Rosemary oil for hair growth has amassed over 500 million views on TikTok. The impressive ‘before and after’ videos tagged with #rosemaryhairgrowthoil are certainly hard to ignore, especially as some seem to showcase how effective rosemary oil can be when it comes to hair loss – something that, according to the NHS, around 8 million women experience in the UK.
So is this tingly oil really the Holy Grail for thick, shiny hair and healthy re-growth? We asked the experts to weigh in with their thoughts and practical advice.
SKIP TO: Does rosemary oil help with hair growth? | How to use rosemary oil for hair | Other benefits of rosemary oil for hair | Can rosemary oil help with hair loss caused by alopecia? | What are the side effects of using rosemary oil for hair? | The best rosemary hair products | How long does it take to see results?
Does rosemary oil help with hair growth?
Rosemary (known officially as rosmarinus officinalis) is a herb native to the Mediterranean region, and its oil, which is pale in colour and has a woody aroma, is thought to have been used on hair as early as 500BC by the Romans and Greeks.
That said, experts are divided on whether it actually aids hair growth. Many of the benefits are purely anecdotal and much of the hype around rosemary oil for hair growth stems from a 2015 study on 50 men, which compared rosemary oil to 2% minoxidil (a popular active ingredient in topical hair regrowth treatments).
It found that after six months, both groups of men with male pattern baldness had similar results with a significant increase in hair growth.
Anabel Kingsley, consultant trichologist and brand president of Philip Kingsley, points out several concerns with this study. For starters, she says in a video posted to her Instagram, it's a very small study and no women were included, “which doesn't instil a great amount of confidence in me from the get go.”
She also notes that “a lot of people using rosemary oil in Tiktok videos, on Instagram, they're not actually experiencing pattern hair loss. They have telogen effluvium, which is excessive daily hair shedding”.
This is when you suddenly see more hair on your brush or in the plughole when you shampoo, and is often caused by intense stress, a short-term illness, as well as starting or stopping a contraceptive pill – and it usually resolves itself within 3- 4 months.
Anabel says: "Some of these people, they'll be losing their hair for a couple months, they'll get really concerned and they'll buy a bottle of rosemary oil and then they'll say, 'Within a few weeks my hair loss stopped, it's the rosemary oil, what a miracle'. When in fact – when you look at the time frame – that's when their hair loss would have stopped on its own anyway."
While Anabel says there's no harm in applying rosemary oil to your scalp, she points out that if your hair loss stops and starts again because of a vitamin deficiency or a thyroid condition, “applying rosemary oil isn't going to fix that.” Only treating the root cause with vitamin D, iron supplements or medication will achieve that.
On the other side of the debate is Dr Nick Fisherman, trichologist at Watermans Hair. While research is limited, he says that “studies have demonstrated that rosemary oil can indeed stimulate hair growth by improving blood circulation to the scalp and promoting the proliferation of hair follicle cells.”
How to use rosemary oil for hair
“Rosemary oil is a very awakening fragrance so it's probably not ideal for use just before bed, as it stimulates both the skin and senses, which might make it harder to nod off,” says Weleda's skincare expert Elizabeth King. “But early evening should be fine, and it’s a great morning product as rosemary’s awakening aroma helps clear brain fog.”
According to Dr. Fisherman, “when applying rosemary oil to your hair and scalp, it's important to dilute it with a carrier oil such as jojoba, coconut, or olive oil. This helps to prevent skin irritation and ensures that the oil is evenly distributed throughout your hair." Also, avoid using it on inflamed or broken skin.
After applying diluted rosemary oil, Viviscal Ambassador and trichologist Hannah Gaboardi recommends using a scalp massager. "Scalp massaging increases hair thickness by stretching the cells of hair follicles. This then stimulates the follicles to produce thicker hair. So using it in conjunction with rosemary oil would be very effective’’.
Massage also helps to boost blood flow to the hair follicles, says Elizabeth. “Using circular movements, start from the front of your head working down the sides of your scalp and back. Take the moment to enjoy the revitalising aroma and the release of tension.”
Then rinse it off with shampoo and water. While you can also apply rosemary oil to your strands for added sheen, it's best to do so with moderation.
“To apply rosemary oil directly to your hair strands, you can add a few drops of the oil to your regular shampoo or conditioner, or create a hair mask by mixing the oil with a carrier oil and leaving it on for 20-30 minutes before rinsing,” says Dr Fisherman. “However, it's important to note that using too much rosemary oil directly on your hair can lead to dryness and irritation.”
Other benefits of rosemary oil for hair
By stimulating the scalp, Elizabeth points out that rosemary oil “helps to support the supply of nutrients to the roots of the hair, which helps to strengthen the hair shaft, helps to promote hair growth for thicker healthy-looking hair and helps to maintain a healthy scalp.”
Rosemary oil also contains antioxidants in the form of tannins and flavonoids and lipids, she adds.
“The oil has been found to possess anti-inflammatory properties, too, which can help soothe the scalp and reduce irritation and itching,” says Dr Fisherman. What's more, in the same study mentioned above, the group using rosemary oil reported less itchiness than those using minoxidil.
“Rosemary oil can also help to restore the scalp's microbiome balance due to its antimicrobial properties,” explains Dr Bhavjit Kaur, medical aesthetic practitioner. “Since dandruff usually occurs due to an excess of skin fungus (malassezia), the antimicrobial properties of rosemary may help.
Can rosemary oil help with hair loss caused by alopecia?
Alopecia is a medical condition that can cause hair loss and baldness anywhere on the body – there is no known cure for it yet, though there are experts who can help.
Dr Fisherman believes that rosemary oil alone is not the cure for alopecia, and it may not be the most effective hair treatment. However he adds: “incorporating rosemary oil into your hair care routine may still have beneficial effects on hair health and growth, and it may be worth discussing with a healthcare provider or board-certified dermatologist as part of a comprehensive treatment plan.”
What are the side effects of using rosemary oil for hair?
“Like other essential oils, pure rosemary oil has active components and can result in scalp irritation,” flags Dr Kaur. This is why it should always be diluted with a carrier oil.
As for whether rosemary oil can cause hair loss? Using too much of it may damage the hair follicles and applying it on a damaged part of your scalp are two reasons cited for possible hair loss.
So it's a good idea to do a patch test with several drops of rosemary oil before applying it – “if there is irritation, stop using it immediately,” says Dr Kaur.
The best rosemary hair products
Here the rosemary oil is pre-diluted with almond and sunflower oils to an ideal ratio, boosting the scalp's moisture levels and helping to reduce dandruff in the process.
The Weleda Revitalising Hair Tonic is ideal for fine, damaged hair and promises to improve the supply of nutrients from root to tip. As well as rosemary oil, the formula also contains stonecrop and horseradish (an ingredient naturally rich in silica), which work together to reduce inflammation, plus a fatty alcohol which is a great natural conditioner.
Renowned for its fresh, tingling feeling on the scalp, this viral rosemary hair oil treatment is powered by a nutrient-rich formula to address a multitude of hair concerns. Infused with biotin, rosemary and peppermint oils, the formula will help to nourish the hair follicles, sooth a dry scalp and can even be used to smooth down split ends.
Looking to update your shampoo? We highly recommend considering the Aveda Rosemary Mint Purifying Shampoo, especially if your hair is in need of a deeply moisturising cleanse. Infused with distilled white vinegar to effectively remove product build-up, excess oils and dirt, this formula also won't strip your scalp of its essential oils.
Kiehl's Magic Elixir is an all-rounder that's definitely worth considering, especially as it's supercharged with amino acid proteins, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E and potassium, leaving your hair shiny yet not too oily.
How long does it take to see results?
With any hair loss treatment it takes at least six months to see results. This is due to the average rate of hair growth, which is typically 1-1.5cm per month.
It's also important to note that hair growth can also be influenced by a variety of factors, including genetics, nutrition, stress, and hormonal changes, and the use of rosemary oil alone is unlikely to be the panacea for all hair growth.
“Certain hair loss conditions are progressive and, if you start off by using something that isn't working, you've lost some time in treating your hair loss in a way that will be effective,” Anabel says.
So it's always best to visit a healthcare professional who will be able to diagnose the root cause of your hair loss and recommend a treatment plan.
Apparently we've been using it all wrong.
