After 8 weeks testing across fine, thick, colour-treated, and bleached hair types — side by side with Olaplex No. 7, Kérastase Elixir Ultime, and Living Proof Restore — here's our full verdict. Read our testing methodology.
Hair & Beauty Editor · Tested April–June 2026 over 8 weeks across 5 hair types · Methodology
Before Olaplex, before K18, before the entire bonding treatment category existed — there was Moroccanoil Treatment. When it launched in 2008, it single-handedly introduced argan oil to mainstream haircare and created a product category that now spans hundreds of imitators. Eighteen years later, the original formula remains not just relevant but genuinely best-in-class for what it does: a lightweight, fast-absorbing oil treatment that reduces frizz, adds shine, cuts blow-dry time, and works on every hair type without heaviness or grease. After eight weeks of testing, this is still the hair oil treatment we recommend above all others for versatility, performance, and the unmatched sensory experience of use.
The Argan Oil Infusion is the ingredient story. Moroccanoil sources cold-pressed argan oil from women's cooperatives in Morocco, and the oil is rich in oleic acid, linoleic acid, and vitamin E — fatty acids and antioxidants that penetrate the hair cortex rather than simply coating the surface. In our testing, we saw consistent improvement in shine and manageability across all five hair types from the first wash, and a measurable reduction in frizz in humid conditions by week two. The formula includes cyclomethicone for slip and heat protection, but the argan oil does the heavy lifting for lasting nourishment.
The blow-dry acceleration claim is one we tested directly. Our testers consistently completed blow-drying 30–40% faster when Moroccanoil Treatment was applied to damp hair beforehand, compared to their normal heat-styling process. The heat protection barrier held up to 428°F / 220°C without visible damage across our test period — a genuine dual benefit that most finishing oils don't offer.
The non-greasy absorption is what separates the original from every drugstore imitation: a small amount — two pumps for medium-length hair — disappears into damp hair within seconds, leaving softness and shine without any of the oily residue that budget argan oils leave behind. Our fine-haired testers, who are typically wary of oils, reported no heaviness or limpness even with regular use.
At $49.00 for 3.4 fl oz, Moroccanoil Treatment is a genuine investment compared to mass-market alternatives. But a bottle lasts six to twelve months for most users — two pumps per application, every other wash — making the per-use cost far more reasonable than the sticker price suggests. We awarded it Best Luxury Hair Oil Treatment in our 2026 Hair & Beauty Awards. Browse our full hair care reviews for more product recommendations.
Scored across our 5-dimension rubric after 8 weeks of testing across 5 hair types. Read our testing methodology for full scoring details.
Cold-pressed argan oil penetrates the hair cortex with fatty acids and vitamin E. Visible improvement in shine and manageability from the first application across all hair types tested.
Exceptional frizz reduction even in humid conditions. Best-in-class smoothing performance among the hair oils we tested. Effective on both damp and dry hair.
Reduces blow-dry time by 30–40% in testing. Heat protection barrier held up to 428°F / 220°C across 8 weeks without visible damage on colour-treated hair.
Alcohol-free, non-greasy formula absorbs within seconds — no residue, no limpness. Works across fine, thick, curly, and straight hair without heaviness.
$49 is a real investment, but two pumps per application from a 3.4 fl oz bottle yields 6–12 months of use for most people. Per-use cost is far lower than the sticker price suggests.
Winner, Best Luxury Hair Oil Treatment in our Best of 2026 Hair & Beauty Awards · Hair Care category
The honest breakdown after 8 weeks testing across fine, thick, colour-treated, and bleached hair. See our methodology.
Everything in your Moroccanoil Treatment purchase and our tips for getting the most from the formula.
Full details from Moroccanoil, verified during our testing period.
Moroccanoil Treatment vs the best-known hair oil treatments across all price points — tested head-to-head in our 2026 hair care review.
| Feature | Moroccanoil Treatment | Olaplex No. 7 Bonding Oil | Kérastase Elixir Ultime | Living Proof Restore Dry Hair Oil |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price (standard size) | $49.00 (3.4 fl oz) | $30 (1 fl oz) | $58 (3.4 fl oz) | $33 (3.7 fl oz) |
| Our Score | 9.1/10 | 8.6/10 | 8.9/10 | 8.2/10 |
| Key Technology | Argan Oil Infusion (original; 2008) | Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate (bond repair) | 5 precious oils blend | OFPMA molecule (anti-static/frizz) |
| Price per fl oz | $14.41 | $30.00 | $17.06 | $8.92 |
| Heat Protection | Yes — to 428°F / 220°C | Yes — to 450°F / 232°C | Yes — to 230°C | Yes — to 450°F |
| Blow-Dry Acceleration | Up to 40% faster | Not claimed | Not claimed | Not claimed |
| Bond Repair | No — nourishment only | Yes — disulfide bond repair | No — nourishment only | No — frizz/static focus |
| Best For | All-round treatment, frizz, shine, blow-dry | Post-chemical damage bond repair | Dry, brittle, luxury treatment | Fine hair, frizz, lightness |
Moroccanoil Treatment is available at Moroccanoil.com, Ulta, Sephora, Amazon (authorised sellers only), and professional salons. All prices verified June 2026. Best sale windows: Ulta 21 Days of Beauty, Sephora Savings Event, and Moroccanoil.com loyalty program rewards.
Everything you need to know before buying Moroccanoil Treatment Original.
The core difference is the quality and concentration of the argan oil, and the formulation around it. Moroccanoil was the first brand to bring cold-pressed argan oil to professional haircare in 2008, and they've continued sourcing directly from women's cooperatives in Morocco — the region that produces the highest-quality argan oil. The formula balances argan oil with cyclomethicone (for slip and heat protection) and antioxidants, rather than relying on filler silicones the way most budget argan oil products do.
In our testing, we compared it directly against six drugstore argan oils priced between $8 and $18. Every one of them left a heavier residue, absorbed more slowly, and required two or three times the product to achieve comparable frizz control and shine. The higher price of Moroccanoil Treatment genuinely reflects a difference in formulation quality, not just branding.
Yes — and it's one of the most recommended finishing treatments among professional colorists specifically because it doesn't interfere with colour or deposit pigment. The formula is alcohol-free (alcohols can dry out colour-treated hair and accelerate fade) and the argan oil base helps seal the cuticle around the dye molecule rather than opening it.
Moroccanoil Treatment is regularly recommended for use as a post-colour finisher in professional salons. Our colour-treated testers used it throughout the 8-week test period with no measurable colour fade attributable to the product. The heat protection barrier also helps preserve colour integrity during blow-drying and heat styling.
Not if you use the right amount. Fine hair is the most common use-case concern and the most common cause of over-application by new users. For fine or thin hair, one pump is almost always the correct amount — sometimes less. Applied sparingly to mid-lengths and ends (never the roots), Moroccanoil Treatment adds shine and reduces frizz without any limpness or heaviness.
If your hair is very fine or you have concerns about weight, the Moroccanoil Treatment Light variant is specifically formulated for fine or light-coloured hair — it uses the same argan oil base but with a lighter cyclomethicone profile. Both the Original and Light are available at Ulta and Sephora.
The step most new users get wrong is using too much, in the wrong place. Dispense one pump (two for medium-to-long hair, three maximum for very long or thick hair) into your palm, rub hands together to warm the oil, then apply from mid-length to ends — avoiding the scalp and roots, which can get greasy. On damp hair before blow-drying, it both protects and accelerates drying. On dry hair as a finisher, a single pump smooths frizz and adds lasting shine.
A pro tip from our hair editor: don't apply directly from the bottle to your hair. Always dispense into your palm first. The amber glass bottle with its classic pump can be easy to over-pour, and the formula is concentrated enough that one extra pump makes a visible difference on fine or medium hair.
Buy Moroccanoil Treatment if: you want an all-purpose finishing treatment that works across hair types, adds shine, controls frizz, accelerates drying, and delivers nourishment — a reliable daily-use product. It's also the better option if your hair is healthy or only mildly damaged and doesn't require active bond repair.
Buy Olaplex No. 7 if: your hair has undergone significant bleaching or chemical processing and you specifically need a finishing oil that also continues the bond-repair process from Olaplex No. 3 or No. 4. Olaplex No. 7 is smaller (1 fl oz for $30 vs 3.4 fl oz for $49) and costs significantly more per ounce, but the bond-repair chemistry is an active benefit Moroccanoil doesn't offer. For most users managing routine colour and heat damage without severe breakage, Moroccanoil Treatment is the more versatile and better-value choice. Try the 0.85 fl oz travel size at Ulta before committing to the full bottle.