MoroccanOil Treatment (yes it’s actually spelt as one word) is a lightweight hair serum that enhances shine and manageability and reduces the appearance of split ends and damage. Described on its website as “oil-infused” it’s self-credited as “creating the worldwide buzz on argan oil”. It can be used as a conditioning, styling and finishing tool and can do wonders when applied to your hair!

But there’s a little confusion around what exactly it is. Whilst the marketing leans heavily on argan oil - you might have to send out a search team to locate it on the ingredients list. And despite winning multiple awards in “Hair Oil” categories, most notably it’s never actually referred to as oil in MoroccanOil’s own marketing. Curious.

The short answer: depends. The main issue around silicones is their ambiguous marketing. Many believe silicones share the same benefits as plant oils and other emollients, due in large part to the claims made by silicone-based products that masquerade as oils cough cough.

This, however, couldn’t be further from the truth and problems arise when silicones and oils are used interchangeably.

Silicones are synthetic, “film-forming” emollients that form a thin barrier over the cuticle layer of your hair, resulting in sleek, shiny and softer hair.

This barrier is also the reason silicones are used in many products that focus on protection such as heat protection, anti-frizz and humidity, and strengthening treatments. Similar to occlusive oils and butters, this barrier also prevents moisture loss helping hair stay hydrated for longer.

So what’s the problem with silicones?

Well, you might have noticed that those are all surface-level benefits, and therein lies the issue with silicones. Unlike oils, butters, esters, humectants and other hair conditioning agents, silicones don’t penetrate the hair shaft and have little to no actual conditioning abilities.

Starting to see the problem?

In fact, that protective barrier is more like a double-edged sword. It doesn’t only stop moisture from getting out, it blocks it from getting it. Silicones severely limit the penetrating capacity of other emollients once they’ve been applied.

This only exasperates the issue of dryness as you’re unable to moisturise your hair properly until the silicones are removed.

And on that note, silicones can be difficult to remove (hence why they provide such long-lasting protection).

Benefits of this DIY Moroccan Oil Treatment include:

• Boosting shine, softness and prolonging styles
• Weightless application that doesn’t weigh your hair down or leave strands greasy
• Improving slip and manageability of hair to reduce damage through styling
• Limiting frizz and the appearance of damage and split ends

Consider the MoroccanOil Treatment and other silicone-based hair products as “sealants”, meant to enhance and prolong your (already moisturised) hair.