Last Updated on April 6, 2023 by Verna Meachum

Low porosity hair is particularly challenging to manage as it can be difficult for moisture and protein to penetrate the tightly “closed” cuticles.

Proteins aren’t only beneficial for your body, but also to your hair—enhancing its mechanical strength and resilience. It’s no wonder protein-based treatments are so beloved by those who have experienced compromised locks!

In this blog, we’ll share the best proteins for low porosity hair and provide helpful guidelines on how to best use them.

How Porosity Influences Protein for Low Porosity Hair

Low porosity hair is best described as having a tightly closed cuticle layer. This means that hair won’t take in moisture and other treatments easily, leading to dryness, and breakage.

Low porosity hair has comparatively smaller pores density with smaller pore size than high porosity hair.

Due to their distinct level of porosity, it is necessary for individuals with different hair types to tailor a unique haircare routine.

Examining the table below, you’ll see that low porosity hair requires different protein actives to keep it healthy and strong.

Low Porosity Hair Characteristics

– Fewer number of pores – Small pore size – Hair demonstrates a moderate level for hair mechanical strength – Low frizz – Low water/moisture uptake – Relatively smooth ends – Hair is in a reasonably healthy state – Smooth uptake of actives or coloring pigments leading to uniform color formation along the hair shaft – Low to moderate response to changing weather conditions

Protein Treatment for Low Porosity Hair

Protein treatments can be immensely beneficial to the hair fiber. If utilized as needed, they can boost the strength of your strands, prevent breakage, enhance moisture levels, address dryness, and boost hair sheen. ¹

However, to achieve these benefits, it is critical to choose the appropriate amount of protein and dosage level proportional to your hair type.

With regards to hair porosity, one size does not fit all; high-porosity and low-porosity locks need their own unique regimen.

Not just any protein treatment will do the trick – you must customize your approach in order to maximize results.

Low porosity hair and protein dosage

An ideal protein product for low porosity hair requires a careful examination of proteins added into the formulation.

It is imperative to evaluate the overall dosage and type of protein added in a product, specifically when targeting low porosity hair. This will ensure that you are getting the best results for your unique hair type.

Low porosity hair will benefit with using a lower concentration of protein-enriched products. Too much protein can be a hindrance and cause further damage to your hair, so you should be cognizant of how much protein you are applying.

Low porosity hair needs just the right amount of proteins for its upkeep and to prevent excessive hair damage.

Fortunately, these proteins don’t linger on the surface of your tresses long enough to cause build up.

Protein Sensitivity Concerns: Balancing Protein

The exact meaning of ‘protein sensitive hair‘ is still up for debate, yet generally speaking, it alludes to tresses that do not respond well to protein products. This can result in a range of issues from straw-like hair to frizzy locks.

Some people with low-porosity hair may be hesitant to use protein treatments because they fear the potential for adverse results. However, when used correctly and in the right amounts, protein-based products can help improve your hair’s moisture retention and overall condition.

It’s all about balance and understanding how to incorporate the best proteins for low porosity hair into your regimen.

Low porosity hair should use protein treatments with a minimal dosage and with relatively less frequency (once per week or as needed).

Below is a list of recommended proteins for low porosity hair. Before adding any new product to your hair care regimen, it is recommended that you first do a trial test in order to determine how your hair will respond. This way, you can be sure of the best result for yourself!

If you know that your hair does not work well with protein whatsoever, and you need a list of protein free product suggestions, check out the blog posts below.

• 10 Best Protein Free Deep Conditioners For Curly Hair
• Protein Free Shampoos And Conditioners For Curly Hair

The Best Proteins for Low Porosity Hair

• Hydrolyzed Keratin 
• Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein (Suitable for both Low and High Porosity Hair)
• Hydrolyzed Wheat Amino Acids
• Silk Amino Acids or Protein (Suitable for both Low and High Porosity Hair)
• Milk Protein 
• Cocodimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Keratin (cationic, positively charged)
• Hydrolyzed Adansonia Digitata (Baobab) Seed Protein

Signs Your Hair May Need A Protein Treatment

• Recently colored your hair
• Hair has lost its elasticity
• Hair is limp or stringy
• Hair feels gummy or sticky
• Hair is overly dry and brittle
• Curls don’t hold
• Hair ends are splitting or fraying more quickly than normal
• Excessive brushing, combing, or heat styling

How To Know if You Used Too Much Protein

Using too much protein can result in the accumulation of protein molecules at the hair’s surface. Moreover, this is a common occurrence when employing higher molecular synthetic polymers.

The result is a build-up on the surface of your tresses, which can leave them feeling overly dry, brittle and weak. If you keep applying proteins to your hair, the build-up will continue until eventually, it becomes hardened and stiff.

Thus, your hair becomes unmanageable, dull, and limp as a result of the build-up.

If you’re noticing any of these signs, it is best to take a break from protein treatments and clarify your hair with a clarifying shampoo. This will help to remove the excess protein and restore balance to your hair.

Product Suggestions for Low Porosity Hair

To help you get started with finding products with the best proteins for low porosity hair, here are some product suggestions. We’ll also highlight the proteins (mentioned above) that are present in each as well.

Bouncecurl Clarifying Shampoo (equally suggested for High Porosity hairs to remove build up). Contains Hydrolyzed Adansonia Digitata (Baobab) Seed Protein.

Ingredients: Water, **Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, **Decyl Glucoside, **Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, **Glycerin **Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, **Propanediol, Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5), Polyquaternium-10, **Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Biotin, **Vanillin, **Hydrolyzed Adansonia Digitata (Baobab) Seed Protein, *Nigella Sativa (Virgin Black Cumin) Oil, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Lactic Acid, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, **Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, **Boswellia Carterii Oil, **Lactobacillus/Punica Granatum Fruit Ferment Extract, **Lactobacillus/Pumpkin Ferment Extract, **Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, **Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, **Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, **Anthemis Nobilis Flower Oil, **Geranium Maculatum Oil, **Citrus Paradisi (Grapefruit) Seed Oil, **Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, **Pogostemon Cablin Oil, **Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Seed Oil, ** Citrus Nobilis (Mandarin Orange) Peel Oil, Caprylyl Glycol. *Certified Organic  **Plant Derived 100% Oil Scent (no synthetic fragrance).

As I Am Detangling Conditioner – contains Hydrolyzed Keratin.

Ingredients: Aqua/Water/Eau, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Royal Jelly, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Keratin, Betaine, Linum Usitatissimum (Linseed) Seed Extract, Ceteareth-25, Laureth-23, TBHQ, Fragrance/Parfum (Anise Alcohol, Coumarin, Limonene), Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Polyacrylamide.

AS I AM Long and Luxe Conditioner – contains Hydrolyzed Keratin.

Ingredients: Aqua/Water/Eau, Punica Granatum Fruit Juice*, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Passiflora Edulis Fruit Juice, Hydrolyzed Lupine Protein, Betaine, Punica Granatum Seed Oil*, Linum Usitatissimum (Linseed) Seed Extract*, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil*, Niacinamide, Phytosterols, Keratin, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Caffeine, Biotin, Serenoa Serrulata Fruit Extract, Trifolium Pratense (Clover) Flower Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Urtica Dioica (Nettle) Extract, Cola Acuminata Seed Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Origanum Vulgare Leaf Extract, Piroctone Olamine, Fragrance/Parfum, Sodium Benzoate, Isopropyl Alcohol, Quaternium-80, Propylene Glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Beetroot Red, Caprylic Acid, Polyacrylamide, Propoxytetramethyl Piperidinyl Dimethicone, Citric Acid, Maltodextrin, Acacia Senegal Gum, Silica, Red 33/CI17200, Glyoxylic Acid, Benzyl Benzoate, Limonene, Linalool.

Shea Moisture 100% Virgin Coconut Oil Daily Hydration Leave-In Treatment – contains Hydrolyzed Keratin.

Ingredients: WATER, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, GLYCERIN (VEGETABLE), GLYCERYL STEARATE, ISOPROPYL MYRISTATE, FRAGRANCE, COCOS NUCIFERA (COCONUT) OIL*^, GLYCERYL CAPRYLATE, BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII (SHEA) BUTTER*, GLYCERYL STEARATE CITRATE, CETEARYL ALCOHOL, CETYL ALCOHOL, STEARYL ALCOHOL, HYDROLYZED KERATIN, PRUNUS AMYGDALUS DULCIS (SWEET ALMOND) OIL, COCONUT OIL FATTY ACID, TOCOPHEROL, COCOS NUCIFERA (COCONUT) FRUIT EXTRACT, ACACIA SENEGAL GUM, GELLIDIELA ACEROSA (ALGAE) EXTRACT, URTICA DIOICA (NETTLE) LEAF EXTRACT, EQUISETUM ARVENSE (HORSETAIL) EXTRACT, ROSA CANINA (DOG ROSE) SEED OIL, ARGANIA SPINOSA (ARGAN) KERNEL OIL, GLYCINE SOJA (SOYBEAN) OIL, XANTHAN GUM, HYDROLYZED WHEAT PROTEIN, SODIUM BENZOATE, TRIETHYL CITRATE, BENZOIC ACID.

Creme of Nature Aloe & Black Castor Oil Strengthening Protein Treatment – contains Hydrolyzed Keratin and Cocodimonium Hydroxypropyl Hydrolyzed Keratin.

Ingredients: WATER, SUCROSE, POLYSORBATE 60, POLYSORBATE 20, GLYCERIN, HYDROXYPROPYLGLUCONAMIDE (AND) HYDROXYPROPYLAMMONIUM GLUCONATE, ALOE BARBADENSIS LEAF JUICE, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, COCAMIDOPROPYL BETAINE, COCODIMONIUM HYDROXYPROPYL HYDROLYZED KERATIN, HYDROLYZED KERATIN, KERATIN AMINO ACIDS, PANTHENOL, RICINUS COMMUNIS (CASTOR) SEED OIL, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, DISODIUM EDTA, CITRIC ACID, PARFUM (FRAGRANCE), CITRONELLOL, HEXYL CINNAMAL, LIMONENE, LINALOOL, SODIUM BENZOATE, F00361.

Ors, Curls Unleashed Curly Coil Rich Style Creme, Shea Butter and Honey – contains Hydrolyzed Keratin.

Ingredients: Aqua Water, Cocos Nucifera Coconut Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii Shea Butter, Carthamus Tinctorius Safflower Seed Oil, Glycine Soja Soybean Oil, Polyquaternium-11, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 60, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Peg-12 Dimethicone, Cyclomethicone, Dimethiconol, Amodimethicone, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Sweet Almond Oil, Hydrolyzed Keratin, Panthenol, Carbomer, Vpva Copolymer, Pentamethylheptane, Dimethicone, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Laureth 4, Laureth 23, Triethanolamine, Tocopheryl Acetate, Parfum Fragrance, Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Cinnamic Aldehyde, Hydroxycitronellal, D-limonene, Lilial, Linalool, Lyral, Methyl Ionone, Dehydroacetic Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Bht, Ci 19140 Yellow 5, Ci 15985 Yellow 6.

Carol’s Daughter Sacred Tiare Restoring Hair Mask – contains Hydrolyzed Silk.

Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Behentrimonium Chloride, Glycerin, Cetyl Esthers, Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Jojoba Esthers, Hydrogenated Ethylhexyl Olivate, Fragrance (Parfum), Panthenol, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Orbignya Oleifera Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Hibiscus Esculentus Extract, Cassia Angustifolia Seed Polysaccharide, Gardenia Tahitensis Flower Extract, Hydrolyzed Silk, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein PG-Propyl Silanetriol, Cetrimonium Chloride, Dimethiconol, Polysorbate 60, Polysilicone-15, Hydrogenated Olive Oil Unsaponifiables, Citric Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Sorbic Acid, Methylisothiazolinone, Limonene, Linalool.

These are just a few products to get you started. You know have an idea of how to identify and look for the best proteins for low porosity hair in products.

When shopping, make sure to read product labels carefully and determine whether proteins are present in the product.

Related Articles

• Best Protein Free Deep Conditioners For Curly Hair
• Protein Free Shampoos And Conditioners For Curly Hair
• Pre Poo For Low Porosity Hair: Step By Step Guide
• Tips For Caring For Low Porosity Hair

Conclusion

By following the best practices and recommendations outlined in this article, you can achieve great hair health with the best proteins for low porosity hair.

With the proper knowledge and product selection you can ensure your curls are nourished and healthy. Don’t forget to read product labels carefully and choose wisely when selecting products best suited for your hair type!

Always remember to let your hair be your guide!

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Reference

1. Neudahl, G. A., Proteins for conditioning hair and skin. In Conditioning Agents for Hair and Skin, Schueller, R.; Romanowski, P., Eds. Taylor & Francis: 1999; pp. 139-166.