Ever splurged on a viral hair mask, only to find it clings to your hair like oil or vanishes completely? It’s irritating when you’re throwing money at treatments that don’t work, isn’t it? But it’s rarely the price tag; it is your hair porosity.
No matter where you are in Malaysia's humid climate, knowing how your hair absorbs moisture is the secret to winning the frizz war. Curly or straight, it is all about your cuticle structure. The moment you select ingredients that are tailored to your porosity, you will stop guessing and start seeing results. This complete guide will help you find your type and ideal routine.
What is Hair Porosity?
Hair porosity is your hair’s ability to absorb and retain moisture. It is determined by your cuticle, the outer layer of the hair shaft, which resembles shingles on a roof.
If you have low porosity, these shingles lie flat and tight. Water struggles to get in, so products often just sit on top. It is like a sealed door. However, once moisture finally enters, it stays locked inside.
A high porosity means your shingles are lifted or damaged. Your hair soaks up water like a sponge, but it also releases it just as quickly. This is why your hair frizzes up the second you step into the Malaysian heat.
Hair porosity is your hair’s ability to absorb and retain moisture. It is determined by your cuticle, the outer layer of the hair shaft, which resembles shingles on a roof.
If you have low porosity, these shingles lie flat and tight. Water struggles to get in, so products often just sit on top. It is like a sealed door. However, once moisture finally enters, it stays locked inside.
A high porosity means your shingles are lifted or damaged. Your hair soaks up water like a sponge, but it also releases it just as quickly. This is why your hair frizzes up the second you step into the Malaysian heat.
How to Determine Your Hair Porosity in 2 Minutes
No microscope necessary. Just a clear glass of water. This easy test is known as the Float Test. Begin with freshly washed, product-free hair. Grab a loose strand of hair and drop it into a glass of room-temperature water. Observe it for two to four minutes to determine where it ends up.
What type of hair porosity are you?
If the strand floats after four minutes, you have low porosity. Your tight cuticles are repelling the water. If it sinks quickly to the bottom, you have high porosity; your hair absorbed the water immediately. Floating in the middle means medium porosity.
Since surface oils can affect the float test, try the slide test to double-check. Slide your fingers up a single dry strand toward your scalp. If it feels smooth like glass, you have low porosity. If it feels bumpy or rough, your cuticles are lifted, signaling high porosity.
The Guide to Low Porosity Hair
If you have low porosity, your hair likely takes forever to dry, and conditioners often sit on top like a greasy film. This is because your tight cuticles are preventing moisture from getting through.
Heat is your friend. Apply your hair mask to wet, warm hair every time. Cover your head with a shower cap or a warm towel to trap body heat inside. The more you can open up your cuticle, the better the treatment will penetrate.
When shopping at Sa Sa, be on the lookout for lightweight, water-based formulas. Stay away from extremely emollient butters (like shea), as they will cause buildup. Instead, seek out humectants like honey, glycerin, and aloe vera. You will also want to pay attention to the protein content in your products. Too much protein will leave low porosity hair feeling stiff and crunchy, so you want to be using moisture-based formulas.
The Guide to High Porosity Hair
HIGH POROSITY: Hair absorbs water very easily (in seconds), but also dries out fast and may frizz. The hair has gaps in the cuticles. Think of a bucket with holes in it. The water seeps in but leaks right back out.
Living in humid Malaysia, your open cuticles absorb moisture from the air. The puffiness is instant. You must seal those gaps. Look for a hair mask that has lots of protein (like keratin) or very heavy sealants (like shea butter) to plug the holes.
In contrast to low-porosity, you don’t need heat. Instead, rinse with cool water after your treatment. This helps close the cuticle, keeping the hydration locked inside where it belongs.
Top Hair Care Products for Your Hair Type and Porosity Needs
Here are some of the best hair masks available at Sa Sa Malaysia, products for low porosity hair and products for high porosity hair needs, from lightweight hydration to rich repair.
Best Products for Low Porosity Hair — Lightweight Hydration
1. FINO Premium Touch Hair Mask
Sounds luxurious but not heavy or too rich in texture, for low porosity hair that absorbs moisture slowly and is easily weighed down.
2. Giovanni Ultra-Moist Deep Deep Moisture Hair Mask
Rich in botanicals, avocado, and olive oil to provide intense hydration without product buildup. Perfect for low porosity hair that needs moisturizing without getting weighed down.
Care for High Porosity Hair — Deep Repair & Intense Moisture
3. Mandom Corp Argan Rich Oil Hair Treatment Mask (Deep Repair)
This deep conditioning mask with argan oil is a treat for your hair. Repair and restore the fragile ends of your hair that seem to lose moisture quickly. A must-have for high porosity hair that tends to dry out fast.
4. Giovanni Frizz Be Gone Smoothing Hair Mask
A rich, sealing formula that smooths rough cuticles and replenishes lost moisture in highly porous hair.
5. Collistar Phyto-Keratin Mask Restructuring
An intensive serum-mask hybrid that helps lock hydration into open cuticles, improving softness and reducing frizz in high porosity textures.
Hair Care Routine Mistakes to Avoid for Every Porosity Type
Even perfect products fail on dirty hair. Old sweat blocks nutrients, so always shampoo first. Also, avoid overdoing it. Treating low porosity hair daily causes limpness because it cannot handle that much moisture.
Finally, if you have high porosity hair, never skip conditioner after your mask. While the mask repairs the inside, conditioner seals the outer layer to lock the moisture in.
Your Guide to Products for Low vs High Porosity Hair
Stop playing the guessing game with your hair. You do not need to waste any more money on products that look good on the shelf but fail in the shower. The secret is not the price tag; it is matching the ingredients to your hair porosity. Whether you need steam to open them or protein to seal them, you now know how to attack the issue at the source.
Do not settle for frizzy or limp results for one more day. Take control of your routine right now. Visit Sasa online or head to our nearest store to grab the perfect hair mask for your specific type. Your best hair day is waiting for you; go get it.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why is it important to know my hair porosity?
Understanding your hair’s porosity is the secret to a better hair care routine. Hair porosity refers to how well your hair can absorb and hold water. Since porosity is the key to how your hair reacts to humidity, knowing your hair’s porosity level helps you choose the right products. Whether you have curly hair or straight locks, selecting products for your hair based on your porosity level can help you achieve your best hair yet.
2. How do I determine if I have low or high porosity?
You can try at-home hair porosity tests to determine your hair porosity. Take a clean strand of your hair and place it in a glass of water. If the hair floats, you likely have low porosity. If it sinks, it is a sign of high porosity. This simple test shows whether you have low vs high porosity, so you can find the best hair care products to care for your hair.
3. What is the difference between low and high porosity hair?
Low porosity hair has tightly closed layers, making it hard for moisture to penetrate the hair or enter the hair shaft. Because low porosity hair may repel water, heavy creams tend to sit on top of your hair and weigh hair down. In contrast, high porosity hair has open gaps in the hair cuticle. High porosity hair tends to be dry hair or damaged hair that drinks up water fast but loses it just as quickly.
4. How should I care for my specific hair type?
To take care of high porosity, use thick butters or protein to strengthen the hair and keep water in the hair shaft for longer. This helps protect your hair. For low porosity hair, use heat to force moisture into the hair shaft. Using the best products for low porosity ensures hydration actually works. Different hair types need different hair routines, so it is vital to care for each type correctly.
5. Can my hair porosity level change?
Yes, porosity can change over time. While medium porosity hair is generally known as normal porosity and creates manageable hair, chemical treatments like bleaching can increase porosity. Medium porosity hair doesn’t need as much work, but if you damage it, you might become prone to having high porosity. Checking your type of hair porosity regularly helps you adjust your hair care to maintain healthy hair strands.
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