If your hair ever feels confusing, stubborn or just a little dramatic, hair porosity might be the reason. It is simply how well your hair absorbs and holds onto moisture — and once you understand it, your whole routine suddenly clicks.
Think of your strands like different kinds of sponges. Some take ages to get wet. Some drink up moisture instantly. Some soak everything in, only to let it all escape again. That is porosity, and yes, this is exactly why the TikTok water test has taken over the internet.
There are three porosity types: low, medium and high. Each one behaves totally differently, so let’s get into what actually matters.
1. Low Porosity Hair
Low porosity hair plays hard to get. The cuticles lie flat and tight, making it difficult for moisture to sneak in. Product tends to sit on top, and water beads on the surface before it finally absorbs.
If your hair takes forever to get fully wet in the shower or takes a long time to dry, you’re most likely here.
How it acts:
- Takes a long time to dry
- Prone to product buildup
- Looks shiny but feels waxy or coated
What it loves:
Lightweight hydration that won't just sit on the surface.
Try Hydrate Shampoo & Condition for moisture that hydrates without heaviness, paired with Replends Crème Leave-In Moisturiser for a light, softening finish that doesn’t weigh hair down.
2. Medium Porosity Hair
Medium porosity hair is the happy middle. It absorbs moisture at a normal pace, holds styles well and generally behaves with minimal effort.
How it acts:
- Absorbs product well
- Styling lasts
- Feels balanced and manageable
What it loves:
Simple maintenance with occasional treatments.
Try Ultimate Treatment 60 Second Repair to keep hydration and strength in check, and layer with Volume Foam when you want soft body and movement.
3. High Porosity Hair
High porosity hair feels everything intensely. The cuticles are lifted or stressed from colouring, heat or chemical damage, which means moisture rushes in and escapes just as fast. It often frizzes, dries quickly and feels rough or dehydrated, even after using product.
How it acts:
- Soaks moisture instantly
- Loses hydration fast
- Looks frizzy or rough
- Feels dry even with product
What it loves:
Moisture, protein, and repair.
Try Structure Complex Protein Shampoo & Condition for strengthening and rebuilding, paired with Nourish Hair Oil to smooth and seal the surface. For the next level of hair repair, try the revolutionary K.REVIVE Peptide Leave-In Mask, which strengthens & repairs damaged hair by up to 97% in just 2 minutes.
How To Test Your Hair Porosity
If you’ve seen people doing the float test with a cup of water on TikTok, it actually works, and it takes less than a minute.
Place a clean strand of hair in a glass of water and watch what it does:
- Floats = Low porosity
- Sinks slowly = Medium porosity
- Sinks quickly = High porosity
Why Hair Porosity Matters For Your Routine
Porosity explains so much about your hair, like:
- Why it gets greasy easily
- Why products feel heavy
- Why it still feels dry after styling
- Why curls hold or fall flat
- Why some formulas work wonders and others do absolutely nothing
Understanding your porosity gives you clarity... finally!
The Bottom Line
Hair porosity is one of the easiest ways to understand what your hair actually needs. Once you know your type, you’ll instantly see why your hair behaves the way it does and which products will finally feel right.
