Argan Oil for Hair | Maria Nila True Soft Range Guide

Argan oil has earned the nickname "liquid gold" for good reason. Pressed from the kernels of the argan tree in Morocco, it's one of the most concentrated natural sources of vitamin E, essential fatty acids and antioxidants in the world. For dry hair specifically, it's one of the few oils that genuinely delivers on its promises: deep moisture, real strengthening and serious shine, without leaving the hair greasy or weighed down.

The Maria Nila True Soft collection is built around argan oil from start to finish. Every product in the range is infused with it, and the whole system is designed for naturally dry hair that needs softening, smoothing and reviving. We've sold Maria Nila at Revive in Codsall for years, and True Soft is consistently one of our go-to recommendations for clients dealing with dryness. Here's the proper salon guide to why argan oil works, and how to use the full True Soft routine.

Why Argan Oil Is So Good for Hair

Most hair oils sit on the surface of the hair and add temporary shine. Argan oil is different because the molecular structure is small enough to actually penetrate the hair shaft, where it can do its work from the inside rather than just on the outside. That's the technical reason it's so effective. Three things happen when you apply it consistently:

• It moisturises and softens. Argan oil penetrates the cuticle and hydrates the hair from within. Unlike heavier oils that coat the surface, argan absorbs cleanly without leaving a greasy residue, which is why it suits fine and medium hair as well as thick.
• It strengthens. The high vitamin E and essential fatty acid content reinforces the hair shaft and reduces breakage. Over time, regular argan oil use can genuinely make hair feel more resilient, with fewer split ends.
• It enhances shine. By smoothing the cuticle and adding a thin protective layer, argan oil reflects light evenly off the strand, giving the kind of mirror-finish shine that's hard to achieve any other way.

For a deeper dive into the science of cuticle smoothness and why it transforms how hair looks, see our cold water rinse guide, which explains the same principle from a different angle.

Introducing Maria Nila True Soft

Maria Nila is the Swedish vegan haircare brand that's become a salon favourite for its clean formulations and visible results. The True Soft range is the brand's flagship line for dry hair, with every product built around the same argan oil hero ingredient, supported by a complementary blend of nourishing botanicals.

The full True Soft system covers:

• Shampoo and conditioner for daily wash-day softening
• Masque for weekly deep nourishment
• Booster Masque for fast-acting in-shower treatment
• Argan Oil as a finishing treatment for damp or dry hair

What sets Maria Nila apart from generic argan oil ranges is the wider formulation. It's not just argan and filler. The True Soft products are 100% vegan, 100% cruelty-free, sulphate-free, paraben-free and colour-safe. The brand is also climate-positive certified, which is one of the higher sustainability standards in professional haircare.

Maria Nila True Soft Shampoo

Maria Nila True Soft Vegan Shampoo is the entry point for the whole range. It's specifically formulated for naturally dry hair to soften, strengthen and reduce frizz and static all in one wash. The formula combines argan oil with a thoughtful blend of botanical actives: shea butter, moringa oil, rapeseed oil and sunflower seed oil. Each one targets a different aspect of dryness.

• Argan oil for the core moisture, strength and shine benefit
• Shea butter for rich emollience and softness through the lengths
• Moringa oil for antioxidant protection and shine support
• Rapeseed oil for omega fatty acids that condition and add suppleness
• Sunflower seed oil for sealing moisture into the hair shaft

The result is a shampoo that genuinely cleanses without stripping the hair of moisture, which is the main fault of cheaper shampoos for dry hair. Most "moisturising" shampoos in supermarkets either don't cleanse properly (leaving build-up that flattens the hair) or do cleanse properly but strip the moisture they then try to add back. True Soft is one of the rare formulas that does both jobs at once.

It's also sulphate-free, which matters particularly for colour-treated, keratin-treated or chemically processed hair. Sulphates strip the colour and the treatment alongside the dirt; sulphate-free formulas like this one don't.

Sizes available: 100ml travel, 350ml standard, 1 Litre salon size.

Note on damaged hair: If your hair is dry because it's chemically damaged or over-processed (rather than just naturally dry), you'll get better results with the Maria Nila Structure Repair range. The Structure Repair Shampoo contains algae extract that focuses on rebuilding damaged hair, alongside the moisturising support. Browse our wider conditioner for dry hair collection if you want to compare options across professional brands.

Maria Nila True Soft Conditioner

Maria Nila True Soft Conditioner is the daily-use conditioner that pairs with the shampoo to give the full duo treatment. Argan oil at the centre, supported by the same botanical blend as the shampoo. It detangles, smooths frizz and locks in moisture, with a lightweight formula that nourishes without weighing the hair down. Suitable for daily or every-other-day use depending on how often you wash.

How to use it: After shampooing, apply the conditioner to the mid-lengths and ends only (never the roots — that's the most common cause of conditioner making hair look flat or oily). Leave for 1 to 2 minutes. Rinse with cool water for maximum smoothness and shine.

Sizes available: 100ml travel, 300ml standard.

Maria Nila True Soft Masque

Maria Nila True Soft Masque is the weekly deep-treatment step that takes the routine from "noticeably better hair" to "genuinely transformed hair." Where the conditioner sits on the hair for 1 to 2 minutes, the masque sits for 5 to 10 minutes, giving the argan oil and the supporting botanicals much more time to penetrate the cuticle and work inside the hair shaft.

The result, after just one use, is hair that's noticeably softer, smoother and shinier — and after consistent weekly use, hair that's structurally more resilient and visibly healthier through the lengths and ends.

How to use it: Apply to freshly shampooed, towel-dried hair (squeeze out excess water first so the hair is damp, not soaking). Spread evenly through the mid-lengths to ends. Leave for 5 to 10 minutes — use the time to do the rest of your shower routine. Rinse thoroughly. Use weekly.

For more on hair masks across professional brands, browse our treatments and masks collection.

Maria Nila True Soft Booster Masque

Maria Nila True Soft Booster Masque is the time-saver of the range, designed for clients who want the depth of a masque treatment without spending 10 minutes in the shower. It's a fast-acting two-in-one that replaces both conditioner and weekly mask in a single 3-minute step.

The clever thing about this product is the concentrated formula. At just 3 minutes of contact time, it delivers similar nourishment to a much longer mask treatment, because the active ingredients are dialled higher. Apply after shampoo, focus on the lengths, wait 3 minutes (long enough to wash your face or shave), rinse, and you're done. The hair comes out feeling softer than it would after a normal conditioner, in less time than a normal mask.

How to use it: After shampooing, apply the Booster Masque to damp hair, focusing on the lengths. Leave for 3 minutes. Rinse thoroughly. Use 1-3 times a week, or whenever you want a shortcut to deeper conditioning. Perfect for busy mornings or evening showers when you don't have time for a longer mask routine.

Maria Nila True Soft Argan Oil

Maria Nila True Soft Argan Oil is the finishing product of the range, and arguably the one that does the most visible work day to day. It's a pure, lightweight argan oil treatment that gets applied to damp or dry hair to enhance smoothness and shine, tame flyaways and protect against environmental damage.

Unlike heavier oils that can weigh fine hair down, the True Soft Argan Oil absorbs cleanly without leaving the hair greasy. The technique matters here — too much and you'll feel coated, too little and you won't notice it. Start with one or two drops and build from there.

How to use it:

• On damp hair after washing: Apply a small amount (1-3 drops depending on hair length) to the mid-lengths and ends as the final step before styling. Locks in moisture and adds shine.
• On dry hair to refresh: Use 1 drop rubbed between your palms, then smoothed over the surface to tame flyaways and add shine between washes.
• Before heat styling: A small amount before blow-drying or heat styling adds smoothness and helps lock in the finish. Browse our heat protection collection for additional thermal protection if you heat-style regularly.

For other hair oils across professional brands, browse our wider hair oil collection.

The Complete True Soft Routine

The five True Soft products are good on their own, but together they form a system that genuinely transforms dry hair. Here's the routine we recommend in the salon for clients dealing with persistent dryness:

1. Wash with True Soft Shampoo. Double cleanse for best results — first wash removes oil and product buildup, second wash delivers the argan oil and botanicals.
2. Apply True Soft Masque (weekly) or True Soft Booster Masque (if short on time). For mask, leave for 5-10 minutes. For booster, leave for 3 minutes. Focus on mid-lengths and ends. Rinse.
3. Follow with True Soft Conditioner. On non-mask days, this is your routine. On mask days, you can skip the conditioner since the mask has already done that work. Leave for 1-2 minutes. Rinse with cool water for shine.
4. Towel dry gently. Press out excess water with a microfibre towel or T-shirt rather than rubbing.
5. Apply True Soft Argan Oil to damp hair. A few drops on the mid-lengths and ends locks in everything you've just done and adds the finishing shine.
6. Style as usual. The hair is now properly hydrated, smooth and protected.

For more on making blow-dry styles last, see our how to make your style last all day guide.

Who Should Use the True Soft Range?

True Soft suits:

• Naturally dry hair that's never quite hydrated enough no matter what you use
• Frizz-prone hair caused by dryness rather than damage
• Coarse, thick or curly hair that benefits from the heavier nourishment of argan oil
• Colour-treated hair where the sulphate-free formula protects the dye
• Vegan or cruelty-free routines where ethics matter alongside performance
• Heat-styled hair that needs help recovering between styling sessions

True Soft is less ideal for very oily roots (where the rich formula might feel too heavy on the scalp — apply to mid-lengths and ends only), or for chemically damaged hair (where the Maria Nila Structure Repair range is more appropriate). For other hair concerns, browse our wider shampoo for dry hair and sulphate-free shampoo collections.

Argan Oil and True Soft FAQs

Will Maria Nila True Soft make my hair greasy?

No, when used as directed. Argan oil specifically is known for absorbing into the hair shaft rather than sitting on the surface, which is what causes greasiness with heavier oils. The True Soft formula is designed to nourish without leaving a greasy residue. The most common cause of "greasy" results is over-applying the products to the roots — keep conditioner, mask and oil on the mid-lengths and ends only.

Is True Soft suitable for fine hair?

Yes, despite the rich-sounding formula. Argan oil is one of the lighter natural oils for hair, so it absorbs cleanly even on fine textures. For fine hair, use slightly less product per application and avoid the roots completely. Start with one or two drops of the oil rather than the standard amount. For more fine-hair-specific routines, see our how to add volume to fine hair guide.

How often should I use the True Soft Masque?

Once a week for most clients. Very dry, coarse or damaged hair may benefit from twice a week. If your hair starts to feel weighed down, scale back to once every two weeks. The Booster Masque can be used 1-3 times a week as a faster alternative if you don't have time for the longer mask.

Can I use True Soft on colour-treated hair?

Yes. The whole range is colour-safe and sulphate-free, so it won't strip dye or shift tone. Argan oil also helps lock in colour by smoothing the cuticle, which slows the rate at which pigment fades. For more colour-safe options across brands, browse our shampoo for coloured hair collection.

What's the difference between argan oil shampoo and argan oil treatment?

Argan oil shampoo is a cleanser with argan oil added to the formula — the oil supports the wash but rinses out with the shampoo. Pure argan oil treatment (like Maria Nila True Soft Argan Oil) is a leave-in product applied to damp or dry hair, where it stays on the hair rather than rinsing off. Both have their place: the shampoo for the consistent everyday benefit, the oil for the finishing shine and protection.

Is True Soft vegan and cruelty-free?

Yes to both. Maria Nila is 100% vegan and 100% cruelty-free across the entire brand, certified by Vegan Society and Leaping Bunny respectively. The brand is also climate-positive certified, sulphate-free, paraben-free and colour-safe.

How long does each True Soft product last?

For weekly mask use and 2-3 washes a week with shoulder-length hair: the 350ml shampoo and 300ml conditioner each last roughly 3-4 months, the 250ml masque lasts roughly 3 months at weekly use, and the argan oil (used sparingly) lasts considerably longer — 6 months or more is common. The 1 Litre shampoo is the best-value option for daily users or anyone with longer hair.

Can I use True Soft alongside other brands?

Yes. While the range is designed to work together as a system, you can absolutely mix it with other products. For example, using True Soft Shampoo and Conditioner alongside a different brand's heat protectant or styling product is completely fine. The argan oil is also brilliant as a finishing oil on top of any wash-day routine, not just Maria Nila's.

What if my hair is damaged, not just dry?

If your hair is dry because of chemical damage (bleach, colour, perm, keratin), the Maria Nila Structure Repair range is a better fit. Look at the Structure Repair Shampoo, Conditioner, Masque and Leave-In Cream. The Structure Repair range contains algae extract specifically targeted at repairing damaged hair, alongside the moisturising support. You can also alternate between Structure Repair and True Soft if your hair has both concerns.

Browse the full Maria Nila collection at Revive, our wider shampoo for dry hair and conditioner for dry hair collections, our complete hair oil collection, or our vegan shampoo range. We're a working hair salon, not a faceless reseller, so if your hair is genuinely dry and you've not had luck with previous routines, drop us a message and we'll help you decide between True Soft and Structure Repair (or a mix of both).

Free UK delivery on every Maria Nila order at Revive Hair Artists.