What is hair porosity (and why it changes everything in your routine)

Have you ever bought a product with great reviews, used it for weeks, and... nothing? Your hair remains dry, heavy, or dull. You probably didn't choose the wrong product. You chose the wrong product for your hair type — and porosity might be the reason.

What is hair porosity?

Porosity refers to your hair's ability to absorb and retain moisture. It depends on the condition of the cuticle — the outer layer of each strand — and is divided into three types: low, medium, and high.

It's not a matter of "good hair vs. bad hair." It's a characteristic of the strand, influenced by genetics, chemical treatments, frequent heat styling, and even the water you have at home.

The three types of porosity

·         Low porosity

The cuticles are tightly closed, making it difficult for moisture to enter. Hair takes a long time to get wet and to dry, and products tend to build up on the surface instead of being absorbed. Result: heavy hair, but dry ends.

What works: lightweight products, sulfate-free formulas, applied with a little gentle heat to help open the cuticle. The REAL NATURA - Pro-Lisos Anti Frizz Argan line — enriched with organic argan and sweet almonds, without sulfates, parabens, or silicones — is a good option for those with straight hair with this characteristic.

·         Medium porosity

The cuticles open and close easily. Moisture enters and is retained without major issues. Most products work well, and the routine doesn't need to be complicated to deliver results. This is considered the "balanced" state.

·         High porosity

The cuticles are wide open — due to chemical damage, mechanical damage, or simply genetics. Hair absorbs everything quickly but loses moisture just as easily. It gets wet fast, dries fast, but frequently becomes dry. It can appear brittle or difficult to comb.

What works: ingredients that seal the cuticle — oils, butters, proteins. The Real Natura Pro-Crespos line was developed precisely for this: it deeply nourishes, repairs porosity, and forms a protective film that retains moisture. For curly and coily hair with high porosity, the Pro-Cachos Sem Nós line — with chia, flaxseed, and mango butter — defines, hydrates, and reduces frizz without weighing hair down.

The step few people know about: the Acidifier

Regardless of the porosity type, there's a product that makes all the difference before any treatment: Real Natura Acidificante Forte. It was developed to balance hair's pH, correct porosity, and seal the hair cuticle — preparing it to better absorb everything you apply next.

It's simple to use: apply to clean hair, leave for one minute, and rinse. Then follow with your usual mask or conditioner. A small step that significantly changes the final result.

How to know your porosity?

There's a quick home test: take a clean hair strand (without product) and place it in a glass of room-temperature water. If it sinks quickly — high porosity. If it floats — low. If it slowly sinks to the middle — it's in the medium range.

It's not 100% scientific, but it's a good starting point.

Why does this matter when choosing products?

Because a protein-rich product might be exactly what high-porosity hair needs — and exactly what will leave low-porosity hair stiff and brittle. Knowing your porosity helps you understand why certain products "don't work for you," spend less on the wrong products, and build a routine that truly delivers results.

👉 https://ohyeahcosmetics.pt/collections/real-natura

The entire Real Natura range is available in our store — from the Forte Acidifier to specific lines for each hair type. ✨

If you have questions about what to choose for your hair, talk to us.