What is this guide about?

Hair porosity describes how well your hair can absorb and retain moisture. This knowledge should help you better understand hair care – but it's not a label that should limit you. You don't need to "perfectly determine" your porosity to get good results.

1) What is hair porosity?

Imagine a hair like a small pine cone: on the outside is the cuticle . Depending on how closed or open this cuticle is, your hair absorbs moisture more easily – or loses it more quickly.

2) Low, Medium, High: What types are there?

Low porosity (Low)

The cuticle layer is relatively closed. Moisture penetrates less easily – but once it's in, the hair often retains it longer. Products can sometimes feel like they're just sitting on top.

Medium porosity

Balanced: Moisture can be absorbed well and stored relatively well. Many find this porosity "easy to care for" – with suitable products.

High porosity (High)

The cuticle layer is more open or damaged (e.g., by coloring/heat). Moisture is absorbed quickly, but often also lost more quickly. The hair may appear dry or frizzy more rapidly.

3) How can I recognize porosity in everyday life?

Often, everyday signs are more helpful than a single test. Look for patterns over several wash days.

• Does your hair dry out quickly? This could indicate higher porosity or a lack of sealing.
• Products barely penetrate? This could indicate low porosity – or a heavy product choice.
• Do you often experience build-up? This can be related to product weight, water quality, and routine.
• Dyed / bleached / exposed to a lot of heat? This often increases porosity over time.

4) Self-test (with safety instructions)

There is no perfect porosity test. Some tests only provide a rough indication . Use them as a guide – not as a final judgment.

Here's how to perform the water test (briefly)

1. Take a single, preferably clean hair (without gel/oil/leave-in).
2. Place it in a glass of water.
3. Wait 2-3 minutes.

Here's a rough interpretation.

• Floats on top: rather low porosity
• Slowly decreasing: rather medium porosity
• Sinks quickly: rather higher porosity

If the result doesn't match how your hair feels: trust the everyday signals (Section 3) more than a single test.

5) Porosity & Care

If your hair dries out quickly

Then moisture and protection often help: suitable care + styling that retains moisture in the hair. The label isn't important, but rather: what does your hair need right now?

If products do not move in

Lighter textures, less product, or a different application technique are often more effective. Sometimes it's also due to build-up or water quality – not just porosity.

If your hair gets build-up quickly

Check the product quantity, product weight, and whether occasional deep cleaning is advisable. Porosity can play a role – but is rarely the only reason.

6) Myths & Misunderstandings

"I only have one porosity."

Many people have mixed styles: roots different from lengths/ends, or different due to color/heat damage.

"High porosity is bad."

Not "bad" – just different. With the right routine, even highly porous hair can look and feel very healthy.

"The water test tells the truth."

It can provide clues, but it is not conclusive proof. Use it at most as a supplement, not as the main criterion.

7) Conclusion

Porosity is a helpful concept for better understanding hair care results. However, you don't need to rigidly categorize yourself as "low/medium/high" to find good products. Observe your hair, remain flexible – and use porosity as a guide, not a rulebook.