How to Dilute Rosemary Essential Oil for Your Hair Routine
Rosemary has grown on the hillsides of the Mediterranean and the Levant for as long as anyone remembers, and it has a long place in hair-care traditions. Today, rosemary essential oil is a popular addition to many hair routines, and it is easy to misuse. Essential oils are concentrated, and they must always be diluted. This guide explains how.
What is rosemary essential oil?
Rosemary essential oil is distilled from the leaves and flowering tops of Rosmarinus officinalis. It is clear, thin and strongly aromatic, with a fresh, green, herbal scent. Unlike a carrier oil, such as date seed or jojoba, it is a concentrate: a few drops carry a great deal of the plant.
FAYNAN Rosemary Essential Oil is a single ingredient, with nothing added.
Why dilution matters
Applied undiluted, essential oils can irritate the skin and scalp. Diluted in a carrier oil, they spread evenly and gently. Dilution is not optional, and more is not better. As the FDA notes, a plant origin does not by itself make an ingredient safe for the skin.
How to dilute rosemary essential oil
The simplest measure is drops per teaspoon of carrier oil:
| Carrier oil | Rosemary essential oil |
|---|---|
| 1 teaspoon (5 mL) | 1–2 drops |
| 1 tablespoon (15 mL) | 3–6 drops |
| 30 mL | 6–12 drops |
Start at the lower end, especially if your skin is sensitive. Mix well before each use.
Choosing a carrier oil
Any good carrier oil works. Pure Date Seed Oil is a natural pairing: a fine, golden single oil that already belongs to a pre-wash routine.
How to use your rosemary blend before the wash
- Blend: 1–2 drops of rosemary in a teaspoon of carrier oil.
- Test: before first use, apply a little of the blend to a small area of skin and wait 24 hours.
- Apply: massage the blend gently into dry scalp and hair, section by section.
- Rest: leave for 20 to 30 minutes.
- Wash: shampoo thoroughly.
For more on the pre-wash method, read How to Use a Pre-Wash Hair Oil.
Other ways to use it
- In your shampoo: add one drop to a single portion of shampoo in your palm, for a fresh herbal scent.
- In the room: add a few drops to a diffuser, following its instructions.
Who should take extra care
Rosemary essential oil is not for use on children. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have epilepsy, or are under medical care, ask a healthcare professional before using it.
Safety at a glance
- Never apply undiluted to skin or scalp.
- Keep away from the eyes and the inside of the nose and mouth.
- Test the diluted blend on a small area before first use.
- Stop using it if irritation occurs.
- Store tightly closed, away from heat, light and open flame, and out of reach of children.
A drop, not a bottle
Used well, a small bottle of essential oil lasts a very long time. One or two drops are all a routine needs. For the wider picture of wash day, read our guide to Middle Eastern hair rituals.
Find a carrier for your blend in our Pure Botanicals collection.