Argan Oil vs Coconut Oil for Hair: Which Is Better?

Argan oil and coconut oil are two of the most popular natural oils used in hair care, but they behave quite differently once applied to your hair.

Coconut oil is generally better suited to deeper pre-wash treatments, particularly for dry, coarse or damaged hair. Argan oil is lighter and works especially well for smoothing frizz, adding shine and conditioning hair without leaving it feeling too heavy.

Neither is automatically better for everyone. Your hair type, porosity and what you want the oil to do should ultimately determine which one you choose.

If you are new to using oils in your routine, our ultimate guide to hair oiling explains how hair oiling works and how to get started.

 

Argan Oil vs Coconut Oil: At a Glance

 

Feature	Argan Oil	Coconut Oil
Texture	Lightweight and silky	Rich and heavier
Main fatty acids	Oleic and linoleic acids	High in lauric acid
Best use	Frizz, shine and finishing	Pre-wash treatments and dryness
Fine hair	Usually easier to use	Can feel heavy if overapplied
Thick or coarse hair	Good	Very good
Frizzy hair	Excellent as a finishing oil	Useful where dryness contributes to frizz
Damaged hair	Conditioning and protective	Particularly useful as a pre-wash oil
Low-porosity hair	Often easier to use sparingly	Can feel heavy for some hair types
Leave-in use	Yes, in small amounts	Usually better used before washing

What Is Argan Oil?

Argan oil is extracted from the kernels of the argan tree, which is native to Morocco. It contains a mixture of fatty acids, particularly oleic and linoleic acids, alongside naturally occurring vitamin E compounds.

In hair care, argan oil is popular because it feels relatively light compared with richer oils. Just a small amount can help coat the surface of the hair, improve smoothness and reduce the appearance of frizz and flyaways.

This makes it particularly useful as a finishing oil after washing or styling, especially if you want to add shine without making your hair feel overly oily.

There is also evidence that argan oil can help protect damaged hair. One study found that pretreating hair with argan oil reduced protein loss following oxidative damage. You can read the research on argan oil and hair damage for more detail.

For a deeper look at the ingredient itself, read our guide to the benefits of argan oil for hair.

 

What Is Coconut Oil?

Coconut oil is extracted from coconut flesh and is particularly rich in lauric acid, a saturated fatty acid that gives the oil some of its distinctive properties.

One of the biggest differences between coconut oil and many other plant oils is its ability to penetrate into the hair fibre. Research published in the Journal of Cosmetic Science found evidence that coconut oil can penetrate into the hair shaft, rather than simply sitting on the surface. You can view the coconut oil penetration study online.

Another study found that coconut oil helped reduce protein loss from both damaged and undamaged hair when used as a grooming treatment. This is one reason coconut oil is so commonly used before shampooing. See the research into coconut oil and hair protein loss.

Coconut oil is heavier than argan oil, though. That can make it excellent for very dry, thick or coarse hair, but easier to overdo if your hair is fine or becomes greasy quickly.

If you are comparing coconut oil with other lighter oils, you may also find our guide to jojoba oil vs coconut oil useful.

 

Argan Oil vs Coconut Oil for Hair: What's the Difference?

The biggest difference is not simply which oil contains more nutrients. It is how each one behaves on your hair.

Coconut oil is particularly useful when you want a richer treatment that can be applied before washing. Argan oil is generally easier to use in very small amounts after washing, particularly for managing texture, dryness and frizz.

 

Which Is Better for Dry Hair?

For very dry hair, coconut oil often has the advantage because it works well as a richer pre-wash treatment and can help reduce protein loss during washing.

This can make it particularly suitable for hair that feels rough, brittle or consistently dehydrated.

Argan oil can still be useful for dry hair, especially after washing. A few drops through the lengths and ends can improve softness and help the hair feel smoother without the weight of a heavier coconut oil treatment.

If dryness is a recurring issue, it is also worth understanding why your hair may be so dry, as oil alone will not always address the underlying cause.

 

Which Is Better for Frizzy Hair?

Argan oil is often the more convenient option for frizzy hair because of its lighter texture.

Applying a very small amount to damp or dry hair can smooth the outer surface of the strand, reduce flyaways and make the hair look shinier.

Coconut oil can also help with frizz where dryness or damage is contributing to the problem, but it usually works better before washing rather than as a finishing product.

For more practical ways to manage texture, read our guide on how to get rid of frizzy hair naturally.

 

Which Is Better for Damaged Hair?

Coconut oil is a particularly strong option for damaged hair because there is good evidence behind its ability to reduce protein loss.

Hair that has been bleached, coloured, chemically treated or regularly exposed to heat can become more porous and prone to breakage. Using coconut oil before shampooing may help reduce some of the stress placed on the hair during washing.

Argan oil also has a useful role. Research suggests that argan oil can reduce protein loss after oxidative damage, while its lighter texture makes it useful for conditioning damaged ends between washes.

Rather than seeing the two as direct substitutes, damaged hair can often benefit from coconut oil before washing and argan oil after washing.

 

Which Is Better for Fine Hair?

Argan oil is generally easier to use on fine hair because only a very small amount is needed.

Coconut oil is not inherently bad for fine hair, but it is much easier to use too much. Excess oil can leave strands looking flat, separated or greasy even after washing.

If you have fine hair and want to try coconut oil, start with a very small amount on the lengths and ends rather than heavily coating the scalp.

 

Which Is Better for Thick, Coarse or Curly Hair?

Thicker, coarse and curly hair often tolerates richer oils better than very fine hair, which can make coconut oil a good option for pre-wash treatments.

Its richer texture can help soften hair that feels particularly dry or rough.

Argan oil remains useful afterwards, particularly if you want extra shine or need to smooth individual curls, waves or dry ends without applying another heavy layer of oil.

 

Which Is Better for Low-Porosity Hair?

Argan oil is often easier to incorporate into a low-porosity hair routine because it is lighter and can be applied in very small amounts.

Low-porosity hair has a tightly packed cuticle structure, which can make richer products feel as though they are sitting on the surface rather than absorbing easily.

That does not mean coconut oil can never work for low-porosity hair. The amount used and how thoroughly you wash it out matter enormously.

If you are not sure where your hair sits, our low-porosity vs high-porosity hair guide can help.

 

Which Is Better for an Oily Scalp?

If your scalp becomes oily quickly, neither oil needs to be applied heavily at the roots.

Argan oil may be easier to use because a couple of drops can be kept mainly to the mid-lengths and ends.

Coconut oil can still be used as a pre-wash treatment, but applying large quantities to an already oily scalp may make it harder to cleanse thoroughly afterwards.

If excess oil is a regular issue, read our guide on why hair becomes greasy and how to manage it.

 

Argan Oil vs Coconut Oil for Hair Growth

Neither argan oil nor coconut oil has strong evidence showing that it directly stimulates human hair follicles to grow faster.

This distinction is important because healthier-looking hair and faster follicle growth are not the same thing.

Coconut oil can help reduce protein loss and breakage, which may help you retain more length over time. Argan oil can also improve the condition and manageability of the hair, which may make it look fuller and healthier.

However, neither should be treated as a proven hair growth treatment.

Hair growth is influenced by genetics, hormones, age, nutrition, scalp health and the natural hair growth cycle.

You can learn more in our guide to how fast hair grows.

If growth is your main concern, you may also want to read our evidence-led look at whether rosemary oil helps hair growth.

 

How to Use Argan Oil on Your Hair

Argan oil is versatile, but it is best used sparingly.

 

As a Finishing Oil

Rub one to three drops between your palms and lightly smooth them through the mid-lengths and ends of damp or dry hair.

Start with less than you think you need. You can always add another drop.

Before Washing

You can also apply argan oil before shampooing. Massage a small amount through the lengths and ends, leave it for around 30 minutes and then wash as normal.

As Part of a Pre-Wash Hair Oil

Argan oil can also be combined with other plant oils rather than used on its own.

Our Flux Pre-Wash Hair Oil contains argan oil as part of a blend alongside oils including pumpkin seed, avocado, rice bran, castor, black cumin seed and wheatgerm oil.

The blend is designed to be applied before shampooing rather than left in the hair as a finishing serum.

You can also explore our full pre-wash hair oil collection.

 

How to Use Coconut Oil on Your Hair

Coconut oil is usually most useful as a pre-wash treatment.

 

As a Pre-Wash Treatment

Warm a small amount of coconut oil between your hands until it softens, then work it through the lengths and ends of your hair.

Leave it in for around 30 minutes to a couple of hours before shampooing thoroughly.

You do not need to completely saturate your hair. Using more oil does not necessarily produce better results and can simply make it harder to wash out.

For Dry Ends

A tiny amount can also be used on very dry ends, but coconut oil is considerably heavier than argan oil.

If your hair is fine, start with less than a pea-sized amount warmed between your palms.

How Much Coconut Oil Should You Use?

The right amount depends on your hair length and thickness.

• Fine or short hair: start with around half a teaspoon or less.
• Medium hair: around one teaspoon may be enough.
• Thick, long or coarse hair: you may need more, but build up gradually.

The goal is to lightly coat the hair rather than soak it.

 

Can You Use Argan Oil and Coconut Oil Together?

Yes. In fact, they can work well at different stages of the same routine.

A simple approach is:

• Before washing: use coconut oil or another richer oil treatment through the lengths and ends.
• After washing: use one or two drops of argan oil to smooth frizz and add shine.

You can also combine both oils into a pre-wash blend, although people with fine hair may find this unnecessarily heavy.

The key is not to assume that more oil means more benefit.

 

What About Argan Oil vs Coconut Oil for Skin?

Both argan oil and coconut oil are also widely used in skincare, although they feel very different on the skin.

Argan oil is relatively light and is commonly used in facial oils and moisturising products. Its fatty acid and vitamin E content can help soften dry skin and support the skin's natural barrier.

Coconut oil feels much richer and more occlusive. This can make it useful on very dry areas of the body, although some people find it too heavy for facial use.

Skin type matters here. A product that works well on dry body skin will not necessarily suit acne-prone facial skin.

For more information, read our guide to the benefits of face oil and our comparison of face oil vs cream.

 

So, Is Argan Oil or Coconut Oil Better for Hair?

Neither oil wins in every situation.

 

Choose argan oil if:

• You want a lightweight finishing oil.
• Your main concern is frizz or flyaways.
• You have fine or medium hair.
• You want extra shine without a heavy treatment.
• You want an oil you can use after washing.

Choose coconut oil if:

• You want a richer pre-wash treatment.
• Your hair is very dry, coarse or damaged.
• You want to help reduce protein loss and breakage.
• Your hair tolerates heavier oils well.

Use both if: you want the deeper pre-wash conditioning of coconut oil alongside the lightweight smoothing benefits of argan oil after washing.

If you are still comparing your options, you may also find our guides to argan oil vs jojoba oil and argan oil vs castor oil useful.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Is argan oil better than coconut oil for frizzy hair?

Argan oil is usually easier to use for frizzy hair because it is lighter and works well as a finishing oil. Coconut oil can also help if dryness or damage is contributing to frizz, but it is generally better suited to use before shampooing.

Which is better for hair growth, argan oil or coconut oil?

Neither has strong evidence showing that it directly stimulates new hair growth. Coconut oil can help reduce protein loss and breakage, while argan oil can improve smoothness and conditioning. Both may therefore help hair look healthier without directly increasing follicle growth.

Is argan oil or coconut oil better for damaged hair?

Coconut oil has particularly strong evidence for reducing protein loss from damaged hair, making it a good pre-wash option. Argan oil can complement it by helping condition and smooth damaged hair after washing.

Can I use argan oil and coconut oil together?

Yes. One of the easiest ways to use them together is coconut oil before washing and a few drops of argan oil after washing. They can also be combined in a pre-wash blend.

Is argan oil better than coconut oil for low-porosity hair?

Argan oil is often easier to use on low-porosity hair because it is lighter and can be applied in smaller amounts. Coconut oil can still work, but too much may leave some low-porosity hair feeling heavy or coated.

Can you leave coconut oil in your hair overnight?

You can, but it is not necessary for most people. A shorter pre-wash treatment of around 30 minutes to a couple of hours is often enough. Leaving large amounts of coconut oil in overnight can also make it more difficult to wash out, particularly if your hair is fine or your scalp becomes greasy easily.