Barb would like to know…What’s the deal with Moroccan oil? I’ve read all the rave reviews on Amazon.com but I’d like the real scoop from the Beauty Brains. 
The Right Brain responds:
Actually, Barb, we’ve already answered this question. Sort of.
Moroccan oil = Argan oil?
Moroccan oil is another name for Argan oil which is made from the kernels of argan tree fruit that grow almost exclusively in Morocco. You can read our previous post on Argan oil for hair and skin but here’s what you need to know in a nut shell: the oil is a rich emollient that can moisturize hair and skin; it can potentially cause zits so be careful if you’re prone to breakouts; and it does NOT come from goat poop. (You’ll have to read the original post and all the comments to get that reference. Whoo boy, did we piss some people off! But I digress…)
The product “Moroccan Oil” is sold by the company Moroccanoil (R) and is made with Argan oil. Let’s take a look at its ingredients.
Moroccan Oil ingredients
Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Cyclomethicone, Butylphenyl, MethylPropional, Argania Spinoza Kernal Oil (Aragan Oil), Linseed (Linum Usitatissimum) Extract, Fragrance Supplement, D&C Yellow-11, D&C Red-17, Coumarin, Benzyl Benzoate, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone
As you can see, most of the product is made up of various silicones. That’s not a bad thing at all, silicone-based antifrizz products are very effective. Remember John Frieda’s Frizz- Ease? But just be aware that you’re not buying pure Argan oil.
The Beauty Brains bottom line
Moroccan Oil appears to be a well formulated hair tamer – but if you’re looking for pure Argan oil, you should consider other products which you can get at BeautyStopOnline.com.
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Pretty accurate posts today, informative. I really like Morrocan oil and just wish they would remove the Coumarin for the hairstylist sake as they would be exposed a lot on their hands. It penetrates the skin.
My ‘guess’ is that the amount would not be that harmful.
I predict they will remove that ingredient.
A good site to untwist knickers is;
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-coumarin.htm
Coumarin is a chemical compound which is found naturally in some plants, although it can be synthetically produced as well. It has a distinctive odor which has led people to use it as a food additive and ingredient in perfume. Due to concerns about coumarin as a potential liver and kidney toxin, its use as a food additive is heavily restricted, although it is perfectly safe to eat foods which naturally contain coumarin.
Thanks to all the people who are worried about the Coumarin ingredient, i found very interesting search results. While i was shocked to find that it was used in rat poison (yet only as a anticoagulant, or so i believe). It was more shocking to find out that it is also found in the herbal tea Chamomile!!!
I have drank tea my entire life and never knew what i could have been putting into my body. This makes the idea of adding a little in my hair a very small issue seeing that i am not fully ingesting it! I bet all of the people complaining that they are putting rat poison in Moroccanoil aren’t also commenting on all the chamomile tea websites about how they are letting humans straight up ingest the crap!
Furthermore i am not worried about using the product because of this ingredient. It would be one thing if i was drinking it, which is not the case. I am simply applying a lil 2 my hair everyday to make it look FABULOUS!!! The reason not to be worried by this is that rats metabolize the ingredient at a higher toxicity level than humans, making it less of a threat to us but not completely in the clear. It should definitely be used in moderation, mainly when used in anything edible or when being absorb into the body. I don’t drink the Moroccanoil, period!!
Oh and i have been using the product for almost a year now and LOVE LOVE it! i have semi-thick yet wavy hair and it is prone to fly-aways. With Moroccanoil it is very smooth and tame. So thanx btw i really enjoy the product and my hair!!! <3
I love Moroccan Oil, my hair has never been in better shape.
I get it at httP://www.thebeautyone.com because they have free shipping with a purchase of $50
I broke out and my blond hair had a dark brownish tint to it. :/
Hmm, I’m skeptical about this whole Moroccan Oil deal. The first three ingredients are different types of silicone. Silicones actually seal down your hairs cuticle which doesn’t allow moisture to penetrate. Yes your hair may look and feel great, but silicones actually dry out hair in the long run. A more pure form derived from Aragan Oil is Orofluido. Amazing stuff that doesn’t build up in your hair like Moroccan Oil can.
Orofluido adds moisture, shine, manageablity, protect from humidity, rich in vitamin E, soothes itchy scalps and the list goes on. A much healthier alternative.
I use 100% argan oil on my hair after shampooing with (I use Aveda) another product. My sister bought the Moroccan Oil Intense Curl and I tried it. Get the same results from the pure Argan oil.
I have long thick hair thats prone to being frizzy. I also color it on a regular basis (every 2 months … from dark blonde to dark brown). I purchased Aragon oil from my local Sally’s Beauty supply store and I LOOOOVE it! I have to be careful not to put to much in or my hair looks greasy. My hair is about 4 inches past my shouders and I find a nickel size amount works wonderfully for my hair. I apply it when its damp before blow drying and flat ironing … focusing on the ends or where a pony tail would start (sometimes I put a really small amount on after to make it really shine). If I let my hair air dry I put it in also. Leaves it soft, shiny and frizz free. I get compliments all the time on my shiny hair and I ALWAYS tell people its all due to my Aragon oil so they can use it too!
Tried it, and love it. As the social marketing arm of Beauty Collection (located in SoCal) I’ve had the chance to test nearly all of the products, have to admit that the original moroccan oil is my favorite.
Like the shampoo & conditioner a lot.
The company has continued to add to its product mix – most recently with hairspray and the MO Light. Anyone else think the rumors it may be coming out with a new line of skincare products are true?
Check out the full line here for moroccan oil products here. We’re an authorized retailer – unlike most of the other sites selling it.
Its effectiveness may vary from individuals.
MoroccanOil – moroccan oil treatment for all hair types
http://luxuryparlor.com
Moroccanoil Oil Treatment
Silicone may be effective temporarily, but is not particularly healthy for your hair. It doesn’t allow it to breathe and dries it out eventually.
Silicone emollients are occlusive – that is they coat the skin, trapping anything beneath it, and do not allow the skin to breathe (much like plastic wrap would do.)
Recent studies have indicated that prolonged exposure of the skin to sweat, by occlusion, causes skin irritation. Some synthetic emollients are known tumour promoters and accumulate in the liver and lymph nodes. They are also non-biodegradable, causing negative environmental impact.
Dimethicone
Dimethicone Copolyol
Cyclomethicone
Silicone was and still is used as breast implants. Tens of thousands of women with breast implants have complained of debilitating symptoms. Anecdotal evidence indicates silicone to be toxic to the human body. For more detailed information on the dangers of silicone simply key “silicone toxicity” into the Google search engine
Moroccan Oil is a pretty good brand but why would you use a product that is not pure and that is full of chemicals when you can use an organic and a 100% pure product that can work as well or even better.
Try the pure argan oil from http://www.argansense.com and tell me what you think of it!
Also, if you’d like to know more about pure argan oil, check this site, it contains a lot of good resources: http://www.arganoilsociety.org
I love Moroccanoil products, I have thick loosely curly hair that has a fine texture and the oil doesn’t weigh it down and keeps the ends free of damage. I use it on my 4 year olds hair before we dry it to keep it silky and tangle free and it works.
To avoid problems with greasiness with any hair product, I’ve always applied it from the ponytail area down…meaning I pull my hair up with one hand where it would be if I put it up in a pony tail and apply the product from my hand to the end. Then I use the trace amounts on my hands for the rest of my hair. (the shampoo and conditioner are great as well, my scalp feels clean but not stripped when I wash and condition with them. The curl cream is good as well, I usually only use it on more humid days though.)
I like the MoroccanOil but I don’t like the silicones! Once I started researching I started to find that using the natural argan oil is great. My hair and skin are drinking it up. I like the Organic Maijan Argan Oil the best! You can see it here: http://www.stylebell.com/Maijan-Pure-Moroccan-Argan-Oil-p/sb-00972.htm
All of you Have way too much time on your hands… Seriously people…
I did some research and looked up benzyl benzoate which is listed as the second to last ingredient in moroccan oil, and to my understanding it is an insecticide that is used to kill lice and scabies. thanks but no thanks i will stick to alcohol free its a 10 styling serum
I have been using M oil for 2 years with no adverse effects of any kind. It is well worth the price and I think it is just a matter of preference as to which one a person like better, M oil or argan oil. I used to use Frizz Ease with did absolutely nothing for me.
I have short, color-treated, mixed type of hair, with an oily scalp. Fine,very curly, medium thick on the top; medium, wavy, very thick on the sides and back. Hard to find a hair product that deals with both, until I started using Moroccan Oil products. Tames the frizzies in the fine, curly part. Gives texture and softness to the thick, wavy parts. Have not had any skin problems but could be to having short hair that doesn’t lay against my skin. Found that I do have to use a little more product than most, probably due to the drying of the hair that the coloring does and to tame my out-of-control frizz in my terribly humid region. Also tried Frizz-Ease. It did nothing for me. Made my hair feel drier. I use M oil both on wet hair before I dry and then add it through my hair after drying for shine and frizz control. Been very happy with it since I started using it 6 months ago.
I just tried a new stylist and he RAVED about this Morrocan Oil and insisted I buy a bottle. I liked the way my hair felt (and smelled) but after a half an hour my ears and neck began to burn and itch. He had put a few products in my hair so I went home and washed my hair. I put the Morrocan oil (only) back in my hair and sure enough my skin in on fire! Burning and itching. I would NOT recommend this product – especially if there is a more “pure” way to get the same results. BTW – I have fine, straight hair. I actually don’t even think I was a candidate for this product.
i could not live without morrocain oil. it works so good, sometimes i find it expensive but trust me its worth it.
Argan Oil is indeed an incredible oil for hair and skin care. This article describes many of its benefits. http://www.earthlybody.com/argan_oil_moroccan_marrakesh/Is-Argan-Oil-The-New-Miracle-Oil.htm
Ipurchased the intense curl cream in the range moroccan oil at 28 euro not impressed at all with the product left my hair very dry and stickly then i read the list of ingredients and listed at the top liquid paraffin ? What is this all about ?
Hi, i used MO and yes my hair was soft, but i developed a rash. I used it again as i wasnt sure that the MO had caused my rash. After the second application of shampoo, conditioner, oil etc my rash worsened and has now spread on my back, neck, chest, arms etc. I’ve been to the doctors twice who said ive had an allergic reaction. The itching is awful and i’m now on anti histamines and a steroid based cream to clear it up. I havnt git my receipt ortherwise i’d take it back to the salon where it was purchased!
My hair is hugely overprocessed and i blow dry alot. I have just used Morrocanoil for the first time and my hair feels like it did when i was a child it’s so soft i cant believe it!
I just ordered the Moroccan oil and these posts have officially scared me. I read a post from Kristen. She said that Coumadin is a scent that attracts the rodents. So does that mean if I put it in my hair and their is some rodent near by, that it is going to follow me? This question does sound weird, but I would really like an answer. Thank You.
I agree that we need to research into chemicals we digest but at the same time – we are adult enough to make the right choice for ourselves
Yes, we live in an environment where what we eat, drink and put into our body, hair/skin has chemicals – and have been doing this since becoming aware.
Whatever choices we make, regarding any products whether organic or otherwise – will have chemicals in to preserve it or give a scent etc.
we can only look after ourselves the best to our ability but we are thankful to still be here day to day.
if u are using morrocanoil dont overuse it less is more in this case im a hairdresser and i work with morrocanoil its a faboulous product but clients tend to over use the product. this product does contain good silicones that dnt build up on the hair. supermarket shampoos such as pantene etc have a high amount of silicone that is bad silicone and u think that it fixing ur hair but its not its creating a silicone layer apon layer over the hair cuticule which can in future prevent colour from staying in the hair, and if u r using these products colour and products may not be affective on ur hair… u just have to watch wat u use and avoid supermarket shampoos, conditioners and leave in treatments
I’m a 68 yr old retired makeup artist with coarse, gray hair….my local beauty supply store recommended the argan shampoo; One N Only, and the conditioner…..After I shampoo I always let my hair air dry….for the first time in my life, I can now comb my hair, after it’s dry, without the comb getting caught in my hair!!!!!! so after years of this shampoo and that shampoo, and I’ve tried ‘em all, I’m sticking with an argon oil shampoo and conditioner!!!!
No going back to Tresemee, Vive, etc., etc.
Now if these companies only made an argon oil shampoo to help keep gray hair looking nicer, that’d be great…..but hey, you never know….perhaps someday they will!!!
It’s a very good product. I thought that it was all hype too, there’s so much press about this product at the moment . I tried it out a month ago after watching loads of youtube reviews on the product. You can see them here…
http://www.moroccanoil-hqhair.com/videos.html
It really is as good as the reviews say. Well for most people anyway. My hair feels really soft. I don’t know the science behind it – but people have been commenting on how good it looks. SO this must be good, no?
I am just wondering if someone has used both moroccan oil and pure argan oil? I have used moroccan oil, but if argon oil has the same effect and tames frizzy hair, ill give that a shot
Coumarin is in cinnamon and chamomile. It is NOT a rat poison but an anticoagulant that is used by humans and in rat poison is made from coumarin.
I have super-damaged, bleach-blonde hair which i straighten every day. My hair dresser put Moroccanoil in my hair the other day and it made my hair feel like hair for the first time in years – it usually feels like straw. I bought my own bottle yesterday and put it in my hair before blow-drying and a little bit in after straightening. It has made my hair feel amazing, and it has not made my hair greasy at all, it absorbs right away
so happy.
I love morracan oil. It works wonderfully for me. I have no problem with it and my hair is very soft and shiny
Jeny
The ingredients in this product look scary. I use organic coconut oil on my hair every week for the same effect. Get a jar and keep it in the bathroom. It’s solid at room temp. but melts in the palm of your hand. Apply enough to cover all strands of hair well and leave it on for an hour, or all day if you want. You don’t even *have* to leave it on, can wash out immed. and still notice a huge difference. After you wash it out, you might not even need conditioner depending on what type of hair you have. Also, you might have to lather up twice to get it all out, unless you want a little oil left behind. Again, depends on your hair type. Experiment! A jar of coconut oil will last you a long time. Much better and safer than all of these silicones, etc.
Moroccan oil is not a bad product but it simply does not cut it to 100% Pure Argan oil that is organic certified without any additives. I use it on my face and hair and its awsome! My GF loves it too!
We get our organic moroccan argan oil from http://www.moroccan-oil.com.au they have super fast shipping and import it direct from Morocco, so we know its the real deal..
M oil is not a bad product, but next to 100% Pure Argan Oil (which it has tiny amounts of that make the actual product work).. it is not as good. Simple, 100% pure Argan Oil imported from Morocco is something you will be crazy about and raving to all you friends, its simply that much better. I use it on my Hair, Skin and Face and get compliments all day long!!
Organic Certified and imported from Morocco with super fast shipping from http://www.moroccan-oil.com.au is where I get it from and recommend.. Even my Moroccan GF has confirmed that the oil is 100% authentic based on its texture..
xoxox
Hello All,
For the people that have contributed to this blog regarding Argan Oil and Breakouts…what is your genetgic makeup? Do you burn easily in the sun?
This is called Fitpatrick Scale (I’m an Esthetician). I am in the process of creating products with Argan oil and would love if you could send me an email with the following:
Type I (scores 0-7) White; very fair; freckles.
Always burns, never tans
Type II (scores 8-16) White; fair.
Usually burns, tans with difficulty
Type III (scores 17-25) Beige; very common.
Sometimes mild burn, gradually tans
Type IV (scores 25-30) Beige with a brown tint; typical Mediterranean Caucasian skin.
Rarely burns, tans with ease
Type V (scores over 30) Dark brown.
Very rarely burns, tans very easil
Type VI Black.
Never burns, tans very easily
~~~~Please respond with Type I, Type II……~~~~You get the picture…Thanks everyone for your help!!!!
Ally
I’ve used an oil called ‘Argan Secret’ cheaper than Moroccanoil the brand it contains hemp oil as well. It smells divine and does the same thing. It’s just as Amazing!
I would like to say that Moroccan Oil is my favorite product I have in my bathroom. I spend some extra money on it MAYBE 3 times a year, using it daily, and not only does it make my hairstylist mad that I dont need her but, even with thick hair, drying my hair is not a chore or added damage to my hair. I dont go a day without it and am hoping to get some for christmas!!!
Ok COUMARIN IS NOT RAT POISON!! It is used mostly as a fragrant and has anti -fungal, anti -tumor effects on the body. It is also a blood thinner! It’s scent is that similar of fresh cut grass. A natural source is
Tonka Beans and tropical beans and Coumarin also occurs in sweet clover, strawberries, cherries, bison grass, woodruff, and apricots. I have a salon and use pure Argan oil ordered from Morrocco and It is amazing! Although the Morroccan oil brand smells and feels a bit slicker. For this reason I add some similar ingredients and it works just as well. Rat poison hahahahah! Don’t believe all that you read online!!:)
Oooomg….Google, people. Coumarin is used to make things smell good. It occurs naturally in cinnamin. In high concentrations, it can be poisonous. It is used as a chemical precursor to make warfarin. Warfarin saves a lot of human lives. Warfarin is also used to kill rats; coumarin is much more toxic to rats than humans because they metabolize it differently.
tl;dr Use this stuff for shiny hair on you. Hemophiliacs might want to avoid is as well as those with pet rats.
Hi, there. I see a lot of debate back and forth about toxic ingredients and rat poison and ingredients that cause cancer. None of that concerns me. It’s like lead in children’s toys. You’d have to suck on that high chair for 10 years before it did you any harm.
This is my concern. I bought the “Light” version for fine and light coloured hair. I had heard that the original — and maybe this one, too — gradually changes your hair colour and makes it brassier. Especially since there’s yellow and red dye in the ingredients (which I’m sure are there just to make the colour of the oil more attractive). But I pay a lot of money to keep my hair a real ASH blond and don’t want to use anything thats going to mess with the Ash colour. Has anybody heard anything on this issue?
Thanks, Beauty brains, for finally getting me a straight answer on this! I’d heard about Moroccan oil, and wondered whether it’s the same thing as Argan oil – bingo. I fell for the Moroccan Oil hair product, despite my initial doubts; if it’s supposed to be 100% pure oil, what would cyclopenthawhatever be doing in it? Keep up the great work – love your blog.
Good post about Moroccan oil/Argan oil. I think some people find it helpful for their hair while others do not.
very informative article about moroccan oil/ argan oil.
thanks!
Hi all,
i have had an allergic reaction to the moroccan Oil in n itchy scalp for the past month, i stopped using for a week and theres been no change yet but I am hoping that was the cause.. has anyone else had an allergic reaction like this? just interested to know…
cheers H
I use Moroccan Oil on my hair all the time. I love it. I also use the shampoo, conditioner and hair spray. My hair is dyed and I think Moroccan Oil takes all the dryness and dullness out my colored hair (blonde).
For me this is the best product I’ve used in a long time. My salon can’t
keep the products in stock.
Wow, I am very prone to reacting to things and have acne prone skin. My hairdresser used MO on my hair and it didn’t have any adverse effects on my hair or skin – btw, my hair is dead straight, fine and tends towards oily so I wouldn’t normally use oil let alone conditioner on my hair as I don’t need to.
If I was going to choose however, I would probably be more interested in Argan oil and add my own choice of essential oils to it e.g. as someone suggested, bergamot, maybe some may chang (litsea cubeba) and maybe even clary sage. Those could make a nice scent and are all beneficial oils.
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