Hair porosity is a puzzle constantly making its rounds on every social media platform from YouTube to TikTok. And it's for a good reason. Knowing your hair type is essential. Most hair gurus will tell you your hair porosity is a key component in the products you use and how you layer them.
Let's get into the best products for low porosity hair, a subject I know a lot about because I'm part of this hair club. For years, I've tried so many different products with the same lackluster results for my curls until a stylist helped me discover that my hair was indeed low porosity.
So, what is low porosity hair?
Having low porosity hair essentially means water and haircare products sit on the surface of your strands and don't absorb. However, that doesn't mean that your hair is "bad" or "damaged." In fact, low porosity hair is typically very healthy. There is one thing this porosity type needs to absorb the nutrients from products: water.
Well, didn't I just say the hair doesn't absorb water? Yes. However, water and hair products with humectants like honey and glycerin will be your haircare BFFs. So, when you apply products, your hair needs to be soaking, dripping wet. Additionally, when conditioning, add steam to your routine to open the hair cuticle to ensure your hair gets all the nutrients from your go-to mask.
Now, let's talk products:
The Best Products for Low Porosity Hair
Design Essentials Honey Moisture Retention Shampoo
Design Essentials
Formulated with humectants, this sulfate-free formula is a part of my bi-weekly wash day routine. The honey-infused shampoo smoothes the cuticle, hydrates the hair, and makes it easy to detangle while you cleanse.
adwoa beauty Blue Tansy Reparative Mask
Sephora
This deep conditioning mask is formulated with highly porous hair in mind. However, the ingredients in this mask are excellent for low porosity hair, with glycerin as one of its ingredients. In addition, the formula is infused with Moroccan lava clay, blue tansy flower oil, and spirulina extract that work as a team to condition, prevent breakage and make detangling curls a breeze.
MIZANI 25 Miracle Milk Leave-In Conditioner
Walmart
Leave-in conditioners are the cornerstone of any hair care routine, and a bottle of this is always handy on my wash day. Infused with fennel seed oil and coconut oil, this lightweight formula penetrates deep down to the follicle and acts as a protectant and hydrator. In addition, the spray bottle makes it easy to ensure you don't miss a spot.
Camille Rose Honey Hydrate Leave-In Conditioner
This honey-based formula is a must-have if you have low porosity hair. It's been in my routine for years. For the best results, my hair drinks this up when my hair is soaking wet during application.
PATTERN Treatment Mask
The first time I used this mask by PATTERN, I couldn't believe how well it worked. The slip was mind-blowing, and my 4C curls popped. Now I realize the ingredients speak for themselves. Formulated with strengthening rice protein, fatty acid-rich moringa seed extract, and split end preventing hibiscus, the formula is A-1.
Innersense I Create Hold Gel
After my curly stylist used this on my curls, I was a fan. With glycerin and honey as a part of the ingredient lineup, my curls are deeply hydrated and stay intact for up to five days. Because this formula is concentrated, using water to layer it on is the key to getting the right amount of hold without a flaky crunch, and a little goes a long way.
The Doux Mousse Def Texture Foam
This beloved foam has another ingredient that low-porosity hair soaks up: aloe. The dual-use mousse works for everything from wash-n-gos to sleek buns holding your style in place without flaking or crunch.
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We've commissioned these ladies, who are pillars in their respective industries, for tidbits of advice to get you through the best and worst days of mothering. Here, they share their "secret sauce" and advice for other moms trying to find their rhythm.
Emmelie De La Cruz, Chief Strategist at One Day CMO
"My mom friends and I all laugh and agree: Motherhood is the ghettoest thing you will ever do. It's beautiful and hard all at the same time, but one day you will wake up and feel like 'I got this' and you will get the hang of it. After 4 months, I finally felt like I found my footing to keep my kid and myself alive, but it took vulnerability to take off the cape and be honest about the areas that I didn't have it all together. The healing (physically and emotionally) truly does happen in community - whatever and whoever that looks like for you."
Alizè V. Garcia, Director Of Social & Community Impact at Nike
"I would tell a new mom or a prospective mother that they must give themselves grace, understand and remember there is no right way to do this thing and have fun! When I had my daughter three and a half years ago, I was petrified! I truly had no clue about what to do and how I was going to do it. But with time, my confidence grew and I realized quickly that I have all the tools I need to be the mother I want to be."
Nikki Osei-Barrett, Publicist + Co-Founder of The Momference
"There's no balance. I'm dropping sh*t everywhere! However, my secret sauce is pursuing interests and hobbies outside of what's required of me and finding time to workout. Stronger body equals = stronger mind."
Lauren Grove, Chief Experience Architect, The Grant Access, LLC
"I try to give myself grace. That’s my mantra for this phase of motherhood…grace. I won’t be able to get everything done. To have a spotless house. To not lose my cool after an exhausting day. Those things can’t happen all of the time. But I can take a deep breath and know tomorrow is another day and my blessings are more plentiful than my pitfalls."
Rachel Nicks, Founder & CEO of Birth Queen
"You have the answers within you. Don’t compare yourself to others. Curate your life to work for you. Ask for help."
Tanisha Colon-Bibb, Founder + CEO Rebelle Agency + Rebelle Management
"I know love doesn't pay bills but when I am overwhelmed with work or client demands I take a moment to play with my baby and be reminded of the love, energy, science, and Godliness that went into his birth. I am brightened by his smile and laugh. I remember I am someone's parent and not just a work horse. That at the end of the day everything will work out for the good of my sanity and the love within my life."
Christina Brown, Founder of LoveBrownSugar & BabyBrownSugar
"Learning your rhythm as a mom takes time and can be uncomfortable when you’re in a season of overwhelm. Constantly check in with yourself and assess what’s working and what’s not. Get the help you need without feeling guilty or ashamed of needing it."
Mecca Tartt, Executive Director of Startup Runway Foundation
"I want to be the best for myself, my husband, children and company. However, the reality is you can have it all but not at the same time. My secret sauce is outsourcing and realizing that it’s okay to have help in order for me to perform at the highest level."
Jen Hayes Lee, Head Of Marketing at The Bump (The Knot Worldwide)
"My secret sauce is being direct and honest with everyone around me about what I need to be successful in all of my various "jobs". Setting boundaries is one thing, but if you're the only one who knows they exist, your partners at home and on the job can't help you maintain them. I also talk to my kids like adults and let them know why mommy needs to go to this conference or get this massage...they need to build an appreciation for my needs too!"
Whitney Gayle-Benta, Chief Music Officer JKBX
"What helps me push through each day is the motivation to continue by thinking about my son. All my efforts, though exhausting, are to create a wonderful life for him."
Ezinne Okoro, Global Chief Inclusion, Equity, & Diversity Officer at Wunderman Thompson,
"The advice I received that I’ll pass on is, you will continue to figure it out and find your rhythm as your child grows into new stages. Trust your nurturing intuition, parent on your terms, and listen to your child."
Jovian Zayne, CEO of The OnPurpose Movement
"I live by the personal mantra: 'You can’t be your best self by yourself.' My life feels more balanced when I offer the help I can give and ask for the help I need. This might mean outsourcing housecleaning for my home, or hiring additional project management support for my business."
Simona Noce Wright, Co-Founder of District Motherhued and The Momference
"Each season of motherhood (depending on age, grade, workload) requires a different rhythm. With that said, be open to learning, to change, and understand that what worked for one season may not work the other...and that's okay."
Janaye Ingram, Director of Community Partner Programs and Engagement at Airbnb
"My daughter's smile and sweet spirit help me to feel gratitude when I'm overwhelmed. I want her to see a woman who doesn't quit when things get hard."
Codie Elaine Oliver, CEO & Founder of Black Love
"I try to listen to my body and simply take a break. With 3 kids and a business with 10+ team members, I often feel overwhelmed. I remind myself that I deserve grace for everything I'm juggling, I take a walk or have a snack or even head home to see my kids, and then I get back to whatever I need to get done."
Jewel Burks Solomon, Managing Partner at Collab Capital
"Get comfortable with the word ‘no’. Be very clear about your non-negotiables and communicate them to those around you."
Julee Wilson, Executive Director at BeautyUnited and Beauty Editor-at-Large at Cosmopolitan
"Understand you can’t do it alone — and that’s ok. Relinquish the need to control everything. Create a village and lean on them."
Salwa Benyaich, Director Of Pricing and Planning at Premion
"Most days I really try to shut my computer off by 6 pm; there are always exceptions of course when it comes to big deals or larger projects but having this as a baseline allows me to be much more present with my kids. I love the fact that I can either help with homework or be the designated driver to at least one afterschool activity. Work can be draining but there is nothing more emotionally draining than when you feel as though you are missing out on moments with your kids."
Brooke Ellis, Head of Global Marketing & Product Launches at Amazon Music
My calendar, prayer, pilates class at Forma, a good playlist, and oatmilk lattes all help get me through any day.
Courtney Beauzile, Global Director of Client and Business Development at Shearman & Sterling
My husband is a partner who steps in when I just can’t. My mom and my MIL come through whenever and however I need. My kids have many uncles and aunts and they will lend an ear, go over homework, teach life lessons, be a presence or a prayer warrior depending on the day.
Robin Snipes, Chief of Staff at Meta
"Enjoy the time you have to yourself because once kids come those times will be few and far between."
Monique Bivens, CEO & Founder at Brazilian Babes LLC.
"For new moms, it is very important that you get back into a habit or routine of something you use to do before you were pregnant. Consider the actives and things that give you the most joy and make the time to do them."
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Featured image by Westend61/Getty Images
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