Sebastian Dark Oil vs Moroccanoil Treatment: Which Hair Oil Suits You?

Updated November 2026. UKIYO prices are our live online prices; other brands' prices are NZ RRPs we checked in November 2026.

Moroccanoil is the bottle most people picture when they think "hair oil". We get asked about it at the basin all the time, usually by someone who has a half-used bottle at home and wants to know if what we use on them is any different. We don't stock Moroccanoil, so read this knowing we sell the other one. We've tried to be straight about where it wins.

What is Moroccanoil Treatment?

Moroccanoil Treatment is the oil that started the whole oil-for-hair craze. Moroccanoil describes it as an argan oil-infused treatment, with linseed extract, for all hair types. The brand says it detangles, controls frizz and flyaways, adds shine and speeds up blow-drying. It comes as Original and Light; Light is the one aimed at fine or light-coloured hair. There's also a Purple version for blondes. Sizes are 25ml, 100ml and 200ml, and the 100ml sits at $89 RRP at the NZ stockists we checked, though you'll often find it cheaper on special.

What is Sebastian Dark Oil?

Dark Oil Styling Oil is Sebastian's lightweight styling oil, built on argan and jojoba, with a warm, spicy scent people either love or ask about every time they smell it on someone else. It goes on damp hair before a blow-dry or on dry hair to finish. It comes in 30ml ($29.88) and 100ml ($54.95).

The difference from Moroccanoil is mostly in the range around it. Dark Oil has one oil, then the Taming Elixir ($49.24), a thicker serum-cream for coarse or very frizzy hair, and the Silkening Hair Mist ($43.08) for a light refresh on dry hair. There's also a shampoo, conditioner and mask if you want the smoothing to start in the shower. Our Dark Oil guide goes through every product.

Dark Oil vs Moroccanoil: side by side

Which is better for frizz?

On frizz, honestly, both work. What decides it is how much oil your hair can take. Fine to medium hair that goes fluffy in a Wānaka nor'wester does well with Dark Oil, because one pump is enough and it doesn't sit on the hair. If you have thick, coarse or curly hair and a light oil seems to vanish, you need more weight. That's where Moroccanoil Original is a fair pick. Within Sebastian, the Taming Elixir is our answer for that hair.

For more on frizz beyond oil (shampoo, drying technique, humidity), see our frizzy hair guide.

Which is better for fine hair?

Dark Oil, used sparingly. We use it on fine hair in the salon every week. Put one pump in your palm, rub your hands until they're nearly dry, and go through the ends only. If you're set on Moroccanoil, buy the Light version, not the Original. For fine hair the Original is the one that ends up feeling heavy.

Is Moroccanoil worth it in NZ?

It's a well-made oil, and if you love it there's no reason to switch. On price, at RRP Moroccanoil Treatment works out at about $0.89 a ml in the 100ml. Dark Oil 100ml is $0.55 a ml at our price. Both brands suggest one to two pumps, so the cost per use follows roughly the same gap. Moroccanoil is widely discounted in NZ, so if you buy it, shop around.

How to use either oil without it going greasy

• Start with one pump. You can always add a second.
• Mid-lengths and ends only. Keep it off the roots.
• On damp hair it helps the blow-dry; on dry hair it finishes and tames flyaways.
• Neither is our heat protectant. Before straighteners or a curling wand, use Sebastian Trilliant first. Our heat protectant guide explains why.

Want something richer to finish? Potion 9 Super Luxe Drops ($60.35) give more polish on dry, fluffy ends. Our best hair oil guide compares every oil we stock, including the Kérastase oils.

Our pick

For most hair we see, Dark Oil. It's light, it lasts, and the range has a heavier option if you need one. If your hair is thick or curly and you already get on with Moroccanoil Original, keep using it; that's an honest recommendation, not a polite one. UKIYO is Wella New Zealand's No.1 Sebastian Professional retailer. Questions about your hair? Flick us an email or book in and we'll show you on your own hair.

The full Sebastian range at UKIYO

If the comparison above doesn't quite fit your hair, one of the other ranges probably does. Every link goes to the collection with live prices:

• Dark Oil: smoothing and shine for frizz-prone hair
• Potion 9: leave-in conditioning and styling for dry, unruly hair
• NO.BREAKER: bond building for bleached, coloured or breaking hair
• Penetraitt: repair care for damaged, brittle lengths
• Hydre: moisture for dry, thirsty hair
• Twisted: definition for waves and curls
• Volupt: volume for fine, flat hair
• Shaper hairsprays and the rest of the Sebastian styling range
• SEBMAN: hair and beard care for men

Or browse everything from Sebastian Professional in one place.

Questions we get asked

Is Sebastian Dark Oil like Moroccanoil?

They do a similar job. Both are styling oils that smooth frizz, add shine and help a blow-dry, and both are built on argan oil. Dark Oil adds jojoba and is lighter on the hair. Moroccanoil Treatment comes in Original and a Light version for fine hair.

Which is better for frizz, Dark Oil or Moroccanoil?

Both control frizz. Dark Oil suits fine to medium hair because it is light. For thick, coarse or curly hair that soaks oil up, Moroccanoil Original or Sebastian's Dark Oil Taming Elixir give more weight.

Is Moroccanoil worth the money?

It is a well-made oil. At its NZ RRP of $89 for 100ml it costs more per ml than Sebastian Dark Oil, but it is often discounted, so compare current prices before you buy.

Is there a Moroccanoil alternative in NZ?

Sebastian Dark Oil Styling Oil is the closest alternative we stock. It comes in 30ml and 100ml and is used the same way, one to two pumps through damp or dry ends.

Can I use Dark Oil on fine hair?

Yes. Use one pump on the ends only, rubbed into your palms first. If your hair looks oily afterwards, use less rather than switching products.

Is hair oil a heat protectant?

We don't use either oil as a heat protectant. Before straighteners or curling irons, use a dedicated heat protectant such as Sebastian Trilliant, then oil to finish.

Does UKIYO sell Moroccanoil?

No. We stock Sebastian Dark Oil and Kérastase oils, among others. This comparison is here because clients ask us about Moroccanoil all the time.

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Everything we sell is genuine salon stock, bought through the brands' New Zealand distributors and shipped from our salon on Helwick Street in Wānaka. Free NZ shipping over $75.

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More Sebastian guides

• Dark Oil: the complete range
• Potion 9: the cult leave-in
• NO.BREAKER: bond building explained
• NO.BREAKER vs Olaplex
• Penetraitt: repair for damaged hair
• Hydre: moisture for dry hair
• Twisted: curls without the crunch
• Volupt Max for fine hair
• Hairsprays: Re-Shaper vs Zero Gravity vs Fierce
• Every Sebastian styling product
• Trilliant: heat protection with shine
• Where to buy Sebastian in NZ
• NO.BREAKER vs K18

Shop the full Sebastian Professional range