What’s your favorite essential oil? The conversation about essential oils can’t take place without rosemary, arguably the G.O.A.T. in the essential oil game. Rosemary essential oil has so many benefits and uses that we can’t resist incorporating it into our everyday routines.

This herbaceous plant is native to the Mediterranean, and is most known for its culinary capacity. It’s commonly used to give dishes a fresh, earthy flavor (our mouths are watering thinking about Greek salad with fresh rosemary). Its flavor is similar to the depth and sweetness of basil, but with the strength and sensation of mint. Rosemary definitely holds its own amongst the other herbs!

For those that have never seen this plant, it’s an evergreen shrub with spines similar to pine and fir trees. This shrub can feature tiny white or lavender colored flowers, and is often used in landscaping and home gardens. Rosemary starts small and can be kept in a small pot in the kitchen, or grow into a sizable shrub for your yard.

PRO TIP: If you plan to grow this herb in your garden, be sure to keep it separate from other herbs and plants. Rosemary grows wild and tends to dominate wherever it is planted.

Historically, rosemary has been used in tonics, skin care, and natural medicine to treat conditions ranging from general inflammation to digestive support. In modern times, while many of us adore rosemary in cooking, it’s becoming common to use it in skin and body care.

Beyond its general potency, what makes rosemary essential oil so useful in cosmetics is the careful way the oil is extracted from the plant. Using fresh or dried rosemary, the spines are removed from the thin needles, and the plant is most commonly steam-distilled or cold-pressed. The latter preserves the best qualities of the plant.

Rosemary essential oil features in many of our product formulas, and for good reason. Let’s go through many of the benefits of this beautiful herb.

While this herb might thrive in cooking, it shines just as well in our bathroom cabinets. We’ve been slowly stocking up on rosemary essential oil products for years, and here are some of the face, skin, and body benefits of this natural skincare product.

For Face

• Antibacterial – the power of this herb is so strong that it can sink into the skin to calm acne and breakouts. It helps to clarify any clogged pores and decongest the skin for immediate and lasting results.

• Balancing – rosemary helps to control sebum production in the skin. Also linked to helping soothe acneic skin types, those with oily-skin related breakouts will enjoy the way that rosemary essential oil brings the skin to a more harmonious balance.

• Anti-inflammatory – rosemary brings that antibacterial quality to skin care; it can instantly soothe active skin inflammation like rashes, breakouts, and recurring skin conditions.

• Antioxidant – as an antioxidant, rosemary helps to fight mischievous free radicals for happier, healthier skin.

• De-puffing – rosemary helps to boost circulation, and in that way can also reduce the bloated, puffy look we often get in the eye area.

For Hair

• Soothing – those of us with itchy, dry scalps, look no further than rosemary essential oil. The aromatic quality of this herb oil helps to soothe inflammation and deeply moisturize.

• Growth – one of rosemary’s more well-known abilities is how great it is for hair growth. It helps to fight agents that cause hair loss and scalp irritation for a longer, fuller mane. Studies have found that rosemary essential oil helps to fight one of the causes of androgenetic alopecia.

• Scalp Issues – along with deep moisturizing and hair growth, rosemary does treat the inflammation caused by certain scalp conditions such as dandruff, dermatitis, and even excess oiliness.

For Skin & Body

• Aromatherapy – like lavender, rosemary helps to assist in mindfulness, meditation, and calm for a more serene state of mind.

• Repellent – bug haters will recognize less bug bites this summer when incorporating this oil into skin and body care. Known to repel insects, rosemary makes for a great natural alternative to strong smelling bug sprays.

• Circulation – this herb, along with others like mint, have the unique ability to actually impact our blood flow. It helps to stimulate an easier flow of blood through our vessels for better circulation.

• Respiration – because of the way rosemary essential oil assists with circulation, it can also help with better breathing when we’re ill or congested.

• Freshness – nobody wants bad breath, and apparently this little herb helps with a fresher mouth.

• Inflammation – rosemary essential oil is excellent for treating common skin inflammatory conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and general itchiness. Using its circulation-boosting, antibacterial, and moisturizing qualities, adding this ingredient to body care is a game changer for any of us that are seeking happier skin.