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 sulfate-free cleanser built on sarcosinate and betaine-type surfactants, with a seaweed extract blend and argan oil.
Prices and listings checked Oct 28, 2026. Amazon prices change; the link shows today's price.
Step 2 · The build
e.l.f. SKIN
Not Your Mother's
Adds: Cleansing system
Partial credit means the part only partly matches that standout.
The 100 points
We split Moroccanoil Hydrating Shampoo into 4 standout parts. Each bar shows what the build earns.
The cleansing system sets how the shampoo lathers and how hard it washes. Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Cocamidopropyl Betaine do this job here.
Humectants (Glycerin, Xylitylglucoside, Anhydroxylitol) pull in water and keep the hair feeling soft.
Cationic conditioning polymers cling to wet hair and cut tangles. Polyquaternium-7 play that role here.
Oils and butters (Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride) soften the hair and seal in moisture.
Optional
96 / 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
View product (opens in new tab)Not an affiliate link.
Running total ~$17.99
View product (opens in new tab)Not an affiliate link.
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. Argan-containing moisture shampoo (the e.l.f. ingredient list is from a retailer page, not the maker site).
Not an affiliate link.
Not Your Mother's
Why it is close. Hydrating shampoo, same function.
Not an affiliate link.
e.l.f. SKIN
Running total
View product (opens in new tab)Not an affiliate link.
e.l.f. SKIN
Not Your Mother's
Adds: Cleansing system
Running total
View product (opens in new tab)Not an affiliate link.
Not Your Mother's
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 dermatology review explains how shampoos and conditioners work and what they can and cannot do for hair.
Gavazzoni 2015 · Int J TrichologyAQUA/WATER/EAU, SODIUM LAUROYL SARCOSINATE, COCAMIDOPROPYL HYDROXYSULTAINE, COCAMIDOPROPYL BETAINE, PARFUM/FRAGRANCE, LACTAMIDE MEA, GLYCERIN, ACRYLATES/PALMETH-25 ACRYLATE COPOLYMER, ARGANIA SPINOSA (ARGAN) KERNEL OIL, CHONDRUS CRISPUS EXTRACT, ASCOPHYLLUM NODOSUM EXTRACT, LAMINARIA SACCHARINA EXTRACT, PALMARIA PALMATA EXTRACT, UNDARIA PINNATIFIDA EXTRACT, XYLITYLGLUCOSIDE, PEG-150 PENTAERYTHRITYL TETRASTEARATE, ANHYDROXYLITOL, SODIUM PCA, STYRENE/ACRYLATES COPOLYMER, PEG-6 CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC GLYCERIDES, CITRIC ACID, LAURIC ACID, POLYQUATERNIUM-7, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, XYLITOL, SODIUM SARCOSINATE, TETRASODIUM EDTA, POLYSORBATE 20, DISODIUM EDTA, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, PEG-20 GLYCERYL LAURATE, GLUCOSE, TOCOPHEROL, LINOLEIC ACID, RETINYL PALMITATE, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, DIETHYLHEXYL SYRINGYLIDENEMALONATE, PHENOXYETHANOL, SODIUM BENZOATE, POTASSIUM SORBATE, CHLORPHENESIN, ALPHA-ISOMETHYL IONONE, LINALOOL, HYDROXYCITRONELLAL
We split Moroccanoil Hydrating Shampoo into 4 standout parts worth 100 points in total. The build earns 96 of a possible 100. A full 100 needs every standout fully covered.
e.l.f. Never Thirsty Moisturizing Shampoo by e.l.f. SKIN is our closest single-product match at 86 out of 100 for ~$9 (12 fl oz). It shares Argan oil, Sulfate-free cleansers.
Moroccanoil Hydrating Shampoo 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. We found no key active missing. 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