Nourishing Rosemary Hair Oil

The very first beauty DIY I remember doing was a hair mask in 6th grade. After enthusiastically slathering a rather slimy combo of oil, mayo, and egg all over my head, I spent a week washing the grease out of my hair.

Hair masks have made me nervous ever since. I’m pretty adventurous with cutting and coloring my hair, but covering my head in oil, banana, or even avocado is a whole other story. My hair might feel great, but I’ll for sure be the person shampooing out bits of banana for days.

Enter the hair serum. Your hair can soak in the rich, nourishing oils, and you’ll be able to control where it goes. If your hair is long, thick, or coarse and can handle oil on the roots, go for it. For short, fine hair like mine, a drop or two on the ends might be all you need to add moisture and tame flyaways.

Rosemary Hair Oil

Here’s what you need to make it:

Jojoba oil is not a true oil. It’s actually composed of 98% liquid plant wax with a structure similar to the sebum our scalp produces [source]. Because this nourishing oil is an excellent emollient [source] that won’t clog hair follicles, jojoba is an excellent conditioner for dry, treated hair [source] and is said to stimulate hair growth.

Argan oil is a “dry” oil, meaning that it’s light and absorbs quickly. Rich in fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamin E, argan oil conditions and moisturizes dry or damaged hair. Research has shown that it protects the hair against oxidative damage [source].

Rosemary essential oil is an invigorating oil that can stimulate hair growth [source]. The plant is also known for its antimicrobial effects [source] and has been shown to help with dandruff [source].

Lavender essential oil helps combat oily hair and dandruff. When used in a daily application in animal studies, lavender was shown to promote hair growth [source].

A little oil goes a long way, so use a bottle with a dropper cap to make dispensing easy. Put a couple of drops onto your palm, and then use your fingers to apply the oil to the ends of the hair. You can smooth the oil to about halfway up the length of your hair, but avoid the roots unless your hair and scalp are super dry.

Once a week, you can use a couple of drops of oil to give yourself a scalp massage. This feels heavenly. I do this before bed, so my hair can soak in the benefits overnight and then wash it out in the morning. If you have a really hard time getting the oils out of your hair, combine a bit of gentle dish soap with shampoo in your hand to cut the grease.

Print

3.39 from 21 votes

DIY Hair Oil with Rosemary

Use this DIY rosemary hair serum daily for shiny, healthy hair. It’s a cinch to make and smells amazing, too!

Prep Time10 mins

Total Time10 mins

Course: At Home Hair Treatment

Cuisine: Beauty

Keyword: essential oils, hair

Yield: 1 ounce

Author: Stephanie Gerber

Cost: $8

Equipment

• 1 ounce bottle with dropper
• Funnel (optional)

Materials

• 6 drops lavender essential oil
• 8 drops rosemary essential oil
• 1 tablespoon jojoba oil
• 1 tablespoon argan oil (or sesame oil)

Instructions

• Pour the carrier oils and essential oils into a glass bottle that has a dropper top. Replace the lid and shake gently to combine the oils.
  
• To apply, put a couple of drops onto your palm, and use your fingertips to smooth the oil from the middle to the ends of wet or dry hair.
  
• You can also use the oil to give yourself a weekly scalp massage. Rub a few drops between your fingertips, and massage it into the roots of your hair. Then apply it to the ends of your hair to seal any split ends. Leave it on overnight if you have dry hair.
  

Notes

Apply 2 to 3 times a week as needed to replenish moisture. Add a teaspoon of baking soda to your shampoo if you have trouble getting the serum out of your hair.