties, proven to be great for low porosity manes.
4. Is curd good for low porosity hair?
Curd is actually incredible for low porosity hair, as it helps to moisturize and nourish the hair without weighing it down. It’s packed full of proteins and vitamins that promote healthy hair growth and repair, leaving you with soft, shiny locks that are easy to manage.
5. Is rice water OK for low porosity hair?
Rice water has been used for centuries in traditional Korean hair care routines to strengthen and fortify hair, leaving it healthy and shiny. It’s packed with amino acids, vitamins, and minerals that penetrate the hair shaft and provide deep nourishment.
You can use rice water as a rinse after shampooing your hair, or as a leave-in treatment for an extra boost of hydration.
Final Thoughts on best oils for low porosity hair
Now that you’ve read this guide, you’re already one step ahead in transforming your low-porosity hair. I hope I’ve helped you understand that it’s not impossible to help low-porosity hair absorb moisture. It’s only a matter of putting in a little extra effort and incorporating new habits into your daily haircare routine.
I’ve already made the job easier for you by listing the top oils for low-porosity hair and sharing some tips I had in store for you. Don’t forget to consider the important factors I shared before picking the right oil for your hair.
Also, don’t get disheartened if you don’t get instant results. The changes may not occur overnight, but sticking to these changes will definitely be fruitful for you. Lastly, enjoy the process and do it with love! You’ll be surprised to see how your hair shines once you start caring for them.
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