So youâve done the water strand test, stared at your floating hair in cold water like it betrayed you, and now youâre here. Welcome to the Low Porosity Club, where moisture bounces off your strands like bad advice.
Hereâs a simple, no-filler routine for wavy roots and curly ends that wonât leave your hair greasy, crunchy, or desert-dry.
đĄ Quick Tip: Make your own flaxseed hair gel for a lightweight moisturizing gel!
đ§ 1. Add one cup of water to a pot
đą 2. Add three heaping tablespoons of flaxseed (whole not ground)
đĽ 3. Boil on low to medium for 10 minutes, then lower the heat to low
𼾠4. Cook for 5 more minutes
â 5. Wait for it to cool for 20 minutes
đ 6. Strain into a container using a pantyhose as a strainer
đâđ¨ 7. Apply to hair while hair is soaking wet, working through as you would a regular gel
Original Video Creator @CurlyCulture
đ§ź Wash Day (2x/week)
1. Shampoo with warm water
Open up those tight cuticles with warm (not hot) water. Use a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo like a blueberry formulaâor whatever doesnât cause your scalp to riot. I alternate with Selsun Blue 1â2x a month for scalp health.
2. Rinse-out conditioner
My current faves:
- SheaMoisture Low Porosity Conditioner
- Innersense Pure Inspiration Daily Conditioner
Leave it in for 3â5 minutes, then rinse with cool water to help lock in moisture.
đŚ Moisturize & Style
3. Leave-In Conditioner
Low porosity hair hates buildup. Use something lightweight like Curlsmithâs Weightless Air Dry Cream. Apply a pea- to dime-sized amount on soaking wet hair and scrunch it in. No roots. Youâve been warned.
4. Flaxseed Gel (yes, homemade)
Itâs cheap, clean, and curls love it. Style your hair with DIY flaxseed gel while itâs still wet. Scrunch or use praying hands for definition. Air dry or diffuseâyour call.
đ¸ Refresh Days
When your hair needs a pick-me-up but you donât want to restart the whole wash day:
- Spritz with Heritage Store Rosewater + Glycerin
- Smooth a tiny bit of leave-in or gel through dry sections
- Scrunch to revive curls, walk away feeling cute
đ§ââď¸ Deep Condition (1x/week)
Donât skip this. Use something like SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Masque with heatâshower cap + warm towel works wonders. Rinse thoroughly. If your hair feels soft already, skip the leave-in.
⨠Final Tips
- Layer lightly. Less is more with low porosity.
- Warm water = friend. Cold water = finish.
- Youâre not high-maintenance, your hair just has standards

â FAQ: Low Porosity Haircare Routine
Q: How do I know if I have low porosity hair?
A: Try the float testâdrop a clean strand of dry hair into a glass of water. If it floats for more than a few minutes, chances are you have low porosity hair. Other signs: product buildup, dryness despite moisturizing, and hair that takes forever to dry.
Q: Why does my low porosity hair feel greasy after using product?
A: Because your hair cuticle is so tight, it resists moisture. Heavy products sit on top of your strands instead of soaking in, leaving you greasy, not hydrated. Switch to lightweight, water-based products and apply on soaking wet hair.
Q: What ingredients should I avoid with low porosity hair?
A: Skip silicones, sulfates, heavy butters, and thick oils like castor or coconut. Look for humectants (like aloe or glycerin), lightweight oils (like argan), and protein-free formulas.
Q: Is protein bad for low porosity hair?
A: Not alwaysâbut most low porosity hair doesn't need much. Occasional use is fine, especially after heat styling or color treatment, but too much protein can make your hair feel stiff or straw-like.
Q: How often should I wash low porosity hair?
A: 1â2 times per week works for most people. Just donât skip clarifying if you use a lot of product or get buildupâscalp health is everything.
Q: Can I use DIY flaxseed gel on low porosity hair?
A: Yes, and your curls will probably love it. Itâs lightweight, moisturizing, and gives great definition without the crunch. Just refrigerate it and remake every 7â10 days.
Q: Do I really need to deep condition?
A: Yes, but once a week is enough. Use heat (like a warm towel or shower cap) to help your hair actually absorb the moisture. Otherwise, itâll just sit there looking pretty but doing nothing.
â Check out this post on a simple wavy hair routine!
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.