Is Argan Oil Healthier Than Olive Oil? A Comprehensive Comparison

November 2, 2025 •

5 min read

For centuries, people in Morocco have used argan oil to treat various skin conditions, while olive oil has been a cornerstone of the heart-healthy Mediterranean diet. The question of whether is argan oil healthier than olive oil depends entirely on its intended use, be it for culinary purposes, skincare, or hair treatment.

Quick Summary

This guide breaks down the key differences between argan oil and olive oil, comparing their nutritional content, health benefits, and optimal applications for cooking versus cosmetic purposes.

Key Points

Culinary King: Extra Virgin Olive Oil is the superior choice for cooking and dietary heart health, backed by extensive research on the Mediterranean diet.
Cosmetic Champion: Argan oil, with its lightweight and fast-absorbing nature, is a more versatile cosmetic oil, especially for facial and hair care across most skin types.
Antioxidant Supremacy: Argan oil boasts nearly triple the Vitamin E content of olive oil, providing potent antioxidant benefits for skin health.
Texture Preference: Argan oil's light texture is ideal for daily moisturizing, while olive oil's heavier feel is better for deep conditioning very dry skin or hair.
Value and Availability: Olive oil is a widely available and affordable pantry staple, whereas argan oil is a rarer, more expensive cosmetic luxury.
Inflammation Fighter: EVOO contains oleocanthal, a compound with potent anti-inflammatory effects, making it a powerful dietary choice for reducing chronic inflammation.

Both argan oil and olive oil are celebrated for their impressive nutritional profiles and diverse health benefits. However, attributing a single winner as 'healthier' is an oversimplification, as their unique compositions make them excel in different areas. By examining their fatty acid balance, antioxidant content, and best applications, we can determine which oil is the superior choice for specific needs.

Nutritional Profile: A Tale of Two Fatty Acids

Both argan and olive oils contain healthy fats and antioxidants, but their ratios vary significantly, influencing their properties and uses.

Argan Oil's Nutritional Strengths

Argan oil is rich in essential fatty acids and antioxidants. It has a significantly higher Vitamin E content than olive oil, which protects cells from damage. Argan oil also offers a balanced mix of oleic acid (omega-9) and linoleic acid (omega-6), the latter being an essential fatty acid. Additional antioxidants like squalene and polyphenols contribute to its anti-inflammatory effects.

Olive Oil's Nutritional Prowess

Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) is known for its high concentration of oleic acid (omega-9), a monounsaturated fat linked to reduced inflammation and improved cardiovascular health. EVOO also contains oleocanthal, an anti-inflammatory compound similar to ibuprofen, which contributes to its well-documented health benefits and its role in the Mediterranean diet.

For Culinary Use: Which Oil Is Best?

For cooking, the best choice depends on factors like flavor, smoke point, and health benefits.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) is generally preferred due to its heat stability for various cooking methods and its proven heart-health advantages.
Culinary-Grade Argan Oil is less common and more expensive. With a nutty flavor, it's typically used as a finishing oil rather than for high-heat cooking.

For Skincare and Hair: A Cosmetic Comparison

In cosmetic applications, absorption, texture, and comedogenic ratings are key. The better oil depends on individual skin and hair types.

Argan Oil is highly valued in cosmetics for its lightweight, fast-absorbing, non-greasy texture. It has a low comedogenic rating, making it suitable for oily and acne-prone skin by helping to regulate oil production. It's also effective for taming hair frizz and adding shine without heaviness.
Olive Oil is a potent moisturizer with a thicker, heavier texture, making it great for very dry or mature skin. However, its higher comedogenic rating means it can potentially clog pores, so it's less recommended for oily or acne-prone skin. It can also serve as a deep conditioning treatment for thick, coarse hair.

Comparison at a Glance: Argan Oil vs. Olive Oil


Feature	Argan Oil	Olive Oil (Extra Virgin)
Primary Use	Cosmetics (Hair, Skin)	Culinary & Deep Moisturizing
Key Nutrients	High Vitamin E, Linoleic Acid (Omega-6)	High Oleic Acid (Omega-9), Oleocanthal
Texture	Light, Fast-Absorbing, Non-Greasy	Thick, Heavier, Slower to Absorb
Best For (Skin)	All skin types, especially oily and acne-prone	Very dry or mature skin
Best For (Hair)	All hair types, especially fine or oily	Thick, coarse, or very dry hair
Comedogenic Rating	Very low (non-clogging)	Moderately high (can clog pores)
Flavor	Subtle, nutty (when culinary grade)	Strong, earthy, sometimes peppery
Cost	Significantly more expensive	Widely available and affordable

Conclusion: No One-Size-Fits-All Answer

In conclusion, neither argan oil nor olive oil is definitively 'healthier'. Extra Virgin Olive Oil is superior for dietary use, cooking, and cardiovascular health, supported by scientific evidence. Argan oil is the better cosmetic choice for skin and hair due to its light, fast-absorbing, and non-comedogenic qualities. The best oil depends entirely on its intended application.

The Health and Beauty Oil Debate: A Verdict on Argan vs. Olive

Dietary Health: EVOO is the better dietary choice, with proven benefits for heart health and inflammation reduction due to its oleic acid and oleocanthal content.
Cosmetic Versatility: Argan oil is more versatile for cosmetic use across most skin types, including oily and acne-prone skin, because of its lightweight and non-comedogenic properties.
Antioxidant Power: Argan oil contains significantly more Vitamin E, providing potent antioxidant benefits for skin.
Absorption and Feel: Argan oil is light and absorbs quickly, suitable for daily moisturizing, while olive oil is heavier and better for deep treatments.
Overall Value: Olive oil is more accessible and affordable for cooking, while argan oil is more expensive due to its rarity.
Inflammation Fighter: EVOO contains oleocanthal, a potent anti-inflammatory compound, making it a strong dietary choice.

FAQs

Question: Which oil is better for cooking at high temperatures? Answer: Extra Virgin Olive Oil is better for high-temperature cooking due to its stability. Argan oil is more suitable for lower heat or as a finishing oil.

Question: Can I use argan oil for cooking? Answer: Yes, but use culinary-grade argan oil, which has a nutty flavor. It's not ideal for high heat and is more expensive than olive oil.

Question: Is argan oil a better moisturizer for my face? Answer: Argan oil is often preferred for facial moisturizing due to its light, fast-absorbing, and non-comedogenic nature. Olive oil can be too heavy and may clog pores.

Question: Which oil is more effective for fighting inflammation? Answer: Both have anti-inflammatory properties. EVOO contains oleocanthal, known for strong anti-inflammatory effects. Argan oil's benefits come from its high antioxidant content.

Question: Can I use olive oil on my hair every day? Answer: Olive oil's heavy texture is best for deep conditioning thick or very dry hair. Daily use can make finer hair greasy.

Question: Which oil has a higher Vitamin E content? Answer: Argan oil has nearly three times more Vitamin E than olive oil.

Question: Is argan oil worth the higher price? Answer: For cosmetic uses, many find argan oil's performance worth the cost. For general cooking, olive oil offers better value and extensive health benefits.

Question: Which oil is better for acne-prone skin? Answer: Argan oil is better for acne-prone skin due to its low comedogenic rating and ability to help regulate sebum. Olive oil is more likely to clog pores.

Question: Which oil is better for anti-aging? Answer: Both are beneficial due to antioxidants. Argan oil, with its high Vitamin E and lighter texture, is often preferred for daily anti-aging skincare.

Frequently Asked Questions

Extra Virgin Olive Oil is better for cooking at high temperatures. Despite common myths, its fatty acid profile makes it quite stable, while argan oil is more suited to low-heat use or as a finishing oil.

Yes, but only culinary-grade argan oil, which has a distinct nutty flavor. It's not typically used for high-heat cooking and is far more expensive and less common than olive oil.

Argan oil is often considered a better facial moisturizer for most skin types due to its light, fast-absorbing, and non-comedogenic nature. Olive oil can be too heavy and may clog pores, especially for oily or acne-prone skin.

Both oils have anti-inflammatory properties, but Extra Virgin Olive Oil contains oleocanthal, a unique compound known for its strong anti-inflammatory effects. Argan oil's anti-inflammatory benefits come from its high antioxidant content.

Olive oil is better suited for deep conditioning treatments for thick or very dry hair, as its heavy texture can weigh down finer hair types and make them appear greasy with daily use.

Argan oil contains nearly three times more Vitamin E than olive oil, which contributes to its powerful antioxidant effects.

For cosmetic uses, many find argan oil's lightweight feel and superior performance for skin and hair worth the higher cost. For general dietary use, olive oil offers better value and more extensive health benefits for cooking.

Argan oil is the better choice for acne-prone skin because of its low comedogenic rating and ability to help regulate sebum production. Olive oil has a higher chance of clogging pores.

Both are good due to their antioxidant content, but argan oil, with its very high vitamin E content and lighter texture, is often preferred for daily anti-aging skincare routines as it fights free radicals without feeling heavy.