Rosemary oil for hair: what the research says and how to use it

Rosemary oil has had quite a few years. It's all over social media as the natural answer to thinning hair, and bottles sell out on the strength of before-and-after videos. So what's actually true, and what can a rosemary scalp oil realistically do for you?

The study everyone quotes

Most rosemary claims trace back to a 2015 trial with 100 men with male-pattern hair loss. Half used rosemary oil on the scalp and half used 2% minoxidil, a proven hair loss medicine, for six months. Both groups had more hair at six months than at the start, with no significant difference between them. The rosemary group reported less scalp itching.

That's genuinely interesting, but keep it in proportion:

• it's one study, and it hasn't been widely repeated;
• it involved men with one specific type of hair loss;
• it used a particular rosemary preparation, not any oil with rosemary in it.

So rosemary oil isn't proven to regrow hair. If that's your main goal, a dermatologist can talk you through treatments that are.

What a pre-wash scalp oil does well

Hair oiling before a wash is a long tradition in many cultures, and there are good everyday reasons for it:

• Softer, shinier-looking lengths. Oil on dry ends before shampoo helps them feel less rough and look glossier after washing.
• A fresh-feeling scalp. Peppermint and rosemary leave a cool, clean feeling, and the massage itself feels good.
• A slower wash day. A five-minute scalp massage is one of the nicest rituals you can add to your week.

What's in our Rosemary Scalp Oil

Our Rosemary Scalp Oil is a pre-wash oil with rosemary leaf oil and peppermint oil in nine organic plant oils, including sweet almond and argan. It is COSMOS Organic, 100% natural origin and 69% organic, vegan, with no silicones. It's made for dry ends and hair lacking volume: lengths look shinier and feel softer, and your scalp feels cool and fresh after a pre-wash massage.

How to use a rosemary scalp oil

1. Start with dry hair on wash day.
2. Part your hair and drop a little oil along the partings.
3. Massage with your fingertips (not nails) in small circles for two to five minutes.
4. Smooth what's left on your fingers through the driest parts of your lengths and ends.
5. Leave it on while you get ready, or longer if your ends are very dry.
6. Shampoo it out. Lather at the roots; if hair still feels oily, shampoo a second time.

Peppermint tingles, which is normal. Keep it away from your eyes, and patch test first if your scalp is sensitive.

A simple scalp-to-ends routine

Oil isn't the only scalp step. Product, dry shampoo and hard water can leave buildup that makes roots look flat. Think of it in three parts:

• Buildup day: our Scalp Scrub before shampoo, as needed. Fine cherry-shell grains and kaolin with rosemary and peppermint lift buildup for a fresh-feeling scalp.
• Dry-ends day: the rosemary scalp oil before shampoo.
• After washing, once a week: the Keratin Hair Mask on clean, damp lengths for soft, smooth, shinier-looking hair.

Want them together? The Scalp to Ends Gift Box holds the scalp oil, scalp scrub, volume shampoo and keratin hair mist.

When to see a professional

Sudden shedding, round bald patches, a sore or flaky scalp, or hair loss after illness, childbirth or a new medicine are all reasons to see a doctor or dermatologist. Many causes of hair loss are treatable, and earlier is better.

Frequently asked questions

Does rosemary oil really grow hair?

One 2015 study of 100 men with male-pattern hair loss found rosemary oil and 2% minoxidil gave similar results after six months. It's a single small study, so rosemary oil isn't proven to regrow hair. Our scalp oil is a cosmetic pre-wash oil for shinier-looking lengths and a fresh-feeling scalp.

How often should I use a rosemary scalp oil?

Once or twice a week before you shampoo is plenty for most people. Use it on wash days.

Can I leave rosemary oil in my hair overnight?

Our scalp oil is made to use before shampoo and wash out. If you leave it on longer, protect your pillow and make sure you shampoo it out thoroughly.

Can I use rosemary oil on fine or oily hair?

Yes. Use less and focus on the scalp and the very ends, then shampoo twice if needed so roots don't look heavy.

Is rosemary oil safe for color-treated hair?

A plant-oil pre-wash is generally fine for color-treated hair. As with any new product, patch test first.

Sources

Panahi Y. et al. Rosemary oil vs minoxidil 2% for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia: a randomized comparative trial. SKINmed, 2015;13(1):15–21.
Product details are taken from the exokiss product pages. This article is general information, not medical advice.