How to Dilute Rosemary Oil for Your Hair and Scalp
Rosemary oil has become one of the most popular oils in hair care. But Rosemary Essential Oil is highly concentrated, so it should never go straight onto your scalp. Here's how to dilute it properly and use it in a simple routine.
Why you need to dilute rosemary oil
Essential oils are concentrated plant extracts. Applied neat, they can irritate the skin. Mixing a few drops into a carrier oil spreads the essential oil out and makes it much easier to apply evenly across your scalp.
The easy ratio
For a gentle scalp blend, use about 2–3 drops of rosemary oil per teaspoon (5 ml) of carrier oil. That works out to roughly a 2–3% dilution.
| Carrier oil | Rosemary oil |
|---|---|
| 5 ml (1 teaspoon) | 2–3 drops |
| 10 ml (2 teaspoons) | 4–6 drops |
| 30 ml (2 tablespoons) | 12–18 drops |
If your skin is sensitive, start at the lower end.
Choosing a carrier oil
- Jojoba Oil: lightweight and easy to wash out, a great all-rounder
- Argan Oil: lovely for dry lengths and a glossy-looking finish
- Castor Oil: rich and thick, best mixed half and half with a lighter oil
- Grapeseed Oil: very light, good for finer hair
Store your blend in an amber glass dropper bottle to protect it from light.
A simple pre-wash scalp routine
- Mix your blend using the ratio above.
- Section your hair and apply a few drops directly to the scalp.
- Massage with your fingertips for 3–5 minutes.
- Leave it on for 30 minutes to an hour.
- Shampoo well. You may need two washes to remove the oil.
Start with once or twice a week and see how your scalp feels.
Prefer a ready-made blend?
RESET Hair Oil already combines Rosemary and Lavender oils with Jojoba, Argan, Sweet Almond, Coconut and Castor oils, so there's no measuring needed.
Safety tips
- Patch test your blend on your inner arm 24 hours before using it on your scalp.
- Keep it away from your eyes. Rinse with plenty of water if any gets in.
- Don't apply to broken or irritated skin.
- If you're pregnant, breastfeeding, managing a medical condition or using it for children, check with a healthcare professional first.
- Never swallow essential oils. Keep them out of reach of children.
