What are the benefits of rosemary oil for your hair?

The latest ingredient taking over #HairTok? Rosemary oil is the trending treatment that haircare fanatics are swearing by for thicker, healthier-looking locks. Having amassed over 1.8 billion views on TikTok, this savvy little oil is showing no signs of slowing down on social media. But why is it such a hit?

Let’s get to the root of rosemary oil’s benefits, as we uncover why it might just be your hair’s best-kept secret to longer, stronger locks – with help from the experts at Hair Syrup, Umberto Giannini and Mielle.

What is rosemary oil?

Looking for the ultimate haircare Holy Grail? “Rosemary is a herbal hero for your hair, gaining viral status on TikTok because of its incredible scalp and hair health benefits,” explains Marta Teixeira, Umberto Giannini’s clinical trichologist.

Founder of Hair Syrup, Lucie Macleod affirms: “Rosemary oil has gained popularity recently as a sought-after haircare ingredient. It's a pale liquid essential oil that's extracted from rosemary plants and has a distinctive herbaceous scent.”

What are the benefits of using rosemary oil?

Promotes faster hair growth

With ‘90s blowouts and big hair in full swing in 2024, hair growth has also arrived back on everyone’s bucket list this year. Marta explains: “Rosemary-enriched haircare products have shown potential benefits for hair growth, creating a healthy environment for hair growth.”

She also reminds us not to forget our scalp when it comes to prioritising healthy hair growth: “Taking care of your scalp is as important as taking care of your skin, as scalp health is directly correlated to the growth of strong, dense, and healthy hair.”

She goes on: “[Rosemary oil] can prevent breakage and provide protection for hair. By nourishing your scalp and strengthening your strands, rosemary oil keeps your hair looking strong and healthy.”

Helps to discourage hair loss

“[Rosemary oil] is thought to help prevent premature greying and hair loss, says Claire Martin-Kennedy, educator at Mielle Organics. “Its antioxidant properties can protect hair and scalp from oxidative stress, [which is] crucial for keeping follicles healthy.”

However, it’s important to note that rosemary oil is not recommended to be used in place of prescription treatments or other medical hair loss advice, if you are a long-term sufferer of hair fall: “They should be viewed as complementary, rather than stand-alone treatments for hair loss,” urges Marta.

Nourishes your strands

While rosemary oil is a key player in hair growth, it is also celebrated for its lock-nourishing benefits. Marta highlights: “Rosemary oil works its magic by helping to strengthen hair shaft, reduce breakage caused by heat damage and colouring, and provide nourishment and gloss.”

Want extra silky, supple strands? Claire suggests: “Apply the oil to the ends of your hair for its lubricating and moisturising effects...it provides a calming and softening impact.” She continues: “It is effective in flattening the hair cuticle, making it suitable for coarser textures and high porosity hair.”

Effective Scalp Cleanser

Hair growth starts from the scalp, so it’s essential to prioritise scalp care as a key step in your routine.

“Rosemary oil can help soothe, and with its calming effects, [...] a flaky scalp can also benefit from the use of rosemary oil,” Marta concludes.

However, if you are prone to a sensitive or reactive scalp, always make sure to proceed with caution when applying rosemary oil (or any other essential oil!) to your skin. For the best (and most comfortable!) results, Lucie agrees:

"As a potent essential oil, it should never be applied neat to the scalp. You need to ensure the rosemary oil you're using is diluted to below a safe concentration.”

The top 3 do's and don'ts when using rosemary oil

Keen to introduce rosemary oil into your routine? Discover Marta’s top do’s and don’ts:

Do’s:

Perform a patch test

“Before using rosemary oil, patch test it on a small area to avoid any unexpected reactions or sensitivity.”

Dilute, dilute, dilute

“Less is more when it comes to rosemary oil. I would advise sticking to 5-10% strength. Dilute full strength rosemary oil with a carrier oil like coconut oil to avoid overwhelming your scalp.”

Hair conditioning

“Treat your strands to a nourishing rosemary oil mask for some extra TLC. Just remember to rinse it out after a few hours for the best results. And remember, commit to it for at least four months before deciding whether it's helping your hair.”

Don'ts:

Avoid leaving overnight

“As tempting as it may be, resist the urge to sleep with rosemary oil in your hair. It's best to wash it out after a few hours to prevent irritation.”

Don't use it as a treatment for hair loss

“While rosemary oil works wonders for overall hair health, it's not a miracle cure for hair loss. If you're dealing with hair loss issues, seek advice from a professional before relying solely on rosemary oil.”

Don't rinse immediately

“Give rosemary oil some time to work its magic before washing it out. Trust me, your scalp will thank you for it!”