Here's how to tell if you have high or low porosity hair

There's a universal hair routine that we can all generally agree upon: shampoo (twice, of course), conditioner, treatment, heat protector and a weekly mask. Yes, okay that totally feels like a lot of steps when you write it in list form, but that's what we all require, right?

Well, maybe not quite. Because realistically, you need to be choosing your haircare routine to suit not only your hair type but also your hair porosity. 

We can hear you asking 'but what is hair porosity'? Yep, yet another thing to think about. But we promise once you adjust your routine it's going to make a world of difference. So, to find out all about high and low porosity hair types we spoke to certified Trichologist and Senior Educator Robert Bradder. Here's everything we learned...

What is hair porosity?

Hair porosity has to do with your hair's cuticle structure (its outermost layer), and it determines how easily your hair absorbs and retains moisture (and products, of course). Your hair porosity will determine how easily your hair will stay hydrated and healthy.

How to tell if you have high or low porosity hair

Let's start off with a disclaimer: there's no one porosity type that's 'better' to have - each comes with its own ups and downs. 

Bradder tells us the best way to determine your hair porosity type is to feel it. If your hair is feeling dry and rough it could mean that you have high porosity hair. If you step out of the shower with sopping wet strands and they just won't dry, then you likely have low porosity hair. And if neither of these sound like you then you likely have medium porosity hair that can lean either way. Lucky you!

Need a little bit more help determining your porosity type? Bradder says to test your porosity type, "place some water on your hair strands. If it immediately soaks in then you have high porosity hair, and if it sits on top then you have low porosity hair."

Once you've determined what porosity type you have, you can then make the right call on how to care for your hair.

Tips for maintaining healthy hair

Bradder's main tip for maintaining healthy, nourished strands is to "invest in your hair." Be sure to speak to your stylist about any concerns or needs and they'll be able to deliver results. His key to keeping the results up? "Invest in that salon-only treatment and back it up with a weekly intensive at-home mask" plus, add "protective oils, creams or serums" into your regular routine, because you need to "make sure you give it the care it deserves." 

Low porosity hair products

Low porosity hair is prone to buildup and requires a little more time and attention to ensure that the products used fully absorb in. 

It might seem like low porosity hair is crying out to be slathered with rich thick products, but the opposite is actually true.  Because low porosity hair cuticles are tightly bound, they actually need lightweight products. Oh and be sure to steer clear of protein-rich options as they can cause damage to your strands. 

Our top picks for nourishing your low porosity hair? Start by clarifying your strands with the cult-classic Kérastase Première Decalcifying Repairing Bain Shampoo ($65 from Adore Beauty). Enjoy the weightless hydration of the Oribe Mirror Rinse Glass Hair Treatment ($94 from Adore Beauty). And don't forget to keep up the weekly masking sessions with the deeply hydrating MOROCCANOIL Weightless Hydrating Mask ($67 from Adore Beauty).

High porosity hair products

High porosity hair is fickle. It needs moisture, like, constantly. So to keep feeding your dry-leaning strands, you're going to need to create a moisture-rich routine. 

Because high porosity hair strands are quite open, it means that they're prone to drying out quickly. Sure, it might be great for air drying your hair in a rush, but it often means your strands will become frizzy. To combat this, protein-rich, bond-building and of course ultra-moisturising products are great for high porosity hair.

Bradder suggests using "high-conditioning moisturisers", with his top pick being the frizz-softening Wella Professionals Ultimate Smooth Conditioner ($54 from Adore Beauty). BEAUTYcrew can't go past the protein-rich, strand-reconstructing powers of the O&M The Power Base Protein Masque ($45.95 from Oz Hair and Beauty). Add in the ultra-hydrating protective prowess of Olaplex No.7 Bonding Oil ($54 from Adore Beauty) and you've got an elitehydration-focused trio.

Main Image Credit: @palomija

Know how to care for your strands, now it's time to apply in the trending spring styles...