Argan Oil vs. Moroccan Oil
Argan oil is one of the most coveted oils on the planet and has become a staple in the cosmetic industry. However, not all argan oil is made equal. If you have heard of argan oil, chances are you have heard of Moroccan oil, too. But is there a difference between the two? The answer is yes!
Argan Oil
Argan oil, affectionately dubbed “liquid gold,” is produced in the stunning country of Morocco. While argan oil initially flew under the radar in the beauty industry, it has been a go-to beauty secret for Moroccan women for centuries. Collected from the fruit of the argan tree, the argan oil is pressed from the kernels inside the nut of the fruit.
There is one single ingredient in argan oil - the argan oil itself. When in its purest form, it is full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that promote all-over radiance. The oil is composed of fatty acids — oleic acid and linoleic acid — as well as Vitamin E.
Linoleic acid, also known as omega-6, and oleic acid are essential to the well-being of your body. When argan oil is applied to the skin, it dives deep into the lower layers, moisturizing from the inside out. These fatty acids also aid in hydration and shine levels in hair.
Argan oil is rich in Vitamin E, the vitamin responsible for healthy skin, hair, and eyes. Vitamin E improves water retention in the skin, keeping it soft, smooth, and bouncy, as well as reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It also helps boost cell production and hair growth. Vitamin E in argan oil can also moisturize dry, brittle nails, strengthening nail beds to encourage growth.
These benefits are just the beginning. The antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of argan oil can be an effective treatment for acne along with other products and can be useful for those with dry, flakey skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. Additionally, the dense nutritional value has been proven to improve the scalp environment, making it easier for hair to grow long and strong.
To put it simply — argan oil is the jack-of-all-trades.
Moroccan Oil
Moroccan oil was inspired by the powerhouse argan oil. It is a refined argan oil and has been highly commercialized in the past few years, especially in terms of the hair care industry.
Commercial Moroccan oil has been mostly branded as the perfect oil for hair transformation. It is said to boost shine, detangle, and speed up drying time, making hair smooth, nourished, and manageable.
Most Moroccan oils you’ll find on the shelves will be full of additional ingredients blended with argan oil. In fact, if you look at a handful of products branded as Moroccan oil products, you’ll see that argan oil (argania Spinosa Kernel Oil) is typically the fourth or fifth ingredient, with silicones and fragrance being the first.
If you’re unfamiliar with ingredient lists, the ingredients are listed by quantity, with the largest amount of a single ingredient listed first. Therefore, many Moroccan oil products could contain more filler and fragrance than actual argan oil.
What’s the Difference?
Argan oil is Moroccan oil, but Moroccan oil is not true argan oil. In other words — the term “Moroccan oil” is used by various brands to market products that contain argan oil.
The biggest differences between argan oil and Moroccan oil products you’ll find on the shelves are the ingredients and their intended use. While Moroccan oil is marketed towards hair care, argan oil can be used for a variety of beauty regimens including hair, skin, and nail care. And since argan oil is 100% pure, there are no worries about additional ingredients, unlike many Moroccan oils.
