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Moroccanoil

Volumizing Mousse

Styler / Mousse, medium-hold

  • Styler
  • mousse
  • aerosol
  • Sulfate-free
  • Silicone-free
  • Protein-free
  • Cruelty-free · PETA-listed
Size8.5 fl oz
Price$22.40seen at one store · 8.5 oz
Price / oz$4.85/ozat 8.5 oz
Where to buy3 stores · $22.40–59.99

Scent:

The ingredient list declares fragrance. What it smells of is not stated, and we do not guess.

Manufacturer page: moroccanoil.com

Personal fit

Is this right for you?

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Same job for less elsewhere

$4.85/oz at 8.5 oz — more than 84% of the 138 mousses , which mostly run $1.54–4.12/oz.

View alternatives

Great for

Protein-sensitive hairthat stiffens when protein is added
Maximum slipfor hair that tangles the moment it is wet
Curly-method routinesno sulfates and no water-insoluble silicones
Curl definitionfilm formers hold a clump together
Fine hairthat flattens under most products
Silicone-free routinesno silicones appear in the list

Maybe skip if

this product carries a scent
Aerosol avoidancethis is a pressurised can
Tight budgetsit sits in the upper price tiers

Whether this hold level is right for you depends on your density, porosity, and how long your style has to last — that is what the consultation works out.

What the formula actually does

Read from the label, not the marketing

Each row says where it comes from: F means we derived it from this product’s own ingredient list, S means it is a claim the brand makes that the formula neither confirms nor contradicts.

Hold (as stated) Medium

A medium hold, as stated by the brand.

Hold system Synthetic polymer

Synthetic hold polymers — the firmest of the hold systems.

Cast risk Unlikely

Softening ingredients sit alongside the film formers, so a hard shell is unlikely.

Weight on the hair Light

Water-first and light: unlikely to flatten fine hair.

Oil absorption None

No absorbent powders or starches.

Oils and butters Present, lower down

Oils are present, but low enough to be a finishing touch.

Fast-drying alcohol None

No fast-drying alcohol in the list.

Needs detergent to remove No

Nothing here needs a detergent wash to remove.

Fragrance Present

Fragrance is listed; it sits below the working ingredients.

from the formula stated by the brand reported by reviewers Scale: 1 dot low · 5 dots high, within this product type.

Ingredients that matter

The ingredients that change a decision

The workhorse ingredients plus anything lower down that changes a decision. These chips name what an ingredient does — they are not safety scores, and no ingredient here is rated good or bad on its own.

IngredientWhat it doesWhy it mattersChip
WaterAqua/Water/Eau solvent The base everything else is dissolved in Neutral
Isobutane propellant Pushes the product out of the can Neutral
Hydrofluorocarbon 152a propellant Pushes the product out of the can Neutral
Polyquaternium-4 conditioning agent Conditions and softens — this is what makes it comb through Detangles
Polysorbate 20 solubilizer Keeps oils dissolved in water Stabilizes
Propane propellant Pushes the product out of the can Neutral
Soytrimonium Chloride conditioning agent Conditions and softens — this is what makes it comb through Detangles
Propylene Glycol humectant Pulls water into the hair Moisturizes
FragranceParfum/Fragrance fragrance The scent Fragrance
What the list leaves out, and what it carriesNo sulfates, silicones, or drying alcohols. Protein-free: this is built for moisture rather than for strengthening. Contains fragrance. Pressurised aerosol.
Full ingredient list (12)

US labelling rules put ingredients above 1% in descending order of amount; below 1% they may be listed in any order. Annotations keep three readings separate: the ingredient's general function, its role in this product type, and what its position can support.

  • 1 Water · Aqua/Water/Eau
    General function

    The base of almost every rinse-off and cream hair product. It carries everything else and is normally the first ingredient on the label.

    Leading ingredient

    Listed in the first three ingredients, it is likely a structural part of this formula.

    • solvent
  • 2 Isobutane
    General function

    A pressurised gas that pushes an aerosol out of the can and evaporates on contact.

    Leading ingredient

    Listed in the first three ingredients, it is likely a structural part of this formula.

    PubChem
    • propellant
  • 3 Hydrofluorocarbon 152a
    General function

    A non-flammable aerosol propellant used in dry shampoos and finishing sprays.

    Leading ingredient

    Listed in the first three ingredients, it is likely a structural part of this formula.

    PubChem
    • propellant
  • 4 Polyquaternium-4
    General function

    A cellulose-based hold polymer used in gels and sprays for flexible set.

    Supporting ingredient

    Listed in positions 4–8, it likely makes a meaningful contribution alongside the formula's main ingredients.

    May suitCurls or waves needing flexible hold

    Cationic polymers hold a curl loosely and stay soft, which is why they turn up in definition products rather than firm-hold ones.

    May suitFrizz-prone, damaged, or high-friction hair

    A cationic polymer stays on the hair through rinsing, which is what keeps static and combing friction down after the wash.

    May suitMaximum-hold styling

    Film formers are what hold a style: they dry into a connected film across the strands so the shape resists movement.

    • conditioning agent
    • film former
    • polymer
  • 5 Polysorbate 20
    General function

    Keeps fragrance and oils dissolved in a watery formula so it stays clear.

    Supporting ingredient

    Listed in positions 4–8, it likely makes a meaningful contribution alongside the formula's main ingredients.

    • solubilizer
    • emulsifier
  • 6 Propane
    General function

    An aerosol propellant, usually blended with butane to set the spray pressure.

    Supporting ingredient

    Listed in positions 4–8, it likely makes a meaningful contribution alongside the formula's main ingredients.

    PubChem
    • propellant
  • 7 Soytrimonium Chloride
    General function

    A positively charged conditioning agent. Damaged hair carries a negative charge, so it deposits where the damage is and makes wet hair comb through.

    Supporting ingredient

    Listed in positions 4–8, it likely makes a meaningful contribution alongside the formula's main ingredients.

    • conditioning agent
  • 8 Propylene Glycol
    General function

    A small humectant and solvent that keeps formulas stable and helps active ingredients spread.

    Supporting ingredient

    Listed in positions 4–8, it likely makes a meaningful contribution alongside the formula's main ingredients.

    May suitFine or easily flattened hair

    Light and water-binding rather than oily, so it hydrates without contributing weight.

    May suitVery dry or highly damaged hair

    A small water-binding solvent. It holds moisture and helps the rest of the formula spread evenly over the strand.

    DependsClimate-sensitive or frizz-prone hair

    A humectant follows the air: it holds water in humid conditions and can give it up in very dry ones. Climate decides what it does more than the label does.

    PubChem
    • humectant
    • solvent
  • 9 Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil · Argania Spinosa (Argan) Kernel Oil
    General function

    Argan oil. A medium-weight oil used for shine and softness on the outside of the strand.

    Secondary ingredient

    Lower in the ordered portion of the list, it is more likely playing a supporting role than defining the formula.

    May suitDry, coarse, or high-porosity hair

    Coats the surface and slows water leaving the strand, which is usually what coarse hair that dries out fast is missing.

    May suitFrizz-prone, damaged, or high-friction hair

    A thin oil layer lowers friction between strands and flattens the raised cuticle that scatters light and catches on its neighbours.

    • oil
    • emollient
  • ▾Below about this point, order stops being meaningful — these are typically used at 1% or less.
  • 10 Fragrance · Parfum/Fragrance
    General function

    An undisclosed blend of scent ingredients. Regulations let it stay unlisted, so a fragrance-free product is the only way to be certain what is not in it.

    Estimated lower-concentration zone

    It appears around or below the estimated 1% line, where label order no longer indicates relative amount; its role may be minor or technical.

    May not suitFragrance-sensitive routines

    Declared fragrance. On a fragrance-sensitive routine this is the line that decides it, wherever it sits on the label.

    • fragrance
    • declared fragrance
  • 11 Phenoxyethanol
    • preservative
  • 12 Potassium Sorbate
    • preservative

What the whole list adds up to

  • 3 propellants
  • 2 solvents
  • 2 conditioning agents
  • 2 preservatives
  • 1 film former
  • 1 polymer
  • 1 solubilizer
  • 1 emulsifier
  • 1 humectant
  • 1 oil
  • 1 emollient
  • 1 fragrance
  • 1 declared fragrance

Ingredient list captured 2026-08-27. Formulas change — check the package in your hand when an ingredient matters to you.

Price · 8.5 oz

Seen at $22.40 lowest of 2 stores · checked Aug 30
Good value under $8 Under $0.94/oz it costs less than three-quarters of the 8 products we score as doing the same job

Priced above the products that do the same job. Stores sell it above the $8 line; products that do this job typically go for about $9 at this size.

Show the price ladder
Where we’ve seen it4 listings · 3 stores

8.5 ozmost listedBest per ounce

  • Walmart
    $22.40
    8.5 oz · $2.63/oz
    Aug 30Lowest per ozSale · was $28.00
  • Ulta
    $32.00
    8.5 oz · $3.77/oz
    Aug 27
  • Target
    $59.99
    8.5 oz · $7.06/oz
    Aug 30Sale · was $69.99
  • Ulta
    $32.00
    Aug 25

Sorted by price per ounce. Dated observations from our research, not live prices. Direct store pages, no affiliate links. We don’t sell this product. and 2 listings we don’t count — grey-market or unverified sellers.

How we work this out
  1. 8.5 oz is the size stores list most often; every comparison on this page is made at it. Other sizes are shown in the Sizes row and the store list.
  2. Seen at $22.40 is the price we have observed for the 8.5 oz. We need three stores before we call a price commonly seen.
  3. Good value under $8 comes from the 8 products we score as doing the same job as this one. A quarter of them cost less than $0.94/oz; at 8.5 oz that is $8. Under that line you are paying less than most of them.
  4. About $9 is what those same products typically cost at this size — the midpoint of their prices per ounce, scaled to 8.5 oz.

Formula

Formula score
10 of 10

The formula carries what a mouss is built around, and 8 products we score as close matches cost at least a quarter less per ounce. The difference is buying the label, not a different formula.

How the score is counted
  • 8 products we score as doing the same job cost less per ounce
  • Costs more per ounce than 84% of the 138 mousses we’ve priced
  • Covers 6 of the 6 things a mouss should do
  • Reviewers mention 3 things they like about how it performs
  • A hold systemThe polymer, gum, or wax that holds the shape.3 pts
  • Softeners alongside the holdWhat keeps a film flexible instead of brittle.2 pts
  • No drying alcohol in the first threeFast drying without leading on alcohol.2 pts
  • A humectantBinds water into the hair.1 pt
  • A humidity claim with a mechanismThe claim has a film former or silicone behind it.1 pt
  • Fragrance kept out of the top eightScent as a finishing touch, not a major share.1 pt

The formula score is completeness for the job: the share of the systems this product type is normally built around that we can find in this list, weighted. It is not efficacy, not quality, and it never compares across product types.

Does the same job, for less

Same derived functions — what it cleans, conditions, coats or holds — at a lower cost per ounce. Scent, texture and where you buy it can still differ.

AussieStronger hold Miracle Curls Mousse $1.66/oz $3.19/oz less
  • Protein-free
  • Curly method
  • Lightweight
· Close function
Function
  • Oils and butters
Also
  • Value tier
  • 6 oz bottle
Compare
AussieLowest cost per oz Miracle Waves Soft Wave Mousse $1.03/oz $3.82/oz less
  • Protein-free
  • Curly method
  • Lightweight
· Close function
Function
  • Oils and butters
Also
  • Drugstore tier
  • 6 oz bottle
Compare
John FriedaClose function Frizz-Ease Dream Curls Curl Reviver Mousse $1.32/oz $3.53/oz less
  • Protein-free
  • Curly method
  • Lightweight
Function
  • Film formers
Also
  • Vegan
  • Drugstore tier
  • 7.2 oz bottle
Compare

See more alternatives in the product library

These are functional neighbours, not personal recommendations — they are close on formula, not chosen for anyone. Get the one that fits your hair, routine, and budget

Suits every hair pattern

Final decision

Should you buy it?

Good for the right person, not the lowest cost
Best user

Hair that stiffens on protein who want a protein-free formula and real detangling slip

Biggest tradeoff

Less suited to anyone sensitive to fragrance, people avoiding aerosols, or people shopping on a budget

Best alternative if not

Aussie Miracle Curls Mousse, for similar results at a lower price

We do not sell products or take placement fees. This page states what the formula and the prices show; the consultation is what matches it to a person.

Claims check

What the brand says, against what the formula shows

Claims are quoted from the brand. We only mark one supported, partly supported, or conflicting when the ingredient list actually speaks to it; everything else stays "stated by the brand", which is not a criticism — most claims simply cannot be read off a label.

3
SupportedBacked by ingredients
0
Partly supportedSome supporting logic
1
Stated by brandNo clear evidence
0
Potential conflictFormula works against claim
flexible hold

Softening ingredients sit alongside the hold polymers, which is what keeps a film flexible.

  • Polyquaternium-4
  • Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil
Supported

Natural movement without stiffness.

flake-free

No flake-prone resins sit high in the list, but flaking depends on how much you use.

—

Stated by brand

Can’t be confirmed from label.

builds body

It reads light on the strand, which is what volume claims depend on.

  • Polyquaternium-4
Supported

Leaves room for lift.

lasting volume and movement

It reads light on the strand, which is what volume claims depend on.

  • Polyquaternium-4
Supported

Leaves room for lift.

How to read this

We look at the first 10–15 ingredients and what they do in a formula — not marketing. If the list doesn't speak to a claim, we don't assume.

Reviewers

What people report

Recurring themes our researchers wrote in their own words from sourced reviews. We do not store or scrape star ratings.

Gives flat hair extra volume and smells amazing

reviewer using it as a routine product

Lightweight, airy texture that doesn't feel sticky or crunchy, works well for everyday styles and loose waves

regular user of the product

Non-sticky volume without stiffness, leaves hair soft and full of movement

reviewer with wavy hair

Did nothing for fine, straight hair -- no body, no lift, no hold despite following directions

reviewer with fine, straight hair

More from Moroccanoil

How this page was made

  • Everything above is generated from our researched product record — identity, the ingredient list as printed, the brand's own claims, dated price observations, and review themes written in our researchers' own words. No part of this page is written per product.
  • The value band is a fixed label over two stored numbers: this product’s cost per ounce as a percentile of every product of this type we have priced, each at the size it is most often sold in, and how many products we score as doing the same job cost at least a quarter less per ounce.
  • Both scores out of ten are defined on this page. The formula score is completeness for the job, computed from a fixed per-format checklist shown beneath the gauge; the price score is cost per ounce against every product of this type we have priced.
  • The "Is this right for you?" panel reads only your own consultation answers, and it applies exactly the filters our recommendation engine applies. It is computed when you load the page and is never stored on it.
  • 2 sources consulted for this product (1 manufacturer or regulatory, 1 retailer, 0 editorial), last checked 2026-08-27.
  • Ingredient references are linked for 1 of 4 product-aware annotations on this page. Fit notes are conditional formulation guidance, not a conclusion about the finished product or about you.
  • We have not tested this product in a lab and we do not physically test your hair. Formula readings come from the ingredient list; behaviour claims are labelled as the brand's.
  • Ingredient order tells you relative amount only above roughly 1%. Prices are observations on the dates shown and change without notice.
  • Ingredient names link to our ingredient library, where each entry shows what it does, which product types use it, and where it usually sits on a label across everything we have researched.
  • This is cosmetic information, not medical advice, and nothing here diagnoses or treats a health condition.
  • Formula readings: derivation v22. Record last updated 2026-08-27.

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