Derived from the Latin words ‘ros marinus’, meaning ‘dew of the sea’, rosemary oil has made major waves on social media for its beneficial effects on hair. From incorporating sprigs into shampoos, to lathering lengths in its essential oil, this trending herb has more advantages than making the perfect roast dinner…
Whether you’ve dabbled in making your own concoctions or want to incorporate it into your hair wash routine, Cult Beauty tackles all the ingredient’s myths and magic, from how to use rosemary oil for hair care to uncovering the correlation between rosemary oil and hair growth, in this ultimate guide.
WHAT EXACTLY IS ROSEMARY OIL
If Sally Owens inspired you to keep rosemary by your gate for luck, or you’ve watched a million and one TikTok videos on its healing properties, it’s more likely than not you’ve heard about the benefits of rosemary oil. Extracted from the herbaceous plant, Salvia Rosemarinus, this fragrant floral shrub derives from the Mediterranean. Aromatic and infused with an earthy flavour, it’s commonly used in savoury cooking (hello roasties), spiritual circles (to ward off evil spirits), and of course hair treatments…
But what are the actual benefits of using rosemary oil on your hair? Get ready to put on your white lab coat, while we delve into the science behind this aromatic leaf…
HOW DOES ROSEMARY OIL WORK ON THE SCALP
A proven vasodilator, rosemary oil works to improve hair health and length thanks to the fact it contains carnosic acid – which is known to heal nerve damage, tissue damage and improve cell turn over. Not only does this mean that rosemary oil may encourage nerve growth , this healing herb allows your blood vessels to open, increasing blood circulation and in turn is able to deliver more nutrients to your scalp too. Research has proven that rosemary oil actually breaks down the effects of DHT (a type of testosterone) normally responsible for shrinking hair follicles. The result? It stops your strands from being starved of oxygen, becoming dehydrated and falling out…
HOW TO USE ROSEMARY OIL
So, now we’ve learnt about the rosemary oil benefits for hair, it’s time to uncover the best ways to incorporate it into your routine…
Directly on the scalp
One way to infuse rosemary into your washday regime is to combine it with a neutral carrier oil (jojoba or coconut oil work great). Mix up to five drops of the blend and massage it straight onto your scalp. We suggest letting the concoction sit for a minimum of 10 minutes before washing it out. Oh, and leaving it on overnight is also an option.
Mix up a magical shampoo potion
Alternatively, add up to five drops of rosemary oil per 30ml of your favourite shampoo. Then lather up your lengths as usual and enjoy the earthy scent from the rosemary addition.
Add some directly to your preferred hair care product.
Last, but by no means least, add two to three drops directly onto your palm and mix with your hair styling products — creams, mouses, whatever you love using.
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HOW OFTEN SHOULD YOU INCORPORATE ROSEMARY OIL IN YOUR ROUTINE
Consistency is key… Let’s be real, one use isn’t going to get you the luscious locks of your dreams. To actually notice results we suggest using rosemary two to three times a week for at least six months.