The Ultimate Guide to Hair Oil vs. Porosity

Understanding how well hair oils work can drastically improve your hair care routine.

Hair porosity refers to how well your hair can absorb and retain moisture. It’s determined by the condition of the cuticle layer — the outermost layer of the hair shaft.

There are three types:

Type	Cuticle Description	Moisture Absorption	Drying Time
Low Porosity	Tight, flat cuticles	Hard to absorb	Long
Medium Porosity	Slightly raised cuticles	Balanced	Moderate
High Porosity	Highly raised/damaged cuticles	Absorbs quickly but loses fast	Short

---

💧Hair Oil and Porosity: What Works Best?

1. Low Porosity Hair

Characteristics: Product buildup easily, resists moisture, tends to sit on hair.

Best Oils:

Lightweight oils that can penetrate easily:

         Argan oil

         Grapeseed oil

         Jojoba oil 

Tips:

          Use heat (e.g., warm towel or steamer) to help oils and moisture absorb.

          Avoid heavy butters and thick oils.

2. Medium Porosity Hair

Characteristics: Well-balanced; holds styles and moisture fairly easily.

Best Oils:

Moderate to heavy oils:

       Almond Oil

       Coconut oil

       Olive oil

Tips:

Rotate between sealing and penetrating oils depending on hair needs.

Regular deep conditioning helps maintain balance.

3. High Porosity Hair

Characteristics: Absorbs moisture fast but loses it just as fast; often frizzy or damaged.

Best Oils:

Heavier, sealing oils to lock in moisture:

       Castor oil

       Shea butter (technically a butter, but used like an oil)

       Avocado oil

       Rice bran oil

Tips:

            Use leave-in conditioners followed by sealing oils.

            Avoid heat and chemical treatments that worsen porosity.

✅ Summary Tips

Match oil type with porosity for best results.

Heat can help oil penetrate low porosity hair.

High porosity needs layering (e.g., leave-in + oil) to retain moisture.

Don’t over-oil — use as needed depending on dryness, style, and weather.