Boost hair growth and prevent hair loss with this DIY Rosemary and Rosehip Oil for hair! It’s easy to make at home, just needs 2 ingredients and only a couple of minutes of your time.
Address common hair concerns by adding this homemade hair oil to your natural hair care routine. Nourish your precious mane from the roots to the tips, and simultaneously, you take care of your scalp health (especially if you have a dry scalp).
This rosemary and rosehip oil for hair benefits your hair health in many different ways which we will discuss in just a bit. Following this, we dive deeper into the ingredients list and create your very own oil!
Benefits
Benefits of Rosehip Oil for Hair
- promotes hair growth
- prevents hair loss
- nourishes the hair follicles and increases their density
- strengthens hair shaft
- contributes to scalp health (skin rejuvenation and collagen synthesis)
- antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties
Rosehip Seed Oil (Rosa canina) became very popular in regenerative skin care in the past few years due to its benefits in tissue regeneration (scars and burns) and premature ageing (wrinkles).
However, this beneficial natural oil is great not only for our skin but also for our hair. A study in 2023 [1] suggests that rosehip oil stimulates hair growth and may prevent hair loss.
Its essential nutrients, such as essential fatty acids (linoleic acid), vitamin A and vitamin C, contribute to a healthy scalp and larger, stronger hair follicles.
Rosehip Oil is considered a light, non-comedogenic oil which means that it can be used for both fine and oily hair. Dry, brittle hair benefits the most because it penetrates deep into the hair shaft.
The oil’s anti-inflammatory properties may also help get rid of dandruff (due to a dry scalp) and soothe an itchy scalp.
Benefits of Rosemary for Hair
- promotes faster, healthier hair growth
- reduces hair fall
- leaves your hair smooth & shiny
- prevents premature greying and baldness
- helps get rid of dandruff
- promotes scalp health (itchy, dry scalp)
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) has been used medicinally for centuries as a natural remedy for many different ailments and pains. Besides its uses for respiratory and gastrointestinal problems, for relieving stress and anxiety as well as an anti-inflammatory and pain relief, rosemary also greatly affects our hair and scalp.
Rosemary is known to improve blood flow which helps stimulate the hair follicles and bring more blood to the roots strengthening them, thus, preventing hair from falling out.
By stimulating blood circulation, rosemary also helps prevent premature greying, promote healthy hair growth and make your hair look shiny, smooth and healthy. In particular, if you have dry hair.
Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, rosemary may also help reduce the appearance of dandruff and relieve a dry, itchy scalp. A healthy scalp is vital for healthy hair!
A quick note on the side, there is not enough scientific evidence to prove the herb’s effectiveness on hair growth. It’s only reputed to have these effects. I encourage you to try it out yourself and see how effective it is on your hair and scalp!
Benefits for Different Hair Types
This rosemary and rosehip oil for hair can be used for all hair types. As mentioned earlier, rosehip oil is a lightweight amongst the natural oils and is ideal for fine hair as well as oily hair.
Dry hair benefits from it because it penetrates the hair shaft and nourishes it from the inside out without being too heavy like coconut oil or olive oil tend to be.
In the next section, we go through the different oils that you can add to your creation if you wish. But know that rosehip oil alone is great, too!!
Ingredients
Affiliate Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. That means I may earn a small commission, if you purchase the linked product, at no extra cost for you.
- rosehip seed oil
- rosemary essential oil (alternatively: fresh rosemary sprigs)
(see recipe card for quantities)
Rosehip Oil: When making natural skin and hair care, always, always choose organic, cold-pressed oils. Quality does matter—if you want to see results!
The colour indicates the quality and ranges from a deep golden hue to a rich red-orange. Stay away from oils that have a pale yellow tint. I made sure mine’s a deep orange (besides trusting the brand).
The oil that you find when clicking on the affiliate link is only a suggestion. This is to show you what I mean by the colour. There are more good oils out there, too!
Rosemary Essential Oil: When using essential oils, always, always choose high-quality, pure, therapeutic grade. As an aromatherapist, I can’t stress this enough! Cheap, low-quality oils won’t do much!
Steer right around low prices, and labels that don’t include the botanical name. This is super important to know because some oils have variations, with different purposes!!
Essential Oil Safety: Rosemary is non-toxic, non-irritating and non-sensitising. However, if you’re pregnant or suffer from epilepsy or high blood pressure, you should avoid it.
Fresh Rosemary: If you don’t like using essential oils, you can also make this DIY hair oil by using the fresh rosemary herb. You’ll be doing a different method that I’m going to explain later.
Other Carrier Oils
- argan oil
- avocado oil
- coconut oil
- jojoba oil
- olive oil
Rosehip oil on its own is fantastic, but if you wish to dilute it, some of the best oils to use for your natural hair care routine are coconut oil, argan oil, olive oil, jojoba oil and avocado oil.
For fine hair, jojoba oil is your go-to. Avoid the other oils as they’ll be too heavy for your hair type. Coconut oil as well as jojoba oil also help reduce the appearance of dandruff (anti-microbial).
Essential oils
- rosemary oil
- lavender oil
- peppermint oil
The best essential oils to use for hair growth, and my all-time favourites for my hair care are rosemary and lavender. Some people also swear on peppermint oil but it can be a bit tricky.
Peppermint stimulates blood flow and may help boost hair growth. But, as opposed to lavender or rosemary essential oil, it can be sensitising to some people. If you want to use peppermint, please use a low dose (1 % dilution or less!).
There are different kinds of lavender essential oils. Make sure the oil’s botanical name reads Lavandula angustifolia.
Instructions
How to make rosemary and rosehip oil
There are actually two ways to make this rosemary and rosehip oil for hair. One is quick, simple and easy. The other involves more time but is also cheaper.
The first one is the easy one where you’ll be using rosemary essential oil. The other one is a process called maceration where we use fresh rosemary sprigs.
Method 1: In an amber glass dropper or pump bottle, combine rosehip oil and an adequate amount of rosemary essential oil. As we use this hair oil regularly, I recommend a 1 % dilution.
In my recipe, we are using 60 ml/2 oz. of rosehip oil and we would add up to 18 drops of rosemary essential oil.
Once you’ve added the oils, screw the lid on and give the bottle a good shake. The oil is now ready to be used in your hair care routine (how, I explain below).
Method 2: The maceration process may take longer but is a lot cheaper because we’ll be using fresh rosemary sprigs. You’ll need a clean jar that’s big enough to fit the oil and 3-4 twigs (about 100 ml).
Put the rosemary sprigs into the jar and pour the rosehip oil over them, making sure they are completely covered. Screw on the lid and store in a dark place for 2 weeks.
Then take out the sprigs. The oil should smell like rosemary. To increase the potency of the oil, add a couple more sprigs to the amber glass bottle in which you want to store the hair oil ultimately.
Just leave enough room for the dropper ;). This way, the oil gets even more infused with the essential oils! You don’t necessarily need to take out the herb but you can after 2 weeks if it’s in the way!
How to use the hair oil
There are different ways to use your DIY hair oil, depending on the desired outcome and the hair concerns that you want to address.
For hair loss, boost in hair growth and improving scalp health, scalp treatments will be your best method. Simply apply a small amount of oil to your scalp. I prefer using a dropper for that!
Massage the scalp for at least 5 minutes in a circular motion to increase blood circulation. No need to go into your strands, focus on the hair follicles!
Unless you also want to address dry hair. For brittle hair and split end care, you can apply the oil to your dry strands as well.
Cover your head with a shower cap. This will contain the heat that’s emanating from your head which improves the absorption of the oils! You don’t want the oil to go cold.
By the way, if you want to double up the dose, you can also spray this DIY rosemary water on your hair and massage it into your locks!
Leave the oil in for 30 minutes up to an hour. Wash your hair as usual, but using a gentle shampoo is always a good idea. We don’t want to strip the hair of its oils too much, right?
How often to use
You can use the oil as often as you wash your hair. But don’t feel like you have to use it that often. It’s enough to apply it 1-2 a week!
Storage
When choosing essential oils for your homemade personal care products, I always recommend amber glass bottles or containers for storage. The oils are light-sensitive and may lose their potency!
For this homemade hair oil, I like a dropper bottle (affiliate link) because it lets me be more precise with the amounts of oil I need. It’s also easier to drop it on your scalp this way.
This DIY rosemary and rosehip oil for hair, no matter which method you choose, can be stored for 6-12 months in your bathroom cupboard away from the light.
The shelf life depends a little on the age of the rosehip oil you’re using. Check the bottle for an expiry date. This can be used as a reference.
Safety and Warnings
Always make a patch test before trying any of my recipes on your body. If you’re pregnant or suffer from epilepsy or high blood pressure, please avoid using rosemary essential oil.
If pregnant, also avoid lavender essential oil! It’s best you use rosehip oil only, or if unsure, consult your doctor and/or midwife.
📖 Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 60 ml / 2 oz. rosehip oil cold-pressed, organic
- 18 drops rosemary essential oil (Method 1)
- 3-4 sprigs fresh rosemary (Method 2)
Instructions
How to Make - Method 1 - Rosemary Essential Oil
- In an amber glass dropper bottle, combine the rosehip oil and the rosemary essential oil. As we use this hair oil regularly, I recommend a 1 % dilution (60ml - 18 drops).
- Once you’ve added the oils, screw the lid on and give the bottle a good shake. The oil is now ready to be used in your hair care routine.
How to Make - Method 2 - Maceration
- You’ll need a clean jar that’s big enough to fit the oil and 3-4 twigs (about 100 ml). Put the rosemary sprigs into the jar and pour the rosehip oil over them, making sure they are completely covered. Screw on the lid and store in a dark place for 2 weeks.
- Then take out the sprigs. To increase the potency of the oil, add a couple more sprigs to the amber glass bottle in which you want to store the hair oil ultimately. Just leave enough room for the dropper. You don’t necessarily need to take out the herb but you can after 2 weeks if it’s in the way!
How to Use
- For hair loss, boost in hair growth and improving scalp health, scalp treatments will be your best method. Simply apply a small amount of oil to your scalp.
- Massage the scalp for at least 5 minutes in a circular motion to increase blood circulation. If you also want to address dry hair, you can apply the oil to your dry strands as well. Cover your head with a shower cap. This will contain the heat that is emanating from your head which improves the absorption of the oils!
- Leave the oil in for 30 minutes up to 1 hour. Wash your hair as usual.
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