If you’ve seen the TikTok videos (3 billion views under #rosemaryoil), you know the hype: Rosemary essential oil is being touted as the natural, witchy secret to longer, thicker hair. As a girl with thin, breakage-prone hair who sheds like a golden retriever, I had to investigate. Is rosemary the real deal for hair growth, or just social media snake oil?

What TikTok Is Claiming

The trend usually goes like this: users mix a few drops of rosemary essential oil into a carrier oil (or sometimes water) and massage it into their scalp a few times a week. Some make DIY rosemary “tea” rinses. Others add the oil to their shampoo. The promise? That this aromatic herb will stimulate hair follicles, make your hair grow faster, and even outshine stuff like Rogaine (minoxidil). Bold claims, right?

It gained steam when a 2015 study resurfaced showing rosemary oil might work as well as 2% minoxidil over a 6-month period. Suddenly, TikTokers were like “ditch your drugstore hair tonics, go all-natural!” Not gonna lie, the appeal is huge. Rosemary oil costs like $10 a bottle, smells like an Italian garden, and is “natural” (cue the 💚 emojis). Compared to clinical options that can irritate or cost a fortune, it sounds almost too good.

I even saw people infusing rosemary sprigs in olive oil and combing it through their hair. Beauty DIY at its finest. And don’t get me started on the viral Mielle Rosemary Mint Oil, it became a bestseller thanks to this trend (and some controversy when it sold out everywhere… long story for another day). As a first-person aside, I did start a rosemary oil scalp massage ritual a few months ago, consider me both guinea pig and skeptic.

The Science: Does Rosemary Really Rival Rogaine?

Time to separate fact from fairy tale. Thankfully, there is some science here, though not as much as TikTok would have you think. The 2015 clinical trial that kicked all this off had 100 participants with androgenetic alopecia (pattern hair loss). They applied either rosemary oil or 2% minoxidil to their scalps twice daily for 6 months. The result? Both groups saw a significant increase in hair count by 6 months, and rosemary oil’s results were essentially the same as minoxidil’s. Even more intriguing, the rosemary group reported less scalp itching compared to the minoxidil group, a big win if you’ve ever dealt with the dry, flaky side effect of Rogaine.

So yes, there is legit evidence that rosemary oil can spur hair growth in cases of hormonal hair loss. It’s not just wishful thinking. How does it work? Rosemary is rich in compounds like rosmarinic acid, caffeic acid, and essential oils that have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. One theory is that it increases scalp blood circulation, delivering more oxygen and nutrients to hair follicles. (Fun fact: simply massaging your scalp, even with plain oil, boosts circulation and can modestly help hair thickness over time.) Rosemary also has antimicrobial properties, so it might help keep the scalp healthy and free of excess yeast or bacteria that could impede growth.

Another study in 2022 even tested rosemary oil on hairless rats and found it improved their hair thickness almost as much as minoxidil did. (Poor bald rat, but good to know.) And an older 1998 study with people who had alopecia areata (an autoimmune patchy hair loss) found that a blend of essential oils including rosemary resulted in 44% of them seeing significant regrowth after 7 months, versus 15% of a control group. So while rosemary wasn’t isolated in that mix, it hints that something in these oils can wake up dormant follicles.

Before we crown rosemary oil the new queen of hair, some perspective: these studies were relatively small or limited. The 2015 trial used 2% minoxidil, which is a low dose (derms usually recommend 5% for men and women because it’s much more effective). And the “hair growth” seen with rosemary and with 2% minox was modest – we’re talking a subtle increase in count, not Rapunzel overnight. I appreciate Dr. Carmen Castilla (derm and hair specialist) keeping it real: she noted the results weren’t visibly dramatic, it’s not like either group suddenly sprouted a whole new head of hair, more like some fill-in of thinning areas. So manage your expectations: rosemary oil isn’t magic, but it’s not BS either.

The Limitations and My Experience

After 3 months of my own rosemary-oil-at-home experiment, here’s the tea: I did notice less breakage and maybe some baby hairs along my hairline. My scalp, which tends to be itchy and flaky, felt calmer (rosemary has a menthol-ish cooling vibe I love). However, my existing hair didn’t suddenly double in thickness. Any changes were slow and subtle, which tracks with the science. Hair growth is a painfully slow process; even minoxidil takes 4-6 months to show effects, so patience is key.

Important – TikTok often skips over this – rosemary oil must be used properly. It’s a potent essential oil and can be irritating or even counterproductive if overdone. Here are some must-dos and don’ts I learned (some the hard way):

• Always Dilute It: Please don’t apply pure rosemary essential oil straight on your scalp! That’s a recipe for irritation. Mix a few drops (I do 5 drops) into a tablespoon of a carrier oil like jojoba, sweet almond, or coconut oil. This not only prevents irritation but also helps spread it evenly. Undiluted, the high concentration can actually burn or inflame your scalp.

• Patch Test: Before rubbing it all over, test the diluted mix on your inner arm or a small patch of scalp. Essential oils can cause allergic contact dermatitis in some people. If you’re someone with sensitive skin or conditions like eczema or psoriasis, be extra cautious.

• Consistency Over Quantity: Using a ton won’t speed things up. In fact, too much can backfire. There’s a note in a research review that using an excessive amount of rosemary oil could irritate follicles and cause shedding. Yikes. I stick to scalp massage with it 2-3 times a week, and just a few drops each time. More isn’t more here.

• Give it Time: Like I said, this isn’t a one-week challenge. Think months. Hair cycles are slow – you might not see real improvement for 3-6 months. I took photos to track subtle changes (otherwise you’ll think nothing’s happening). Patience, young grasshopper.

• It’s Not For All Hair Loss: If your hair loss is due to something like alopecia areata, severe hormonal imbalance, or chemo – rosemary oil probably won’t miraculously overcome those. Derms emphasize that different types of hair loss need different solutions. Rosemary seems most helpful for mild to moderate pattern hair thinning. If you’re dealing with significant or sudden hair loss, see a professional for a tailored plan.

Now, about that Mielle Rosemary Mint Oil drama: Some folks claim it made their hair fall out in clumps, leading to a whole internet frenzy. The brand insists their formula is fine (and they did patch testing). The likely culprit? Misuse or individual reactions. Remember, a product that’s too heavy or used too often can build up or irritate the scalp, leading to shedding. So if you try a rosemary product and notice more hair fall, stop and reassess, it might not be the rosemary itself, but how it’s being used (or something else entirely). No need to panic, just listen to your scalp.

If You Want to Try It: Rosemary Recommendations

Done right, rosemary oil can be a lovely addition to a hair care routine. It’s affordable and generally low-risk (with the precautions above). Here’s how I suggest incorporating it, plus product picks:

How-To: Mix 5 drops of rosemary essential oil into a teaspoon of carrier oil. Section your hair and apply the oil to your scalp (I use a dropper for precision). Massage gently with fingertips for 5-10 minutes. You can leave it on for a couple of hours or overnight if it doesn’t irritate you. Then wash your hair as usual. I do this before my wash days. Alternatively, add a few drops of rosemary oil into your shampoo bottle (5 drops per 1 oz shampoo as a guideline), that way you get a mini dose every wash.

✨ Premium scalp savers:

• Vegamour GRO Hair Serum – a pricier serum that contains rosemary plus other hair-friendly botanicals (it’s a Instagram-famous choice for a reason)

• Aveda Invati Advanced Scalp Revitalizer – a luxury ayurvedic-inspired scalp treatment with turmeric and ginseng (and that spa-like Aveda scent, ahh)

• Augustinus Bader Scalp Treatment – if you really want to splurge on cutting-edge science for your follicles (Bader is known for high-tech skin care, and their hair serum is decadent and effective).

💸 Budget-friendly options:

• Mielle Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Oil – the TikTok star itself, around $10, with a blend of rosemary, castor, and biotin (just use sparingly, a little goes a long way)

• The Ordinary Multi-Peptide Serum for Hair Density – about $17, not rosemary but a cocktail of peptides that’s great for overall scalp health and thickness (a good alternative or addition)

• Now Foods Rosemary Essential Oil – pure rosemary oil for under $10; pair it with a $5 bottle of jojoba or coconut oil and you have a DIY growth potion that’ll last ages.

One more tip: don’t neglect general hair health. Rosemary or not, be gentle with your hair. Scalp massage (even with just fingers) can reduce stress and boost circulation. Use a sulfate-free gentle shampoo, don’t overheat style, and consider a silk pillowcase, all those little things help retain the hair you’re growing.

Conclusion

Rosemary oil isn’t a miracle that will transform you from thin to THICC hair overnight. But it’s also not pure hype,  there’s solid evidence it can support hair growth, especially for common thinning. I’m keeping it in my routine because, worst case, it’s a nice self-care ritual and my scalp smells like a fresh herb garden (love that). Best case, it’s giving my follicles a nudge in the right direction. If you’re curious, I’d say give it a shot – just be patient and consistent. And if you’re dealing with serious hair loss, pair your rosemary experiment with a chat with a dermatologist for the full picture.

As for me, I’ll be over here doing my evening scalp massages, pretending I’m at an Italian spa. Hair growth journey = ongoing. And hey, if you’re unsure whether rosemary oil is worth it for you or if you should stick to proven meds, you can always consult SkinAI to analyze your hair/scalp situation. Science + nature can coexist and your best hair might just need a bit of both.