There are quite a few different versions of rosemary oil out there. Some people heat the oil and add fresh or dried rosemary leaves to it, some grind the leaves with the oil without heating it, some let it infuse for several weeks, and then there’s the option of a concentrated essential oil.
So before we get to the recipe itself, let’s clear something up – there are actually two completely different things called “rosemary oil,” and people mix them up a lot.
Essential oil is extracted through a special distillation process, it’s very concentrated, and it always needs to be diluted before use. Homemade rosemary oil, on the other hand, is a carrier oil (like jojoba, almond, or olive oil) that slowly absorbs some of the natural compounds from the rosemary leaves over time.
In this post I’m talking about the homemade version, made with the cold method – the one I’ve been making for a while now, and the exact one we’ll make together here.
(If you actually came here to make rosemary water – I wrote a separate post about that too: How to Make Rosemary Water for Hair at Home.)
Why I prefer the cold infusion method
There are two main ways to make rosemary oil: a quick method, where you gently heat the oil, and a slow method, where you simply let time do the work.
I always go with the slow method. First of all because it’s much simpler – there’s no need to stand by the stove and watch that the oil doesn’t get too hot. But there’s another reason too: when the oil isn’t heated at all, there’s no risk of the heat damaging some of the delicate compounds found in both the leaves and the oil itself.
And there’s something nice about the process too. Just like a lot of things in nature – there’s no need to rush here either. You give the leaves and the oil their time, and in the end you get an oil that’s gentle, full of all the goodness from both the oil and the leaves.
Before you start – one small detail that really matters:
If you’re using fresh rosemary leaves, make sure they’re completely dry before they go into the jar with the oil. Any water droplets left on the leaves can cause mold, or simply shorten the oil’s shelf life significantly. You can let the leaves air-dry for a day or two, or just use dried rosemary leaves from the start. It’s a small note, but it makes all the difference.
As for the oil itself – I like combining jojoba oil (about 80%), which is a light oil that absorbs well, with a bit of coconut oil (about 20%) that adds some extra richness. But almond or olive oil work great too, if that’s what you have at home.
What you’ll need and how to make it (cold method):
Fill a clean, dry jar with well-dried rosemary leaves.
If you’re using fresh rosemary from the garden, make sure to dry it well before adding it to the oil, so you don’t introduce moisture into the mixture.
Add oil until the leaves are fully covered, and close the jar tightly (you don’t have to fill the jar all the way to the top – the important part is that all the leaves are submerged in the oil).
Place the jar on a bright windowsill (not in strong, direct sunlight).
Wait about two to three weeks, shaking the jar once a day.
After two to three weeks, strain out the leaves and store the oil in a dark bottle or a dropper bottle, somewhere cool and dry.
After straining, store the oil in a clean, dry bottle (preferably a dark one), in a cool, dark place where it won’t be exposed to direct sunlight. I prefer to make a relatively small amount each time and use it within a few months. If you notice any unusual change in the smell, color, or texture, it’s best not to use the oil.
You can add a few drops of vitamin E to help slow down the oxidation of the oils. (But it’s important to know that vitamin E is not a preservative.)
How do I use it? 💆♀️
I use the oil in two different ways, depending on the day and what works for me.
Sometimes I use it before washing my hair. I use a larger amount, massage the oil well into my scalp and apply a little throughout the length of my hair. I leave it on for at least half an hour (I usually try to leave it on for a few hours, and you can even leave it overnight if you don’t mind the oiliness), and then I wash my hair as usual.
Other times, I use it more like an everyday hair oil – just 3–4 drops. I gently massage it into my scalp and apply a little to my hair as well. With this amount, my hair doesn’t feel oily, so I simply leave it in. (No washing afterward.)
You can start with a small amount and see what works for your hair. It really depends on your hair type and length.
Want to upgrade the oil?
Once you’ve strained it, you can add a few drops of high-quality essential oils. A few ideas:
🌿 Rosemary essential oil – rounds out the aroma and enriches the blend.
🌱 Peppermint essential oil – gives a fresh, cooling feeling. There are animal studies that found potential for encouraging hair growth, but human research is still more limited than for rosemary.
💜 Lavender essential oil – mainly for a pleasant scent and a sense of calm, and it also has antimicrobial activity – though direct evidence for improving hair growth in humans is still limited.
It’s important not to overdo it – a good rule of thumb is about a 1% dilution, meaning roughly 5-6 drops of essential oil per 30ml of infused oil (or about 10-12 drops per 60ml). If you have a sensitive scalp, it’s better to start with even less.
I have a soft spot for recipes like this, ones with a process of their own that ask for a little patience. Maybe because they remind me that not everything good has to happen fast, and that nature has its own pace 🙂 If you started a new jar today – put it somewhere you’ll see it every day 🙂 and give it the time it deserves. And if you made it, I’d genuinely love to hear how it turned out for you, in the comments below 💬
