Rosemary Oil

Worst

Fragrance Synthetic and Natural

No known benefits

Rosemary Oil at a glance

  • Oil from the rosemary plant
  • Long used in traditional folk medicine
  • Volatile compounds can lead to irritation, including allergic contact dermatitis
  • Milder reactions after topical exposure include itching and redness

Rosemary Oil description

Rosemary oil is oil extracted from the rosemary (_Rosmarinus officinalis_) plant. It can either refer to oil taken directly from the leaves of the plant, or the essential oil derived from other parts of rosemary, including the stems and flowers. Rosemary oil has a long history of use in traditional folk medicine, where it’s been used as everything from an appetite stimulant to a disinfectant. In skin care, it’s largely used for its fragrance properties, though owing to its nature as a plant extract, it’s also rich in antioxidants and has antimicrobial properties as well. Unfortunately, these benefits do not come without risk. All oils – whether from the leaves, the stems, or flowers – derived from rosemary contain volatile compounds known to irritate skin. These include eucalyptol, limonene, linalool, and camphor (in amounts up to 27% in the leaf oil, hence rosemary oil’s “stimulating” effect on skin and scalp). Studies demonstrate that topical application of rosemary oil can lead to irritation, including allergic contact dermatitis. This reaction might not happen immediately, but repeated use increases this risk. Itchiness and redness can also occur after applying rosemary oil to skin. Our advice? Skip products that include rosemary oil in the ingredients, and instead seek out ones that contain rosemary extract (or rosemary leaf extract) instead. These extracts have had the essential oil component removed, so you get the antioxidant benefits without the potential for irritation. You can learn more about rosemary extract by checking out our definition _Rosmarinus Officinalis_ (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, linked below under “Related Ingredients”.

Rosemary Oil references

  • International Journal of Toxicology, December 2018, pages 12S-50S
  • African Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, September 2018, pages 389-386
  • SkinMed, January-February 2015, pages 15–21
  • Allergologia et Immunopathologia, November–December 2014, Pages 616-619

Peer-reviewed, substantiated scientific research is used to assess ingredients in this dictionary. Regulations regarding constraints, permitted concentration levels and availability vary by country and region.

Ingredient ratings

Best

Proven and supported by independent studies. Outstanding active ingredient for most skin types or concerns.

Good

Necessary to improve a formula's texture, stability, or penetration.

Average

Generally non-irritating but may have aesthetic, stability, or other issues that limit its usefulness.

Bad

There is a likelihood of irritation. Risk increases when combined with other problematic ingredients.

Worst

May cause irritation, inflammation, dryness, etc. May offer benefit in some capability but overall, proven to do more harm than good.

unknown

We couldn't find this in our ingredient dictionary. We log all missing ingredients and make continuous updates.

Not rated

We have not yet rated this ingredient because we have not had a chance to review the research on it.