Rosemary Oil

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”.