These are the two most iconic vegetable oils from Morocco, and the two most often confused. While argan oil and prickly pear seed oil share a common geographic origin, they differ both in composition and in their ideal use. Here's how to tell them apart and, more importantly, how to combine them in the same routine.
Argan oil is extracted from the kernels of the argan tree's fruit, mainly in the Souss-Massa region. It's rich in fatty acids (oleic and linoleic) and vitamin E, with a richer, more enveloping texture.
Prickly pear seed oil, on the other hand, is extracted from the tiny seeds of the prickly pear fruit. Its production is far more limited — it takes around a ton of fruit to yield a single liter of oil, compared to a much higher yield for argan. Its texture is drier, and its concentration of vitamin E and phytosterols is markedly higher.
| Prickly pear seed oil | Argan oil | |
|---|---|---|
| Rarity | Very high (1L per ~1 ton of fruit) | Moderate |
| Texture | Dry, fast-absorbing | Richer, slightly oily |
| Signature active | Concentrated vitamin E, phytosterols | Oleic/linoleic fatty acids |
| Best used for | Targeted anti-aging, eye contour, fine lines | Overall face and body hydration |
| Price | High | Moderate |
This difference shows in their composition: prickly pear seed oil is notably more concentrated in phytosterols and vitamin E than argan oil, which largely explains its stronger anti-aging power.
Fatty acid composition:
| Prickly pear seed oil | Argan oil | |
|---|---|---|
| Linoleic acid (omega-6) | ~61% | ~31% |
| Oleic acid | ~21% | ~42% |
| Palmitic acid | ~13% | ~15% |
Vitamin E (tocopherols):
| Prickly pear | Argan | |
|---|---|---|
| Total | ~1200 mg/kg | ~900 mg/kg |
Phytosterols:
| Prickly pear | Argan | |
|---|---|---|
| Total sterols | ~905 mg/kg | ~180 mg/kg |
| Including β-sitosterol | ~630 mg/kg | almost none |
*These values, based on comparative analyses between the two oils, may vary depending on origin and extraction process.
Yes, and it's actually a classic pairing in Moroccan beauty rituals. Argan for richer daily care (body, hair, overall hydration) and prickly pear seed oil for targeted anti-aging care (face, eye contour) are complementary rather than competing. This is in fact the principle behind several rituals that combine both actives, such as the dry body oil that combines prickly pear, argan and orange blossom.
Does prickly pear seed oil replace argan oil? No, they're complementary: argan for overall hydration, prickly pear for targeted anti-aging action on the face.
Why is prickly pear seed oil more expensive than argan oil? Because of its scarcity: the amount of usable seeds per fruit is minute compared to argan's yield.
Can you use both oils on the same day? Yes — for example, argan on the body and prickly pear seed oil in the evening as a targeted facial treatment.
Want to discover prickly pear seed oil in its purest form? Hendiya's Le Sérum Absolu is a 100% pure prickly pear seed oil, certified organic by ECOCERT and first cold-pressed.
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