Get a handy list of the best protein free shampoos for low porosity hair in this article.
Low porosity hair is hair that has a hard time letting moisture in. With hair like this, one of the things you want to avoid is protein-heavy products.
The shampoos below are protein-free and ideal for low porosity hair. They also work for people with protein-sensitive hair.
Before going into the article, I’ll be answering the most common questions I receive about protein for low porosity hair.
Does Low Porosity Hair Need Protein?
Even though low porosity hair should avoid protein-heavy products, it doesn’t mean avoid protein altogether.
You still need protein for strength and elasticity. Aim for products with mild protein.
Or you could use a protein-free shampoo but a deep conditioner with protein and vice versa.
How Can I Add Protein to Low Porosity Hair?
You add protein to low porosity hair by using protein-rich shampoos, deep conditioners, leave-in conditioners, or hair stylers.
However, all your products from start to finish should not all be protein-rich. This is simply too much protein for low porosity hair.
One protein-rich product in your regimen should be enough to get all the protein your hair needs.
How Do I Get Rid of Protein Build Up?
If you find that your hair is suffering from too much protein – dryness, dullness, and breakage, there’s one thing you can do immediately.
Because, other hair issues could cause dryness, dullness, and breakage, you should reset the process just to be sure.
You do this by clarifying then deep conditioning with a protein-free deep conditioner.
What is the Best Shampoo for Low Porosity Hair?
1. Alaffia African Black Soap Shampoo
Alaffia African Black Soap is made from all-natural ingredients and is a gentle multipurpose soap, which can also be used on the skin.
This black soap is gentle enough for low porosity hair yet not so gentle that it doesn’t clean effectively.
Alaffia African Black Soap is available in a 16 oz pump bottle and 32 oz squeeze cap bottle. BUY HERE.
Read my review at Alaffia African Black Soap for Hair.
2. Alikay Naturals Moisturizing Black Soap Shampoo
This protein-free shampoo for low porosity hair is made from coco seed powder and tea tree for anti-fungal, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory benefits.
The shampoo also contains aloe vera leaf juice and is available in an 8 oz squeeze cap bottle. BUY HERE.
3. Aunt Jackie’s Curls & Coils Oh So Clean! Moisturizing & Softening Shampoo
This moisturizing and softening shampoo for low porosity hair is enriched with coconut oil, shea butter, and olive oil.
It aids in detangling and restores moisture to dry hair. This shampoo is gentle and cleanses without stripping natural hair.
The shampoo is available in a 12 oz squeeze cap bottle. BUY HERE.
4. Anita Grant Aloe Vera Conditioning Shampoo
This shampoo has incredible ingredients that low porosity hair will love – aloe vera leaf juice and radish root.
Aloe vera leaf juice penetrates hair and restores moisture while increasing manageability.
Radish root moisturizes and conditions the scalp. The shampoo is available in 60ml, 200ml and 500 ml pump bottles. BUY HERE.
5. As I Am Curl Clarity Shampoo
As I Am Curl Clarity Shampoo helps restore shine to low porosity hair. It clarifies hair gently without drying out hair.
Formulated with coconut oil, amla, and tangerine. It’s available in an 8 oz squeeze cap bottle. BUY HERE.
6. Bee Mine Botanical Moisturizing Shampoo
It’s getting a little hard to find this protein-free shampoo for low porosity hair.
Bee Mine Botanical Moisturizing Shampoo is formulated with extracts of calendula, rosemary, lemongrass, lavender, rose, nettle and chamomile, and panthenol.
These excellent ingredients work together to gently cleanse hair, nourish the scalp, and moisturize while boosting shine.
Bee Mine Botanical Moisturizing Shampoo is available in an 8 oz squeeze cap bottle. BUY HERE.
7. Curl Junkie Curl Assurance Gentle Cleansing Shampoo
Curl Junkie Curl Assurance is a gentle cleansing shampoo for low porosity hair.
The shampoo is formulated with Crambe Abyssinian oil, green tea extract, chamomile, vitamin B5, honey, and amino acids.
Experience softer and moisturized hair with this shampoo. It’s available in a 12 oz squeeze cap bottle. BUY HERE.
8. Curls Pure Curls Clarifying Shampoo
Curls Pure Curls Clarifying Shampoo removes buildup without drying out low porosity hair.
It contains pineapple extract, which nourishes, and grapefruit extract, which adds shine.
Curls Pure Curls Clarifying Shampoo is available in an 8 oz squeeze cap bottle. BUY HERE.
9. Eden BodyWorks Coconut Shea Moisturizing Shampoo
This shampoo is formulated with aloe vera leaf juice, coconut oil, vitamin E, and shea butter for a superb hydrating experience for low porosity hair.
Eden BodyWorks Coconut Shea Moisturizing Shampoo is available in 8 0z and 16 oz squeeze cap bottles. BUY HERE.
10. Jessicurl Gentle Lather Shampoo
Jessicurl Gentle Lather Shampoo is very gentle and lathers well but doesn’t strip low porosity hair.
The shampoo is available without fragrance, island fantasy, or citrus lavender. My favorite scent is citrus lavender.
Jessicurl Gentle Lather Shampoo is available in 2 oz, 8 oz, and 32 oz bottles. BUY HERE.
11. Kinky Curly Come Clean Moisturizing Shampoo
This is one of the best protein-free shampoos for low porosity hair.
Formulated with a blend of mandarin orange extract, marigold flower, white willow bark, and sea kelp for moisture balance.
Kinky Curly Come Clean Moisturizing Shampoo is available in an 8 oz bottle. BUY HERE.
12. Mielle Babassu Conditioning Shampoo
This conditioning shampoo contains gentle botanically derived surfactants and moisturizing agents.
These ingredients soften, moisturize, and strengthen low porosity hair.
Mielle Babassu Conditioning Shampoo is available in an 8 oz bottle. BUY HERE.
13. TGIN Moisture Rich Shampoo
TGIN Moisture Rich Shampoo effectively cleanses low porosity hair without aggravating dryness.
Formulated with Pro-Vitamin B5 to reduce breakage as well as nourishing plant extracts.
A little goes a long way with this shampoo and feel free to dilute it as well.
TGIN Moisture Rich Shampoo is available in 2 oz and 13 oz bottles. BUY HERE.
14. Ouidad Water Works Clarifying Shampoo
This shampoo features citrus extracts, which break down and remove build-up without stripping low porosity curls of moisture.
Ouidad Water Works Clarifying Shampoo is available in 2.5 oz, 8.5 oz, and 33.8 oz.
You’ll also get 20% off your first order on Ouidad website plus a free sample with every order. BUY HERE.
15. Uncle Funky’s Daughter Rich and Funky Moisturizing Cleanser
Formulated with comfrey, rosemary, horsetail, willow bark, calendula, and sea kelp extracts for a thorough cleansing.
Low porosity hair especially will benefit from the horsetail, willow bark, and sea kelp in this shampoo.
Uncle Funky’s Daughter Rich and Funky Moisturizing Cleanser is available in an 8 oz bottle. BUY HERE.
More Low Porosity Hair Care Resources
For more product recommendations for low porosity hair, read 57 Best Hair Care Products for Low Porosity Hair.
An upcoming article will address the top 15 questions I usually receive about using protein on natural hair.
I’ve been compiling them for some time so decided to do one big post for easy reference.
Abi is a curly hair expert, researcher, product tester, and author of the highly-rated Healthy Hair Care Series. She is also the founder of Ade Ori Hair Care, Healthy Natural Hair Products, and Natural Oils for Hair & Beauty. HNHP has strict editorial standards and ensures all the information on Healthy Natural Hair Products is the best for natural hair care. Learn more about our Editorial Policies
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