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You hear a lot about Argan oil these days, and now Marula oil has hit the scene. The beauty world is buzzing about these two oil, but which one is better? I am on a quest to find out.
In this Marula oil vs. Argan oil article you will learn:
- The similarities of these oils
- How these oils differ
- Skin benefits of each and what makes them unique
- Which one is best for which skin type
Marula Oil vs Argan Oil:
The Similarities
Both Argan and Marula oil are extracted from the kernels of fruit. These kernels are hand harvested by the women of the region they are grown in. The Marula tree is from South Africa and the Argan tree is from Morocco.
These “miracle oils” are not only revered as skin care oils, they are also edible. Each of these oils has a long history with the people of the region they grow in, being used for both food and beauty.
Both of These Oils Offer:
- Potent anti-aging effects
- Essential fatty acids that nourish the skin
- Vitamin E
- Help heal and repair the skin
- Antioxidants that fight the signs of aging
- A long shelf life that resists oxidation
- No need for preservatives
- Plant sterols and polyphenols
Argan Oil Vs Marula Oil
Essential Fatty Acids
These oils both contain a list of fatty acids, but I will focus on the two that are excellent in skin care; Oleic acid and Linoleic Acid. The composition of these fatty acids is one of the key differences between Marula and Argan oils. It will determine which of these oils of right for you.
Oleic Acid (mono-unsaturated Omega 9)
- protects the skin from the sun
- penetrates the skin very well, bringing moisture deep into the skins surface
- promotes wound healing
- reduces inflammation and repairs the skin
- is found in our own skin’s sebum
- richer and heavier, seals in moisture
- great for dry skin
Linoleic Acid (poly-unsaturated Omega 6)
- used as an anti-inflammatory
- retains moisture
- effective in cell regeneration
- heals the skin barrier
- is an Omega oil that our body cannot produce on it’s own
- lighter and thinner, will nourish and protect without being too heavy
- great for oily skin
Argan oil has a good balance between Oleic (44-55%) and Linoleic Acids (28-36%) - Source
Marula Oil is very high in Oleic acid (70-78%), with a hint of Linoleic acid (4-9%) - Source
Tocopherols (Vitamin E)
Vitamin E is a potent antioxidant, blocking free radical damage caused by exposure to UV rays. Vitamin E also boosts collagen production, helping to maintain skin elasticity and prevent wrinkle formation.
Argan oil contains 60 - 90 mg/100 g of Vitamin E (with 90 % of it being gamma-tocopherol). - Source
Marula oil contains 13.7 mg/100 g Vitamin E most notably Gamma-tocopherol. - Source
Phytosterols
Phytosterols are lipid-like compounds that stimulate pore detoxification and strengthen the skins natural lipid barrier, protecting the skin. They leave the skin feeling soft while reducing inflammation and delaying the aging process. Phytosterols boost collagen production and help the skin retain it’s moisture. - Learn more about them here.
Argan Oil has a sterol content of 130 - 230 mg/100 g with most of it being Schottenol. Schottenol stimulates the balance, regeneration and healing of the skin, hair and nails. - Source
Marula oil has a sterol content of 287 mg/ 100 g with β-sitosterol being the highest (60%) and 5-avenasterol (16% coming in second. 5-avenasterol is known to act as an antioxidant. - Source
Carotenoids
These are responsible for the red coloring in fruits and vegetables. Carotenoids are an integral part of a healthy immune system, they help us fight aging and other kinds of damage.
Our skin absorbs these carotenoids and uses them to heal sun damage and protect our skin from the environment.
Argan Oil contains carotenoids
Marula Oil does not contain carotenoids
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a free radical scavenger. It triggers collagen production and reduces hyper-pigmentation.
Argan Oil does not contain Vitamin C
Marula Oil contains Vitamin C
Benefits of Argan Oil
Argan oil is great on the skin, hair and nails. This easily absorbed oil helps lessen fine facial lines and imperfections, works to revive elasticity and tone, and fights inflammation.
Since it’s so lightweight, it’s a versatile oil for the face, and many regular users say it helps reduce acne. It has a shelf life of 2 years.
- Rich in proteins, which help contract the skin, minimize wrinkles and enhance elasticity.
- An intensely powerful UV defender.
- Superb at repairing cell membranes.
- Inhibits premature aging.
- Helps our skin retain moisture.
- Non-greasy and non-oily, absorbing easily into the skin.
- Extremely abundant in carotenes, vitamin E, squalene and phenols.
- Free radical stabilizer.
- Diminishes inflammation.
- A natural bactericide.
Unique Attributes
Argan oil contains squalene, a fat-soluble antioxidant that protects our skin from UV damage and absorbs fat-soluble toxins. Our skin’s own sebum is comprised of 25% squalene, making it able to penetrate deeply into our skin. It is a natural bactericide and healer.
The Polyphenols in Argan oil have anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, anti-aging and antioxidant properties.
Argan Oil's most notable polyphenol is Ferulic Acid. Its antioxidant capability increases after exposure to ultra-violet radiation. This makes it really powerful against the damaging effects of UV radiation.
Argan oil also contains D-7 Stigmasterol, a plant sterol that is very rare and revered highly for treating skin diseases, healing wounds and repairing compromised skin tissue.
Argan oil is Best for People with Normal - Oily Skin
Benefits of Marula Oil
Marula oil works well on dry, chapped, sensitive and sun damaged skin. It helps reduce redness and minimize scars.
It protects against environmental aggressors, boosts cellular activity, reverses photodamage, and hydrates at the deepest levels of the skin.
Marula oils can be used from head to toe, on skin, hair and nails and it has a shelf life of 2 - 3 years.
- Weightier than Argan oil.
- Absorbs quickly and is non-greasy.
- Fine molecular structure, allowing it to penetrate deeply into the skin to nourish and repair.
- High Vitamin E helps repair damaged skin.
- pH balanced.
- Has anti-microbial properties.
- Contains 60% more antioxidants than Argan oil. - source
- Very stable and resists oxidation.
- High sterol content helps reduce scarring.
Unique Attributes
Marula oil is very high in Oleic Acid, (70-78%). Oleic acid makes oils heavy and rich, so they are extra-occlusive and can seal in moisture really effectively.
The sterol β-sitosterol which is present in Marula oil, has wound-healing properties, is anti-inflammatory and helps repair the barrier function of the skin. It is a potent antioxidant that reduces scarring and levels of collagen-degrading enzymes.
The Vitamin C in Marula oil promotes skin elasticity, ramps up collagen production and leads to firmer skin. It also reduces scars and pigmentation.
Marula oil is Best for Dry, Dull and Aging Skin
Tips for Using Argan Oil Or Marula Oil
I recommend picking one oil and using it for 2 weeks. This will give you a good idea of how it works on your individual skin.
- add them to your moisturizer – to give it a boost
- use them alone as a facial oil - after cleansing
- mix some with your clay mask – to prevent over-drying from the clay
- use them as carriers for the oil-cleansing method
- use them on your hair
Who Wins?
Both of these oils have amazing skin nourishing properties. The difference is, they are each better for certain skin types.
Argan Oil
- Is balanced in its Oleic/Linoleic acid content, making it less heavy than Marula oil.
- May help with acne (learn more).
- May not be moisturizing enough for really dry skin.
- Works best on normal - oily skin.
- Contains more Vitamin E than Marula oil.
- Contains Ferulic Acid, a potent antioxidant that protects skin from UV damage.
Marula Oil
- Is highly moisturizing because of its high Oleic acid content.
- Works best on dry and aging skin.
- Is not recommended for people with oily skin or acne.
- Helps repair sun-damaged skin.
- Contains more phytosterols than Argan oil.
- Contains Vitamin C, a potent collagen builder.
My Recommendation
If you have dry skin, use Marula oil, as it has more moisturizing properties. If you deal with oily skin, use Argan oil.
Both of my recommended products are cold-pressed, 100 % pure oils that are fair trade sourced from organic plants.
Try These Oils Out Now and Let Us Know If They Help Your Skin
Oily Skin - Try Argan Oil
Dry Skin - Try Marula Oil
What do you think? Have you had success with either of these oils? Please let us know in the comments below!
Yours In Beauty,
Andrea
I just love all the information in this article ! I love argan oil. Nicely done !!
For me it’s all about the marula, but both have proved themselves as amazingly potent miracle workers!
They are both potent oils!
I am 54 and I have acne rosacea, my acne is all gone but I still get red sometimes . My skin is more on the side dry side. Witch oil do you recommend for my age and the condition of my skin as I would like to take care of my skin because of my age but at the same time take care of my rosacea. ?
Hi Joshephine,
Everyone’s skin is different, but I will try my best to help you out 🙂 Out of the oils in this article, I would choose Argan oil, as it is lighter and less likely to clog your pores, but I would actually recommend trying borage oil for your particular skin concerns 🙂 Also, find a really good moisturizer (I will recommend products below) to help repair your skin.
Here are my tips for you:
– keep your skin care routine minimal
– avoid harsh cleansers, look for gentle, calming cleansers
– look for ingredients that help repair the skin barrier (Niacinamide is a good one)
Product recommendations:
– For a face oil, either go with pure borage oil, or try Osmia Organics Restore Facial Serum. You can get it at The Detox Market.
– Fitglow has a cream that is designed for reactive skin. You could give Fitglow’s Cloud Comfort Cream a try. It is available on Amazon and The Detox Market.
– Another product that people see success with is Gaia’s Lab Hops Skin Serum.
What if you just mix the two for use on your face?
You could definitely do that!
I have tried both argan oil and marula oil separately. Argan oil worked alright on its own for my skin, which tends to be dry, but I felt like I had to use more drops for it to be effectively moisturising – and that ended up making my face greasy. As for Marula oil, two drops were more than enough for my face (feels a bit heavier than argan oil), yet I would wake up the next morning with clogged pores.
So I tried mixing the two!
One drop of each oil rubbed between my palms and then massaged onto the face until absorbed. Works wonderfully for my slightly dry skin in tropical Singapore. My skin feels moisturised, nourished and even smooth to the touch. The tiny bumps on my cheeks as a result of clogged pores have evened out.
I’m not saying this would work for everyone, but if you give it a try, perhaps it works for those who experience the same conditions as I do!
That sounds like a great idea Nalia! Thanks so much for sharing 🙂
actually Marula works better for clearing acne marks and just brightening the skin. We tried the fronaturals marula oil at http://www.Fronaturals.ca
I have not heard of this brand before, are they Canadian? What are the company’s ethics like?
They are a canadian small company sourcing from small farmers
Cool! I love small companies 🙂
Pure marula is wonderful for one’s face. I tried the fronaturals marula oil at http://www.fronaturals.ca and it really brightened up my skin
Awesome!
I have used both and loved them both for my facial moisturizer. HOWEVER, I will cast my vote for Marula oil. It is amazing how soft and nourished your skin feels.
I agree Bonnie, Marula oil is a real treat for the skin 🙂
Do you realize that linoleic acid is Omega 6 aka polyunsaturated fat and is actually in our cosmetics and food supply in completely toxic levels. Simply Google “toxic vegetable oil” or watch a YouTube video about it and educate yourself. I recommend David Gillespie’s book Toxic Oil. These oils, high in Omega 6 are actually highly inflammatory, they are unstable and therefore react to heat and oxygen and have actually been linked to Cancer. Marula oil is the real winner.
That is interesting. I do know that we as a society over-consume Omega 6 oils and lack Omega 3’s. I never really thought of Omega 6 oils as being bad for our skin to apply topically, so it is something I will have to look into.
Thanks for stopping in Jessica!
I personally love Marula oil. I found it has been great for my adult acne, and for my son’s acne issues. We’ve had no issues with clogging of skin. Also found it to be fabulous on our curly hair. I didn’t have as good of response with Argan and the Marula absorbed better on my/our skin.
That is good to hear 🙂
omg this article was so informative and very helpful. it was a pleasure to read
Thanks Gina, we put a lot of work into it 🙂
I really appreciate your comprehensive research and how the information is presented in such a clear and concise manner. Fabulous work! Thank you soooo much!
Thanks Angela, that means a lot!
First let me say:
Everyone is soooo hung up on “Cold Pressed” when looking at oils – what realllly must be looked at is the “Quality” & how it is processed will actually determine how it will work on skin to deliver real results
If the oil is “Refined” – the oil will sadly only be like a cooking oil & your skin cells will simply say “what do you want me to do with this”!! (far from real results)
Yes Cold Pressed is important – but a true facial oil and how it works on & within the skin has everything to do with “how it is processed”.
That little nuts journey to our face goes through soooo much – by the time we get it The Quality of the oil is due to how it is processed .
Many companies put essential oils (which cause major inflamation within the cells causing more damage – Look for Pure Cold Pressed Unrefined & you too will hear your skin cells say Yeeeeppppeee Skipppppy!!!
Also, keep in mind the Big $$$$$$ cost of Marula oil has a great deal to do with how well it is processed – Pure Marula oil has soooo many Companies that are “wannna be’s that will not spend the money to bring Great Quality to market
The Original company that brought Pure Marula oil to us with real results and backed by a real doctor – has and will continue investing the Big $$$$ money to produce it.
Thanks for this information Brigadoon, we appreciate it 🙂
Sorry, kids! Marula Oil does NOT contain Vitamin C. In fact, no oil contains Vitamin C. Vitamin C is a water soluble vitamin. There is Vitamin C in the watery flesh of the Marula fruit, but NOT in the pressed oil.
Thanks Tori Anne!
Many experts beg to differ. Vitamin c comes in many different forms, both water and (more commonly used in cosmetics) oil soluble .
https://www.truthinaging.com/review/get-to-know-your-vitamin-c
Thanks for this info Liz!
Hello! I have dry skin on my leg and hand area, my face is somehow oily and dry, full with dark spot and acne, marula oil is good for dry skin. I’m wondering which oil to use, I have used coconut oil but it makes my skin dried more. Argan oil is good for oil skin and acne prone. Which oil to use? I’m confused.
Hi Waliyat, Have your tried argan or marula oil? Its hard for me to say for sure which oil will be best for you because everyone’s skin is unique. I would give argan oil a try because of your proneness to acne.