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 perfumes, skincare, and haircare as an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial ingredient.” How can rosemary oil benefit the hair? I guess my TikTok algorithm senses that I have perpetually short, fine, thin hair, because it’s constantly feeding me hair-growth solutions. And honestly, I’ve tried everything to make my hair grow faster: hair-growth vitamins, aloe vera for hair growth, castor-oil scalp massages, rice-water treatments—you name it. But the only thing I hadn’t yet tried? Rosemary oil for hair, which has hella anecdotal evidence from TikTokers (with a casual 205 million searches), as well as some potentially promising information from small-scale studies that compare its results to minoxidil (the active ingredient in Rogaine and Hers). Yes, you can use rosemary oil for hair loss, as long as you manage your expectations. “Rosemary oil has been compared to minoxidil for its ability to improve circulation on the scalp and even encourage cellular turnover,” says Oligee, “which can both improve hair growth and help prevent hair loss,” Oligee says. Plus, rosemary oil has anti-inflammatory qualities that, over time, could potentially help prevent inflammation-based hair-loss conditions, like certain forms of alopecia, Oligee notes. Rosemary oil is one of the better known essential oils and for good reason. Its benefits greatly outweigh the small price to pay to keep a bottle handy in your bathroom or kitchen cabinet. While commonly used for its medicinal purposes, rosemary oil is also helpful in preventing hair loss, encouraging hair regrowth, among other benefits.

Dr. Marnie B. Nussbaum is a board-certified dermatologist specializing in non-invasive aesthetic rejuvenation. Hydrate skin without clogging pores: Mix 1/4 cup of castor oil and 3/4 cup virgin coconut oil (or 3/4 cup sesame oil), then apply to your body and face. People have used castor oil as an ingredient in makeup, skincare, and hair growth products for centuries because of its numerous benefits for both skin and hair. It also has antimicrobial properties, which help heal wounds, cuts, and bruises. Benefits of castor oil for hair growth Protects hair from free radicals But why is rosemary oil good for hair growth exactly? Carnosic acid, one of the main ingredients in rosemary oil, is thought to potentially stimulate and heal nerve tissue, according to one 2010 study, which could possibly do the same to your scalp and help encourage hair growth. Dr. Harth explains that the other main ingredients of rosemary oil—α-Pinene, 1,8-cineole, camphor, and borneol—may all beneficial for hair growth too, and points to “a 2017 study that noted these natural compounds might have anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antibacterial, antioxidant, and pain-reducing properties,” Dr. Harth says.Its active ingredient, ricinoleic acid, gets released into the intestine, where it helps with the process of digestion, nutrient absorption and cleansing the system. It increases movement of the muscles that push material through the intestines, helping to pass a bowel movement. 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. Serums 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. However, if rosemary oil is missing from your hair care routine, you may be missing out on some impressive results. For this reason, the oil and other parts of the castor plant have been used in traditional systems of medicine for the following health conditions: Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with nearly five years of experience researching, writing, and editing hair stories that range from shea butter for hair to shampoos for oily hair. She’s an authority in all hair categories but is an expert when it comes to rosemary oil for hair. After interviewing experts and researching up-to-date info on rosemary oil for hair, she tested it for two months on her own short, fine hair.

Adding rosemary oil to your hair care routine is also a great way to moisturize your hair. It also helps to strengthen damaged hair caused by frequent washing with products containing harsh ingredients. Fights oxidative stress What is castor oil? Castor oil is a non-volatile fatty oil that is derived from the seeds of the castor bean ( Ricinus communis) plant. In this post I have listed the benefits and pros and cons of each oil, as well as links to clinical trials. At the end I have also included some DIY beauty recipes that you can make at home.

Castor Oil and Rosemary Oil Combined

Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. Dr. Gaby Longsworth, Ph.D. scientist, certified hair practitioner, and owner of the blog Absolutely Everything Curly. A 2015 study revealed the effects of rosemary oil vs. minoxidil on hair regrowth in people with DHT-related hair loss after six months. The subjects who received rosemary oil for six months had the most positive result. Not only was the hair growth more significant, less amount of subjects had itchy scalps [ 3].