Marula Oil vs Argan Oil for Hair: What’s the Difference?

If you’ve spent any time reading ingredient lists or haircare labels, you’ve likely seen both marula oil and argan oil praised as hero ingredients. They’re often grouped together as “luxury oils,” and on the surface, they do share some similarities. But from a formulation standpoint, they behave quite differently — and those differences matter when it comes to performance, especially for fine hair, color-treated hair, and everyday use.

Our team of cosmetic chemists look beyond trends and focus on how ingredients actually interact with hair fibers. Let’s break down what sets marula oil and argan oil apart, how each performs on hair, and why formulation context is just as important as the oil itself.

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A Quick Look at the Oils

Argan oil is derived from the kernels of the argan tree, native to Morocco. It’s been used for generations in skin and hair care and is best known for adding shine and softness.

Marula oil comes from the nuts of the marula tree, native to Southern Africa. While it’s newer to the mainstream beauty market, it has a long history of traditional use and has gained attention for being unusually lightweight with impressive strengthening benefits.

Both are plant oils. Both contain fatty acids and antioxidants. But chemically and practically, they’re not interchangeable.

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Fatty Acid Profile: Where the Real Differences Begin

From a formulation perspective, the fatty acid makeup of an oil tells you a lot about how it will behave on hair.

Marula oil is particularly high in oleic acid (often around 70–75%), which gives it excellent slip and softness without excessive weight. It also contains meaningful levels of linoleic acid, which supports the hair’s moisture barrier and flexibility.

Argan oil also contains oleic and linoleic acids, but in a more balanced ratio. This gives argan oil a slightly richer feel and stronger surface-coating effect.

In practice:

- Marula oil tends to absorb more easily into the hair fiber.
- Argan oil is more likely to sit on the surface, which can be helpful for shine but can feel heavy on finer textures over time.

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Weight, Absorption, and Feel on Hair

One of the biggest misconceptions about oils is that “natural” automatically means lightweight. That’s not always the case.

Marula oil has a lower perceived viscosity and spreads extremely well, meaning you need less to achieve softness and manageability. This makes it especially well-suited for:

- Fine to medium hair
- Hair that’s prone to looking flat or greasy
- Color-treated hair that needs softness without buildup

Argan oil, while effective, can feel richer and more occlusive — particularly when overapplied or layered repeatedly. For coarse or very dry hair types, that richness can be beneficial. For others, it can lead to dullness or limp ends over time.

While both marula oil and argan oil 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 have explained, the real difference comes down to fatty acid structure and how an oil interacts with the hair cuticle over time.

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Strength, Elasticity, and Long-Term Hair Health

Another important distinction is how these oils support hair strength.

Marula oil contains antioxidants like vitamin E and polyphenols that help protect hair proteins from environmental stress, including UV exposure and heat styling. Early research and in-use studies suggest that consistent marula oil application can improve tensile strength and elasticity — meaning hair bends better before it breaks.

Argan oil is excellent for improving immediate smoothness and shine, but its benefits tend to be more surface-level unless it’s carefully formulated into a system that promotes proper deposition.

This is one reason we talk so much about systems, not single ingredients.

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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 nicer.

In conditioners, oils like marula perform especially well because they’re emulsified with conditioning agents that help evenly distribute and anchor them to the hair fiber. This allows the oil to:

- 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.)

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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 your hair is very coarse, extremely dry, or 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.

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The Bottom Line

Marula oil and argan oil may look similar on an ingredient list, but they behave very differently on hair. Understanding those differences helps you choose products that don’t just promise shine — but actually support the long-term health and performance of your hair.

In well-designed formulas, marula oil offers a rare combination of softness, strength, and lightness. When used intentionally, it becomes less of a trend ingredient and more of a quiet workhorse, the kind that makes your hair feel better wash after wash, not just for the moment.