By now, you likely have heard all the rage around rosemary oil and how it can do wonders for hair growth. It’s gone viral time and time again on social media, and there have been countless studies done proving that it can help thicken hair (as well as recommended by many hair loss experts and trichologists). However, you may not have heard of rosemary water for hair growth, the partner-in-crime to rosemary oil. There are some differences between the two, but both can be extremely beneficial when it comes to supporting your hair’s health. Below, we explain the benefits of rosemary water for hair, the difference between rosemary water and rosemary oil and more, including insight from top trichologists.
What is rosemary water?
As the name suggests, rosemary water refers to a water base that’s infused with rosemary extract. It’s said to help strengthen hair and potentially boost hair growth and is making waves in the hair community. Since it doesn’t include any oil, it’s more lightweight and non-greasy than rosemary oil for hair.
The benefits of rosemary water for hair
Rosemary water has some promising benefits when it comes to hair health, but trichologist Gretchen Friese of BosleyMD says there still needs to be more scientific studies done to really see all it can do. “There aren’t a whole lot of scientific studies on rosemary water for hair growth so the jury is still out on that,” she says. “But it does help improve blood flow, which can help with hair growth, adds moisture and can help soothe inflammation.”
Increasing blood flow, as Friese says, can help to boost hair growth as it brings oxygen and nutrients directly to the hair follicles. When you spritz in rosemary water and massage it into your scalp, that (the massaging) stimulates hair growth even more.
Additionally, in the winter, we may notice our hair feeling and looking more brittle and dry, and we might experience inflammation or irritation on our scalp. As Friese said above, rosemary water can help soothe inflammation and moisturize those dry locks.
Rosemary water vs rosemary oil
While both use rosemary as their star ingredient, there are a few key differences between rosemary water and rosemary oil, and understanding these differences can help you decide which is better suited for you, your hair and your needs.
The main difference between rosemary water and rosemary oil is the level of concentration. Rosemary oil is stronger than rosemary water and has a higher concentration of rosemary. “The biggest difference is the concentration of rosemary,” Friese affirms. “Water is less concentrated than oil and can be used more often.” The higher concentration of rosemary oil means it is a bit stronger and more powerful than rosemary water.
It’s similar to a perfume oil vs a standard perfume. Perfume oil is more concentrated than perfume, which has more water in the formula.
If your main goal is to boost hair growth quickly, rosemary oil may be your best bet. However, if you’re looking to just support your hair’s health overall (and potentially grow thicker hair), rosemary water is a great option. As mentioned above, a plus to rosemary water is that it can be used more frequently than rosemary oil thanks to its lower concentration, which in turn makes it more gentle.
Moreover, rosemary water is easier to apply than rosemary oil. Rosemary oil can be greasy and heavier, and you may have to be more particular about when you apply it. For example, you probably don’t apply it in the morning before heading out to work because you don’t want to look like you have greasy hair. With rosemary water, you don’t need to worry about this greasy look and can apply it with more ease and convenience.
How to make rosemary water for hair
One of the best parts of rosemary water for hair is that it’s inexpensive and easy to do. You don’t even need to buy a product—just DIY your own rosemary water at home!
“You can boil rosemary leaves in distilled water and let it steep until cool. Then strain it into a spray bottle,” says Friese. “I recommend storing it in the refrigerator to make sure it doesn’t spoil.”
If you’d rather buy a product and skip the DIY, Friese recommends Bloom Health Goods Rice Water & Brewed Rosemary Spray.
How to apply rosemary water to hair
If you’re ready to try out rosemary water for yourself, it’s fairly easy and straightforward to do. Simply spritz it onto hair and let it sit. “You can spray it onto your hair, leave in for a minimum of 30 minutes or overnight and then rinse and shampoo/condition as usual,” says Friese.
