Moroccan Oil versus One 'N Only Argan Oil Treament
*The picture shows the small travel size of the One 'N Only Argan oil as my Sally's did not have the full size in stock.*
Raves poor in about this amazing Moroccan Oil but what does it do for your hair? It really depends on who you ask. Looking at their site the oil hydrates and revives your hair. Looking at their ingredients tells a different story. Their product is full of different silicones. Even the One 'N Only version uses some silicones.
I can not say what their reasons are for using all the extra ingredients other than silicones can create a tempting silky feeling and beautiful shine. I can tell you that not all silicones are a danger to the hair if know how to get the silicones out of the hair to prevent build-up. Most shampoos containing sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) will remove the silicones. I do not have the time to go over sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) but a quick google search will give you plenty of information. There are water soluble silicones that can be hair friendly and still provide that same wonderful look and feel. Sadly, neither product makes use of those silicones.
My Experience:
To save you suspense the I like the One 'N Only Argan Oil Treatment (here to referred as ONOA) over the Moroccan Oil (here to referred as MO). When I started testing the two I was blown away by both. They both seemed very much alike. I have thick hair but the texture is fine and I found myself struggling trying to find the right amount of oil to use. If I under used my hair had this odd half silky feeling. If I over used my hair felt a bit greasy and would not completely dry. I ended up having to rewash my hair if I over used. I found a good method that worked for my short hair. I would comb out my wet hair and tip the bottle upside down on my hand. I only use the very thin layer left behind after I put the bottle right side up. I rub the oil in hands and then work it into my hair by sections.
Between the two products the MO is hard to vary the correct amount needed to get that perfect silky feeling. If I did not get the exact amount right for my hair I would end up with greasy yet dry feeling on my hair and it not fully dry until hours later. After a few days of using MO my hair felt as if I needed a razor to scrape the build up off of my hair. I rarely use SLS containing shampoo unless I am washing with my Lush shampoo. I could quickly tell that if I was to use the MO I would have to switch away from co-washing or using any of my SLS free shampoo products. Another blogger Pink Sith wrote a very detailed review on MO. Now, if only I had listened to her and saved my money.
ONOA has less silicones which for me means less faster build up. It gives me the same results as MO and cost less. I noticed that if I happen to use a bit more than needed I did not have hair drying issues or that odd greasy feeling as I do with MO over use unless I really went overboard.
A long time staple of mine has been Oscar Blandi Jasmine Oil Serum which does contain silicones but I have never had a build up issue. I have no idea why it has never caused problems as a some of the silicones are used in MO and ONOA. I only use the Oscar Blandi Jasmine Oil Serum about once a week if that because I never felt the need to use the product more. I found with MO and ONOA the more I used it the more I "needed" to use it. The serum last a very long time and smells much better than MO or ONOA to me.
While I am not loving MO or ONOA as much as I did when I first started using it I will say if you want to try the argan craze go for the One 'N Only Argan oil treatment that you find at Sally's Beauty Supply for much cheaper!
Side note: I know many will disagree with me but argan does make your (or at least mine) oily if I did not use the right amount. I have an oily scalp with normal ends. My hair is henna and indigo dyed.
One 'N Only Argan Oil Treatment Ingredients: Dimethicone, Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethiconol, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Fragrance (Parfum), Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Yellow 11 (CI 47000), Red 17 (CI 26100)
Sally different ingredients:
Dimethiconol - form of silicone and not water soluble (that means you need things like SLS & so forth to wash it out of your hair, co-washing maybe just cause more build up)
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate - emollient for light conditioning and silky feeling, ok for sensitive skin
Moroccan oil different ingredients:
Cyclomethicone - form of silicone, not water soluble but you can wash this version out with less harsher chemicals (co-washing should be ok for this one for removal pending your conditioner does not contain icones)
Butylphenyl MethylPropional - synthetic fragrance, possible skin irritant
Linseed (Linum Usitatissimum) Extract - Non-volatile plant oil, AKA flax seed oil
Coumarin - Organic compound found in plants, it is found in many plants and is the smell of fresh mowed hay
Benzyl Benzoate - this one is a little complicated, it is not good for those with perfume allergies, used for killing mites responsible for scabies, it is from benzyl alcohol (organic found in plants) and benzoic acid (preservative), chances are it is used here for fragrance stability
Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone - synthetic fragrance compound yet it is also called an organic compound on some sites, irritate the skin and trigger allergic reactions, oddly has been approved for food flavoring but get this "The IFRA Standard restricts the use of mixed isomers of methyl ionone (including Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone) in fragrances because of potential sensitization." It has been banned from being used in fragrances but can still be used in things that are not consider to be in the fragrance category.
The similar ingredients: Dimethicone - form of silicone and not water soluble (that means you need things like SLS & so forth to wash it out of your hair, co-washing may just cause more build up)
Cyclopentasiloxane - silicone fluid used for dispersing thicker greasier silicones
Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil - A nutrient-rich, nourishing and emollient oil from the thorny evergreen Moroccan ironwood
