Best shampoo and conditioner for 4c high porosity hair

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High-porosity hair is a hair type comprised of large pores. In other words, this type of hair drinks up hydration just as easily as it can lose it. Not only can it take in a lot of nutrients, but it’s also hyper-sensitive to other, less helpful surrounding elements that can lead the hair to become damaged and brittle more easily. If you have this hair type, versus a low-porosity hair type, you might feel like your strands are never getting enough moisture no matter how much leave-in and deep conditioning you do. “The hair is more prone to frizz. It absorbs product well yet experiences dryness,” says Bridgette Hill, a trichologist and colorist with Paul Labrecque Salon & Spa.

“High-porosity hair can be genetic or as a result of hair fiber processing or damage due to chemical processing or heat styling,” Hill explains. “High-porosity hair means that the cuticle has large gaps allowing moisture to enter seamlessly, however, the hair is unable to retain the moisture that is able to penetrate the hair fiber.” Because of this, Hill often uses a three-step method in order to ensure moisture gets into the hair and stays there: she calls it the fill, seal, and lock. “Fillers are the deep-conditioning agents. Think treatments and masks,” Hill says. When sealing, think of cream-based leave-ins. To lock in the moisture, rely on oils to “close in all the emollients and lipids.”

“Factors such as diet, poor circulation, inappropriate use of product, chemical processing, and immoderate heat styling can also affect the hair shaft and its structure,” says Brooklyn-based hairstylist, trichologist, and founder of hair-care platform MMSMITH.CO Mickiela Smith. These elements can make matters worse when it comes to having high-porosity hair.

Luckily, here, both Smith and Hill share their favorite products for high-porosity hair. From shampoos and conditioners to leave-ins and oils, you’ll find products that actually work so that you can achieve your hair goals.

Shampoos

Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil shampoo is “a great cleanser that softens and easily removes hard product following a conditioning that helps for easy detangling,” Smith says. Smith also recommends LivSo Shampoo for those who have a dry scalp, psoriasis, or flaky scalps with the combination of dry hair. Malin + Goetz Gentle Hydrating Shampoo is lightweight, sulfate-free, and includes coconut-derived surfactants. Its Amino acids also make for a gentle yet thorough cleanse. Panthenol and marine algae extract “help protect and strengthen color-treated and processed hair. Ideal for those who frequently wash hair.”

Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil Shampoo

LivSo Moisturizing Shampoo

Malin + Goetz Gentle Hydrating Shampoo

Conditioners

The Philip Kingsley No Scent No Color Conditioner is safe for sensitive scalps. “While this isn’t specifically advertised for dry hair, it contains the same ingredients that increase the hair’s ability to stretch, meaning less breakage occurs,” Smith says. It is also gentle enough for those undergoing chemo and/or radiation therapy, she notes. Smith also recommends the O&M Detox Conditioner because it “refreshes and cleanses strands while improving elasticity.” It’s great to use as a co-wash as well.

Original & Mineral Original Detox Conditioner

Shu Uemura Cleansing Oil Conditioner

LivSo Moisturizing Conditioner

Philip Kingsley No Scent No Colour Gentle Conditioner

Leave-In Conditioners & Detanglers

Sealers, also known as cream-based leave-ins, are great for high-porosity hair after deep conditioning. “Because of the molecular structure of the cream-based leave-in, it adds an additional barrier to assist with moisture retention on the hair as well as flattening the cuticle scales even tighter,” Hill says. She recommends Design Essentials Moisturizing Leave-In and Phytodefrisant PhytoLisse Leave-In.

Olaplex 6 Leave-In is a go-to for Smith, who describes it as “intensely hydrating.” It detangles and also speeds up drying time which is “much needed for porous hair.”

For a lightweight detangler, O&M Know Knott is Smith’s choice. It uses cold-pressed oils to “keep the hair soft and conditioned while in your detangling process.” This formula can be also be used prior to cleansing your hair. “Great for those with excessive shedding, knots, and split ends with a combination of dry hair,” Smith adds. “For more even distribution of the product, you can put this in a wide, clean spray bottle!”

Design Essentials Moisturizing Leave-In Conditioner

Olaplex No. 6 Bond Smoother

Kinky-Curly Knot Today Leave In Detangler

O&M Know Knott Conditioning Detangler

Deep Conditioners & Treatments

For high-porosity hair, Hill says, it’s important to use fillers—better known as deep conditioners—frequently. “These products are able to penetrate the cuticle on a deeper level to aid in delivering some type of polymer to the hair fiber,” she explains. In other words, it provides a better foundation for keeping moisture in as well as “temporarily flattening the cuticle’s scales,” which helps to further secure moisture. Hill reaches for the Paul Labrecque Repair Condition Restorative Protein Mask, Rene Furterer Karite Nutri Hair Mask as well as Olaplex’s hair mask.

Smith’s top choice is the Olaplex 0•Intensive Bond Building Treatment Kit, which is a two-step pre-wash product that “primes hair to absorb nourishment for maximum repair.” Additionally, Oway’s Rebuilding Mask is great for restoring protein in the hair and sealing the cuticle. Meanwhile, the Phillip Kingsley Stimulating Scalp Mask adds a layer of protection to the scalp while increasing blood circulation for healthy hair follicles. Alternatively, Smith recommends Philip Kingsley’s Elasticizer Extreme Pre-Treatment Mask due to its lightweight, protein-filled formula, which helps to build up the hair’s elasticity. “Elasticity is what gives your hair stretch and strength, so it will break less. Dry, starved hair is typically more prone to breakage,” Smith notes. The O&M Power Base also helps to rebuild chemically damaged hair with plant proteins. It “strengthens and repairs cuticle scales from the inside out with gamma-Linolenic acid (GLA), which helps hair retain moisture and softness,” Smith adds.

Paul Labrecque Repair Condition Restorative Protein Mask

Rene Furterer Karité Nutri Intense Nourishing Mask

Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector

Olaplex No. 0 Intensive Bond Building Hair Treatment

Oway Rebuilding Hair Mask

Philip Kingsley Elasticizer Deep-Conditioning Treatment

Philip Kingsley Trichotherapy Stimulating Scalp Mask

Styling Products

For those with facial hair, Smith recommends the Bevel Beard Balm. “Following your leave-in regimen, this balm will help soften and keep your hair defined, forming a moisture-repellent shield,” she says of its suggested use. “It also can be followed with a hair oil and or serum. Apply sparingly!” Additionally, O&M’s Queenie Hairspray is a weightless hairspray that locks in your finished style and protects it from humidity. “Apply to your styling tool then run though the hair for small styling fixes and frizz,” Smith said. Hill’s first suggestion on this front is the Rene Furterer Karite Nutri Cream.

Rene Furterer Karité Nutri Intense Nourishing Day Cream

O&M Original Queenie Firm Hold Hairspray

Bevel Hair Beard Balm

PHYTO Phytodefrisant Botanical Straightening Balm

Oils

For high-porosity hair, oil helps with “closing and sealing in all the emollients and lipids,” Hill says. Oil molecules are able to create a “Saran-Wrap effect” around the individual hair fiber, she adds, “which is why it is important to use oils properly formulated for the specific hair type and texture.” Hill recommends Paul Labrecque Color Finish Polish & Seal Droplets, Rene Furterer 5 Sens Dry Oil, and Design Essentials Silk Essentials.

Paul Labrecque Color Finish Polish & Seal Droplets

Rene Furterer 5 SENS Enhancing Dry Oil

Design Essentials Professional Grade Silk Essentials

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