# Hair Porosity Guide: Float Test, Low, Medium & High | Curltine

> Learn the float test and routines for low, medium, and high porosity hair. See why products fail — then lock porosity into your Curltine hair score.

Canonical: https://curlyhair.app/ar/porosity

Porosity is why your products aren’t working.

More than curl pattern, porosity decides how your hair absorbs and holds moisture — and which product textures actually land. Confirm it with a float test, then lock it into your Curltine hair score.

## Test your porosity at home.

Clarify first (buildup skews results). Drop a clean strand into a glass of room-temperature water and wait 2–4 minutes.

Buildup can fake a “float.” Clarify first for the most honest reading, and cross-check with how fast your hair dries after washing.

| Result | What you see | Meaning |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Low | Floats at the top | Cuticles stay tightly closed — water struggles to get in. |
| Medium | Hovers mid-glass | Cuticles take moisture in at a balanced rate. |
| High | Sinks to the bottom | Cuticles are open or damaged — absorbs fast, loses fast. |

## Low porosity.

Cuticles lie flat and sealed. Moisture is hard to get in — but once it’s there, hair holds it well. Often genetic and common on finer 1A–2C patterns.

### Signs

- Products sit on top instead of absorbing
- Hair takes a long time to get fully wet
- Hair takes a long time to dry
- Buildup even with regular washing
- Feels dry despite conditioning

### The routine

- **Cleanse:** Clarify monthly to clear buildup. Gentle sulfate-free cleanser weekly.
- **Condition:** Use gentle heat (steamer, hooded dryer, or warm towel) to help lift the cuticle.
- **Leave-in:** Water-based, lightweight leave-ins. Skip heavy creams.
- **Moisturise:** Liquids and sprays penetrate better than thick creams — water or aloe bases win.
- **Seal:** Very light oil (jojoba, argan). Avoid heavy butters.

### Loves

- Aloe vera
- Glycerin in moderate climates
- Lightweight leave-ins
- Clarifying shampoos
- Heat during conditioning

### Avoids

- Heavy butters (shea, mango)
- Thick creams
- Frequent protein treatments
- Heavy coconut oil coats

## Medium porosity.

Cuticles sit slightly raised and move moisture in and out at a healthy rate. Medium porosity is the most flexible — it accepts treatments and holds styles well.

### Signs

- Hair feels moisturised after conditioning
- Products absorb in a reasonable time
- Styles last a solid day or more
- Colour and chemical services take evenly
- Generally manageable with regular care

### The routine

- **Cleanse:** Sulfate-free shampoo or co-wash. Weekly or bi-weekly is enough for most.
- **Condition:** Rinse-out conditioner each wash. Deep condition about monthly.
- **Leave-in:** Medium-weight leave-ins — cream or liquid both work.
- **Moisturise:** Balance moisture and protein. Don’t over-protein.
- **Seal:** Medium oils: sweet almond, grapeseed, or a light castor blend.

### Loves

- Most conditioners
- Moderate protein treatments
- Leave-in creams
- Most oils in moderation

### Avoids

- Over-processing
- Excessive protein (brittleness)
- Neglect — forgiving isn’t maintenance-free

## High porosity.

Cuticles are raised or damaged. Hair drinks moisture quickly — and loses it just as fast. Can be genetic (often 4A–4C) or from heat, colour, or chemical history.

### Signs

- Gets wet fast but dries fast
- Frizz, especially in humidity
- Tangles and breaks easily
- Absorbs product fast, needs reapplication
- Looks dull or dry even after moisturising

### The routine

- **Cleanse:** Co-wash between washes. Sulfate-free cleanser at most weekly.
- **Condition:** Protein-rich deep conditioner every 1–2 weeks plus a detangling rinse-out.
- **Leave-in:** Creamy, heavier leave-in. LOC or LCO is essential.
- **Moisturise:** Layer: water → leave-in → cream → seal.
- **Seal:** Heavier sealant: castor oil, shea, or mango butter to lock moisture in.

### Loves

- Castor oil
- Shea butter
- Protein treatments
- Heavy creams
- Anti-humectants
- LOC / LCO method

### Avoids

- Humectants in high humidity
- Skipping the sealant
- Harsh sulfates
- Heat without protection

## Related

- [Routines guide](https://curlyhair.app/ar/routines)
- [Curl Journal](https://curlyhair.app/ar/blog)