Hair Oil For Low Porosity Hair
- missaazarian
- Sep 23
- 4 min read
Updated: Sep 30

Using Hair Oil for Low Porosity Hair
Hair porosity is a common topic of discussion within the haircare industry, and you may be wondering if you have low porosity hair, and whether hair oiling would be beneficial for your hair type.
What is Low Porosity Hair?
Hair porosity refers to your hair’s ability to absorb and retain moisture, which is determined by how tightly the cuticles on your hair shaft lay.
Low porosity hair has cuticles that are tightly packed, smooth and flat. This makes it difficult for water and other products to penetrate the strand, but once moisture is inside, it usually stays locked in. In contrast, high porosity hair has more open cuticles, which makes it easier to absorb moisture but also easier to lose it.
If you’ve ever noticed that your hair takes forever to dry, resists absorbing products, or feels like conditioners and oils sit on top of your strands, you may have low porosity hair. While this hair type can be beautiful and healthy, it requires a specific approach to moisture and nourishment, particularly when it comes to oils.
Why Hair Oiling is Good for Low Porosity Hair
At first glance, you might think hair oiling isn’t helpful for low porosity hair since oils can be slow to absorb. But when chosen wisely, oils can actually be a game-changer for this hair type. Here are some of the main reasons why hair oiling is beneficial if you have low porosity hair:
Here’s why:
Adds Nourishment
Even though penetration is slower, oils can deliver fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants that strengthen and protect the hair.
Seals in Moisture
Once you’ve hydrated your hair and products have penetrated the hair shaft, low porosity hair is usually good at keeping all of the nourishment locked in, helping the hair to retain moisture more easily than high porosity hair.
Protects Against Damage
Oils can also coat the strand lightly, shielding it from friction, breakage, and environmental stressors.
Improves Manageability
Regular oiling softens the strands, reduces tangles, and helps with smoother styling.
How to Apply Hair Oil to Low Porosity Hair
Because low porosity hair has tightly sealed cuticles, oils may take longer to soak in, so focusing on gradual and consistent application is key, to giving the hair time to absorb as much product as possible, without having a build up of oil on the hairs surface. Here are some key tips to applying hair oil for low porosity hair:
Use A Lightweight Oil
Heavy oils can sit on top of the hair and are more likely to be harder for the hair to absorb, which will contribute towards oil buildup. A lightweight oil is better for gradual and frequent use, as it’s buildable formula allows time for low porosity hair to absorb the oil, nourishing the hair effectively without over saturating it.
Apply Gradually
Start with a small amount and build up as needed, rather than applying a large amount at once. This allows your hair to slowly absorb the nutrients without feeling greasy. Even though you are applying small amounts of oil, low porosity hair is good at retaining moisture from any oil that has been absorbed.
Focus on Ends First Or Target Areas
If you want to focus on the ends of your hair or your scalp, you can do so by applying a small amount of oil and applying more once it has absorbed
Use Warmth to Your Advantage
Warming the oil slightly between your hands or using a warm towel on your hair can help open the cuticle slightly, making absorption easier.
The Best Oils for Low Porosity Hair
Different natural oils have different properties that can be beneficial for low porosity hair. Some oils coat the hair without penetrating helping to seal in the moisture that does absorb, while others have the right molecular structure to gradually sink in and nourish from within. Often, a combination of oils that have both sealing properties and penetrating properties can be helpful for low porosity hair.
We recommend using these oils if you have low porosity hair:
Black Seed Oil
Black seed oil, also known as black cumin seed oil, is especially useful for low porosity hair because of its sealing ability. While it may not penetrate deeply on its own, it is highly effective at locking in the moisture provided by more penetrating oils. It is particularly important to include an oil with sealing ability in your haircare routine if you have low porosity hair because oil can take longer to absorb in to the hair so a sealing oil will make sure none of the moisture is lost when it does absorb. The ability to retain moisture is just as important as the ability to absorb moisture.
Black seed oil is the perfect oil to combine with penetrating oils as it supports them in helping the hair maintain moisture. At the same time, it provides its own unique benefits. Its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties help encourage scalp health, while its strengthening qualities reduce breakage and promote healthier hair overall.
Castor Oil
Castor oil has the ability to both penetrate and lock in moisture, the perfect combination for low porosity hair. This dual action means it can nourish the hair shaft while also sealing in hydration, keeping strands moisturised for longer.
It can smooth the cuticle, helping the hair to remain shiny and smooth, while both absorbing in to the hair and sealing in any moisture.
Avocado Oil
Avocado oil is one of the most effective oils for low porosity hair because of its small molecular structure and rich nutrients. Avocado oil has a high penetration ability due to its smaller molecules, allowing it to gradually penetrate the tightly packed cuticle of low porosity hair. It is rich is beneficial nutrients that nourish and strengthen the hair, as well as protect it from damage.
Using Harir Hair Oil for Low Porosity Hair
By focusing on gradual application of a lightweight oil formula that includes a blend of nutrient rich penetrating oils and sealing oils, your hair will effectively absorb and retain moisture for healthier hair overall.
Shop the hair oil blend, formulated with key ingredients such as black seed oil, castor oil, and avocado oil.




