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Low Porosity Curly Hair Routine Using Rizos Curls
Low porosity curls may look shiny and feel strong, but if you struggle with product buildup, moisture overload, or slow drying time — you just might have low porosity hair.
Understanding your hair’s porosity is essential for choosing the right products and creating a routine that works with your curls, not against them. Let Rizos Curls walk you through a complete low porosity curly hair routine and explain exactly why each product helps.
What Is Low Porosity Hair?
Low porosity hair has tightly sealed cuticles, which makes it hard for moisture and beneficial ingredients to penetrate the strand. While it’s usually healthy looking and less prone to frizz, it can also be:
• Resistant to absorbing moisture or oils
• Prone to buildup
• Hard to deep condition without heat
• Slow to absorb color or treatments
• Difficult to style if overloaded with heavy products
The goal with low porosity hair is to use lightweight, deeply penetrating products that gently open the cuticle and deliver moisture without weighing curls down and making them look lifeless and stretched out.
Signs You Might Have Low Porosity Hair
Check off what applies:
✅ Your hair takes a long time to get fully wet in the shower
✅ Water beads up on your strands instead of soaking in
✅ Products tend to sit on your hair or feel like they're "just sitting there"
✅ Your hair takes a long time to dry (especially without a diffuser)
✅ Protein treatments make your hair feel stiff or brittle
✅ Your curls often feel soft but not necessarily moisturized
✅ You get product buildup easily, even without using heavy formulas.
Low porosity curls usually don’t respond well to heavy oils or butters, and they often feel “coated” when you layer too many products. If that sounds like your experience, it’s another big hint.
If you said “yes” to several of these, you likely have low porosity hair.
Rizos Routine for Low Porosity Hair
Step 1: Cleanse to Remove Buildup
Product: Rizos Curls Hydrating Shampoo
Why It Works:
Low porosity curls tend to hold on to product residue. This sulfate-free shampoo gently removes buildup without stripping moisture. Infused with shea butter and moringa oil, it helps lift the cuticle just enough for moisture to enter.
✨ Rizos Tip: Use warm water when washing — heat helps open the cuticle for deeper cleansing.
Step 2: Use Lightweight Conditioner
Product: Rizos Curls Deep Conditioner (use sparingly, don't be heavy handed)
Why It Works:
While this conditioner is rich, it can still work for low porosity hair when used sparingly. It provides slip for detangling and contains olive and sunflower oils that nourish without weighing curls down.Apply a small amount and rinse with warm water to encourage better absorption.
✨Rizos Tip: Use warm heat (like from body heat when using a shower cap or steamer) for deep treatments 1x a week.
Step 3: Hydrate Without Overloading
Product: Rizos Curls Refresh & Detangle Spray
Why It Works:
This spray is ideal for low porosity hair because it’s water-based and lightweight. It hydrates, detangles, and preps curls without causing buildup or heaviness.
✨Rizos Tip: Use this as your daily leave-in and refresher to maintain moisture balance without weighing your curls down.
Step 4: Define with Lightweight Styling
Product: Rizos Curls Curl Defining Mousse + Beach Waves Sea Salt Texturizing Spray
Why It Works:
Low porosity curls don’t need heavy stylers. This hydrating, weightless foam defines curls while maintaining bounce and softness. It provides moisture and shine like a culr cream while allowing the hair to be free of any extra weight. Add volume and enhance curl pattern with a texturizing spray to make waves wavier and curl curlier, all without adding curl stretching weight.
✨Rizos Tip: Use a small amounts of products and build as needed to avoid overlaod. Avoid layering too many products that can add additonal weight. If hold is needed, opt for lightweight options like Rizos Curls Light Hold Gel or Alcohol Free Hairspray. Both will add hold without the heaviness you need to avoid with low porosity hair.
Key Tips for Low Porosity Hair
Skip Heavy Butters (Unless Hair is Very Dry)
If your low porosity curls are on the finer side, skip styling creams like Curl Defining Cream for daily use.
But if your curls are dry or thicker, you can use a dime-sized amount, applied sparingly on mid-lengths to ends only.
Another great option for thicker, low porosity hair is Rizos Curls Curl Custard. This cream + gel hybrid delivers the mositure of a cream with the hold of a gel but it's texture is a lightweight jelly like styler, so it doesn't weight hair down.
• Use warm water to open the cuticle for better product absorption
• Apply products to generously wet hair
• Focus on water-based, lightweight products
• Clarify monthly if you notice buildup
• Don’t overdo protein unless your curls feel limp or mushy
Mind Your Moisture
Low porosity curls are beautiful — but they require a mindful approach to moisture. The trick is to moisturize smart, not heavy.
If you do have low porosity hair, look for:
• Lightweight, water-based products
• Warm water and steam to help open the cuticle
• Occasional clarifying to avoid buildup
With the right Rizos Curls products, you can hydrate, define, and protect your curls without buildup or heaviness.
Whether you're refreshing day-two hair or treating yourself to a steam-boosted deep condition, Rizos Curls has everything you need to help your low porosity curls thrive.
Easy Ways to Test Your Hair’s Porosity
Learning your hair's porosity can be the difference between frustration with or falling back in love with your hair. Not all curls are created equal and not all hair products are a love connection for your curls. The more you know...the better you can do by your hair!
The Water Glass Test
• Take a clean, dry strand of shed hair. • Drop it into a glass of room-temperature water.
• Wait 2–4 minutes.
If it floats the whole time = low porosity
If it sinks slowly = normal porosity
If it sinks quickly = high porosity ⚠️
Make sure the hair has no product on it — wash it first for best results.
The Spray Test
•Mist a small section of your hair with water.
• Does the water bead up or roll off?
If yes, you likely have low porosity.
If it absorbs instantly, it’s probably high porosity.
@rizoscurlshair If you have low porosity hair you’re going to want to watch this! #rizoscurls #lowporosityhair #stylingtipsforwomen #curlyhair ♬ original sound - Rizos Curls