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You're in luck! Some of our favorite hair oils for high porosity hair are on sale for Black Friday.
- Cécred Oil Ritual, $48 $34
- Olaplex No.7 Bonding Oil, $30 $21
- Hollywood Beauty Batana Oil, $9 $7
- Kérastase Elixir Ultime Hair Oil, $62 $50
- Ceremonia Aceite de Moska, $32 $27
- Carol's Daughter Strength 7 Oil Blend Scalp & Hair Oil, $14 $9
Want even more beauty deals? Check out our list of can't-miss discounts or browse our favorite K-beauty products to snag before they sell out.
Many people go years into their curl journeys before understanding their porosity levels, a crucial detail for developing a healthy hair-care routine. The best hair oils for high-porosity hair work by sealing the cuticle, creating a barrier that locks in moisture and prevents it from evaporating. To get to the root of why this hair type behaves the way it does, and which oils actually help, we asked the experts to break it down. “High-porosity hair has raised or damaged cuticles (often from heat, color, or chemical services) so it soaks up moisture quickly, but also loses it just as fast,” explains Michele Aquino, a hairstylist based in Riverdale, NY. The reason that it's “overly porous” is “because the cuticle layer is fully open,” Cataanda James, a New York City-based hairstylist, notes. “Water goes in, but it cannot retain moisture, so the hair feels dry, looks frizzy, and lacks elasticity.”
Our Top Hair Oils for High-Porosity Hair
- Best for Damaged Hair: Cécred Oil Ritual, $48
- Best for Frizz: Hollywood Beauty Batana Oil, $9
- Best for Heat-Styling: Kérastase Elixir Ultime Hair Oil, $62
- Best for Product Build-Up: Ceremonia Aceite de Moska, $34
- Best for Split Ends: Redken All Soft Argan-6 Oil, $38
- Best for Color-Treated Hair: Olaplex No.7 Bonding Oil, $30
- Best for Tighter Curls: Carol's Daughter Strength 7 Oil Blend Scalp & Hair Oil, $14
Not sure which you have? The simplest at-home check is the water-absorption test: place a clean, product-free strand of hair in a glass of water. If it floats on the surface for a long time, it is likely low porosity. If it sinks quickly, it is likely high porosity, meaning the cuticle is open enough for water to rush in. Another cue: low-porosity hair resists product and dries slowly, while high-porosity hair absorbs product instantly but dries rapidly and tends to frizz.
Because high porosity hair struggles to retain moisture, certain types of oils that seal and reinforce the cuticle are essential for long-term protection. Below are the best oils for high-porosity hair, vetted by experts and chosen by Allure editors for their ability to lock in hydration and support fragile, damage-prone strands.
Frequently Asked QuestionsLargeChevron
- What’s the difference between low-porosity and high-porosity hair?
- Which ingredients or oil compositions should people with high-porosity hair look for?
- What’s the best way to apply hair oil to high-porosity hair?
- How can someone tell if their hair has absorbed the oil instead of the oil just sitting on top?
- Meet the experts
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
Best for Damaged Hair: Cécred Oil Ritual
Cécred
Oil Ritual
Ulta Beauty
Cécred
Why we love it: If your high-porosity hair feels brittle or snaps during detangling, Cécred’s Oil Ritual delivers the kind of deep nourishment surface oils can’t. This formula features a ferment blend to support the scalp and a trio of African oils, baobab, moringa, and black seed, that slip past raised cuticles to replenish the inner cortex, improving elasticity and reducing breakage. According to hairstylist Cataanda James, “Cecred Oil Ritual is best for those who are coming out of a protective style or prepping their hair for a protective style, for those experiencing sensitized, weak strands from over manipulation when wearing their natural curly texture, and those who wear their strands free flowing like a Wash ‘n Go style that are seeking an intense moisture treatment.” She adds that she’s seen it revive high-porosity hair damaged by bleach, chemicals, and environmental stressors, noting, “The Cecred Oil Ritual is like the old school hot oil treatment popular in the 80s and 90s, without the greasy, coated feel we seemed to yearn for back then.”
Allure contributor Jailynn Taylor applying the Cécred Oil Ritual
Jailynn Taylor
Taylor after applying the Cécred Oil Ritual
Jailynn Taylor
Tester feedback from contributor Jailynn Taylor
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“As someone with high-porosity locs that can go from soft to straw-like overnight, I’m always skeptical of miracle hair oils, but Cécred’s Oil Ritual is different. The thick consistency and precision nozzle let me apply it exactly where I need it, right along my parts and the length of each loc, without flooding my scalp or wasting product. Once warmed between my palms, it melts in and actually penetrates. I noticed a real difference during retwisting because my locs were more elastic, and the usual snapping I get during separation was reduced. The peppermint scent adds a cooling, soothing sensation on the scalp that feels especially good after a protective style or retwists.” —Jailynn Taylor, contributor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: manuka oil, phytoferment, African oil blend (baobab, moringa, black seed)
- Who’s it for: dehydrated, damage-prone, protective-style wearers
Best for Color-Treated Hair: Olaplex No.7 Bonding Oil
Olaplex
No.7 Bonding Oil
Amazon
Nordstrom
Dermstore
Why we love it: Chemical color and bleach weaken the internal structure of hair and worsen high-porosity issues by lifting the cuticle, which is why Olaplex No.7 Bonding Oil is a standout. The formula’s bond-building ingredient, bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate, actively relinks broken bonds so hair regains strength instead of just getting a temporary shine boost. Grapeseed oil provides antioxidant protection, and fermented green tea oil enhances absorption, allowing the treatment to penetrate rather than sit on the surface.
James says, “On straighter textures (1A to 2B), it works best as a finisher to polish, like adding the icing on the cake.” For curl types 3A to 4C, she notes, “This is the perfect solution: It strengthens and provides heat protection up to 450 degrees, so your hair isn’t frying when the heat meets the oil.” James also loves that it’s “weightless, softens the strands for a more supple feel, controls frizz, and leaves the hair naturally healthier looking overall.”
Allure managing editor Alessandra Foresto applying Olaplex No.7 Bonding Oil
Alessandra Foresto
Foresto after applying Olaplex No.7 Bonding Oil
Alessandra Foresto
Tester feedback from managing editor Alessandra Foresto
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"I'm a big fan of this Olaplex hair oil for its multitasking ablities. I use it on damp hair after a shower as a heat protector and to prevent frizz (and like to mix it with a leave-in conditioner as I apply), and on dry hair after styling to add glossy shine to my hair. Even when applying it twice in one single styling session, it never leaves my hair oily or greasy." —Alessandra Foresto, managing editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate, grapeseed oil, fermented green tea oil
- Who’s it for: color-treated or chemically processed hair
Best for Frizz: Hollywood Beauty Batana Oil
Hollywood Beauty
Batana Oil
Amazon
Why we love it: Hair frizzes, tangles, and loses moisture so quickly because its cuticles are lifted, which is why a heavier, sealing oil is often more effective. Hollywood Beauty Batana Oil addresses that structural issue by using batana oil, a palm-derived oil rich in fatty acids, to sit over the lifted cuticle and slow moisture loss after hydration is applied. That sealing action creates immediate softness, better slip during styling, and less breakage from manipulation. Castor oil adds weight and elasticity support, helping strands bend without splitting, while rosemary extract brings antioxidant protection that helps preserve the fiber over time. Used as a warm oil treatment, the blend penetrates more deeply before forming a seal, providing high-porosity hair with both hydration and retention in one step.
Allure contributor Jailynn Taylor applying the Hollywood Beauty Batana Oil
Jailynn Taylor
Taylor after applying the Hollywood Beauty Batana Oil
Jailynn Taylor
Tester feedback from Taylor
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“Hollywood Beauty has been a staple in my beauty supply hauls for years, but their new batana oil has officially earned a spot in my loc rotation. The thick, buttery texture feels rich without being greasy, and I just pour a bit into my hands before working it into my scalp and down the length of each loc. Once it’s warmed up between my palms, it absorbs quickly, meaning I’m not left with buildup. I’m using it as a weekly deep treatment or a mid-week moisture reset to keep my locs moisturized, less frizzy, and more flexible.” —Jailynn Taylor, contributor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: batana oil, castor oil, rosemary leaf extract
- Who’s it for: damage-prone hair dealing with frizz, moisture loss
Best for Heat-Styling: Kérastase Elixir Ultime Hair Oil
Kérastase
Elixir Ultime Hair Oil
Amazon
Sephora
Why we love it: If your hair tends to crisp or dull the moment a blow-dryer touches it, Kérastase’s Elixir Ultime Hair Oil is essential. A blend of wild camellia, marula, and argan oils softens the cuticle, adds slip, and reduces friction, allowing strands to bend instead of breaking under heat. Both experts love its ability to protect and revive high-porosity strands without leaving a greasy film. Hairstylist Michele Aquino says, “This oil is a classic for a reason; it seals the cuticle, restores shine, and leaves high-porosity hair feeling silky rather than coated.” Hairstylist James adds, “It melts into the strand like butter, leaves the hair visibly healthy, and feels luxurious…without leaving an oily film.” She also praises its lightweight consistency, noting that it helps heat tools glide through strands with less damage.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: wild camellia oil, marula oil, argan oil
- Who’s it for: all hair types
Best for Product Build-Up: Ceremonia Aceite de Moska
Ceremonia
Aceite de Moska
Amazon
Revolve
Sephora
Why we love it: Buildup is especially harmful on porous hair because any residue sitting at the root or along the strand blocks moisture from entering an already leaky cuticle. Ceremonia’s Aceite de Moska is a pre-shampoo oil designed to clear that barrier before you wash. Passionfruit oil offers antioxidant support, forming a light, protective film upon rinsing. Aquino explains that “the castor and chia seed oils [within the formulation] deeply fortify fragile hair, which is key for clients with textured or chemically treated hair prone to dryness or breakage,” while aloe vera helps calm irritation and keep the scalp balanced. By dissolving debris and excess sebum first, this step enables conditioning and sealing products to actually reach the core, rather than sitting on top. She adds that it's also “a fantastic pre-wash treatment for anyone trying to repair porosity after lightening or coloring.”
More to know
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- Key ingredients: passionfruit oil, castor oil, aloe vera
- Who’s it for: anyone with scalp buildup, flaking, or oil imbalance
Best for Split Ends: Redken All Soft Argan-6 Oil
Redken
All Soft Argan-6 Oil
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Why we love it: Once ends begin to fray, the only way to keep the damage from climbing higher is to reduce friction, and that’s where Redken’s All Soft Argan-6 Hair Oil comes in. The formula combines argan oil, rich in omega-6 fatty acids and vitamin E, with functional silicones that form a smoothing film to cushion the cuticle and minimize mechanical wear from brushing, pillow friction, and heat styling.
Aquino calls it “a salon staple that delivers elasticity and manageability to all textures.” She explains that the oil “penetrates quickly to fill gaps in high-porosity hair, leaving curls supple and defined.” Because it can be used pre-shampoo, post-wash, or even overnight, it works like a repair-preserving layer that keeps fragile ends from unraveling further, a crucial benefit for high-porosity hair that loses moisture and integrity fastest at the tips. For color-treated hair, Aquino adds, “it helps maintain vibrancy while adding incredible softness. The argan oil provides the kind of smoothness and flexibility that keeps both tone and texture healthy over time.”
More to know
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- Key ingredients: argan oil, silicone
- Who’s it for: dry hair prone to splitting
Best for Tighter Curls: Carol's Daughter Strength 7 Oil Blend Scalp & Hair Oil
Carol's Daughter
Strength 7 Oil Blend Scalp & Hair Oil
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Why we love it: Tighter curls and coils show damage quickly because every bend is a stress point, and high porosity at those bends causes moisture to escape even faster. Carol’s Daughter Goddess Strength 7 Oil Blend Hair & Scalp Oil addresses the issue with castor oil to add weight and structural support, while black cumin seed oil brings antioxidants to help defend the cuticle from further wear. “I particularly love using the seven oil blend on the hair from mid-lengths to tip to help seal and lock in moisture on high-porosity hair that does not retain moisture easily,” says James. She adds that it’s just as useful after heat-styling, noting, “On wavy to curly hair that has been blown out or silk-pressed, I apply it as a finisher to combat frizz, lay down flyaways, and temporarily seal split ends.”
And when clients ask for a scalp treatment, James reaches for it because “it’s lightweight, designed for on-scalp application, and has an herbal fragrance that complements the body’s natural microbiome—perfect for a good ‘grease my scalp moment.’”
More to know
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- Key ingredients: castor oil, black cumin seed oil, sunflower seed oil
- Who’s it for: 4C and tightly coily hair
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between low-porosity and high-porosity hair?
Hair with a tightly compacted cuticle resists penetration; as Aquino explains, “Low-porosity hair has a tight, compact cuticle that repels moisture and products…it can feel dry but resists water and takes a long time to absorb treatments.” She draws the distinction clearly: “In short: Low-porosity hair struggles to let moisture in, while high-porosity hair struggles to keep it.” She also notes that routine must follow that logic, adding, “Low porosity needs gentle lift-and-penetrate strategies and high porosity needs sealing and rebuilding.”
On the other end of the spectrum, James states, “High-porosity hair looks and feels excessively dry, has an extremely frizzy appearance, and lacks elasticity, so the hair is prone to breakage.” She also points to cumulative damage as the cause, stating “chemically-treated hair, excessive heat-styling, and over-manipulation are often the root cause of high porosity.”
Which ingredients or oil compositions should people with high-porosity hair look for?
Aquino explains that high-porosity hair requires both internal strengthening and surface sealing through "ingredients that both strengthen the cortex and seal the cuticle: think hydrolyzed proteins (collagen, keratin, silk) and humectants like glycerin or panthenol to attract moisture." She recommends heavier oils and butters, such as castor, avocado, olive oil, and shea or mango butter, because "their fatty acids help plug gaps in the cuticle and slow moisture loss." On the other hand, Aquino warns: "Lightweight oils alone won't protect long-term; pair sealants with a protein-rich treatment and consistent moisturizing steps." James agrees with a dual approach and adds, “Typically, more protein, less moisture."
What’s the best way to apply hair oil to high-porosity hair?
For high-porosity hair, experts agree that oil should be layered when the hair is hydrated but not dripping wet, so it can seal moisture inside the cuticle rather than just coat the surface. Aquino specifies that “damp, towel-squeezed hair after your leave-in or cream” is the ideal state because humectants can pull in water first before the oil locks it down. She advises warming a small amount in the palms and focusing on mid-lengths and ends, using heat or steam for deeper penetration.” Aquino also notes that “on soaking wet hair oils can slide off and won’t seal properly,” and that on dry hair a light glossing pass is enough only for frizz control. James offers a more intensive version of this same principle, recommending “the best way to apply the oil(s) on wet hair is after a detoxifying or clarifying shampoo for maximum absorption,” followed by “applying heat from a steamer, steam cap, or hooded dryer for 20–30 minutes.”
How can someone tell if their hair has absorbed the oil instead of the oil just sitting on top?
Absorption shows up in how the hair behaves, not just how it looks. Aquino explains that “if the hair feels soft, springy, and not tacky after a few minutes and the strands move naturally…the oil has likely been absorbed.” She recommends a transfer test to confirm, noting “if oil transfers easily to your fingers, it’s probably just sitting on the surface; if the strand stays supple but your fingers stay mostly clean, it’s absorbed.” James adds that sight can be just as telling, stating that “the key indicator…is individualized strands rather than the appearance of multiple strands in clusters.”
Meet the experts
- Cataanda James, a hairstylist in NYC
- Michele Aquino, a hairstylist in Riverdale, NY
How we test and review products
When Allure tests a product, our editors look at it from every angle in an effort to best serve you. We review ingredients, scrutinize brand claims, and, when necessary, examine peer-reviewed scientific and medical studies. In addition to testing each and every product that's included in each and every review, we rely on experts who shape their fields, including dermatology, cosmetic chemistry, and medicine, to help us vet the ingredients and formulas.
For our list of the best hair oils, we considered each product's performance across five primary categories: product ingredients and efficacy, packaging, fragrance, texture, and product wear. Every product was determined to have excelled in each category by our editorial team of in-house writers and editors, as well as contributors, along with special consideration from dermatologists. To learn more about our reporting and testing processes, read our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
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