Understanding your curls can feel like entering a whole new world of terminology, techniques, and textures. One topic that comes up again and again is hair porosity a concept that sounds scientific but is actually very simple once you break it down. Many people are told that porosity is the key to caring for their curls, but how true is that? And how much does it really matter in your day to day routine?

In this guide, we’ll walk through what hair porosity actually means, how to identify yours, what the different levels look like in real life, and whether you truly need to worry about it. We’ll also explore why high quality formulations like those from Shedid & Parrish are created to work beautifully across all porosities, giving your curls exactly what they need from within.

What Is Hair Porosity?

Hair porosity refers to how easily your strands can absorb and retain moisture. Think of your hair as a sponge: some sponges soak up water quickly, others more slowly. Some hold moisture for a long time, while others dry out in minutes. Your hair behaves the same way.

Porosity is determined by the condition of the cuticle, which is the outer protective layer of each strand. When the cuticles lie flat and tight, moisture takes longer to enter or escape. When the cuticles are raised or more open, moisture moves in and out more freely.

Porosity is usually grouped into three categories:

• Low porosity
• Medium porosity (sometimes defined as normal but what is “normal?”
• High porosity

Understanding where your curls sit on this spectrum can help you interpret how your hair responds to water and products but it’s not the whole story. In fact, porosity might matter far less than you think. But first, let’s look at the basics.

What Low, Medium, and High Porosity Really Mean

Low Porosity Hair

Low porosity hair has tightly sealed cuticles. Because of this:

• Moisture enters slowly.
• Products can sit on the surface before being absorbed.
• It takes longer for hair to become fully wet.
• Once moisturised, it holds onto hydration well.

People with low porosity curls often experience product buildup or feel like their hair takes forever to dry.

Medium Porosity Hair

Medium porosity hair has cuticles that are slightly raised, allowing for an easy flow of moisture in and out. This type:

• Absorbs products evenly.
• Holds moisture well.
• Responds predictably to most styling routines.

This level is often associated with “balanced” curls that don’t need special adaptations.

High Porosity Hair

High porosity hair has more open or raised cuticles, meaning:

• Moisture enters quickly but escapes just as fast.
• Hair can feel dry soon after washing.
• It tends to tangle more easily.
• It absorbs products rapidly but may need more layers or richer textures.

This type can be genetic, but heat damage, colour treatments, and environmental exposure can also raise porosity over time.

How Each Porosity Level Shows Up in Real Life

Sometimes it’s easier to understand porosity by how curls behave day to day.

Low Porosity Signs

• Water beads on the surface before soaking in.
• Leave ins or creams take longer to absorb.
• Lightweight products work best.
• Hair can feel smooth but dry if moisture isn’t applied correctly.
• It takes a long time to dry, air drying or blow drying.

Medium Porosity Signs

• Hair gets wet quickly and dries at a reasonable pace.
• Moisture levels feel steady.
• Products absorb easily and perform consistently.
• Curls hold their shape well.

High Porosity Signs

• Hair gets wet instantly.
• It dries very fast, sometimes within minutes.
• Strands can feel rough or frizzy.
• Curls may look thirsty even with regular moisturising.
• Rich or layered hydration tends to work better.

These behaviours can give useful clues, but porosity testing doesn’t need to be complicated.

How to Identify Your Hair’s Porosity

You can use simple observations rather than relying on “float tests” or social media hacks which are often inaccurate. Here are easy ways to get a clearer picture:

1. The Wetting Test

Notice how your hair behaves under the shower:

• Takes ages to get fully wet? Likely low porosity.
• Gets wet quickly? Medium to high porosity. 

2. Product Absorption

Apply a leave-in or cream to clean hair:

• Sits on top before sinking in? Low porosity.
• Absorbs quickly? Medium or high porosity.

3. Drying Time

Time how long it takes your curls to dry:

• Several hours or most of the day? Low porosity.
• Moderate drying time? Medium porosity.
• Very quick drying? High porosity.

4. Touch and Texture

Run your fingers down a strand:

• Smooth and glossy? Low porosity.
• Slight texture but still smooth? Medium porosity.
• Rough or bumpy? High porosity.

These clues together give a better picture than any single test.

Does Hair Porosity Really Matter?

Here’s the honest truth: porosity is interesting, but it shouldn’t drive your entire routine.

Yes, porosity helps explain:

• Why some products absorb quickly and others don’t
• Why your curls may dry fast or slowly
• Why certain ingredients feel lighter or heavier

But when it comes to getting your best curls, porosity is only one small piece of a much bigger puzzle. Curl pattern, density, thickness, damage, your climate, and your styling preferences all play significant roles.

More importantly, high-quality formulations are designed to work across all porosities because your hair doesn’t need a completely different routine, it just needs effective, moisture-locking ingredients that penetrate and stay where they’re needed.

You don't need to overhaul your styling approach every time someone mentions porosity. With well-built products, your curls will thrive regardless of where you sit on the porosity spectrum.

How High-Quality Ingredients Work Across All Porosities

Professional, curl-focused formulations are created with the molecular needs of the hair texture in mind. This means:

1. They penetrate the cuticle

High-quality oils, butters, and active ingredients are selected for their molecular size and ability to enter the hair shaft, not just coat it.

2. They nourish from within

Rather than sitting on the surface, they deliver:

• Fatty acids
• Emollients
• Moisture-retaining compounds
• Strengthening ingredients directly to the internal structure of the hair.

3. They help the cuticle function better

Ingredients can smooth raised cuticles (common in high porosity curls) while offering lightweight moisture for low porosity hair that doesn’t overwhelm.

4. They lock in moisture

Whether your curls hold hydration well or lose it quickly, the right formulations seal moisture inside without creating buildup.

This is why porosity matters far less when you’re using products that are engineered to perform at every layer of the strand.

Shedid & Parrish: Designed for Every Hair Porosity

At Shedid & Parrish, every product is crafted for curls from the inside out. Our formulations are created and clinically tested at a molecular level, allowing them to:

• Penetrate deeply
• Strengthen the internal structure
• Lock in moisture
• Support curl definition
• Reduce frizz
• Deliver long-lasting hydration

No matter your porosity.

Because our ingredients are clean, premium, and purpose-selected for textured hair, they don’t rely on porosity “rules” to work. They’re balanced enough for low porosity curls, hydrating enough for high porosity hair, and optimised for everything in between.

Final Thoughts

Understanding your hair’s porosity can be helpful, it gives you a lens into how your curls absorb and release moisture. But it’s not something to obsess over. Your curls are dynamic, unique, and ever-changing, and what matters most is using quality formulations that support them from within.

The most important takeaway?

Choose products that work for all porosities, not ones that force you into a box.

Shedid & Parrish is designed exactly for this purpose: to nourish, strengthen, and hydrate every curl type and every porosity level so you can enjoy the beauty of your curls without overthinking the science behind them.

Find out more about our full range, for all hair porosity at www.shedidandparrish.co.uk or ask us any curl questions through info@shedidandparrish.co.uk