When it comes down to the condition of your hair, there are so many key contributors that work together to make it possible to achieve and maintain the healthy tresses.
Porosity
Porosity is a major factor, that once understood, you will be able to choose products and utilize them in a regimen that works best for your hair. Porosity describes how well one’s hair absorbs moisture. A porosity test can be conducted to determine which category you fall under.
High Porosity
High porosity hair is described as having raised cuticles. Though absorbs moisture well, it loses it quickly due to the raised cuticle. To correct this, you will want to utilize the L.O.C. method, while considering using:
Shampoos
- Cantu Moisturizing Cream Shampoo-Sulfate Free ($4.19)
- Naked by Essations Honey & Almond Moisture Whip Shampoo ($12.50)
- Essations Intense Hydration Detangling Shampoo ($10)
Conditioners
- Cantu Sulfate Free Hydrating Cream Conditioner ($4.97)
- Essations Naked Honey & Almond Moisture Whip Conditioner ($14)
- Roux Porosity Control Correction & Conditioner ($10.99
Deep Conditioners
- Sexy Hair Smooth Sexy Hair Smooth Extender Nourishing Smoothing Mask ($16.99)
- Redken Extreme Strength Builder Plus Fortifying Hair Mask ($17.99)
Leave In Conditioners
Sealers
- Joico Cuticle Sealer (Rinse Out) ($14.50)
- Jane Carter Solutions Nourish and Shine ($12.99)
- Taliah Waajid Nutrient Rich Shine Butter ($10.99)
- Qhemet Biologics Aethiopika Hydrate and Twist Butter ($14)
- Qhemet Biologics Castor & Moringa Softening Serum ($10)
Moisturizers
Low Porosity
Low porosity is defined as having tightly closed cuticles, making it extremely hard (nearly impossible) for products to penetrate. For this reason, the hair will seem hard, very dry, and product will easily accumulate on the strands of the hair. To remedy these common issues, you will want to sit under the dryer with your conditioner. By doing this, the heat will raise the cuticle, allowing the conditioner to penetrate. The best products for low porosity hair are:
Shampoos
- Naked by Essations Detox Clarifying Shampoo ($11)
- Eden Body Works Peppermint Tea Tree Shampoo ($8.99)
- Essations Tea Tree Solutions Dry and Itchy Scalp Shampoo ($14.50)
- Kinky Curly Come Clean Moisturizing Shampoo ($10.79)
Conditioners
- Bedhead Tigi Moisture Maniac Conditioner ($13.97)
- Giovani Smooth As Silk Conditioner ($5.49)
- Essations Tea Tree Solutions Dry and Itchy Scalp Conditioner ($16)
Deep Conditioners
- Redken Frizz Dismiss Mask Intensive Rinse Out Treatment ($20.50)
- Catwalk by Tigi Oatmeal & Honey Intense Nourishing Mask ($20.99)
- Camille Rose Naturals Coconut Water Penetrating Hair Treatment ($19.99)
- Bekura Y.A.M Nectar Hydrating Hair Nourisher ($20)
Leave In Conditioners
- Jane Carter Solutions Revitalizing Leave In Conditioner ($7.95)
- Karen’s Body Beautiful Hair Blossom Moisture Mist ($15.99)
Moisturizers/Stylers
- Camille Rose Naturals Curl Love Moisture Milk ($14.99)
- Cantu Moisturizing Curl Activator Cream ($6.99)
- Qhemet Biologics Burdock Root Butter Cream ($16)
- Natty Naturals Natty Butter ($11)
Sealants/Oils
- Jojoba, Coconut, Grapeseed Oil (thinner oils penetrate easier for tightly sealed cuticles)
The key to managing low porosity hair, as mentioned before, is heat. Heat opens the cuticle allowing moisture to slide in. So remember to utilize heat when conditioning, and again once hair has been styled. Sitting under lower heat after styling allows for the product to seep in and not just rest on the strands of the hair. Water based moisturizers and styling products will work best on low porosity hair. Also, try to avoid extremely thick products that don’t list water/aqua as either the first or second ingredient. Products that are not water based, have a more likely chance of resting on top of the strand.
Normal Porosity
Normal porosity is usually the easiest to manage in regards to retaining moisture and shine. The cuticle lays smooth, but isn’t tightly shut, which allows for moisture to seep in and not escape. But, if mistreated, can become highly porous. The best products for normal porosity are:
Shampoos
- ORS Olive Oil Creamy Aloe Shampoo (6.99)
- Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo ($8.99)
- Catwalk by Tigi Oatmeal and Honey Shampoo ($17.99)
- Tresemme Naturals Nourishing Moisture Shampoo ($4.99)
- Cantu Shea Butter Hair Cleansing Cream Shampoo ($6.99)
- Herbal Essence Hello Hydration Moisturizing Shampoo ($4.97)
Conditioners
- ORS Olive Oil Replenishing Conditioner ($7.99)
- Jane Carter Solution Nutrient Replenishing Conditioner ($8.99)
- Catwalk by Tigi Oatmeal and Honey Conditioner ($18.99)
- Tresemme Naturals Nourishing Moisture Conditioner ($4.99)
- Cantu Shea Butter Hydrating Cream Conditioner ($4.97)
- Herbal Essence Hello Hydration Moisturizing Conditioner ($4.97)
Deep Conditioners
- Elasta QP Soy Oyl Ultra Hydration Deep Conditioner ($5.99)
- Aphogee 2 Minute Intensive Keratin Reconstructor (follow with moisturizing conditioner) ($6.95)
- Joico K-Pak Intense Hydrator ($19.99)
- Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Deep Treatment Masque ($9.79)
- As I Am Hydration Elation Intensive Conditioner ($15.49)
Leave In Conditioners
- Aphogee ProVitamin Leave In Conditioner ($4.95)
- Main Element:Love Aloe Conditioner ($13.00)
- Jane Carter Solution Hydrate Quench Spray ($9.99)
Moisturizers/Stylers
- Camille Rose Naturals Almond Jai Twisting Butter ($16.99)
- B.A.S.K. (Bekura) Palm Tapioca Deluxe Hair Cream ($18.00)
- BeeMine – Luscious Balanced Cream Moisturizer ($18.97)
Oils/Sealants
- Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla Moisture and Shine Hair Sheen ($12)
- HairVeda Almond Glaze ($11.50)
- Dark & Lovely Au Naturale Sheen Seal Nectar ($8.99)
The products listed are suggestions based upon hair type, texture, and porosity. I have learned a lot of times, it isn’t what you are using, but the manner and order in which it is being used. So, a little research is always good. And if you find that some products don’t work as well, try switching the order in which it is used. The LOC method is good, but tweaking it to work for your hair, will make it great!!!
Enjoy!!!
How often should i wash my natural hair, and what product should i use to two strain twist my hair if i have low porosity?
Is taaliah waajid products good for a low porosity hair?