Marula Oil vs Argan Oil: What's the Difference?

If you’ve spent time reading haircare labels, you've likely noticed marula oil and argan oil as hero ingredients. They're often grouped together as "luxury oils." While they share some similarities, they behave very differently on hair — and those differences matter for shine, softness, strength and overall manageability especially for fine, color-treated hair. 

In this guide, our cosmetic chemists break down how marula oil and argan oil interact with hair fibers, which hair types benefit most, and why formulation matters just as much as the oil itself. By the end, you’ll know which oil is the best fit for your hair routine.

---

What are Marula Oil and Argan Oil? 

Argan oil: comes from the kernels of the argan tree, native to Morocco. It has been used for generations in skin and hair care and is prized for adding shine and smoothness.

Marula oil: comes from the nuts of the marula tree in Southern Africa, is newer to mainstream beauty markets but has a long history of traditional use. It is unusually lightweight, absorbs quickly, and offers strengthening benefits that make it ideal for fine or color-treated hair.

Both Oils:

• Are plant oils
• Contain fatty acids and antioxidants
• Improve softness and shine
• Work as conditioning agents 

But they are not interchangeable. Their chemical structures and how they interact with hair fibers differ — and that difference impacts performance.

---

Fatty Acid Profiles: Why They Matter 

The fatty acid composition determines an oil's behavior on hair:

Marula Oil: 

• ~70-75% oleic acid for smoothness and slip 
• High linoleic acid to support flexibility and moisture retention 
• Lightweight, absorbs easily, minimal buildup 

Argan Oil: 

• Balanced oleic and linoleic acid ratio
• Slightly richer and more occlusive 
• Can coat the surface, adding shine but potentially heavier on fine hair 

In practice:

• Marula oil tends to absorb more easily into the hair fiber.
• Argan oil sits more on the surface, enhancing shine but possibly flattening fine hair

---

Weight, Absorption, and Feel on Hair

A common misconception: "Natural oils are lightweight." That's not always true — especially when comparing marula oil and argan oil.

While both are often grouped together as “nourishing oils,” they behave quite differently once applied to hair. Oils don’t hydrate in the way water does — instead, they work by coating the fiber, reducing moisture loss, and improving flexibility. As cosmetic chemists at The Beauty Brains explain, the key difference comes down to fatty acid structure and how each oil interacts with the hair cuticle. 

Marula oil:

• Lightweight and low in viscosity, spreads evenly across strands 
• Needs only small amounts to soften and manage hair 
• Ideal for: fine to medium hair, color-treated strands that needs softness without buildup & hair prone to looking flat or greasy

Argan oil:

• Richer, can feel heavy if overapplied 
• Sits more on the hair surface, enhancing shine
• Works well for coarse or extremely dry hair
• Provides shine and smoothness, but may dull volume in finer textures. 

By understanding these differences, you can choose the oil that supports your hair type and styling goals — whether you want shine, softness, or lightweight conditioning.

---

Strength, Elasticity, and Long-Term Hair Health

Both oils protect hair, but in different ways:

Marula oil:

• High in antioxidants like vitamin E and polyphenols
• Protects against environmental stress, UV, and heat styling
• Improves hair tensile strength and elasticity over time — meaning hair bends better before it breaks.

Argan oil:

• Enhances immediate smoothness and shine
• Benefits are more surface-level unless formulated carefully into a haircare system

Why it matters: The oil alone doesn’t do all the work — how it’s formulated in a product can make the difference.

---

Why Formulation Matters More Than the Oil Alone

Oils don’t work in isolation. How they’re delivered — and what they’re paired with — determines whether they actually benefit hair or just make it feel temporarily softer.

When properly formulated in conditioners, oils like marula perform especially well because they’re emulsified with other conditioning agents. This helps the oil:

• Smooth the cuticle
• Reduce porosity
• Improve softness without buildup

This is why we chose marula oil as one of our primary ingredients for our Signature Conditioner, where it works alongside other conditioning ingredients to deliver slip, shine, and strength without weighing hair down. (You can explore the full formulation philosophy on our Signature Conditioner product page.)

---

So… Which Is Better?

There’s no universal “better” oil — but there is a better oil for your hair type and routine.

Choose marula oil if you want:

• Lightweight hydration
• Strength and elasticity support
• Shine without heaviness
• A formula that works well for frequent washing or color-treated hair

Choose argan oil if you have:

• Very coarse or extremely dry hair 
• Hair that benefits from a richer surface coating 

And if you’re curious about what makes marula oil such a standout ingredient overall, we go deeper into its structure, benefits, and sourcing in our full article on the benefits of marula oil for hair.

---

The Bottom Line: Choosing the Right Oil for Your Hair 

Marula oil and argan oil may look similar on a label, but they behave differently on hair. Understanding these differences helps you choose products that don’t just promise shine — they support long-term hair health and performance.

When properly formulated, marula oil offers a rare combination of softness, strength, and lightness, making it an effective, everyday haircare workhorse rather than a fleeting trend ingredient.