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Rosemary Extract
ORY® product lines:
☑ Skincare
☑ Haircare (hero ingredient)
☑ Handmade Soap
☑ Cosmetics — full dual-use ingredient (see also the Rosemary infused-oil document)
Rosemary extract is the concentrated, standardized form of Salvia rosmarinus (formerly Rosmarinus officinalis) leaves — either a water/glycerin extract rich in rosmarinic acid or an oil-soluble oleoresin standardized to carnosic acid and carnosol. These phenolic diterpenes and rosmarinic acid rank among the most powerful plant antioxidants, with documented anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity [3]. Rosemary leaf extract promoted hair growth in an animal model by counteracting androgen signaling at the follicle [2], and rosemary oil was comparable to 2% minoxidil for androgenetic hair loss in a six-month randomized trial [1]. For skin, rosemary extract protected against UV-induced damage in cell models and human volunteers [4]. Rosemary oleoresin is also the industry-standard natural antioxidant for protecting oils, balms, and soap from rancidity — a dual role that makes it valuable in every ORY® product.
What is Rosemary Extract made of?
Rosemary extract is prepared by hydro-alcoholic extraction (rosmarinic-acid-rich, water-dispersible) or by supercritical CO₂/solvent extraction of the oleoresin (carnosic-acid-rich, oil-soluble). Constituents [3]:
Deodorized ROE is nearly scentless and is used purely as an antioxidant; standard extract retains a herbal note.
- Carnosic acid and carnosol (phenolic diterpenes): Oil-soluble antioxidants; anti-inflammatory; standardized in ROE (typically 5–20% carnosic acid).
- Rosmarinic acid: Water-soluble antioxidant and anti-inflammatory; anti-glycation.
- Ursolic and oleanolic acids (triterpenes): Anti-inflammatory; studied for skin and hair.
- Flavonoids (luteolin, apigenin, diosmin): Antioxidant, capillary-supporting.
- Terpenes (1,8-cineole, camphor — low in extract): Antimicrobial, circulation-stimulating.
What skin type is best suited for Rosemary Extract?
Rosemary extract suits most ORY® skin types, especially oily, dull, and sun-exposed skin:
- Oily: Astringent, antimicrobial; balances sebum.
- Acne-prone: Anti-inflammatory and antibacterial; carnosic acid inhibits acne-related inflammation.
- Mature: UV protection and antioxidant defense against collagen breakdown [4].
- Combination: Balancing antioxidant serums.
- Normal: Daily environmental defense.
- Dry: Low levels in antioxidant creams; ROE protects the formula’s oils.
- Sensitive: Water extract (rosmarinic acid) at low levels is calming; avoid high terpene content; patch test.
What hair type is best suited for Rosemary Extract?
Rosemary extract is the standardized way to bring ORY®‘s hero scalp botanical into shampoos and serums:
- Mature or thinning: Leaf extract promoted hair growth and blocked androgen effects in mice [2]; rosemary oil matched 2% minoxidil in a randomized trial [1] (cosmetic support claims).
- Oily scalp: Antimicrobial and sebum-balancing.
- Dandruff-prone scalp: Antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory support against flaking and itch.
- Sensitive scalp: Rosmarinic-acid extract calms; less itch than minoxidil in the trial [1].
- Color-treated: Antioxidant protection against fading.
- Dry or damaged, straight, wavy, curly, coily: Antioxidant scalp support for all; ROE protects hair oils.
What are the benefits of Rosemary Extract?
Rosemary extract’s benefits are supported by randomized clinical, animal, cell, and human studies [1–4]:
- Hair growth support: Comparable to 2% minoxidil in a 6-month randomized trial [1]; androgen-blocking follicle activity in animals [2].
- Antioxidant: Carnosic and rosmarinic acids are top-tier radical scavengers [3].
- UV protection: Reduced UV-induced damage in cells and volunteers [4].
- Anti-inflammatory: Inhibits inflammatory mediators; calms skin and scalp.
- Antimicrobial: Activity against bacteria and fungi [3].
- Anti-glycation and collagen protection: Rosmarinic acid limits protein cross-linking.
- Product antioxidant: ROE at 0.05–0.2% extends the shelf life of oils, balms, and soap.
- Scalp circulation: Terpenes stimulate microcirculation.
Dual use across ORY® product lines
Rosemary extract’s water- and oil-soluble forms serve all four ORY® lines — and protect the oils in them.
Pros and cons of Rosemary Extract
Pros
Cons
- Randomized-trial hair evidence: [1].
- Exceptional antioxidant: Skin and formula protection [3].
- Standardized and consistent: Unlike home infusions.
- Water- and oil-soluble forms: Flexible.
- Affordable, sustainable: Widely cultivated.
- Color and scent: Green-brown tint; herbal note unless deodorized ROE.
- Terpene irritation potential: At high levels in sensitive skin.
- Slow hair results: Six months in the trial; not a drug.
- Claims discipline: “Supports fuller-looking hair,” not “regrows hair.”
- Stability of carnosic acid: Oxidizes over time; store cool and dark.
What is the best application of Rosemary Extract?
Rosemary extract is a daily scalp and skin antioxidant:
- Scalp serum or tonic: Daily leave-in on thinning areas for 6+ months; combine with caffeine, peptides, and green tea.
- Shampoo and conditioner: Balancing, antioxidant.
- Antioxidant serum or day cream: AM under SPF [4].
- Acne toner: With salicylic acid or niacinamide.
- Eye cream: Antioxidant support.
- Soap: ROE in every ORY® bar; rosemary-extract bars for oily skin.
- Cosmetics: Antioxidant lip balm; brow serum.
- Formulation: ROE in every oil, balm, and butter product.
Peer-reviewed references
- Panahi Y, Taghizadeh M, Marzony ET, Sahebkar A. Rosemary oil vs minoxidil 2% for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia: a randomized comparative trial. Skinmed. 2015;13(1):15–21.
- Murata K, Noguchi K, Kondo M, et al. Promotion of hair growth by Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract. Phytotherapy Research. 2013;27(2):212–217.
- Nieto G, Ros G, Castillo J. Antioxidant and antimicrobial properties of rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.): a review. Medicines. 2018;5(3):98.
- Pérez-Sánchez A, Barrajón-Catalán E, Caturla N, et al. Protective effects of citrus and rosemary extracts on UV-induced damage in skin cell model and human volunteers. Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology. 2014;136:12–18.
Disclaimer:
The information on this page is provided by ORY International, LC for educational purposes only. It summarizes published research about rosemary extract as an ingredient, including laboratory and animal studies and clinical studies of formulas that may differ from ORY® products. Results from these studies may not apply to every person or to ORY® products. This page is not medical advice and does not replace advice from a dermatologist, physician, or other qualified healthcare provider.
ORY® Skincare, Haircare, Handmade Soap, and Cosmetics products are cosmetics. They are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, mitigate, or prevent any disease or condition, including hair loss (including androgenetic alopecia), acne, dandruff, sun damage, infections, or inflammation. References to FDA or Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR) findings describe the ingredient, not ORY® products, and do not mean FDA has reviewed or approved any ORY® product.
Results vary by skin and scalp type, formulation, and use. Rosemary can cause allergic contact dermatitis in some people, and any cosmetic can cause irritation, sometimes from other ingredients. Always patch test, follow label directions, and stop use if irritation occurs. If you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition, or are buying for a child, consult a healthcare provider before use.
ORY International, LC works to keep this page accurate and current but makes no warranty as to its completeness. To the fullest extent permitted by law, ORY International, LC is not liable for any loss or injury arising from reliance on this information or from use of any product contrary to its label directions. To report a reaction, contact us at [insert contact email / phone].
