The original, what makes it special, the shelf parts we use and how to get closer. Add or swap parts and the score updates.
The original · Moroccanoil
$30 · 8.5 oz
A silicone and fatty-alcohol conditioner with a cationic conditioning agent, argan oil and a blend of herbal extracts.
Prices and listings checked Oct 28, 2026. Amazon prices change; the link shows today's price.
Step 2 · The build
e.l.f. SKIN
Partial credit means the part only partly matches that standout.
The 100 points
We split Moroccanoil Hydrating Conditioner into 5 standout parts. Each bar shows what the build earns.
The conditioning base (Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Polyquaternium-37) is what coats and detangles the hair after the rinse. A shelf formula with the same kind of base does the same job.
Silicones add slip and shine and help cut combing damage. Dimethicone, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol do that here.
Humectants (Propylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate) pull in water and keep the hair feeling soft.
Oils and butters (Canola Oil, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate) soften the hair and seal in moisture.
Hydrolyzed proteins and amino acids (Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein Pg-Propyl Silanetriol) are added to coat and temporarily fill rough spots on the hair surface.
Optional
93 / 100. We have not found a shelf product that closes more of the gap yet.
Step 3 · Buy
One link per part. Each opens the retailer in a new tab.
Your build
Running total $9
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Snapshot prices. Each link shows today's price.
One bottle instead of a build. Sorted by match score; scores use the same standouts as above.
e.l.f. SKIN
Why it is close. Same cationic plus silicone plus argan structure.
Not an affiliate link.
Garnier
Why it is close. Same structure; $5.47 at Target.
Not an affiliate link.
e.l.f. SKIN
Running total
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e.l.f. SKIN
Garnier
Running total
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Garnier
In a lab test on hair colored with oxidative dye, adding conditioning agents (a silane/panthenol blend, PEG-12 dimethicone, or hydrolyzed silk and milk protein) cut protein loss and combing damage compared with dye alone.
da 2018 · J Cosmet DermatolA combing test found bleaching raises hair breakage and that nearly all anti-breakage products on the market pair silicones with cationic polymers.
Haake 2009 · J Cosmet SciA dermatology review explains how shampoos and conditioners work and what they can and cannot do for hair.
Gavazzoni 2015 · Int J TrichologyAQUA/WATER/EAU, DIMETHICONE, CETEARYL ALCOHOL, PARFUM/FRAGRANCE, BEHENTRIMONIUM CHLORIDE, ACETAMIDE MEA, CANOLA OIL, ARGANIA SPINOSA (ARGAN) KERNEL OIL, ALLIUM SATIVUM BULB EXTRACT, ANTHEMIS NOBILIS FLOWER EXTRACT, ARCTIUM LAPPA ROOT EXTRACT, ARNICA MONTANA FLOWER EXTRACT, HEDERA HELIX (IVY) EXTRACT, LAMIUM ALBUM FLOWER EXTRACT, NASTURTIUM OFFICINALE LEAF EXTRACT, PINUS SYLVESTRIS BUD EXTRACT, ROSMARINUS OFFICINALIS (ROSEMARY) LEAF EXTRACT, HYDROLYZED VEGETABLE PROTEIN PG-PROPYL SILANETRIOL, CITRIC ACID, ACRYLATES COPOLYMER, POLYQUATERNIUM-37, PPG-1 TRIDECETH-6, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, SORBITAN OLEATE, PROPYLENE GLYCOL DICAPRYLATE/DICAPRATE, ISOPROPYL ALCOHOL, DISODIUM EDTA, CHLORPHENESIN, PHENOXYETHANOL, POTASSIUM SORBATE, ALPHA-ISOMETHYL IONONE, LINALOOL, HYDROXYCITRONELLAL
We split Moroccanoil Hydrating Conditioner into 5 standout parts worth 100 points in total. The build earns 93 of a possible 100. A full 100 needs every standout fully covered.
e.l.f. Never Thirsty Moisturizing Conditioner by e.l.f. SKIN is our closest single-product match at 93 out of 100 for $9 (12 fl oz). It shares Behentrimonium chloride, Amodimethicone, Argan oil.
Moroccanoil Hydrating Conditioner costs $30 for 8.5 oz. The closest dupe costs $9, a saving of about $21. Prices change, so check the seller page.
No. Dupes share the key actives but can differ in concentration, vehicle and supporting ingredients. Missing from this one: Dimethicone. See our methodology for how we score.
Olaplex · bond-repair
$10.99our build, 1 partOriginal $34, build $10.99.
Not Your Mother's
Olaplex · conditioner
~$18.78our build, 2 partsOriginal $34, build ~$18.78.
Neutrogena + Not Your Mother's
Olaplex · dry-shampoo
~$17.98our build, 2 partsOriginal $30, build ~$17.98.
Not Your Mother's