What are the best hair oils for low porosity hair?
Low porosity hair has cuticles that are tightly closed, which means it’s extremely difficult for moisture to penetrate your hair. This is why some people with low porosity hair struggle with dryness, dandruff, and even split ends.
If this problem sounds all too familiar, don’t fret. This article discusses everything you need to know about low porosity hair oils and how you can use them as part of your hair treatment. But first, let’s look at what it means to have low porosity hair.
What Is Low Porosity Hair?
Low porosity hair is hair that has a hard time absorbing moisture and products. It tends to repel water and products and may still feel dry after hours of deep conditioning.
On low porosity hair, the cuticle (outer layer of the hair strand) remains tightly closed, which prevents moisture from penetrating the hair shaft. It also makes it difficult for hair care products to penetrate your hair shaft.
If you have low porosity hair, it’s important to use products that are light and able to penetrate your hair shaft easily. Because of its inability to absorb products easily, it’s also important to wash low porosity hair regularly to get rid of product buildup.
Low Porosity Hair Oils
1. Jojoba Oil
This oil is a great moisturizer for low porosity hair because it mimics natural sebum. It also helps to seal in moisture and protein, which works well for low porosity hair.
Apply after every wash or when your hair feels dry. Start with 2-3 drops in your palm and work it through your strands, then repeat until you’ve covered your entire hair.
2. Argan Oil
Like jojoba oil, argan oil mimics natural sebum, so it’s one of the best oils for low porosity hair. It also helps fight frizz while leaving your hair soft and shiny.
To use argan oil on low porosity hair, mix a few drops of it with water, then apply the mixture to your hair. You can also use it as a pre-shampoo treatment by applying it to your scalp and strands and leaving it on for 30 minutes before you wash your hair.
SEE: Benefits of Argan Oil for Hair- What No One Told You About
3. Sunflower Oil
Sunflower seed oil is another wonderful moisturizer for low porosity hair. It has the right nanostructure to penetrate low porosity hair cuticles and provide moisture at the core. Moreover, it’s rich in vitamins A, B, D, and E, as well as omega fatty acids that maintain a healthy hair balance.
It’s best to apply sunflower seed oil to the tips of your hair because this is where the cuticle is most vulnerable. If you suffer from split ends, you might want to use sunflower seed oil daily until the problem is solved.
4. Baobab Oil
Baobab oil has a unique molecular structure that allows nutrients to easily pass through it. This enables the beneficial ingredients in the baobab oil to reach your hair shaft and keep it moisturized and conditioned.
To incorporate baobab oil into your hair regimen, apply it to your scalp and work it through your hair before washing it with shampoo. You can also apply this oil after you wash your hair as a sealant to lock in moisture for longer periods because it does not evaporate easily.
5. Sweet Almond Oil
Sweet almond oil is one of the best oils for low porosity hair. Its high monounsaturated fatty acid content helps it penetrate the hair shaft quickly and easily.
The best way to use sweet almond oil for low porosity hair is to apply it with heat. This is because heat opens up the cuticle of the hair, allowing it to absorb the oil more easily.
Mix about 1/4 cup of sweet almond oil with a few drops of lavender essential oil and warm it up. Apply the mixture to your hair, making sure that you coat your scalp and your ends evenly. Let it sit for 15-20 minutes before shampooing and conditioning your hair.
6. Pomegranate Seed Oil
The pomegranate seed oil contains punicic acid, an unsaturated fatty acid that helps to prevent the hair cuticle from sealing up. It can also help protect against heat damage, as well as restore moisture to dry strands.
Pomegranate seed oil works well in combination with other oils to help them penetrate the hair shaft better. So if you have low porosity hair, try mixing pomegranate seed oil with olive or castor oils to give them the boost they need to penetrate your hair shaft.
7. Avocado Oil
Avocado oil is light in texture and absorbs easily into the hair cuticles, making it a popular choice for low porosity hair. It’s also full of vitamins, antioxidants, and essential fatty acids that help to keep hair healthy.
You can buy avocado oil at many grocery stores and health food stores. To use, simply apply 1 teaspoon of avocado oil to your hair and comb through with a wide-tooth comb.
SEE: Benefits of Avocado Oil for Hair- Amazing Things You Probably Didn’t Know
8. Sesame Seed Oil
The sesame seed oil has a small molecular structure which makes it able to penetrate the surface of your hair and moisturize the interior. It’s also high in antioxidants and nutrients, which help to protect the hair from heat, sun damage, and pollution.
You can use sesame seed oil as a deep conditioner or hot oil treatment to lock in moisture. You can also use it as a moisturizer by applying a few drops to damp hair after washing. Either way, sesame oil is worth trying if you want to improve the look and feel of your low porosity natural hair.
9. Apricot Oil
Apricot oil is lightweight enough to penetrate the strands and coat them in a protective layer of moisture. It also contains several vitamins, including vitamins A and E, which are beneficial for overall scalp and hair health.
To use, take 1/4 cup of apricot oil and massage it into your scalp and hair. Cover your head with a shower cap or plastic wrap and leave the oil on overnight. Wash it out in the morning with a shampoo specifically made for low porosity hair.
10. Grapeseed Oil
Grapeseed oil is another light oil that is perfect for adding moisture to low porosity hair without weighing it down. It also helps prevent breakage and split ends, thanks in part to its high linoleic acid content.
You should apply grapeseed oil to clean hair and follow up with a leave-in conditioner or hair moisturizer to lock in the moisture.
11. Rosehip Oil
If you have low porosity hair and are trying to grow it out, try using rosehip oil in your everyday routine. This natural oil is packed with fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins that can help your hair look healthy and shiny.
You can either apply your rosehip oil as a rinse-out conditioner or as a hair moisturizer. To do the former, mix 1 tsp. rosehip oil, 1 egg white, and 1/4 cup water in a bowl. Apply this mixture to damp hair, let it sit for 15 minutes, and then rinse out with cool water.
12. Olive Oil
Olive oil is a great choice for low porosity hair. It’s a lightweight oil that won’t leave your hair feeling greasy or weighed down. Plus, it has the added benefit of being able to penetrate your hair shaft and help restore moisture to dry hair.
To use, simply add 2-3 teaspoons of olive oil to your favorite hair moisturizer and apply daily to your hair and scalp.
SEE: Benefits of Olive Oil to Hair + Uses
13. Safflower Oil
Low porosity hair benefits from safflower oil because it doesn’t sit on top of the hair shaft as other moisturizers would. It penetrates deep into the hair shaft, delivering moisture and protein to the cortex where it is needed most.
The best way to use safflower oil on your hair is through pre-pooing or hot oil treatments. Both options will help to soften your hair, reduce frizz and add shine.
14. Camellia Seed Oil
Camellia seed oil is a lightweight oil that penetrates the hair shaft quickly. It does not build up, it does not cause dandruff, and it will not leave your hair feeling oily.
Camellia seed oil also has high levels of vitamin E, which helps to strengthen and protect the hair against UV rays and pollution. This means it can keep your tresses vibrant and shiny while helping to protect your strands from breakage as well.
You can use this oil as hot oil treatment, as a deep conditioner, or as a leave-in conditioner to keep your tresses moisturized.
15. Fractionated Coconut Oil
Fractionated coconut oil has been distilled, so all the long-chain fatty acids have been removed, leaving only the medium-chain ones. This makes it light and non-greasy, which is great for low porosity hair.
The best part is, fractionated coconut oil is an easy-to-find product that you can get at your local drugstore. You can apply it after washing your hair as a leave-in conditioner or overnight treatment.
How Can You Tell If You Have Low Porosity Hair?
One easy way to find out if you have low porosity hair is to perform the float test. To do this, fill a glass with water and drop a single strand of hair into it. If your strand floats after 3-5 minutes, then you have low porosity hair.
Also, if products seem to stay on top of your strands (rather than sinking in), you probably have low porosity hair.
SEE: Hair Oil and Hair Serum- Their Differences & the Best Choice to Make
FAQs
Are heavy oils good for low porosity hair?
No, they’re not. Heavy oils like castor and virgin coconut oil can weigh down low porosity hair and lead to a greasy appearance.
Instead, try light oils such as jojoba oil or sweet almond oil. These oils can penetrate your hair shaft easily to provide some extra moisture without weighing down your hair.
Does low porosity hair need keratin?
Yes, it does. Keratin is great for low porosity hair because it smooths the cuticle layer and helps to seal in moisture.
If you’d like to try keratin treatments, I recommend you do it at a salon and not at home. There are several brands of keratin treatments that are safe to use on low porosity hair, but you need a professional to apply them correctly.
What is high porosity hair?
High-porosity hair has a high level of moisture-holding capacity, so it absorbs water and products quickly. You can apply high amounts of products to this type of hair without worrying about overloading it.
Conclusion
Low porosity hair is the most difficult hair type to manage. It doesn’t absorb oils or moisture easily, which can leave it dry, brittle, unmanageable, and prone to breakage.
However, by incorporating the above oils into your hair care routine, you’ll be able to moisturize your low porosity hair better without weighing it down or making it look oily.
Thanks for reading.
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