Can Rosemary Oil Actually Make Your Hair Grow Longer? The Experts Weigh In
Hair loss, whether brought on by stress or genetics, is a pain point that sends many of us on a lengthy and costly journey toward healthy, luscious strands. Hair oils can give an additional layer of reinforcement to fend off dryness, while hair growth shampoos and rinse-out conditioners may help to clean and strengthen the hair thoroughly. If you've already embarked on this journey, you'll be well aware that rosemary oil is boasted some impressive anecdotal results, but is this seasoning-turned-scalp saviour all it's cracked up to be when it comes to the science?
Although likely best known as a savoury addition to your favourite dishes, rosemary is believed to have plenty of aromatherapeutic and beauty benefits, too. When it comes to hair growth, TikTok and Instagram have certainly hyped it up. We turned to the experts decipher the facts and fiction when it comes to rosemary oil for hair growth.
What Is Rosemary Oil?
Native to the Mediterranean region, rosemary oil is 'a pale liquid oil from the rosemary plant which has an herbaceous aroma,' says cosmetic chemist Ginger King. 'It’s often used in perfumes, skincare, and haircare as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial ingredient.'
How Can Rosemary Oil Benefit The Hair?
So, can rosemary oil help with hair growth? Some experts say yes, but it's important to note that current research is lacking.
'The rosemary plant contains carnosic acid, which is known to heal nerve damage, tissue damage, and improve cellular turnover,' says Marnie Nussbaum, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist. 'Therefore, it encourages nerve growth and improves blood circulation. The reason blood circulation is so important to hair growth is that without a proper blood supply, the follicles do not get the nutrients they need to grow the hair, and they can die off.'
There's also some indications that it can be useful for aiding irritation, when used in stable formulations and correct dosages. 'The rosemary plant in essential oil form is known to boast anti-inflammatory properties,' adds Ope Ofodile, MD, MPH, a board-certified cosmetic and medical dermatologist at Dermatology and Surgery Specialists of North Atlanta. However, note that when used improperly or excessively, rosemary oil can trigger increased scalp irritation, so it's important to consult a medical professional before trying it on yourself.
Anecdotally, the ELLE UK beauty team has witnessed some impressive results, such as strengthened, hydrated hair that grew longer due to a reduced frequency in breakage. It's important to note, however, that research is in its infancy, and you're far better speaking to a trichologist for medical advice before attempting herbal elixirs at home.
'If you are concerned you are losing your hair, I recommend seeing an expert – either a certified trichologist, or a dermatologist with an interest in hair loss – to find out what type of hair loss you have and what is causing it. There are many types of hair loss, and different possible causes – and each requires a different treatment approach,' says Anabel Kingsley, Consultant Trichologist.
An important caveat if you are planning to try it: 'Rosemary oil must be used sparingly because overexposure can be irritation on the skin,' says hairstylist Matt Newman.
How Long After Using Rosemary Oil Should Someone Expect To See Results In Hair Growth?
Not all hair will magically transform into Rapunzel-length upon using rosemary oil, as it depends on the person’s reaction to it. As with any topical hair treatment, be prepared to play the waiting game if longer hair is your goal. King says, 'There is limited study to prove its effectiveness, but it takes more than six months [of use] to see results.'
Who Can Use Rosemary Oil?
'Rosemary essential oil can be used on any hair type because the benefits target the hair follicle, not the hair strand,' says Newman. 'It is safe to use on colour-treated hair, especially because its main use should be directly on the scalp.'
However, if you have sensitive skin and are unsure how your scalp skin may react, first talk to your dermatologist about integrating the oil into your routine. Newman recommends doing a small patch test first and waiting 24 hours to see if any irritation occurs. 'Also, when applying to the scalp, tilt your head backward to avoid any oils dripping into your eyes.'
Also, 'There is no data regarding use in pregnancy or breastfeeding; therefore, I would avoid it if possible,' advises Dr. Nussbaum.
What Are The Side Effects Of Using Rosemary Oil For Hair?
The physical weight of the oil could interfere with your style. Newman says that for people with thin or fine hair or a sparse density of hair, the oils can make the hair look greasy and weighed down. 'If this is the case for you, try using the product as a pre-shampoo treatment reserved for days when you will be using a clarifying shampoo on your hair.'
It's also important to note that it can cause irritation, so always use a professional formula over a homemade blend. 'Compounding products at home that you apply to your scalp, which is skin, carries the risk of scalp irritation,' says Kingsley.
How Often Should I Put Rosemary Oil In My Hair And Can I Leave It In Overnight?
While some sources recommend using a carrier oil to dilute rosemary oil, you're far safer opting for a tested, professional formula that does the chemistry for you. 'It is safe to apply 1-2 times a week consistently to notice a difference,' says trichologist Hannah Gaboardi.
Although rosemary oil is not harmful, James warns against leaving it in hair overnight. 'Leaving any kind of oil on the scalp for a prolonged period of time will upset the microflora of the scalp,' she says. 'This can cause itchiness and redness, and it applies to all oils—not just rosemary oil.'
If you have very fine hair or an oily scalp, James advises using rosemary oil once a week as a scalp treatment and washing it out of hair immediately to avoid any greasiness.
The Best Rosemary Oil Products For Hair
Rosemary Mint Purifying Shampoo
“This shampoo smells amazing and is a personal favourite of mine,” says Dr. Nussbaum. “It is great for fine hair as it contains white vinegar, which decreases product build-up that can cause stress on the follicle.”
Rosemary Mint Purifying Shampoo
“It smells amazing and is a personal favorite of mine,” says Dr. Nussbaum. “It is great for fine hair as it contains white vinegar as well which decreases product build-up that can cause stress on the follicle.”
HG Shampoo
Bergamy recommends this vegan-friendly shampoo with rosemary oil for hair growth. She says, “It works great for fine or thinning hair and is packed with vitamins and minerals that revitalize the hair shaft, plus gentle cleansers to help whisk away scalp build-up.”
Magic Elixir Hair Restructuring Concentrate
Use this ultra-lightweight scalp and hair oil treatment before shampooing to boost your hair’s manageability and shine factor. “It combines rosemary oil and avocado oil to encourage hair growth while delivering moisture,” says Dr. Nussbaum.
Rosemary Scalp Scrub
Aromatica's scrub features a pointed nozzle to distribute product directly to the root to break up any residue, dandruff, or dryness on the scalp.
Rosemary Scalp Scrub
Aromatica's scrub features a pointed nozzle to distribute product directly to the root to break up any residue, dandruff, or dryness on the scalp.
Pre-Wash Scalp Oil
With a host of botanical oils, including rosemary, this pre-wash treatment is best massaged in the night before wash day to ensure a hefty nutrient boost to your scalp and strands.
Daily Nourishing Shampoo with Lavender & Rosemary
Made with lavender and rosemary, it works into a rich, creamy lather and keeps my hair’s oil production in balance.
Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil
Not only is this oil dermatologist-formulated (Dr. Camille Howard-Verovic is the founder), but the blend is a minty delight. Rosemary takes the lead to reduce hair thinning, as spearmint oil stimulates the scalp and pumpkin seed oil strengthens and adds shine.
Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil
Both Newman and Dr. Longsworth are fans of this product. “It’s great because it can be used as a scalp treatment to precisely deliver the hair follicle benefits,” says Newman. “The oil can be used as a leave-in/styler for natural, textured hair.”
EverStrong Thickening Sulfate Free Shampoo and Conditioner
The key ingredient rosemary leaf in this duo was formulated to create thicker-looking hair. Dr. Nussbaum notes it “encourages hair growth without sulfates, dyes, and parabens.”
Mielle Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil
Both Newman and Dr. Longsworth are fans of this product. “It’s great because it can be used as a scalp treatment to precisely deliver the hair follicle benefits,” says Newman. “The oil can be used as a leave-in/styler for natural, textured hair.”
Rosemary Conditioning Hair Oil
Ethically sourced from Spain, the rosemary in this formula helps deep condition hair and boost shine.
Grows-Mary Hair Oil
This home-grown hair oil blew up on Tiktok thanks to the way it appears to encourage longer, stronger strands: indeed, we've crowned it the best hair oil for growth after testing it ourselves.
Rosemary Condition & Shine Hair Oil
Ethically sourced from Spain, the rosemary in this formula helps deep-condition hair and boost shine.
Meet the experts
Ginger King is a New Jersey-based cosmetic chemist.
Dr. Marnie B. Nussbaum is a board-certified dermatologist specializing in non-invasive aesthetic rejuvenation.
Dr. Ope Ofodile is a board-certified cosmetic and medical dermatologist at Dermatology and Surgery Specialists of North Atlanta.
Dr. Gaby Longsworth, Ph.D. scientist, certified hair practitioner, and owner of the blog Absolutely Everything Curly.
Penny James is a trichologist and founder of the Penny James Salon Trichology Center.
Rosemary oil has quite a rep for its versatility. Besides its use for aromatherapy, seasoning food, and beyond, rosemary oil for hair restoration has been renowned for decades. And as of late, it’s hyped up even more via social media. But are the benefits claimed (like hair growth) really true? We turned to the experts for the facts on everything you need to know about rosemary oil for hair.What is rosemary oil?First things first. Native to the Mediterranean region, rosemary oil is “a pale liquid oil from the rosemary plant which has an herbaceous aroma,” says cosmetic chemist Ginger King. “It's often used in perfumery, skincare, and haircare as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial ingredient.”How can rosemary oil benefit the hair?So, can rosemary oil help with hair growth? Experts say yes. “The rosemary plant contains carnosic acid which is known to heal nerve damage, tissue damage, and improve cellular turnover,” says Marnie Nussbaum, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist. “Therefore, it encourages nerve growth and improves blood circulation. The reason blood circulation is so important to hair growth is that without a proper blood supply, the follicles do not get the nutrients they need to grow the hair and they can die off.” “There is one study that compared [rosemary oil] specifically to minoxidil (aka Rogaine off the shelf) and the finding is that the results appeared similar after six months,” says King. The majority of those who used rosemary oil also had less itchy scalps.Dr. Nussbaum adds that while rosemary oil helps strengthen follicular health and hair growth, there is evidence it may also prevent premature graying, although that’s more anecdotal. “The rosemary plant in essential oil form is known to boast anti-inflammatory properties,” says Ope Ofodile, MD, MPH, a cosmetic and medical dermatologist at Dermatology and Surgery Specialists of North Atlanta. “This would be especially beneficial to help soothe distressed scalps.”Another perk: “Because it's antimicrobial, it potentially can reduce the occurrence of flakes on the scalp,” says King. But not everyone’s hair will magically transform into Rapunzel-length upon using rosemary oil as it depends on the person’s reaction to it. Also, be prepared to play the waiting game if longer locks are your goal. King says, “There is limited study to prove its effect but it takes more than six months [of use] to see results.”Who can use rosemary oil?“Rosemary essential oil can be used on any hair type because the benefits target the hair follicle, not the hair strand,” says hairstylist Matt Newman. “It is safe to use on color-treated hair, especially because its main use should be directly on the scalp.” On the flip side, who should not use rosemary oil? If you know you have a sensitivity to it, then skip it. Also, “There is no data regarding use in pregnancy or breastfeeding, therefore I would avoid it if possible,” advises Dr. Nussbaum. How does rosemary oil compare, if at all, to other oils?What makes rosemary essential oil different from most carrier oils used in hair care is its hair follicle health benefits, notes Newman. Hairstylist Cheryl Bergamy agrees, “Unlike other oils (like tea tree and peppermint) that produce hair growth, rosemary oil strengthens and promotes circulation for thirsty hair follicles that are starving of its blood supply and leading to hair loss.”One caveat: “But it must be used more sparingly than carrier oils because overexposure can be irritating to the skin,” says Newman. What are the downsides to using rosemary oil for hair?Dr. Ofodile says, “Rosemary oil is not a known allergen. However, each individual’s skin reacts to things differently. As with any new product in your skincare routine, there is a chance for irritation to occur. Be sure to check with your board-certified dermatologist before adding any new products into your routine.”Newman recommends doing a small patch test first and waiting 24 hours to see if any irritation occurs. “Also, when applying to the scalp, tilt your head backward to avoid any oils dripping into your eyes.”Another possible downside to using a rosemary essential oil product, as Newman points out, is the physical weight of the oil mixtures. He says, “For many people with thin or fine hair or a sparse density of hair, the oils can make the hair look greasy and weighed down. If this is the case for you, try using the product as a pre-shampoo treatment reserved for days when you will be doing a clarifying wash to your hair.” How can I use rosemary oil for hair?Mix it with a carrier oil“You can start by using rosemary essential oil one to two times per week and titrate use upwards to daily as tolerated,” says Dr. Nussbaum. “Only use five drops of it, add it to a carrier oil like coconut or jojoba oil and massage into the scalp for five to ten minutes, and rinse.” Diluting pure rosemary oil helps reduce the potency and, therefore, decreases irritation on the skin.Mix it with your shampoo or conditionerBergamy suggests adding it to your shampoo or conditioner to get the benefits while washing your hair. Just be sure to thoroughly wash your hair to get the product out well.Use rosemary oil productsAlternatively, instead of playing scientist and adding rosemary essential oil to other products, you can use ones that already include the ingredient. In that case, read on for the best rosemary products for hair.
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