Moroccanoil Treatment comes in three versions that look nearly identical on the shelf: the Original, Light and the Treatment Mist (Ultra-Light). Pick the wrong one and fine hair can end up heavy, while thick or curly hair may not get enough slip. This guide settles the Moroccanoil Treatment Original vs Light question, and where the Mist fits, using Moroccanoil’s own directions: the formula, who each version is for, how much to use, salon layering, and how its purpose differs from Olaplex Nº.7 and K18 oil.
Key takeaways
- Moroccanoil Treatment is an argan oil-infused styling and finishing product. Its official ingredient list starts with two silicones, cyclomethicone and dimethicone, then argan oil.
- Moroccanoil recommends Original for medium to thick or curly hair, Light for fine or light-colored hair, and the Mist for all hair types, calling it great for fine hair.
- Apply it to clean, towel-dried hair from the mid-lengths to the ends. Start small: the Light directions say 1–2 pumps.
- It is a styling base and finisher. It does not replace conditioner, UV protection or a dedicated heat protectant under hot irons.
What Moroccanoil Treatment is
Moroccanoil describes Treatment as a multitasking, argan oil-infused hair oil that smooths frizz, detangles, conditions and boosts shine, and calls it “the foundation for all hairstyles.” It is a leave-in for damp hair, as a primer before styling, or dry hair, as a finishing touch. The brand says it speeds up drying time and that one application increases shine by up to 118%, according to an independent study.
What is in the bottle
Moroccanoil’s published ingredient list for Treatment Original:
Cyclomethicone, Dimethicone, Argania Spinosa (Argan) Kernel Oil, Parfum/Fragrance, Linum Usitatissimum (Linseed) Seed Extract, CI 26100 (Red 17), CI 47000 (Yellow 11).
U.S. labels list ingredients in descending order of predominance, except that ingredients at 1% or less may follow in any order (FDA). So the two silicones make up more of the formula than the argan oil does.
- Cyclomethicone is a volatile silicone. A 2025 review of silicones in hair care notes that volatile silicones evaporate after application, leaving a lightweight finish.
- Dimethicone is a water-insoluble silicone. Per the same review, silicones form a thin film that reduces combing friction, limits moisture loss, adds shine and helps block humidity, which controls frizz.
- Argan oil, the signature ingredient, is described by Moroccanoil as rich in essential fatty acids, antioxidants and vitamin E, helping to hydrate and soften hair.
- Linseed extract comes from flaxseed, a source of alpha-linolenic acid, per the brand. Fragrance and two color additives complete the list.
Moroccanoil itself separates Treatment from its Pure Argan Oil, which is 100% argan oil. Treatment is an argan oil-infused formula on a silicone base, not straight argan oil.
Original vs Light vs Mist: who each one is for
All three contain argan oil and linseed extract, but Moroccanoil makes them for different hair.
| Treatment Original | Treatment Light | Treatment Mist (Ultra-Light) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moroccanoil recommends it for | Medium to thick or curly hair (labeled for all hair types) | Fine hair, and light-colored hair including platinum, white and gray | All hair types; “great for fine hair” |
| Format and feel | Oil the brand calls fast-absorbing and non-greasy | Same benefits, “lighter in formulation, texture and color” | Alcohol-free dry-oil spray with a “light-as-air” feel |
| Leading ingredients | Cyclomethicone, dimethicone, argan oil | Same list as the Original on Moroccanoil’s site | Isododecane, trisiloxane, dimethicone |
| Amount in the directions | “A small amount” | 1–2 pumps | Adjustable sprays, mid-lengths to ends |
Treatment Original
Use the Original for medium to thick or curly hair, Moroccanoil says. Its education team adds that long, coarse, curly and dense hair can generally handle more product than short, fine, straight or sparse hair.
Treatment Light
Light was created for fine hair and for light-colored hair, including platinum, white and gray. Moroccanoil says it delivers the same benefits as the Original but is lighter in formulation, texture and color, and its U.S. and U.K. sites list the same ingredients for both. For light hair, the brand suggests Light when brassiness is not a concern and its separate Treatment Purple when it is.
Treatment Mist (Ultra-Light)
The Mist is an alcohol-free spray with its own formula, led by isododecane, trisiloxane and dimethicone, with argan oil, linseed extract and plant extracts further down. Moroccanoil calls it a light-as-air dry oil spray for damp hair before blow-drying or dry hair to smooth frizz. The brand recommends it for refreshing second-day hair and curls, and says it protects against thermal damage based on instrumental testing.
How to use Moroccanoil Treatment, step by step
- Shampoo and condition. Moroccanoil says Treatment does not replace conditioner.
- Towel-dry. The directions call for clean, towel-dried hair, not dripping wet hair.
- Rub a small amount between your palms. Light: 1–2 pumps. Original: “a small amount.”
- Apply from the mid-lengths to the ends and distribute with your fingers or a detangling comb.
- Blow-dry or air-dry. As a styling base, it helps detangle and, per the brand, speeds up drying time.
- Finish on dry hair with a tiny amount on the ends and flyaways, or a light pass of the Mist. It can make split ends look smoother, but only a trim removes them.
How much for different hair
Moroccanoil publishes no pump count by length for the Original. Its education team says the amount depends on length, texture, formation (straight, wavy or curly) and density, and to add more only as needed. In practice:
- Short or fine hair: Light or the Mist, starting with one pump of Light.
- Medium length or density: 1–2 pumps of Light, or a small amount of the Original on thicker strands.
- Long, thick, coarse or curly hair: the Original, adding more in small steps.
Common mistakes
- Too much on fine hair. Fine hair gets weighed down, and the silicone review notes that water-insoluble silicones such as dimethicone can build up with long-term use, particularly on fine or oily hair, and suggests clarifying periodically. See our clarifying shampoo guide.
- Starting at the roots. Every Moroccanoil direction for Treatment says mid-lengths to ends. Oily roots between washes call for dry shampoo instead.
- Relying on it for heat or sun. Moroccanoil says Treatment helps protect against thermal damage but points to a dedicated heat protectant for more protection, and says Treatment does not protect against UV. Before flat irons and curling irons, read how to use heat protectant.
- Using it to fix protein or moisture problems. For deeper conditioning, Moroccanoil points to its masks. If hair feels mushy, overly stretchy or straw-like, work out whether it needs protein or moisture first.
Using Moroccanoil Treatment at the chair
Moroccanoil says Treatment can be used with all of its other products. Here is one way to build a blowout with the items we carry. Follow each label.
- Bowl. Cleanse with Hydrating Shampoo, which the brand calls sulfate-free and color-safe. On frizz-prone hair, leave Frizz Control Conditioner on the mid-lengths and ends for 1–2 minutes, then rinse.
- Mask add-on. For dry hair, comb Intense Hydrating Mask through towel-dried hair, leave it 5–7 minutes and rinse. Moroccanoil suggests mixing in a few drops of Treatment.
- Detangle. Spray All in One Leave-in Conditioner through towel-dried hair and comb it through.
- Styling base. Work Treatment or the Mist through the mid-lengths and ends.
- Frizz Shield last. Frizz Shield Spray is heat-activated, so Moroccanoil says to apply it last before blow-drying. Dry in sections.
- Finish. Smooth the ends with a drop of Treatment. For updos and event styles, set with Luminous Hairspray Extra Strong, sprayed from about 10 inches (25 cm).
For oily roots between visits, Dry Shampoo Dark Tones has a subtle tint for dark hair. Spray it 6–8 inches (15–20 cm) from dry roots, let it dry, massage and brush out; keep Treatment on the ends. Stocking both Original and Light at each station lets you match the hair in the chair; our hair salon supply checklist covers the rest.
After color services
Moroccanoil says Treatment can be used on color-treated hair, including after the brand’s own Color Rhapsody permanent cream color or Color Calypso demi-permanent gloss. Before any color service, do an allergy alert test 48 hours ahead. Moroccanoil’s Color Rhapsody directions say a preliminary patch test should always be performed; our 48-hour patch test guide walks through it.
Moroccanoil Treatment vs Olaplex Nº.7 and K18 oil
All three are leave-in oils for damp or dry hair, but each brand builds its oil for a different job. This compares purpose, not performance.
| Moroccanoil Treatment | Olaplex Nº.7 Bonding Oil | K18 Molecular Repair Hair Oil | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Built around | Argan oil and linseed extract on a silicone base | Silicones plus Olaplex’s bond-building ingredient, bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate | K18Peptide with squalane, avocado and sunflower oils; the brand calls it silicone-free |
| Brand’s stated purpose | Condition, detangle, speed drying, smooth frizz and add shine | A weightless styling oil for shine, softness, frizz control and strength to reduce breakage | Strengthen and repair damaged hair, reduce frizz and add shine |
| Starting amount (brand) | A small amount (Light: 1–2 pumps) | 2–3 drops | 1–3 drops |
| Where it fits | Everyday styling base and finisher for any hair type | Styling step in an Olaplex routine; the brand says it suits chemically treated hair | After the K18 mask: mask, wait 4 minutes, then oil, wait 4 more minutes |
For a client already on an Olaplex or K18 routine, Olaplex Nº.7 Bonding Oil or K18 Molecular Repair Hair Oil keeps that routine consistent. See our Olaplex vs K18 guide for how the two repair systems work.
Shop Moroccanoil Treatment at OBB
We carry these Moroccanoil products at our Westminster store. Sizes vary with stock.
- Moroccanoil Treatment Original, Treatment Light and Treatment Mist (Ultra-Light)
- Hydrating Shampoo, Frizz Control Conditioner, Intense Hydrating Mask and All in One Leave-in Conditioner
- Frizz Shield Spray, Luminous Hairspray Extra Strong and Dry Shampoo Dark Tones
- Color Rhapsody and Color Calypso in Color, Developer & Lightener
Browse shampoos, conditioners, masks and oils in Hair Care and sprays in Styling & Heat Protection, or call or text (949) 591-5304 with your list and we will confirm stock and pricing.
FAQ
Is Moroccanoil Treatment Light better for fine hair?
Moroccanoil recommends Light for fine hair and the Original for medium to thick or curly hair. Light has the same benefits in a lighter formulation, texture and color. The brand also calls the Mist great for fine hair.
Does Moroccanoil Treatment have silicone?
Yes. Cyclomethicone and dimethicone are the first two ingredients on the official list, ahead of argan oil. The Mist also contains silicones.
Is Moroccanoil Treatment a heat protectant?
Moroccanoil says it helps protect against thermal damage, but for more heat protection the brand recommends a dedicated heat protectant spray. Add one before flat irons and curling irons.
How often can you use Moroccanoil Treatment?
As often as you like, according to Moroccanoil: start with a small amount and reapply as needed. On fine or oily hair, clarify now and then to remove silicone buildup.
Sources
- Moroccanoil, Treatment Original, Treatment Light and Treatment Mist
- Moroccanoil UK, Treatment Original FAQ
- Moroccanoil, How Much Hair Product Should You Use? (2020)
- Moroccanoil, product pages: Hydrating Shampoo, Frizz Control Conditioner, Intense Hydrating Mask, Leave-in Conditioner, Frizz Shield Spray, Luminous Hairspray Extra Strong, Dry Shampoo Dark Tones
- Moroccanoil Professionals, Moroccanoil Treatment, Color Rhapsody and Color Calypso
- OLAPLEX, Nº.7 Bonding Oil; Wikipedia, Olaplex (bond-building ingredient)
- K18, Molecular Repair Hair Oil
- Skin Appendage Disorders, With or without Silicones? A Comprehensive Review of Their Role in Hair Care (2025)
- U.S. Food & Drug Administration, Cosmetics Labeling Guide
This article is general education for licensed professionals. Always follow the instructions that come with the product you are using. Moroccanoil, Olaplex and K18 are trademarks of their respective owners. OBB is an independent beauty supply store and is not affiliated with these brands.