Coconut Oil vs Argan Oil - which to get?? Help!
Hey ladies! I know a lot of you use Coconut Oil (I was reading past posts and saw tons of people raving about it) but lately it seems like Argan Oil is all the rage. As someone who has never used either in my life, I'm confused as to which one I should get. I am interested in the added health benefits of coconut oil, but I have heard so many good things about the Argan oil. I can't afford both so one is gonna be it. I guess the lowdown on me is this: I do have occasional breakouts and dry patches on my face, very combination skin, but lately this has been better since I've been using the Murad Vitalic Regimen. My skin in general gets very dry in the winter; I live in Wisconsin so we have harsh weather here. Also my hair gets dryer in the winter. I want a product that I can use as a moisturizer for hair and face without causing me to be overly greasy. Although a lot of people say that Argain or Coconut oil can in fact make your skin less greasy, I guess I'm wary until I see it for myself. Any suggestions ladies? Also, if I do get one or the other, would I still use my entire Murad regimen (cleanser, t zone gel, moisturizer) or would I be able to skip some steps? As far as using on hair, do you still shampoo and condition as usual? Thanks so much for any input, I trust the judgement of the wonderful people on this site so I turn to you first!
From within bottles, jars, compacts and tubes.*
The only downside to using argan oil is the fact that it contains a lot of oleic acid which is highly comedogenic. So while it may be good for oily skin and psoriasis, it could clog pores and cause inflammatory acne. Coconut Oil is comprised of many fatty acids. Coconut oil contains approximately 92.1% saturated fatty acids, 6.2% monounsaturated fatty acids, 1.6% polyunsaturated fatty acids.If you look at the fats that comprise coconut oil you will actually find many of those within Murad formulas. LauricMyristicPalmiticCaprylicCapricStearicCaproicArachidicOleicLinoleicSo, a little Oleic acid is okay but you don't want too much, expecially if you are breakout prone.Vitalic is a regimen that helps to balance the skin, provide exfoliation and also reduce pore size. In the winter you can always change your moisturizer or even add the Sensitive Skin Soothing Serum after you treat but before you hydrate for a boost of moisture. The most important thing is that it balances your skin and doesn't clog pores.So, I guess I am saying stay away from coconut oil or argan when it comes to your face.Melissa
Hi there,I had the same question lolA couple months ago I was in the same position as you, can't afford both, not sure which to buy. I decided argan oil and picked it up at Amazon for about $20. I really like this stuff. Firstly, my crappy nails have strengthened and are growing like weeds! They have never grown and are prone to tearing and splitting. Big plus! I am still trying to figure out how much to use in my hair, because I know too much can make it look greasy, so I am gently increasing the amount of it I use.. unfortunately my hair is already in pretty good condition so I'm not seeing vast improvements, but I am seeing a healthier shine. I notice it's softer and I can stretch my conditioning treatment times. Face.. I too am prone to breakouts. Not noticing that this product is reducing that. So.. the jury is still out on that. Argan also contains vitamin e which repairs damaged skin, so read the data on it, it might be worth a shot to see if it does. My fiance uses it on his face and he has rosacea. It is working for him better than it is working for me in reducing the redness, and the dryness which may be why he's breaking out less. I am still going to try coconut oil to see if that does better for my face, but in the meantime, I am assuming my breakouts are hormonal due to my age and that the argan is neither clearing nor causing them. I find myself slapping this oil on my dry patches (elbows and ankles), my lips, and my hands after I've been cleaning and my hands are beaten up. A good all around product to have, and I'll be buying it again. Hope this helps some!
I've never heard of any one using Argan oil on their face with positive results like I have with Coconut oil. I am a HUGE FAN of cold pressed Coconut oil! It's great as a butter/margarine replacement, hair treatment and for nasty dry patches on your skin [I don't even have to use a pumice stone on my elbows any more]. I've come across quite a few people who use Coconut oil to battle acne but they always say as soon as they stop using it the zits come right back. I've used Argan oil only on my hair and it works fabulously! The effects of the Argan last longer than the Coconut in my hair but I'd still go with Coconut oil because of the price! Argan oil is just a little bit too expensive for my blood... Sephora is selling Argan at $15USD for 0.5oz. You can get 16oz of Coconut for about $12USD and find it at most local grocery stores. I'd like to know if Argan has worked for anyone's acne, by the way. :]
Awesome to hear pynk nymphette! I'm looking forward to trying the coconut oil on my face to see if that helps! And you can get the argan much cheaper on Amazon and I think there are a couple etsy sellers as well. My 1.7oz bottle cost right around $20, there are several sellers on Amazon, so watch what you're buying. Some have additives, or only contain a small amount of argan.
I agree with pynk nymphette. I would recommend Coconut Oil over Argan. In beauty school my teacher would rave out the effect Coconut Oil had over her skin, she's a true believer that it is what keeps her looking young. She never told any of us her actual age, except that she was "well over 60" yet she looked 55 at the most. Since then I've slathered it all over myself like it was the secret to entering Nirnia and I've never had any bad break outs. :)
Thanks for the tips ladies!
This site debates the pros and cons of the coconut oil and argan oil and the outcomes seem to favor the coconut oil. There are details of the features and properties of coconut oil and its benefits along side of argan. The article points out that most prefer coconut oil as it is freely available at all outlets and at a better price and more importantly for its qualities. A bit of information here to help! http://www.smscoco.com/coir-fibre.html
i prefer organic argan for face n coconut for hair. use it like a leave in conditioner.
♥ Claire ♥ AngelClarice Beauty and Wellness Site www.angelclarice.com
I haven't tried Argan Oil yet but I do like Coconut Oil. It does smell strong though.
I use organic cold pressed coconut oil on my skin and hair, and I have gotten comments on how healthy my hair looks. Not bad for a 40 year old. My skin is extremely sensitive and I have been using only coconut oil for months now with no problems whatsoever. It is incredibly pure so I am glad there is nothing added. I also love cooking with my coconut oil - like on the pan when making crepes mmmm....I love it. I wouldn't use it in savoury dishes, unless it was maybe curry. I also love the smell : )
I do not use this on my skin - but I use argan oil in my hair and it works great for me. I have thin curly hair so I do need moisture - I use the brand sold at Sally's
I have been natural (3B, 3C, 4A) for over a year now. Of course even more difficult to deal with my hair now that's about 6-7 inches in length and wants to create a giant natty dreadlock! Last week I was so tempted to get back on the anti-curly crack (chemical relaxer)! A few years ago my hairdresser was all about Moroccan Oil (argan oil), now she swears by a mixture of shea butter and coconut oil. Do a heat treatment with the mixture before washing, and apply a LITTLE to wet hair. Shea butter can be very heavy, so if you have fine hair use just a little, a little goes a long way! I have a mixture of medium coarse and fine hair, so it can be very difficult to get the right product that doesn't weigh the hair down too much. So far good.I love Moroccan Oil, especially the moisturizing/conditioning mask but it's quite pricey! So - coconut oil over argan oil. I also use my homemade mixture on my skin after a bath, leaves skin feeling like silk. Good luck curlies!
Moroccan Oil has a lot of silicones in it. Argan oil is the 4th or 5th ingredient. I got a Moroccan oil treatment and absolutely loved it, but in the long run I'd use shea butter on my hair. I haven't tried coconut oil though.
Hope you ladies wouldn't take me as an intruder.Actually I am really surprise by seeing whats going on over there with cosmetic n other products related to beautify women. Don't you remember just 2 years ago there was big promotion on " Emu Oil ", and before Emu Oil there was one other Oil or "Shea Butter" promotion.... and the most surprising fact is that all cosmetic manufacturers floods the wholesalers, distributors,dealers, retailers with wide range of products having "Emu Oil" , and now again same happening with this "Argan Oil"....... now almost every store or drugstore in USA selling products having "Argan Oil" as one of the ingredients, and this being on discussion forum. I wonder nobody realizing this, it seems that american women more innocent comparing to rest of the world.Basically I am manufacturer of herbal products in different categories, in my visual and practical experience for Hair general health this Coconut Oil is useful for hair, while Apricot Bitter Kernal Oil excellent for hair as well as Amazingly Effective For Skin Health and this Emblica Myroblan (AMLA) Oil only Good for Hair. Now you note here these three fruit/herb easily available in market and well known for their purposes, since centuries....So my sincere advise not to distract by newly discovered Hair Oil and don't waste your money n time. I wrote all this just to provide the best information according to my experience, and I didn't intend to harm anybody business or products... One may continue using these newly discovered oils etc, upto their preferences.
Well said Navaid! The companies know how to make money! I got a bottle of Moroccan Oil for 30 GB pounds over here is around $50 and i just read the bottle and the stuff is covered in wax aka silicone aka Dimethicone etc etc etc so I will becareful and read the labels before I buy now, silicone is the reason why my hair has been snapping off half way!!!
I've used both products but in different ways. I've used Josie Maran's Argan Oil and in terms of face skin I did not have good results with it. I do however love using it sparingly in my hair and on my body. I purchased a small jar of organic coconut oil from Trader Joe's for about $7 and love using it as a deep conditioner for my hair and to add a moisturizing sheen to my body. Have yet to try it on my face though!