Does Rosemary Actually Help Hair Growth? What the Evidence Says

Rosemary has become one of the most talked-about ingredients in hair care. You'll find it in hair oils, scalp serums, mists and even homemade hair rinses. And if you've spent any time looking up ways to deal with hair fall, chances are you've come across the claims. Some say rosemary oil works as well as minoxidil. Others aren't convinced it does much at all.

So, does rosemary actually help with hair growth?

There is some human research behind it, which makes it more interesting than many ingredients that become popular online. But the evidence is still limited, and a few small studies don't tell us everything about how well it works. Let's look at what the research has found, where the gaps are, and what you should keep in mind before adding rosemary to your hair care routine.

The Short Answer

Rosemary oil has shown some promise in supporting hair growth, particularly in people with pattern hair loss. However, it is too early to call it a proven treatment or a replacement for medical options.

It's also worth remembering that not every rosemary product is the same. A rosemary essential oil, a diluted scalp serum and a rosemary water mist have different formulations, and the research on one cannot automatically be applied to all the others.

The Study Everyone Talks About: Rosemary Oil vs Minoxidil

If you've seen rosemary oil being linked to hair growth, then you may recognize a 2015 study by Panahi and colleagues in the journal Skinmed. It is one of the most significant human studies on the ingredient.

This is what the researchers did.

They examined one hundred men aged between 18 and 49 with androgenetic alopecia also known as pattern hair loss. The participants were split into two groups. One utilized rosemary oil, whereas the other used 2% minoxidil. Both treatments were employed over a six-month period.

What did they find?

• At the three-month mark, neither group showed a significant increase in hair count.
• By six months, both groups showed a significant increase.
• There was no significant difference in hair count between the rosemary oil and 2% minoxidil groups.
• Scalp itching was reported more often by participants using minoxidil.

It's an interesting finding, and understandably, it got people talking. But there's a little more to the story.

There are some important limitations to the study:

• It was just one trial. A single study is a useful starting point, but we need more research before drawing firm conclusions.
• There was no placebo group. Both groups received an active treatment, so the study couldn't establish how much of the improvement was specifically due to rosemary.
• It compared rosemary with 2% minoxidil, not 5%. Minoxidil has a much larger body of research behind it, built over several decades.
• It only studied men with pattern hair loss. We can't assume the same results would apply to people experiencing hair fall for other reasons.
• It tested a particular rosemary oil preparation. The findings don't automatically apply to every rosemary shampoo, mist, serum or hair oil available today.

So, while the results are promising, saying rosemary has been proven to work just as well as minoxidil would be going too far.

How Might Rosemary Help With Hair Growth?

Researchers have suggested a few possible ways rosemary could support hair growth. These are interesting areas of study, although not all of them have been firmly established in people.

• It could help with scalp circulation. One theory is that rosemary may help improve circulation around the scalp. Evidence linking regulated blood flow to healthy hair is sparse. However, scientists posit that better circulation could deliver more oxygen and nutrients to the hair follicles.
• It has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds. The compounds rosmarinic acid and carnosic acid are found in rosemary. Rosemary's ability to fight oxidation and inflammation has the researchers looking into its potential for the scalp.
• This may affect pathways implicated in hair pattern loss. Studies have looked into the possibility of affecting the hormone pathways responsible for androgenetic alopecia. This remains the least developed of the suggested explanations.

So, there are a few possible reasons rosemary may be useful. But it's important to separate what researchers are investigating from what has actually been proven in people.

What the Research Does Not Tell Us

This is where it's worth being a little careful with the claims you see online.

• Rosemary has not been shown to reverse genetic hair loss. The available research suggests it may support hair growth in some people with pattern hair loss. It does not change the underlying genetic factors.
• Rosemary water hasn't been shown to work like rosemary oil. The main clinical trial used rosemary oil, not rosemary water. A hydrosol contains a different concentration and composition of plant compounds, so we can't assume it will produce the same results.
• It won't give you overnight results. In the 2015 study, there was no significant change in hair count at three months. The improvement was seen at six months.
• It isn't a substitute for finding the cause of hair loss. Hair fall can happen for several reasons, including nutritional deficiencies, hormonal changes, stress and medical conditions. Rosemary won't necessarily address these causes.

If you're noticing progressive thinning, sudden heavy shedding or bald patches, it's better to get your scalp checked rather than relying on a hair oil or serum alone.

How Long Does Rosemary Take to Work?

If you're trying rosemary for hair growth, patience matters. The research doesn't suggest that you'll see visible regrowth in a couple of weeks.

Here's a rough idea of the timeline based on the available evidence:

• Weeks 1 to 4: You may notice how the product feels on your scalp, but visible hair growth is unlikely at this stage.
• Months 1 to 3: Some people may notice changes in shedding, but the main 2015 trial did not find a significant increase in hair count at three months.
• Months 3 to 6: This is when the main trial reported measurable changes in hair count, following consistent use.

These aren't guaranteed milestones. Your results will depend on the reason for your hair loss, the formulation you're using and how consistently you use it.

Be cautious of products promising visible regrowth in just two weeks. That's not what the available research shows.

How to Use Rosemary Without Irritating Your Scalp

If you'd like to include rosemary in your routine, a few precautions are worth following.

• Don't apply undiluted rosemary essential oil directly to your scalp. Essential oils are concentrated and can cause irritation or an allergic reaction. Choose a properly formulated product or dilute it in a suitable carrier oil.
• Patch test first. This is particularly important if you have a sensitive scalp or a history of reactions to hair products.
• Apply scalp products to the scalp. If you're using a product intended for scalp care, focus on the roots and parting rather than just applying it along the hair lengths.
• Give it time. Hair growth takes time, and using a product once or twice won't tell you much about whether it suits your routine.
• Check with your doctor if you're pregnant or breastfeeding. It's best to get advice before using concentrated rosemary essential oil products.
• Stop using it if you notice a reaction. Redness, burning, itching or persistent discomfort are signs that the product may not be agreeing with your scalp.

Where Does Indulgeo Essentials Fit In?

We think rosemary is an interesting ingredient for hair care, but we also think it's important to be clear about what a product can and cannot do.

In our range, rosemary features in two different formulations, each with a slightly different purpose.

Luxuriant Hair Vitalizer 2.0 is a lightweight, non-oily scalp serum with 3% Rosemary Oil, 3% Procapil and 1% Copper Tripeptide-1. The formula is designed to support the hair follicles and help reduce shedding.

Apply it along your scalp partings and hairline, rather than treating it like a regular hair serum for the lengths. Rosemary is one part of the formula, working alongside the other ingredients. We don't claim that the product reproduces the results of the clinical rosemary study.

Rosemary and Rice Water Hair Mist takes a different approach. It combines Rosemary Hydrosol and Rosemary Oil with Hydrolyzed Rice Bran Protein, Fermented Rice Extract and Biotin.

It's better suited to everyday scalp refreshing and strand care between washes. Think of it as an additional hair care step, rather than a standalone treatment for hair loss.

Both products can be part of a regular hair care routine. As with any scalp product, consistency matters, but it's important to keep expectations realistic.

When Should You See a Dermatologist?

Not all types of hair fall are identical and sometimes changing your hair care routine is not enough.

• If you notice, it's worth seeing a dermatologist.
• A slow thinning of hair at your crown or the parting of your hair.
• Areas that have hair loss are round.
• Irritation, bleeding or scarring on the scalp.
• Unexpected or abnormal hair loss.

If you have hair loss and symptoms such as tired all the time, weight change or irregular periods.

Your dermatologist may identify the cause of your hair loss and discuss options for treatment appropriate for you. While rosemary-based products can still be useful in your regimen, they should not postpone checking out the underlying reason.

Frequently Asked Questions About Rosemary and Hair Growth

Q. Does rosemary oil actually help hair growth?

There is some human research suggesting that it may. A 2015 randomised trial found an increase in hair count after six months of rosemary oil use in men with pattern hair loss. The results were similar to those seen with 2% minoxidil in that particular study. However, the evidence is still limited, so rosemary is best described as promising rather than proven.

Q. Is rosemary oil as good as minoxidil?

One study found no significant difference between rosemary oil and 2% minoxidil after six months. But minoxidil has a much larger body of clinical research behind it. We can't conclude that rosemary is equivalent to minoxidil in general, or that it can replace a treatment recommended by your dermatologist.

Q. How long does rosemary take to work for hair growth?

Think in terms of months rather than weeks. In the main 2015 trial, a significant change in hair count was seen at six months, not three. Results will vary depending on the person and the cause of hair loss.

Q. Is rosemary water as effective as rosemary oil?

We don't have the same clinical evidence for rosemary water. The main study used rosemary oil, and a rosemary hydrosol has a different composition. Rosemary water can be used as part of everyday scalp and hair care, but it shouldn't be treated as a proven hair growth treatment. The Indulgeo Essentials Rosemary and Rice Water Hair Mist is designed for this kind of regular care.

Q. Can I apply rosemary essential oil directly to my scalp?

No. Undiluted rosemary essential oil is concentrated and can irritate your scalp. It's safer to use a properly formulated product, such as Indulgeo Essentials Luxuriant Hair Vitalizer 2.0, which contains 3% Rosemary Oil in a scalp serum. If you're diluting essential oil yourself, use a suitable carrier oil and patch test first.

The Bottom Line

Is rosemary good for hair growth? It shows promise, we just need more research.

There's some real human evidence to back it up, particularly with regards to rosemary oil and pattern hair loss. That doesn't however mean that every rosemary product will work for you, or that it's going to be a substitute for the established treatments for hair loss.

If you want to give it a go then pick a well-formulated product, use it consistently and give it time. If you're experiencing significant or ongoing hair loss then it's worth finding out what the root cause is rather than just relying on rosemary.

find out what's causing it rather than relying on rosemary alone.

Explore the Indulgeo Essentials hair growth range at indulgeoessentials.com