What does Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil mean on an INCI list?

It is rosemary oil, the essential oil from rosemary leaves. Rosmarinus officinalis is the plant’s Latin name, and Leaf Oil means that the oil comes from the leaves.

What do studies show about rosemary oil and hair?

There is little knowledge. One randomised trial involving men with hereditary hair loss had no placebo group, and the result cannot readily be applied to other forms of hair loss. Larger trials are needed before it can be said that rosemary oil works.

Is rosemary oil the same as rosemary extract?

No. Rosemary oil is the essential oil distilled from the leaves. Rosemary extract, such as Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Extract, is made differently and is often used to protect products from becoming rancid.

Can rosemary oil cause contact allergy?

Yes. Essential oils can cause contact allergy, and allergies to the rosemary plant and rosemary extract have been documented. If you are allergic to fragrance or an essential oil, you are also more likely to react to other essential oils or fragrance substances.

Rosemary oil

INCI: Rosmarinus Officinalis Leaf Oil

Essential oil from rosemary leaves, used in hair care

Moderate evidence: clinical studies

Written by ECOOKING Research (R&D) · Updated 06.11.2026

At a glance

Suits: Hair and scalp

Read our guide to rosemary oil

How it works

Rosemary oil is distilled from rosemary leaves. It consists mainly of volatile fragrance compounds such as alpha-pinene, 1,8-cineole, verbenone, borneol and camphor. The proportions of these compounds vary depending on the plant’s origin. The differences are so great that several types of rosemary oil are recognised.

Rosemary oil is not the same as rosemary extract. The extract is often used to protect products from becoming rancid, while the oil is mainly used for its fragrance and in hair care.

How to use it

Never apply pure rosemary oil directly to the skin.
Try a new product on a small area first.
Keep the product away from your eyes and stop if your skin itches or becomes red.

Frequently asked questions

Sources

This page is based on an analysis of the composition of rosemary oil^[1], one randomised trial^[2], a review of herbs for hair loss^[3] and two reviews of contact allergy: one on essential oils in general^[4] and one on rosemary.^[5] Rosemary oil was studied for hereditary hair loss in a trial involving 100 men, with no placebo group. Participants in both groups had more hair after six months, but not after three. This applied to both those who used rosemary oil and those who used 2 % minoxidil. Both groups also experienced scalp itching more often.^[2] The review of herbs for hair loss calls for larger and more thorough trials.^[3] There is therefore too little evidence to recommend the oil as a treatment. People allergic to essential oils often also react to other essential oils or fragrance ingredients in allergy tests.^[4] Contact allergy to the rosemary plant and rosemary extract has been described in case reports.^[5]