Rosemary Oil for Hair Growth: What the Evidence Says (and How It Compares to Minoxidil)

By DermLens AI · 11 October 2026 · 6 min read

Few haircare trends have lasted like rosemary oil. Scalp oils, serums and shampoos built around it keep appearing, and it is regularly pitched as a natural alternative to minoxidil. So is there anything behind it? There is one head-to-head clinical trial worth knowing about. It is encouraging, but it is a long way from settled.

What the research actually found

The study most people point to is a randomised trial published in the journal Skinmed in 2015. It enrolled people with androgenetic alopecia (the common, gradual, pattern-type hair loss) and randomly assigned them to either rosemary oil (50 people) or minoxidil 2% (50 people) for six months. Hair counts were measured from standardised microphotographs at the start, at three months and at six months.

• At three months, neither group showed a significant change in average hair count.
• At six months, both groups had a significant increase compared with where they started.
• There was no significant difference between the two groups at either point.
• Scalp itching increased in both groups, and was more frequent in the minoxidil group.

The authors concluded that the findings provided evidence for rosemary oil's efficacy in androgenetic alopecia.

What this trial cannot tell us

It is a genuinely interesting result, but it would be a mistake to read it as “rosemary oil works as well as minoxidil, full stop”. A few reasons to stay measured:

• It is a single trial. A 2024 review of natural treatments for androgenetic alopecia, with a special focus on rosemary oil, notes that although rosemary has become hugely popular, further research is needed to establish how effective natural remedies really are.
• It compared rosemary with 2% minoxidil, not the stronger 5% strength many people use, and the two arms mean there was no placebo group to compare against.
• It ran for six months. We do not know what happens over years, or whether gains hold if you stop.
• It does not make rosemary a medicine. The same review points out that, to date, the only FDA-approved medications for androgenetic alopecia are finasteride and minoxidil.

Rosemary oil vs minoxidil: how to think about it

• Minoxidil has the larger body of evidence and regulatory approval for this use. It is the established option.
• Rosemary oil has early, promising evidence from one head-to-head trial, but far less of it. It may suit people who want to try a gentler, plant-based approach, as long as expectations are realistic.
• They were tested against each other, not together. We cannot tell you from this research whether using both helps. Ask a pharmacist or doctor before combining treatments.

How to use rosemary oil more safely

These are general safety points rather than findings from the trial:

• Never put undiluted essential oil on your scalp. Essential oils are highly concentrated. Use a product formulated for the scalp, or dilute in a carrier oil as the label directs.
• Patch test first. Apply a small amount to the inside of your forearm and wait 24 hours. Itching was common in the trial even under supervision.
• Stop if your scalp becomes red, sore or very itchy.
• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, check with your midwife or doctor before using rosemary essential oil. Our pregnancy-safe skincare guide explains why some essential oils are flagged.

When to see a doctor instead

Cosmetic scalp care cannot diagnose or treat every cause of hair loss. See a GP or dermatologist if you notice:

• Sudden or rapid shedding, or hair coming out in patches
• A sore, scaly, very itchy or visibly inflamed scalp
• Hair loss following illness, a new medication, childbirth or major stress
• Thinning together with other symptoms, such as fatigue or irregular periods

Getting the cause right matters more than the product you choose.

The bottom line

Rosemary oil has more behind it than most trending hair ingredients, thanks to a randomised trial that found similar hair-count gains to 2% minoxidil after six months. But it is one study, there was no placebo group, and the field still treats minoxidil and finasteride as the proven options. Treat rosemary oil as a reasonable, low-cost experiment if you are patient and careful, not as a guaranteed fix.

Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

1. Panahi Y, et al. Rosemary oil vs minoxidil 2% for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia: a randomized comparative trial. Skinmed, 2015. PubMed 25842469
2. Bin Rubaian NF, et al. An Overview of Commonly Used Natural Alternatives for the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia, with Special Emphasis on Rosemary Oil. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol, 2024. doi:10.2147/CCID.S470989

This article is general information, not medical advice. If you have a skin or scalp condition, or you are pregnant, breastfeeding or taking medication, speak to a doctor, pharmacist or dermatologist before changing your routine.