You see it everywhere on TikTok now. Someone pours a few drops of rosemary oil into a shampoo bottle or massages it purely into their scalp, and a few months later, a proud "look how much baby hair I have" video follows. It sounds almost too simple. An herb from your spice rack for hair loss, without a prescription, without side effects, without costing hundreds of euros.
The reason it's getting so much attention is a study that is cited everywhere: rosemary oil is said to work just as well as minoxidil. That's a big claim, so we looked into where it comes from and what exactly has and hasn't been proven.
Why rosemary oil is thought to help with hair loss
Rosemary oil has long been known for a few properties that can aid hair growth. It improves blood circulation to the scalp, which means hair follicles are better supplied with oxygen and nutrients. Additionally, it has anti-inflammatory properties, which can be beneficial if your scalp is irritated or hypersensitive. Some researchers also suspect a slight DHT-inhibiting effect, although this mechanism is less well-supported than, for example, finasteride.
None of these effects are unique to rosemary oil. What does make the substance interesting is that it combines these effects in one plant-based ingredient without the side effects sometimes seen with medication.
The study everyone cites
The study that almost every article on rosemary oil refers to is an Iranian study from 2015, published in the journal SKINmed. One hundred men with hereditary hair loss were divided into two groups. One group used minoxidil 2% for six months, the other group used rosemary oil for six months.
After six months, the number of hairs in both groups had significantly increased, and the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant. Specifically, it went from an average of 122 to 129 hairs per square centimeter, a growth that was of the same magnitude as in the minoxidil group. So, rosemary oil performed about as well as minoxidil 2%. A detail often forgotten: the rosemary group experienced less scalp itching or irritation than the minoxidil group. For men who cannot tolerate minoxidil for this reason, that alone is worth knowing.
What isn't mentioned
This is where it gets a bit tricky, because most articles about this study don't tell the whole story.
Firstly, it was minoxidil 2%. That's the weaker variant. Most men who use minoxidil today choose 5%, and other research clearly shows better results for 5% than 2%. So, rosemary oil was compared to the lightest version of a product that is available in a stronger form.
Secondly, the participants used a diluted rosemary extract, not pure essential oil as many people on TikTok apply directly to their scalp. Applying it purely can cause irritation, which is precisely the effect you want to avoid.
Thirdly: one hundred participants is enough to detect a signal, but too few to draw firm conclusions. There was also no placebo group in this study, so we don't know how much of the effect was simply due to daily massage and attention to the scalp. Minoxidil now has decades of research and approvals behind it. Rosemary oil has one promising, but small study.
In short: rosemary oil is not a proven substitute for minoxidil. It is a product with a reasonable scientific basis and low risk, but not the miracle cure that some videos make it out to be.
How to use it safely
Never apply pure essential rosemary oil directly to your scalp. Mix a few drops with a carrier oil, such as jojoba oil or almond oil, and gently massage that mixture in. Leave it on for an hour or two and then wash it out. Do a small patch test in your elbow crease first if you have never used rosemary oil, as some people experience an allergic reaction.
Don't expect results within a few weeks. In the study, it took six months for a clear difference to be visible. This is consistent with how hair growth works: a hair follicle must first go through a complete growth cycle, which takes several months for most men.
How often you use it depends on how your scalp reacts. In the study, it was applied twice a day. If you notice irritation or a burning sensation, reduce it to a few times a week instead of daily. Applying more does not make it more effective; it only increases the chance of irritating your scalp.
Can you combine it with minoxidil or a serum?
This question comes up frequently on Reddit and in comments under TikTok videos. Applying rosemary oil separately alongside minoxidil or another serum is possible, but pay attention to the order and timing. Do not apply oily products immediately before or after minoxidil, as this can interfere with the absorption of minoxidil into the scalp. If you want to use both, keep a few hours in between, for example, rosemary oil in the morning and minoxidil in the evening.
For most men, it is more practical to choose a serum that already contains rosemary oil, in the correct concentration and together with other ingredients that target different mechanisms. This saves the hassle of separate oils and carrier oils, and you can be sure that the concentration is correct.
Where rosemary oil does and doesn't fit
As a standalone treatment, rosemary oil is a reasonable, low-risk option for men who are not yet ready for medication. However, most serious formulas do not use it as the sole active ingredient, precisely because its effect is comparable to minoxidil 2% and thus remains limited if used on its own.
In our own Growth Serum, rosemary oil is therefore not the main ingredient, but one of ten active substances, alongside, among others, Procapil and caffeine, which target DHT and blood circulation. The reasoning behind this is simple: one plant-based ingredient with a reasonable effect is less potent than a formula that addresses multiple causes of hair loss simultaneously.
Conclusion
Rosemary oil is a well-supported ingredient for hair loss. The study everyone refers to shows that after six months, it can yield similar results to minoxidil 2%, with less chance of scalp irritation. At the same time, the research is small, used a diluted extract, and was compared to the weakest version of minoxidil. If you want to try it, there's no harm, as long as you use it diluted and have realistic expectations about how long it takes to see results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was rosemary oil compared to minoxidil 2% instead of 5%?
Researchers at the time likely chose the commonly available or easier-to-obtain concentration, but it means the comparison is not representative of the stronger 5% variant most commonly used today.
Can you use rosemary oil for irritation caused by minoxidil?
Yes, rosemary oil can be a milder addition for people who suffer from minoxidil irritation, although it does not automatically replace the same effect, and you should apply it separately and not simultaneously.
Is there a follow-up study confirming this result?
No, there is no large, independent follow-up study that has replicated this specific result, which makes it difficult to say how robust this finding truly is.
Can you tell if rosemary oil will work for you as well?
No, individual results can vary greatly, and the only way to assess if it works for you is to use it consistently for at least six months and track changes with photos.
Why did the study not include a placebo group?
Without a placebo group, it cannot be definitively determined how much of the measured effect came from rosemary oil itself and how much from the daily massage and attention to the scalp.
Can you take rosemary extract in capsule form?
There is limited research on oral intake of rosemary extract specifically for hair loss; the study usually referred to concerned topical application to the scalp, not capsules.
Is there a difference in strength between rosemary oil and rosemary extract?
Yes, rosemary extract is often specifically standardized to a certain concentration of active compounds, while rosemary oil can vary in strength depending on the preparation method and brand.
Can you combine rosemary oil with finasteride?
Yes, there is no known negative interaction between rosemary oil and finasteride, as they work through different mechanisms, local versus systemic.
Why did the rosemary group show better adherence in the study?
Researchers reported less perceived irritation and itching in the rosemary group compared to the minoxidil group, which possibly contributed to better treatment adherence during the study period.
Does a higher concentration of rosemary oil yield a stronger effect?
There is no research that has specifically compared different concentrations of rosemary oil for effectiveness, so a higher concentration does not automatically guarantee a stronger effect and may increase the risk of irritation.
