It's the battle of the oils.  So many beauty brands now feature Argan Oil or Moroccan Oil as a key ingredient or important component in their formula.  We wanted to know exactly what the difference is between these oils and what makes beauty lovers choose one over the other.  Which of these popular oils for hair and skin should we use?  Is either one better than the other?

Native to Morocco, Argan Oil comes from the Argan Tree. This golden-colored oil is extracted from kernels produced by the tree. Coveted for centuries, Argan Oil is highly prized as both a rich gourmet ingredient for betterment of health, as well as an age-old beauty secret. Studies on the ingesting Argan oil reveal the nutty-flavored oil may have heart-health benefits similar to that of olive oil.  As a beauty regime, however, Argan Oil has many benefits. It contains very high levels of Vitamin E and fatty acids, ideal for helping to treat many skin ailments and blemishes.

Argan oil has multiple beauty uses. It can be applied to the face, body, hair and cuticles, and is often added to other products.  It helps to treat split ends, treat acne, dry and irritated skin, and prevent scarring from unwanted blemishes. Argan Oil is also touted as an effective anti-aging product, helping to minimize fine lines and wrinkles.  With so many benefits, it's no wonder this oil is highly prized and also said to be highly expensive.

Now Moroccan Oil, if you haven't already guessed, yes, this is Argan Oil too.  The difference here is Moroccan Oil often has additional ingredients already added to it.  These additives can include silicones most often, Aloe Vera, and various other components. Made with Argan oil, Moroccan oil is a lesser pure form of Argan Oil, so if you're looking for the liquid gold and nothing else, be sure to read the beauty label ingredients. That being said, however, Moroccan Oil still has many of the same great benefits as Argan Oil.  It can help improve the appearance of dry, damaged hair, rough skin, and delivers brilliant shine to any mane. So are there any real downsides to using either?

Due to the limited supply of Argan Oil, the cost for this natural beauty agent is very high, making price a definite factor in many people's choice to try it.  In addition, the fatty acids found in these oils, while beneficial, can also sometimes cause skin breakouts and acne. This is due to the presence of oleic acid, which can clog pores and cause inflammation. Just be cautious and know not all oils are always packaged in their truest form. A quick read of the ingredients should definitely help you make your beauty pick.

Have you tried Argan or Moroccan Oil?  Let us know in the comments section below.