Hair oil is one of the usual sources of nourishment that tends to prevent loss of moisture from the hair follicles – it maintains the water level within the keratinous cells of the hair shafts. However, with low-porosity hair, the assimilation of nutrients remains a hindrance hence the implementation of the best oils for low-porosity hair into one's hair care regime is a must. Besides, hair with low porosity has its cuticle layer loosely packed, with small pockets that allow moisture to pass into each strand, preventing dryness. At the same time, this can make your hair super greasy and oily. 

The hair has several functions apart from amplifying the overall aesthetic appeal of an individual like facilitating osmoregulation and acting as a barrier against external entrants (1). When it comes to maintaining our hair, oil can be a great ally. A good hair oil — grapeseed, argan, marula, jojoba, apricot, pomegranate, Kalahari melon seed, or sweet almond oil with low molecular weight, shields the hair against external pollutants and makes a way for nutrient absorption by elevating existing levels of hair porosity. 

Lightweight hair oils contain smaller molecules that are easier to penetrate through the rigid shafts of the hair. These molecules tend to ease out the bonds of keratinous proteins, facilitating moisture absorption and accelerating hair growth. If you are struggling with low-porosity hair and wish to find a hair oil that suits you, we’ve mentioned a few recommendations below.

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  Best Overall

  MIELLE Rosemary Mint Blend Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil

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Mielle’s Scalp & Hair Strengthening oil tops the list of our recommendations in the category of best hair oils for low-porosity hair. The product is infused with the invigorating properties of Biotin and is available in a refreshing aroma of mint and Rosemary. Mint is renowned for its anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, and anti-carcinogenic properties (1). It is one of the most recommended hair oils for low-porosity hair as it contains rosemary which is a blessing in disguise for treating tissue damage and scalp inflammation (2). So if you are looking for a soothing ingredient to include in your hair care regime, this product is the perfect choice. 

2

Kate Blanc Argan Oil

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The search for an organically processed oil to add to your haircare routine ends right here. The next on our list of recommendations is one of the best argan oils for low-porosity hair. This Argan oil from Kate Blanc is lightweight and is best suited for the sensitive scalp as it contains argan nuts that are a treasure trove of vitamin E, phenolics, carotenoids, sterols, and polyphenols that help to combat oxidative stress and increase melatonin production in the body. It increases the circulation of blood into the scalp which helps in bettering oxygenation of the hair shafts (3).

3

Best for Split Ends

MOROCCANOIL Treatment

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This oil is a great pick if you are looking for a product that moisturizes, prevents drying of hair shafts, and also serves as an ideal base for hair styling. This Moroccan oil is made from argan nuts which have a rich and abundant supply of antioxidants coupled with linseed oil that is high in unsaturated fatty acids which help in the regulation of blood pressure, thereby reducing the chances of hair fall due to stress. This oil treats scalp inflammation, soothes redness, and combats scalp acne – making it one of the most loved argan oils for low-porosity hair. (4) It is suitable for people belonging to all age groups and works for both men and women.

4

Best Non-greasy Formula

pura d’or 100% Pure Cold Pressed Organic Argan Oil

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Pura d’or’s cold-pressed argan oil is a must-have when it comes to the best argan oils for low-porosity hair. It is an ideal choice for your lifeless hair as it locks moisture and prevents deterioration of the hair follicles by environmental pollutants. It has a simple composition that makes it easy to be absorbed and is effective in the prevention of harmful bacterial growth on the scalp. It deep conditions the hair shafts and aims to strengthen hair cuticles while taming frizzy shafts, dandruff, and split ends by widening the gap between the keratin bonds that are present in the hair cells. 

5

Best for Dry Hair

Cliganic 100% Pure And Natural Argan Oil

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You probably have heard a lot of people who recommend argan oil to be used on low-porosity hair, this is because of its innumerable benefits. The Cliganic argan oil is perfect for all kinds of hair and is suitable for all climates. It tames frizz, repairs damaged and rough hair, enhances the moisture retention ability of the hair, and provides an overall glossy, voluminous finish. It is one of those low-porosity hair oils that come in a large container and is suitable to be used for long periods of time. The simple composition boots hair health by helping the hair scalp retain its natural oils.

6

Best For Grey Hair

OGX Renewing + Argan Oil of Morocco

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The argan oil by OGX is a must-have hair oil for those struggling with dryness, frizz, and dandruff. It has a balanced PH formula and effortlessly penetrates through the hair shafts. It is free from parabens, sulfates, and alcohol. hence making it a safer option for all skin types, especially sensitive. It is one of those hair oils that has a quick-absorbing formula which makes it suitable to be used as a hair primer and to prepare the hair before styling. Applying a generous amount of oil after shampooing and conditioning can help you achieve the best results.

Quick Tip:

Apply the lightweight hair oil to your roots and ends 3-4 hours before washing your tresses with a hydrating and moisturizing shampoo.

7

Best for Thinning Hair

C B Smoothe Wild Jamaican Black Castor Oil

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Castor oil is known for its thick greasy texture. However, this castor oil by C B Smoothe is incredibly lightweight. It contains the goodness of niacin, which controls hair fall or alopecia that females face during and after puberty, and biotin which helps to produce Keratin (5), (6). It also has traces of carrot oil which is a powerhouse of vitamins A, E, and beta-carotene that helps deliver moisture to the scalp. It has powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial properties that help to enrich scalp health by facilitating blood circulation. Overall this hair oil for low-porosity hair is an excellent choice for people who wish to replenish and rejuvenate their hair.

8

Best Organic Oil

MIELLE Organics Mint Almond Oil

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Stress is known to be one of the major reasons for hair fall. To put an end to all worries,  Mielle has formulated one of the best almond oils for low-porosity hair. The oil works best for individuals with itchy scalps as it reduces inflammation and soothes redness. It also protects the hair against UVA and UVB rays, illuminates lifeless hair, and helps eliminate flakiness. It is an ideal choice for hair moisturization as it boosts hair moisture levels and also helps to reverse the signs of hair aging.

9

Best for Massages

OUAI Hair Oil Huile Capilaire

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Having too many products in your hair care routine can be a time-consuming task, as too many products can strip the hair scalp of its natural oils. Hence for people who wish to keep their hair care regimen minimal, the Ouai hair oil is a saviour. It is a lightweight oil for low-porosity hair that also works like a hydrating mask and helps retain the moisture within the keratin that’s present in the hair, thereby making it stronger. It contains sunflower seed extracts that increase epidermal ceramides and amaranth seed extracts that act as an emollient (7), (8). Overall, this is a great choice for individuals with damaged and rough hair.

10

Best for Rough Hair

Aunt Jackie’s Natural Growth Oil Blends

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Aunt Jackie’s Natural Growth Blends comes with the goodness of the Grapeseed oil which is abundant in oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPC) that help fight free radicals and protect the hair follicles from oxidative stress (9). It helps your hair follicles that may have given up in the battle of moisture retention and is one of the best avocado oils for low porosity hair as it helps to combat chronic dryness and avoid the after-effects of harmful styling. It also reverses the degenerative effects of UV rays and environmental stress and is lightweight in texture, helping it to penetrate through the hair locks for better moisture absorption.

11

SOL de Janeiro Nourishing Hair Oil

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This Brazilian hair oil is a promising product for individuals who are constantly searching for a hair oil for very non-porous hair. It helps in the taming of frizz, curbs dandruff, and eradicates the signs of breakage. It works on all kinds of hair as it has a very light texture, making its absorption a hindrance-free process. It facilitates the nutrients by loosening the existing rigid bonds of keratin that exist between the hair follicles.

Low porosity hair can be a real problem as it prevents the entry of moisturizing and nourishing agents into the keratinous cells of the hair strands. The lack of moisture gradually makes the hair frizzy and more susceptible to split ends, thereby leading to breakage. Here are a few factors that you can consider before buying a hair oil for low-porosity hair.

Choosing the best hair oil for low-porosity hair can be a major challenge as every hair type and scalp is different. We have listed a few general factors that you can take into consideration before making a purchase:

1. Density and Texture of the Oil: Oils that are used for low-porosity hair should not be too dense as heavy oils have a more compact and rigid structure that does not work well for hair with low porosity. They should also have a pleasant odor so that it doesn't ruin the entire experience of indulging in self-care. At the same time, it should not have an extremely runny texture. 

2. Structural Composition of Hair Oils: The structural composition of hair oils for low porosity hair should be free from harmful chemical additives, parabens, sulfates, and phthalates – This makes it skin-friendly and does not cause slow damage to the hair and the body in general. It should be composed of natural ingredients and preservative-free to help benefit the user to the maximum. 

3. A Standard Value of Saponification: The oil procured should have a standard saponification value to promote the smooth and easy removal of thegreasy oil residue during shampooing. It should not be too high as it will make the oil removal extremely difficult or it should not be too low either.

Here are a few ways you can take care of low-porosity hair:

1. Use Light-weight Oils: Using lightweight oils can be really beneficial for low-porosity hair as they will easily be absorbed through the keratin bonds and make way for effective moisturization. 

2. Steam Your Hair Often: Steaming your hair or indulging in a salon spa once every fortnight can be beneficial for low porosity hair, as has the ability to penetrate through the walls of the follicles and be more readily absorbed than water itself. 

3. Avoid Protein-rich Products: Applying protein-rich products onto our hair like eggs, and soymilk can further make the keratin cells cling to one another. However, you can moderately include protein in your diet. 

4. Avoid Styling Products: As hair with low porosity is more compact and dense, it will prevent the absorption of styling products. This will over time tend to cause build-up and gradually lead to issues like breakage and, dandruff.

It is always recommended to steam your hair before the process of applying oil, but if you want to skip this step you can. However, it is always advisable to steam your at least twice a month. 

Step 1 - Check whether your oil is an essential oil or a base oil. If it is an essential oil like argan oil or tea tree oil, do mix it with another base oil like coconut or sweet almond oil to enhance dilution.

Step 2 -  Add a few drops of the essential oil to the base oil. 

Step 3 - Heat the oil on a medium flame and let it cool for a while.

Step 4 - Start applying the heated oil from the roots and towards the ends. 

Step 5 - Let the oil remain on the hair for about thirty minutes. 

Step 6 - Use lukewarm water to wash off the oil and make sure that the water is not too hot as this can cause breakage. 

Contributor: Ghanima Abdullah, Cosmetologist, The Right Hairstyles