How to Make Rosemary Oil for Hair

Making rosemary oil for hair is easier than you think! There are three simple methods you can use from the comfort of your own home: fresh infusion, dried infusion, or a quick heat infusion. Each one takes some time to settle, but it’s far more cost-effective (and rewarding!) than buying hair oil at the supermarket.

Ready to learn how to make rosemary oil for hair? Once you know how to craft your own products with full control over the ingredients, you’ll never use store-bought products again!

How to Make Rosemary Oil for Hair

Pick the method that suits you best. We recommend trying all three if possible – you might find that you prefer one over the others for future use. Here’s how to make rosemary oil for hair in the comfort of your own home.

Method 1: Fresh Rosemary Infusion

Fresh rosemary is always best! You may need to wait a few weeks for your oil to be ready, but it’s well worth it. Just make sure you use enough carrier oil – rosemary oil is highly concentrated and can damage your scalp if it’s not diluted enough.

Ingredients

• Several sprigs of fresh rosemary
• Enough carrier oil to completely cover the rosemary (e.g., olive oil, coconut oil, jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, castor oil, etc.)

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Wash and dry the rosemary: Rinse the rosemary sprigs thoroughly and pat dry to remove dirt and debris.
2. Place it in a jar: Place the rosemary in a clean, sterilised glass jar.
3. Add the carrier oil: Pour your chosen carrier oil over the rosemary, ensuring the sprigs are completely submerged.
4. Seal and allow infusing: Close the jar tightly and place it on a sunny windowsill. Let it infuse for 4 to 6 weeks. Shake the jar gently every few days.
5. Strain the oil: Once your oil has infused, strain it through a cheesecloth or fine-mesh sieve into a clean, sterilised bottle. Discard the rosemary sprigs.
6. Store in a cool, dark place: Keep your oil away from sunlight and use it within 6 months for optimal freshness.

Method 2: Dried Rosemary Infusion

Homemade rosemary oil for hair usually lasts longer if you use dried herbs. Take note though, it usually needs to be infused for longer – 6 weeks or more! But, it’ll last longer than oil made from fresh rosemary.

Ingredients

• Enough dried rosemary to fill about half your chosen jar.
• Carrier oil of your choice.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Sterilise your jar: Choose the jar you’d like to use and wash it thoroughly with hot water and a sterilising soap.
2. Add dried rosemary: Fill the jar to about halfway with dried rosemary (make sure the jar is properly dry first).
3. Add carrier oil: Pour the carrier oil over the dried rosemary. Leave about an inch of space at the top of the jar.
4. Seal and infuse: Tightly seal the jar and place it in a sunny location. Let it infuse for 6+ weeks. Shake the jar gently every few days.
5. Strain the oil: Once infused, strain the oil into a clean, sterilised bottle.
6. Store it in a safe place: Store away from sunlight and heat. Use it within a year!

Method 3: Quick Heat Infusion

If you need DIY rosemary oil for hair ASAP, this is your best choice. It takes just a few hours to make, but it should be used immediately or within a day or two. Excellent in a pinch!

Ingredients

• Dried rosemary to fill half a jar
• Carrier oil of your choice

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Combine ingredients over heat: Place the dried rosemary and your carrier oil in a double boiler or a heat-safe bowl over a pot of simmering water.
2. Gently heat them up: Heat the oil and rosemary mixture over low heat for 30 minutes to an hour, stirring occasionally. Make sure the oil doesn’t boil.
3. Cool and strain: Remove the mixture from the heat and let it cool completely. Strain the oil into a clean, sterilised bottle using cheesecloth or a fine-mesh sieve.

How to Use Rosemary Hair Oil

Now that you know how to make rosemary oil for hair, what about how to use it? It’s quite versatile! Add some to your hair products, or make your own new products like masks and sprays.

Add to Your Shampoo/Conditioner

For a convenient way to incorporate rosemary oil into your hair care routine, add a few drops to your regular shampoo or conditioner. Here's how to do it.

Use a small dropper to measure out 2 to 3 drops of rosemary oil into your hand. Add a dollop of your shampoo or conditioner to it and mix it together with your finger. Lather as usual! Make sure to rinse your hair thoroughly.

Use it for a Scalp Massage

One of the best ways to reap the benefits of your homemade rosemary oil is through a relaxing scalp massage. Scalp massages help improve blood circulation to the hair follicles, promoting hair growth and overall scalp health.

Start with about a teaspoon of rosemary oil. Warm it up between your fingers and then gently massage the oil into your scalp in circular motions. Focus on areas where you feel tension or where your hair is thinning (good news – this is a rosemary oil for hair growth recipe!).

Massage your scalp for at least 5 to 10 minutes. If you want deeper nourishment, you can leave the oil in for 30 minutes to an hour before rinsing your hair. Wrap in a warm towel to increase absorption.

Wash the oil out of your hair thoroughly. You can repeat this massage twice or three times a week for excellent results.

Create a Hair Mask

Rosemary hair oil acts as a fantastic base for a deeply nourishing hair mask. Here's how to make rosemary oil hair masks any time.

• Choose your ingredients: Mix a few drops of rosemary oil with other beneficial ingredients, like coconut oil (stimulates hair growth), a beaten egg (extra shine), aloe vera (soothes the scalp), or honey (antiseptic).
• Apply to your scalp and hair: Massage it in thoroughly and cover with a cap or a warm towel for 30 minutes to an hour.
• Rinse your hair: Wash it thoroughly with a gentle shampoo and conditioner.
• Repeat once or twice a week: Don’t overdo it! Moderation is key.

Make a Rosemary Hair Spray

Your homemade oil is ideal for a revitalising rosemary spray. A spray format makes it convenient to apply to your hair and scalp throughout the day. Here's what you need:

• Your freshly prepared rosemary-infused oil.
• Distilled water to prevent greasiness.
• A clean spray bottle for even distribution.
• Optional: Additional Essential Oils: Lavender, tea tree, or peppermint essential oils can be added for extra benefits and fragrance (just a few drops).

Combine your ingredients in your spray bottle at a ratio of 1 tablespoon of oil to 4 or 5 ounces of water. Add just 2 to 3 drops of any extra essential oils. It’s that easy! Store it in the refrigerator and use it within a week or two.

Shake the bottle well before each use. Gently mist your hair (dry or damp). You can massage your scalp to help stimulate circulation. For some extra benefit, spray your hair before bed and leave it on overnight.

What Are the Benefits of Rosemary Oil for Hair?

While rosemary oil is still being studied, some benefits shown in research so far include:

• Speeding up hair growth: Rosemary oil may increase blood circulation to the scalp, delivering essential nutrients to hair follicles and encouraging hair growth.
• Improving scalp health: The anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties of rosemary oil may help soothe scalp irritation and combat dandruff.
• Preventing early greying: There's some evidence suggesting rosemary oil's antioxidant properties may protect hair follicles against free-radical damage, which is associated with grey hairs.
• Nourishing your hair: When combined with carrier oils like jojoba or coconut oil, it can help condition and add shine to your hair.
• Uplifting scent: The fresh, herbaceous scent of rosemary oil brings a refreshing and uplifting quality to hair care routines.

Important Things to Know

• Patch test first: Allergies are real, so do a patch test on a small, inconspicuous part of your skin before applying it to your head.
• Never use undiluted oil: Rosemary oil is potent. Always dilute it in a carrier oil before using it on your hair and scalp.
• Check with your doctor: If you have any scalp conditions (eczema, psoriasis), consult your doctor before using rosemary oil.

How to Make Rosemary Oil for Hair FAQs

Why Make DIY Rosemary Oil for Hair Instead of Buying It?

Knowing how to make rosemary oil for hair means you know absolutely everything that goes into it, and it’s much cheaper, too! You have full control over the rosemary oil preparation and creation process. And even if you need to go out and buy all the ingredients, it’s a lot more affordable to make your own. Oils in the supermarket often increase their prices to cover fancy (but unnecessary) ingredients.

Does Rosemary Help Your Hair Grow?

While this isn’t specifically a rosemary oil for hair growth recipe, using rosemary essential oil CAN help your hair grow. Research is still ongoing, but scientists theorise that it promotes hair growth by:

• Improving circulation in the scalp and hair follicles
• Neutralising free radicals thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties
• Soothing the scalp and providing a healthy environment for hair to grow

How Often Should I Use Rosemary Oil for Hair?

We recommend starting with once or twice a week. Pay attention to how your scalp reacts. If there are no issues, you can increase your usage. People with oily hair should use it less frequently than those with dry hair. If you have a skin condition that affects your scalp, you should use it more sparingly than others. Everyone’s scalp responds differently to rosemary oil, and it also depends on the strength or concentration of your oil. The only way to find out is to try.

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