This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy.

I have been making this DIY rosemary oil for quite some time now, and I am so excited to share it with you today! You can use this oil on your hair, skin, heck even cooking! It has so many uses.

Plus, this no-heat, solar-infused method means you can put it together in a few minutes and let the sun do the rest!

A glass bottle with spoonful of oil nearby.
Want to save this recipe?
Just enter your email and get it sent to your inbox! Plus you’ll get new recipes from us every week!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

I go back and forth between this rosemary oil recipe and my rosemary water recipe, which I use as a hair growth booster. Really, they share so many of the same benefits, but the application is different.

But what I especially like about this recipe is how simple it is. Essentially, we are making rosemary-infused oil, and you know how Iโ€™m all about keeping things simple!

Time is essentially whatโ€™s needed to allow the rosemary leaves to infuse into the olive oil amidst a sunny windowsill!

(Iโ€™ll explain it in detail in the recipe section.)

A dropper with a bottle of Rosemary oil.

What is rosemary oil?

Rosemary oil is derived from the leaves of the Rosemary plant (Rosmarinus officinalis) 

Thin, long, and twig-like, the rosemary leaves boast a fantastic fragrance, commonly used to scent candles like my rosemary mint candles, and perfumes, and add depth of flavor to cooking.ย 

Rosemaryโ€™s scent is well-known for its widespread usage in hair care recipes.

One important distinction to make before the recipe is that this is โ€˜rosemary oil,โ€™ not rosemary essential oil. The two are most certainly different.

Whatever you do – donโ€™t confuse Rosemary oil and Rosemary essential oil. They must be used in separate ways for safety and health reasons. 

Dried Rosemary leaves and a glass bottle.

What is Rosemary oil used for?

Hair care: Rosemary oil is most commonly used as a hair tonic, conditioning the hair and adding moisture, as well as stimulating hair growth and thickness, according to this study on rosemary extract.

Skin care: Rosemary oil is fantastic for skin care, too, calming troublesome skin while aiding the healing of spots and blemishes. 

And letโ€™s not forget about rosemary essential oil uses. 

You can use Rosemary essential oil in diffusers and burners to fragrance the home or to make homemade perfumes and balms for the skin. 

Why youโ€™ll love this recipe

  • Itโ€™s simple to make. You simply combine dried rosemary leaves with olive oil and leave it on a sunny windowsill for a few weeks to infuse. You could call it solar-infused Rosemary oil if you like!
  • Itโ€™s got loads of uses. From hair to skin to cooking, and home fragrancing, Rosemary oil can do it all!
  • It wonโ€™t break the bank. If youโ€™re lucky enough to have rosemary growing in your garden, Rosemary oil can be made with very little expense. 
A spoonful of Rosemary oil.

How to make rosemary oil

You will need the following: 

Instructions:

Step 1: Fill the jar one-third of the way with dried Rosemary leaves. Be sure to use whole leaves and not ground or powdered versions.

Step 2: Add the olive oil to fill the jar.

Pressing the rosemary leaves into the olive oil before placing it in the windowsill to infuse.

Step 3: Use a spoon to incorporate the leaves into the olive oil.

Step 4: Finally, secure the lid and place it on a sunny window sill for up to a month.

Infusing rosemary oil in the sun in a windowsill.

Step 5: Once a month is gone by, strain the leaves from the olive oil and store in an airtight glass bottle. 

Adding the homemade rosemary oil to a glass jar for storage.

Use for up to 6 months – but dispose of it if the smell turns rancid. 

Recipe Notes

This rosemary oil differs greatly from rosemary extract or essential oil.

Unlike rosemary extract or essential oil, this solar-infused rosemary oil is much gentler. Think of it as a pre-mixed massage oil, ready to use straight from the bottle on your hair and skin! (Essential oils need to be diluted with a carrier oil before topical application.)

How to apply rosemary oil to hair

Using rosemary oil in the hair is the easiest and cheapest way to nourish the hair. Simply apply the oil to the dry ends of the hair and leave it in for around 10 minutes.

Rinse off, then shampoo and condition as usual.

For hair growth, warm a few drops of rosemary oil between your fingertips at a time. Gently massage it into your scalp, focusing on areas you want to encourage growth. For an extra boost, leave it in overnight and rinse thoroughly in the morning.

Rosemary oil shelf life

Stored in a clean jar, this oil can last up to 6 months! Remember to use dried Rosemary leaves and clean and sanitize the jar before making it!

A spoonful of dried Rosemary with glass bottle nearby.

Benefits Rosemary oil

  • Hair benefits: Use rosemary oil as a moisturizing tonic for dry ends or itchy scalps. Plus, thereโ€™s promising research suggesting it can help combat dandruff when combined with neem oil!
  • Skin benefits: Rosemary oil helps to moisturize and soothe the skin. It makes a great natural moisturizer or night serum!
  • Aromatherapy: Rosemary oil makes a beautiful homemade massage oil or would go great in my DIY body oil! In fact, the scent is renowned for its stress-busting properties, as well as promoting relaxation. 

Tips

  • Always use dry rosemary leaves to make Rosemary oil. If you use fresh, theyโ€™ll spoil in the olive oil and turn bad. The smell can be quite unpleasant!
  • Always check with your healthcare provider before using Rosemary oil. Itโ€™s generally safe for most people; however, caution should be used if youโ€™re pregnant or breastfeeding, so get expert advice on this one. 
  • Do a patch test before using Rosemary oil on your skin or hair to check for any reactions. 
  • This is a no-heat recipe, so if you read it and think, โ€œWhere is the heating up bit?โ€ there isnโ€™t one! The sun (solar) does the work for you. You need to wait and let the sun do its job, thatโ€™s all. 
  • This Rosemary oil, if sealed right, will last up to six months. Store it in a cool, dark place once the infusion process is complete for best results. 

FAQ

Can I make this into a hair growth spray?

Yes. Simply combine ยฝ ounce of oil with 4 ounces of water in a spray bottle. Remember to shake well before each use for a refreshing, hair-growth-promoting spritz!

How long does this take to work?

Results take time. Expect at least six weeks before noticing any results.

How often can I use rosemary oil in my hair?

Apply this rosemary oil recipe to your hair routine twice a week at first. If your scalp feels comfortable, you can gradually increase to daily use.

Do you leave the oil in or wash it out?

If you are using it for hair growth, youโ€™ll want to leave it in. If you are using it to add nourishment to the hair, I suggest rinsing it out after 10 minutes.

Is rosemary oil safe?

Rosemary oil may irritate some peopleโ€™s skin, according to Healthline. Additionally, pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid using rosemary oil.

I hope you enjoy making this recipe and using it around your home. For more great hair care recipes, I recommend one of these next. 

4.88 from 8 votes

How to Make Rosemary Oil

Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 2 minutes
Total: 7 minutes
Servings: 4 ounces
Enjoy making this simple Rosemary oil. It takes minutes to make and if ready to use after just one month of infusing!

Equipment

  • 8 ounce glass jar
Save This Recipe!
Get this sent to your inbox, plus get new recipes from us every week!
Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.

Ingredients 

  • โ…› cup dried rosemary leaves, approxamtely
  • 6 ounces extra virgin olive oil, approximately

Instructions 

  • Fill the jar one-third of the way with dried Rosemary leaves. Be sure to use whole leaves and not ground or powdered versions.
  • Add the olive oil to fill the jar.
  • Secure the lid and place it on a sunny window sill for up to a month.
  • Once a month is gone by, strain the leaves from the olive oil and store it in an airtight glass bottle.ย 
  • Use for up to 6 months – but dispose of it if the smell turns rancid.

Notes

Apply the oil to the dry ends of the hair and leave it in for around 10 minutes before rinsing out and washing the hair as usual.
Use rosemary oil 2-3 times a week.
Tried this recipe?Mention @our_oily_house or tag #ouroilyhouse!

About Laura

Welcome to Our Oily House, Iโ€™m so glad youโ€™re here! Explore DIY cleaners, homemade soaps, skincare and hair care recipes, fragrance-free solutions, and sustainable laundry tips for a naturally inspired home.

You May Also Like

4.88 from 8 votes (7 ratings without comment)

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




15 Comments

  1. Helen says:

    I love this! How do you do the rosemary water?

    1. Laura says:

      Glad you enjoyed it! I have another post about making rosemary water. You should be able to find it by using the search bar on the top of my blog.