If you care about your hair, then chances are, you have bought Argan or Moroccan oil in the past. Either that, or you’re reading this because you are planning to!
Either way, there are always questions about which oil you should choose, and there is no one right answer.
Argan vs Moroccan oil has always been up for debate, but we have some interesting information that you will wish you knew sooner.
Here, we will be going through which oil you should choose for your hair, and which is the overall best – the answer might actually surprise you.
Argan Oil Vs. Moroccan Oil
Let’s dive right into what Argan and Moroccan oil are. We will cover all the basics in the section below to help you make an informed decision about which oil you should get for your hair.
About Argan Oil
Argan oil is a pure oil and comes from the nuts of the argan tree, which primarily grows in Morocco’s Atlas mountains.
The oil is extracted carefully from the nuts when they are pressed. The oil is not refined, so it is beautifully pure with nothing added.
While there are different ways of manufacturing this oil, the nuts are typically collected, sun-dried, and dehulled.
Once the kernels have been collected, they are cold pressed for cosmetic purposes. If the oil is used for non-cosmetic purposes, it will be roasted before being pressed.
Argan oil has specialized elastomers. This allows the oil to easily penetrate the hair when it gets applied, and the excess product will get absorbed into the hair.
When this happens, the oil can help to replenish and rejuvenate brittle and dry hair while not leaving the hair greasy.
What Is Argan Oil Good For?
Argan oil is great for hair that is damaged or dry. Not only can it help with split ends and nourishing the hair, but it can also help to boost the growth of your hair.
Of course, argan oil will also make your hair wonderfully shiny and lustrous, and who doesn’t want that?
A 2013 study in Brazil found that individuals who used Argan oil on their hair reported that their hair quality improved, as did their hair’s dye retention.
It was found that this oil can help to protect the hair from commercial conditioner and hair coloring damage.
Argan oil can also be used in other instances too! It can be used on the skin to help hydrate it, slow aging, regulate sebum (oil) production, and even potentially treat acne.
About Moroccan Oil
While Argan oil is pure, Moroccan oil is not. This is actually a mix of different ingredients – one of them being Argan oil! There are also a number of other additives and oils that are combined to create Moroccan oil.
Common ingredients in Moroccan oil include thing like Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicone, Cyclomethicone, Butylphenyl, Methylpropional, Argania Spinoza Kernel Oil (Argan Oil), Linum Usitatissimum (Linseed) Extract, Parfum (Fragrance), D&C Yellow-11, D&C Red-17, Coumarin, Benzyl Benzoate, and Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone.
However, this may vary depending on the brand of Moroccan oil, so if this is something you are concerned about, you should always check the label before you purchase it.
Since Moroccan oil consists of numerous ingredients, it is usually more watery or less viscous than pure argan oil.
This may be something to consider when considering whether to buy it or not, as it can be messier and spill easily compared to argan oil.
What Is Moroccan Oil Good For?
These additional ingredients in Moroccan oil means that this type of oil is a good choice for hairstyling and similar things.
The oil and its additives ensure that hair is more likely to hold whatever shape it is put into compared to pure Argan oil.
However, this oil is not a good option if you want to use it specifically for damaged hair. This is because it does not have the elastomers that we previously mentioned.
The additional ingredients and refining on this oil mean that it loses some of its natural beneficial properties.
What Are The Benefits Of These Oils?
As we briefly mentioned, these two oil types serve different functions. Argan oil is a pure oil that is good for repairing hair and rejuvenating it.
Moroccan oil, on the other hand, is a combination of oils and other ingredients. This oil is better for styling and will help to make your hair more manageable.
Which Oil Is Better For Your Hair?
Objectively, argan oil is better for your hair because it actually has repairing properties. This type of oil contains elastomers, which is what allows it to help your hair be healthier and aid in making split ends better.
Argan oil will help you get great long-term hair health results. This type of oil is getting more and more scientific evidence to back up its impressive claims.
For generations, this oil was (and still is) used by Berber women in order to nourish both their hair and skin.
Moroccan oil doesn’t have these elastomers, and is primarily used for styling and making your hair more manageable. It will not soak into your hair like argan oil will, and help to prevent dry hair.
It’s a great choice for dealing with frizz, especially if you have frizzy hair after blow-drying. However, it shouldn’t be used all the time, as it contains silicones, which can build up. This can cause damage to your hair if it builds up too much.
Something To Remember
While these oils both serve a purpose, you need to consider your specific needs before you go out and purchase your oil of choice.
If you would like to improve your hair’s health in the long-term, then argan oil is definitely the right option for you.
However, that is not to say that you should go out and buy just any argan oil! All argan oil is not made equal, and where some will be worth the money, other products will not be.
When it comes to argan oil (and most oils), purity is important. You should always aim to find the purest argan oil you can.
These pure, unrefined oils will have all the benefits and nutrients that you are looking for. Premium argan nuts will make a huge difference in the quality of the final product.
We would recommend trying to source your argan oil directly from people in Morocco.
For example, there are women-founded cooperatives within the Atlas mountains (like Little Moroccan Thing’s premium argan oil), which use the traditional methods of cold pressing the oil to get the best results.
Just a few drops of this spectacular oil can make such a difference in your hair and skin. You can massage it into your scalp once a week to stimulate growth and promote healthy hair, and also feed it through the ends of your hair as a mask.
Use a small amount to leave in the ends of your hair for daily use, and you will see results quickly.
Final Thoughts
Argan oil can make a huge difference to the health of not only your hair, but your skin, too. When it comes to choosing between Argan vs Moroccan oil, you need to know what you want to get out of using the product.
Argan oil is good for replenishing your hair and promoting good health, while Moroccan oil is good for styling and reducing frizz.
It’s important to remember that Argan oil and Moroccan oil are not the same thing, despite many sources claiming that they are.
Argan oil is pure, while Moroccan oil has a number of additives and other oils, though it does contain argan oil.
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