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Quick Answer
Neither coconut oil nor argan oil is universally better. Coconut oil is better suited to pre-wash conditioning and helping reduce protein loss, while argan oil is better for lightweight daily styling, frizz control, and shine.
When choosing between argan oil vs coconut oil for hair, the better choice depends on whether you want to control frizz, protect damaged hair, or add softness and shine.
Coconut oil can penetrate the hair and reduce protein loss during washing, which may help protect hair from damage. Argan oil is a lightweight oil that can make hair feel softer, smoother, and easier to style.
Neither oil can directly increase hair growth or treat the underlying causes of hair thinning. Hair oils act on the hair strand itself, which is dead tissue and do not alter the biological hair growth cycle controlled by hair follicles inside the scalp. Both oils can, however, improve the overall condition and appearance of your hair.
What Are the Benefits of Argan Oil for Hair?
Argan oil comes from the nuts of argan trees and feels very light compared to other oils. Pure Moroccan argan oil for hair is packed with vitamin E and healthy fats, which give your hair a soft, healthy shine without making it look greasy.
Putting a few drops of argan oil on your hair helps in a few real, everyday ways:
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It can make hair easier to comb by reducing friction, which may help reduce breakage from brushing.
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It can smoothen the hair and make frizz less noticeable, especially in humid weather.
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It can make dry, dull hair look smoother and shinier when used in a small amount.
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It helps shield your hair lengths from light daily wear and tear.
Note: Argan oil won't speed up hair growth. It can help you keep the length you have by reducing breakage, but it doesn't trigger new hair growth from your roots.
What Are the Benefits of Coconut Oil for Hair?
Coconut oil is ideal for protecting weak, dry, or damaged hair from losing strength. Coconut oil can penetrate the hair, where it may help reduce protein loss and protect the hair from some forms of damage.
Using coconut oil as a pre-wash mask helps your hair in these key ways:
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It can reduce the amount of protein lost from hair during washing.
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It may reduce excess water absorption during washing, which can help protect the hair from repeated stress.
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It coats brittle, dry, or style-damaged hairs and protects them from further breakage.
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It can make rough, dry hair feel softer and more flexible.
Note: Because coconut oil is thick and heavy, using too much can weigh down fine hair or leave a greasy layer on your scalp. If heavy oil builds up on your hair, it can actually make it harder to wash out and lead to more breakage.
Key Differences Between Argan Oil and Coconut Oil
Even though both are super popular, they act totally differently. The main difference when looking at argan oil vs coconut oil for hair comes down to whether the oil sinks in or stays on the surface. Here is how they compare side by side:
|
Factor |
Argan Oil |
Coconut Oil |
|
Texture |
Lightweight |
Richer and heavier |
|
Best Known For |
Smoothness and shine |
Protection against damage |
|
Best Suited For |
Frizz, dryness, rough texture |
Dry or damaged hair |
|
How Hair May Feel |
Softer and lighter |
More deeply conditioned |
|
Watch Out For |
May not feel rich enough for very dry hair |
Can feel heavy if overused |
Coconut Oil Versus Argan Oil: Which Is Better for Frizzy Hair?
If your main goal is controlling daily frizz, argan oil is usually the better choice. It can smooth the hair surface and reduce the appearance of frizz without adding as much weight as coconut oil.
Note: However, frizz can also be caused by dryness, humidity, damage, and lack of conditioning. Oil can improve the appearance of frizz but cannot permanently repair damaged hair.
Coconut Oil Versus Argan Oil: Which Is Better for Damaged Hair?
For damaged hair, coconut oil may be the better choice because it can penetrate the hair shaft and reduce protein loss during washing.
Coconut oil helps protect damaged strands in these specific situations:
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Chemically treated or coloured hair
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Heat-damaged hair from frequent styling
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Dry, brittle lengths that feel weak or rough
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Hair prone to breakage from everyday wear and tear
Note: Coconut oil may help protect weakened strands, while argan oil may make damaged hair feel softer and easier to style.
Can You Mix Argan Oil and Coconut Oil Together?
Yes, you can use argan oil and coconut oil together. Coconut oil can provide richer conditioning, while argan oil can add softness and shine without as much heaviness. You can adjust the amount of each oil based on whether your hair needs more conditioning or more lightweight frizz control.
You can use both oils together, adjusting the amount of each based on your hair type and concerns:
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Use more coconut oil for severely damaged hair: Use coconut oil as the main oil in a pre-wash treatment if your hair feels dry, brittle, or prone to breakage.
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Use more argan oil for daily frizz: If you want to smooth your ends without making your hair feel heavy, use a small amount of argan oil on the lengths and ends.
Tip: Start with a small amount because combining oils can make hair feel heavy and greasy.
When to Look Beyond Hair Oil for Hair Fall
Hair oils mainly improve the condition and appearance of the hair. They cannot address every reason behind hair fall or thinning.
Ongoing hair fall can have many causes, including nutritional deficiencies, hormonal changes, scalp conditions, stress, and genetics. Finding the cause of hair fall is important because the right treatment depends on what is causing it.
Not sure which hair concerns are affecting you?
Take Traya’s Hair Test to learn more about the factors that may be affecting your hair health.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, argan oil or coconut oil for hair?
Argan oil is better for frizz, shine, and lightweight conditioning, while coconut oil is better for dry, damaged hair and reducing protein loss.
Which oil is the healthiest for hair?
There is no single healthiest oil for every hair type. Coconut oil may be more suitable for damaged hair because of its ability to reduce protein loss, while argan oil may be better for improving softness, shine, and frizz control.
Does argan oil make hair grow fast?
No, argan oil does not make hair grow faster. It can make hair softer, reduce friction, and help with dryness, but it does not stimulate new hair growth.
Can I mix coconut oil with argan oil for hair?
Yes, you can mix coconut and argan oil. Coconut oil can provide deeper conditioning, while argan oil adds lightweight softness, shine, and frizz control.
References :
Gavazzoni Dias MFR. (2015). Hair Cosmetics: An Overview. International Journal of Trichology. DOI: 10.4103/0974-7753.153450
Rele AS, Mohile RB. (2003). Effect of Mineral Oil, Sunflower Oil, and Coconut Oil on Prevention of Hair Damage. Journal of Cosmetic Science. DOI: No DOI assigned. (PMID: 12715094)
Venkataram Mysore, Arpita Arghya (2014). Hair Oils – Indigenous Knowledge Revisited. DOI: 10.5935/scd1984-8773.20146307
Lourenço CB, Gasparin RM, Thomaz FM, et al. (2024). Impact of Hair Damage on the Penetration Profile of Coconut, Avocado, and Argan Oils Into Caucasian Hair Fibres. Cosmetics. DOI: 10.3390/cosmetics11020064
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