Highly porous hair has a hard time retaining moisture, so certain types of oils that seal and strengthen the cuticle are essential for long-term protection. Below are the best oils for highly porous hair, vetted by experts and chosen by Allure editors for their ability to lock in moisture and support fragile hair.
FAQ
Ideal for damaged hair: Secred Oil Ritual
Why we like it: If your highly porous hair becomes brittle or breaks when detangling, Secred’s Oil Ritual can provide deep nourishment that surface oils cannot. This formula features a scalp-supporting fermented blend and a trio of African oils of Baobab, Moringa, and Black Seed that slip through the raised cuticle to replenish the inner cortex, improve elasticity, and reduce breakage. According to the hairdresser Kataanda James“The Secred Oil Ritual is perfect for those who are coming out of or preparing their hair for a protective style, those who wear their natural curly texture and whose hair has become sensitive and weakened from over-manipulation, and wash-and-gos who are looking for an intensive moisturizing treatment. It’s perfect for those who let their hair flow freely like style.” She adds that she’s seen it revive highly porous hair damaged by bleach, chemicals, and environmental stressors, and says, “Secredo Oil Ritual is similar to the old-school hot oil treatments that were popular in the 80s and 90s, without the sticky, coated feel that we coveted back then.”
“Having highly porous hair that can go from soft to straw-like overnight, I’m always skeptical of miracle hair oils, but Secre’s Oil Ritual is different. Thanks to its thick consistency and precise nozzle, you can apply it exactly where you need it without soaking your scalp or wasting product. When you warm it up in your palms, it actually melts. It soaks in. I noticed a real difference during the retwist. My hair is more bouncy and the crackling that often occurs during separation is reduced. The peppermint scent gives a cooling sensation to the scalp, which feels especially nice after a protective style or retwist. —Jaylin Taylor, Contributor
- Main ingredients: Manuka oil, plant fermentation, African oil blend (baobab, moringa, black seed)
- For whom: Wearers of protective styles who are dehydrated and susceptible to damage
Ideal for colored hair: Olaplex No.7 Bonding Oil
Why we like it: Chemical color and bleach weaken the hair’s internal structure by lifting the cuticle, exacerbating porosity issues. That’s why Olaplex No.7 Bonding Oil is so good. The formula’s bond-building ingredient, bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimalate, actively rebonds broken bonds, so your hair not only gains temporary shine but also regains strength. Grapeseed oil provides antioxidant protection, and fermented green tea oil increases absorption, allowing the treatment to penetrate instead of sitting on the surface.
James says, “With straighter textures (1A to 2B), it’s great as a polishing finisher, like adding icing to a cake.” For curl types 3A to 4C, she says, “This is the perfect solution. It strengthens and provides heat protection up to 450 degrees, so your hair won’t fry when heat comes into contact with the oil.” James also loves that “weightlessness softens hair for a more supple feel, reduces frizz, and makes hair look naturally healthier overall.”
Tester feedback from Editor-in-Chief Alessandra Foresto
“I’m a big fan of this Olaplex hair oil for its multitasking ability. I use it on damp hair after a shower for heat protection and anti-frizz (I like to mix it with a leave-in conditioner when applying) and on dry hair after styling to give my hair a glossy shine. Even when I use it twice in one styling session, it doesn’t leave my hair greasy or greasy.” —Alessandra Forrest, Editor-in-Chief
- Main ingredients: Bisaminopropyl diglycol dimalate, grapeseed oil, green tea fermented oil
- For whom: colored or chemically treated hair
Best for curly hair: hollywood beauty batana oil
hollywood beauty
batana oil
Why we like it: Because the cuticle is lifted, your hair becomes frizzy, tangled, and loses moisture quickly. Therefore, heavier sealing oils are often more effective. Hollywood Beauty Batana Oil uses Batana Oil, a palm-derived oil rich in fatty acids, to address that structural issue by sitting on top of the lifted cuticle and slowing water loss after hydration. This sealing action provides instant softness, better glide during styling, and less damage from handling. Castor oil supports weight and elasticity, helping hair to bend without breaking. Rosemary extract, on the other hand, provides antioxidant protection and preserves fiber for a long time. When used as a warm oil treatment, this blend penetrates deeper before forming a seal, providing hair with both hydration and hold in one step for highly porous hair.
Tester feedback from Taylor
“Hollywood Beauty has been a staple in my beauty arsenal for years, and the new Batana Oil has officially joined my on-location rotation. The rich, buttery texture feels rich without being greasy. I just pour a little into my hands and apply it to my scalp and into each topical area. When warmed in the palm of my hand, it absorbs quickly, leaving no buildup. I use a weekly deep I use it as a treatment or as a mid-week moisturizer to reset and keep my hair hydrated, less frizzy and more supple.” —Jaylin Taylor, Contributor
- Main ingredients: Batana oil, castor oil, rosemary leaf extract
- For whom: Addresses frizz and moisture loss in damaged hair
Perfect for heat styling: Kérastase Elixir Ultim Hair Oil
kerastase
Elixir Ultim hair oil
Why we like it: If your hair tends to get crispy or dull the moment you blow dry it, Kérastase Elixir Ultim Hair Oil is essential. A blend of wild camellia, marula and argan oils softens the cuticle, increasing glide and reducing friction, allowing strands to bend without breaking due to heat. Both experts love its ability to protect and revive highly porous strands without leaving an oily film. hair stylist Michele Aquino “This oil is a classic for a reason: it seals the cuticle, restores shine, and makes highly porous hair feel smoother rather than coated.” Hairstylist James adds, “It melts into your hair like butter, leaving it visibly healthy and luxurious…without leaving an oily slick.” She also praised its lightweight consistency, noting that the heat tool glides through the strands with less damage.
- Main ingredients: Wild camellia oil, marula oil, argan oil
- For whom: all hair types
Perfect for building products: Ceremonia acete de mosca
Why we like it: Buildup is especially harmful to porous hair. This is because the residue present at the roots or along the hair prevents moisture from entering the already leaky cuticle. Ceremonia’s Acetate de Mosca is a pre-shampoo oil designed to remove that barrier before washing. Passionfruit oil supports antioxidants and forms a light protective film when rinsed. Aquino explains: [within the formulation] “For clients with fragile or chemically treated hair, it deeply strengthens hair that is prone to dryness and breakage. This is important for clients with hair textures or chemically treated hair that are prone to dryness and breakage.”Aloe vera, on the other hand, helps soothe irritation and balance the scalp. By first dissolving debris and excess sebum, this step allows conditioning and occlusive products to actually reach the core instead of staying on the surface. She adds, “It’s also a great pre-cleanse treatment for anyone looking to repair pores after skin whitening or coloring.”
- Main ingredients: Passion fruit oil, castor oil, aloe vera
- For whom: People with scalp buildup, flaking, or oil imbalance
Perfect for split ends: Redken All Soft Argan-6 Oil
Redken
All Soft Argan-6 Oil
Why we like it: Once the ends of your hair begin to fray, the only way to prevent further damage is to reduce friction. That’s where Redken’s All Soft Argan 6 Hair Oil comes into play. This formula combines argan oil, rich in omega-6 fatty acids and vitamin E, with functional silicones that form a smooth film that cushions the cuticle and minimizes mechanical abrasion from brushing, pillow friction, and heat styling.
Source: Allure – www.allure.com
