If you’re looking for ways to boost your beard, there’s a good chance you’ve turned to rosemary oil for beard growth.
Plastered over TikTok, Instagram and YouTube, rosemary oil is being heralded as a miracle cure for patchy beards, with an ability to thicken beards and grow hair where there wasn’t any before.
Sounds great, right? The plot thickens a little.
While some are praising rosemary oil as the cure for bad beards, there are others in the industry saying its impact on DHT could outright kill your beard.
That's two very different opinions - which is it? Will rosemary oil:
- help beard growth?
- make your beard fall out?
- or not really do anything at all?
We wanted to get to the bottom of this, so we enlisted the advice of industry-renowned expert Hair & Beard Surgeon and owner of Mittal Hair Clinic, Dr Mani Mittal. Let’s dive in as he shares his expertise and puts this issue to bed for good.
Key Takeaways
- The relationship between rosemary oil and beard growth is complex, due to DHT's nuanced impact on hair and beard growth.
- While rosemary oil won't directly promote hair growth, it won't harm it - and it does have other benefits.
- Other essential oils like Peppermint, Lavender and Tea Tree are great for beards too, while carrier oils like jojoba, coconut & avocado provide nourishing benefits.
- Dilute essential oils correctly & patch test before use to avoid any potential side effects or allergic reactions.
What is Rosemary Oil?
Spoiler alert - rosemary oil comes from… rosemary bushes. It's extracted from the flowering tops of the bush, commonly by steam distillation. The resulting product is the pure essential oil - the plant in its most potent form.
At first, rosemary oil gained popularity in Greek and Roman times, where it was thought to enhance memory and brain function. In more recent times, it's been found to have a high concentration of iron, calcium, and vitamins A, B, and C – which are hair-healthy vitamins.
The Complex Story of Rosemary Oil for Beard Growth
Rosemary oil has resurfaced on social media for its ability to promote hair regrowth.
This is because rosemary oil is one of nature's most powerful DHT blockers. In fact, one study showed that rosemary oil was as effective as minoxidil for stimulating hair growth in men. This has seen it get a lot of press, and people naturally wondering if it can stimulate hair growth for beards, too. But things aren't quite that simple.
To explain this, we first need to take a look at what DHT is, and the role it plays in male hair growth.
What is dihydrotestosterone (DHT)?
Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) is a hormone derived from testosterone that significantly influences male hair loss and male pattern baldness.
“Being a man, you have testosterone coursing through your body, and this testosterone is broken down into a byproduct called dihydrotestosterone, or DHT. If you’re genetically programmed to lose hair, DHT is going to make it happen.” said Dr Mani Mittal during our interview.
What role does DHT play in beard growth?
The beard care industry tends to believe that while DHT is deadly for head hair, it's essential for beard growth. This is where the claim that rosemary oil will kill beards comes from - because rosemary oil blocks DHT.
However, DHT's role in beard growth isn't actually that clear cut:
“Everything I’ve learned has shown that DHT is important for beard growth in the puberty phase, but as you get older, it’s testosterone that plays a vital role in how aggressively your beard will grow." says Dr Mani.
"DHT is important for certain things at a certain timeframe, but long-term, it doesn’t have a massive impact on beard growth."
Okay, so is rosemary oil good or bad for beard growth?
When treating patients for hair loss, Dr Mani prescribes them finasteride, a medicine that, like rosemary oil, blocks DHT.
"I have patients who are actively losing hair, and we put them on a medication called Finasteride to stabilise their hair loss. Finasteride acts by inhibiting the enzyme that produces DHT - de facto, your DHT will lower.", said Dr Mani in our interview.
"I’ve got over 1,500 patients actively taking finasteride, and I haven’t once had a patient say ’Mani, my beard is looking weaker.“
The verdict: Rosemary oil's ability to suppress DHT won't harm your beard growth. But it probably isn't going to promote beard growth, either.
However, there are some other benefits of using rosemary oil on your beard.
3. Benefits of rosemary oil for beard growth
It Helps Reduce Dandruff
If you’re using rosemary oil, you can say goodbye to that dreaded beard dandruff.
That’s because rosemary completely does away with any dandruff thanks to its antimicrobial and antifungal properties.
A reduced amount of dandruff means less beard itching – which means less beard hair down your drain.
Think about it. When you’re itching your beard, you’ll pull at least one hair out by accident.
And the more beard dandruff you have, the more you feel the need to scratch your beard.
That’s just another reason why rosemary oil can be so beneficial for anyone in the process of growing their beard.
It Provides Nourishment for Hair
Remember when we said rosemary oil was rich in iron, calcium, and vitamins A, B, and C?
Well, that’s not all it has.
Rosemary oil also has a strong mix of niacin – which is a common naturally occurring ingredient in shampoos, conditioners, and some beard balms (subtle plug - check out Underdog).
Niacin helps nourish damaged, dry, or brittle strands of hair.
It can help strengthen, soften, and protect your beard, so you can focus on what’s truly important – growing it out.
It Reduces Itching and Irritation
You already know it helps fight off dandruff, but what if your beard is itchy without dandruff?
Then you might be dealing with dry skin, an ingrown hair, or even a skin condition like dermatitis.
Yet again, rosemary oil can step in to lend you a hand.
This 2015 study found that rosemary oil decreased scalp itching more than minoxidil – a popular hair growth product.
Again, itching often can lead to hair shedding or thinning. That means you need to stop it as soon as possible.
So, if you’re dealing with beard itch, try rosemary oil.
Other Essential Oils That Support Beard Growth
If you’re looking for essential oils that can support beard growth without the complexity of rosemary oil, consider:
- Peppermint oil: It stimulates circulation and promotes hair thickness.
- Lavender oil: It promotes hair growth and has antimicrobial properties.
- Tea tree oil: It prevents infections and promotes a healthy beard.
These oils make excellent alternatives for beard care.
Peppermint Oil
Peppermint oil is a fantastic option for beard growth. Its menthol content stimulates hair follicles and promotes hair growth, while its antifungal properties help keep bacteria and fungi at bay.
Plus, it increases blood flow to the beard area, speeding up growth.
Lavender Oil
Lavender oil is another excellent choice for supporting beard growth. It’s known to help improve circulation and prevent skin infections. There's also some evidence to show it can help beard growth, but this comes from a study done on mice.
To top it off, its soothing scent also makes it a pleasant addition to your beard care routine.
Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil offers is well known for its numerous benefits for beard growth, including:
- Antibacterial properties that keep acne at bay and a cleaner beard
- Moisturizing properties that hydrate and nourish your facial hair
- Adding shine to your beard, giving it a healthier-looking appearance
Use Carrier Oils for Safe Application
Before applying essential oils to your beard, ensure that they are adequately diluted with carrier oils to guarantee a safe and effective application. Carrier oils, such as jojoba, coconut, and avocado oil, not only dilute essential oils but also provide nourishing benefits like moisturizing and antioxidants to the skin and beard.
These carrier oils can be applied directly to the beard or mixed with essential oils to create a scented beard oil.
Jojoba Oil
Jojoba oil is a popular choice for diluting rosemary oil and other essential oils. Its structure closely resembles the sebum naturally produced by the skin, making it an excellent moisturizer and protector for both skin and hair.
It is non-comedogenic, meaning it won’t clog pores, too. Added bonus.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is another great carrier oil option for essential oils. It not only helps dilute the oils but also offers numerous benefits for beard care. Its moisturizing properties soften and condition the beard, reducing hair breakage and promoting growth.
Avocado Oil
Avocado oil, packed with vitamins, fatty acids, and antioxidants, is a fantastic choice for diluting essential oils. Its high oleic acid and monounsaturated fat content make it even more beneficial for nourishing the hair and skin, ensuring a healthy, well-moisturized beard.
How to Use Rosemary Oil
The benefits it does have sound good, and you need to try it.
So you pick up some rosemary essential oil and get ready to spread it all over your face.
Hold your horses.
Applying rosemary oil without diluting, or knowing how to use it can be dangerous.
Dilution
To avoid any sort of burning or stinging, you’ll need to dilute the rosemary oil.
Thankfully, that’s pretty easy.
To start, you’ll need to use a carrier oil – or another oil that carries the rosemary oil to your skin.
There are a wide amount of carrier oils you can use. We’ve covered the best ones here.
Once you pick your oil, it’s a simple three-step process to dilute the rosemary oil:
Step 1: It’s recommended to use a 2% concentration of essential oil maximum to avoid irritation. To achieve this, add 10-15 drops of rosemary oil to a jar.
Step 2: Next, add six teaspoons of the carrier oil of your choice to the jar. If you’re using multiple carrier oils, you can mix these up. For example, 2 teaspoons of jojoba, two of coconut and two of avocado.
Step 3: Finally, mix the two oils together until well combined.
Application
After the rosemary oil is diluted, you can safely apply it to your facial hair.
But first, you’ll want to know how much beard oil to use…
If you apply too much oil, your beard and skin underneath won’t be able to absorb it all – leaving you with a greasy shine.
But, if you don’t use enough, you won’t receive the benefits of the oil.
Below you’ll find the recommended amount of oil based on the size of your beard:
| Short beard | A few drops (2-3) |
| Medium length beard | 4-5 drops |
| Long beard | 6+ drops |
Now that you know how much to use, you can safely apply the oil like any other beard oil. Here’s how:
Step 1: You’ll want to apply the oil on a clean beard. Start by washing your beard with beard wash or warm water.
Step 2: Next, dry your beard until damp. For shorter beards, pat dry with a towel. For longer beards, use a hair dryer on its lowest heat setting.
Step 3: Drop the recommended amount of oil into the palms of your hands. Massage them together.
Step 4: Apply the oil to your beard (just like you would with other products). Start at the top and work your way to the ends until the oil is spread evenly.
If you don’t want to use your hands, you can always use a board bristle brush (like this one).
Frequency
There’s only one question left… how often should you apply rosemary beard oil?
Well, there isn’t one answer. It really depends on your skin and hair type.
Here’s what we recommend:
| Dry or damaged hair: | 1-2 times a day |
| Normal hair: | 5 times a week |
| Greasy hair: | 4 times a week |
Potential Side Effects
When using any product on your skin, you should be aware of the potential consequences.
That remains the same even when using natural products.
With that in mind, here are some of the potential drawbacks of rosemary oil:
Allergic Reactions
If you know you’re allergic to rosemary, don’t try using the essential oil.
However, most people probably won’t know if they’re allergic or not.
For that reason, if you have other allergies or sensitive skin, we recommend to start with patch testing on a visible area of skin. Be sure to look for any signs of allergic reactions like burning, stinging, or cracking skin.
If you notice any of these, stop using the rosemary oil.
Instead, you might be better suited with a highly moisturizing beard balm.
But what’s a beard balm, you ask? Learn the key differences between beard balm and oil right here.
Irritation
Just like an allergic reaction, you might notice some irritation when using rosemary oil.
Usually, all that means is you’re using it too frequently or without diluting it enough.
If that sounds like you, take a week off and give your skin a reset.
Or, you can try our best-selling beard oil that’s infused with a rich assortment of essential oils.
Conclusion
Rosemary oil and other essential oils can provide numerous benefits for beard growth when used correctly. However, it’s essential to be aware of the complex relationship between rosemary oil and beard growth, as well as potential side effects and precautions.
By following proper dilution and application guidelines, and considering alternative essential oils, you can enjoy a healthy, full, and well-nourished beard.
If you want to give rosemary oil a try for its antibacterial abilities, here's one we'd recommend.
Of course, there are plenty of other products (like ours) that you can safely use on your beard to help it grow healthier and stronger.
Go check them out today to start growing a beard that you’re proud of.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is rosemary oil good for beard growth?
Rosemary oil can potentially and indirectly promote beard growth by stimulating better blood circulation to the area, which helps supply more nutrients to the follicles.
What does rosemary essential oil do for beard?
Rosemary oil has been shown to stimulate blood circulation, which helps nourish hair follicles and promote beard growth. It also reduces redness and puffiness on the skin and is great for conditioning the skin under the beard.
Does rosemary oil block DHT?
Yes, rosemary oil has been shown to block DHT by reducing the activity of 5-alpha-reductase and inhibiting the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone.
What other essential oils can I use for beard growth?
Peppermint, lavender, and tea tree oil are great options for supporting your beard growth journey due to their properties that promote circulation, hair thickness, and keep away infection.
How do I dilute essential oils for safe application?
Essential oils contain allergens which can cause itching and irritation in high quantities. For this reason, use no more than 2% essential oil in a blend of carrier oils.