Shea butter and argan oil are popular products in the skincare industry, with both offering a host of benefits for the skin and hair. Many people like them because they include natural ingredients and can help reduce irritation. But what are the similarities and differences between these well-known products, and what should you be using for your specific skin type?
Both shea butter and argan oil offer a moisturizing treatment for skin and hair, however they differ in texture and benefits for different skin types. More on this later, but ultimately they’re both helpful for different people depending on their skin concerns.
Keep reading to find out everything there is to know about shea butter and argan oil, as well as some of our favorite DIY recipes including these great products!
Similarities and Differences Between Shea Butter and Argan Oil
So what are the primary similarities and differences between shea butter and argan oil?
Here you go:
| Similarities | Differences |
| Can be used for hair & skin | Shea butter is heavy while argan oil is more lightweight |
| Moisturizing properties | Argan oil is better than shea butter for oily skin types, although shea butter is arguably better for dry skin |
| Natural Ingredients | Argan oil moisturizes hair, while shea butter is better for moisturizing the scalp |
| Can help reduce skin irritation | Argan oil can be used every day, whereas shea butter is recommended a few times a week |
Similarities
Despite shea butter and argan oil having their differences, there are quite a few similarities to these products too. The main similarity is that they can both be used on the hair and skin to improve moisturization and appearance.
Both products are made using natural ingredients, and they can also help reduce skin irritation such as eczema and dry skin.
The key benefit of both shea butter and argan oil is bringing moisture, which is why these products are so popular in the beauty industry. Both products can be used to make DIY body scrubs – check out our blog for the recipes!
Differences
While shea butter and argan oil both have moisturizing properties, there are many differences to these products too. They are very different in texture; shea butter is very buttery and needs working into the skin. As an oil, argan oil is more easily absorbed into the skin and offers a more lightweight texture.
With this comes less chance of pores being blocked – if you have oily skin, argan oil is definitely the better product for you for this reason. Unfortunately, shea butter can cause blocked pores as it’s heavy in texture, so it’s best to not over-use it particularly if you’re prone to breakouts/acne. Here’s some info on how argan oil can be a better alternative to pore-clogging products.
In terms of hair, while both products are popular in the haircare industry they tend to be used for quite different purposes. Argan oil improves the appearance of the hair, adding moisture and shine, whereas shea butter is better used to soothe an irritated scalp.
Best skin types for shea butter vs argan oil
Shea butter and argan oil are both good for the skin, however, we’d recommend different products depending on which skin type you have.
If you have dry skin, you’re going to love shea butter as it’s a rich creamy moisturizer that will sort out any dry patches you have in no time at all. It’s perfect for giving a plumping effect to the skin and it’s great for hydrating dry, thirsty skin. You can also use shea butter to make moisturizing sugar scrubs.
However, if you have oily skin we’d recommend argan oil instead. It’s a more lightweight formula and is less likely to create excess sebum and block your pores than shea butter.
For those with combination skin, you’re probably the luckiest of the bunch as you could use both in moderation with no issues. Just keep an eye on how much shea butter you’re using to prevent breakouts/acne flare-ups!
Shea butter + argan oil storage
Both shea butter and argan oil should be kept in a cool, dark place. You might be able to get away with an overflow pantry assuming the room is kept cool, but generally a refrigerator is probably better. This can be less than totally ideal, since that means neither travels as well. (It’s one of the reasons we generally prefer coconut oil to shea butter.)
Shea butter vs argan oil: The ultimate verdict
Ultimately, shea butter is a great option for anyone looking for a great moisturizer so long as they don’t have super oily skin. In fact, it’s a key ingredient in our top homemade whipped body butter recipe.
All things equal, I prefer it to argan oil because it doesn’t need to be applied quite as frequently and has a wider range of uses. If you’re looking to add shea butter to your routine or include it in a DIY recipe like those I’ve mentioned above, here’s a good brand to start with.
What do YOU think? Sound off in the comments!
FAQs
We’ve put together a short list of frequently asked questions to help you understand better the similarities and differences between argan oil and shea butter! Keep reading to take a look at these:
This is a slightly tricky question, as argan oil and shea butter offer different advantages, making it tricky to say which is ‘better’.
If you’re looking to improve skin elasticity, argan oil is your product. Alternatively, if you want deep hydration from your skin care products, the best option for you is shea butter. They can even be mixed to provide an ultra-moisturizing product that is easily absorbed into the skin!
You can absolutely use argan oil every day. Many consumers like to use argan oil as a part of their daily routine, in both their hair and skin. It won’t clog your pores and can even help control sebum levels in your skin, preventing acne and breakouts.
As argan oil is lightweight and gentle, it’s completely safe to use on your face – even if you have sensitive skin!
Shea butter is a very rich moisturizer, so if over-used it can certainly contribute to blocked pores. It really depends on the oiliness of your skin, but if you have oily skin we wouldn’t recommend over-using shea butter as you could end up with excess sebum and therefore breakouts.
If you have dry/combination skin you’ll probably find that you’re less prone to breakouts when using rich products such as shea butter.
Disadvantages of shea butter include the following:
– Can block pores
– Nut allergen
– Strong scent in raw shea butter
– Won’t improve existing wrinkles – more of a preventative product
– Can be too heavy for fine hair
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