Byrdie
TL;DR
- Removes Product Buildup: If you’re looking for a product that delivers on most fronts, consider our overall pick: Pacifica’s Rosemary Purify Clarifying Shampoo. It cleans, softens, strengthens, and smells amazing.
- Under $10: For an even more affordable option that still delivers good results, check out OGX’s Clarifying Strength + Rosemary Mint Shampoo. For just $7, it adds volume while cleaning and layers well with other products.
In the world of haircare, shampoos are perhaps one of the most essential products in your arsenal. A good shampoo is essential for proper hygiene (it removes oil, dirt, and product buildup), and one rich in natural extracts or oils, like rosemary, can promote hair growth, strengthen your strands, and soothe scalp itchiness and flakes. “Rosemary shampoo is made with extracts or essential oils from the Rosmarinus officinalis plant (aka rosemary),” Guslene Bubak, licensed cosmetologist and trichologist, explains. “It’s been used in traditional medicine for ages, and when it comes to hair, it’s loved for boosting circulation, calming irritation, and protecting the scalp. By boosting circulation and reducing oxidative stress, rosemary can help hair feel stronger and look thicker over time,” she says.
To find the best rosemary shampoos, we tested several formulas over three weeks, using them at least two to three times weekly. We also interviewed Dr. James Kilgour, M.D., a resident dermatologist at Stanford University, for more intel on rosemary shampoos. Testers considered the shampoos’ effectiveness, application, and compatibility. Keep reading to learn which products are best to add to your next wash day.
Top Picks
Best Overall
Pacifica Rosemary Purify Clarifying Shampoo
It increased hair softness especially near the root
The minty scent made the scalp slightly tingle and cool
Makes detangling hair easy
It didn’t foam as much as expected
Key Ingredients: Rosemary, mint, spirulina | Size: 12 oz
The Pacifica Rosemary Purify Clarifying Shampoo worked wonders on my hair. The formula, which includes rosemary, mint, and spirulina, helps remove excess buildup and dirt from hair, replacing it with soft, silky strands. Another bonus? The minty scent lasted in my hair throughout the day, making it seem extra clean. I’m not the only one who enjoys this product, either. On Pacifica’s website, the rosemary shampoo has almost 200 reviews and an overall 4.8-star rating.
Cullen, tester with dry, coarse hair: “The Pacifica Rosemary Purify Clarifying Shampoo worked wonders on my hair. The formula, which includes rosemary, mint, and spirulina, helps remove excess buildup and dirt from hair, replacing it with soft, silky strands. Another bonus? The minty scent lasted in my hair throughout the day, making it seem extra clean.”
Best Budget
OGX Clarifying Strength + Rosemary Mint Shampoo
Heals hair strand breakage
A cooling, tingling sensation emphasizes the formula working
The rosemary scent is refreshing
Some reviewers noted that it tangled their hair
Key Ingredients: Rosemary and peppermint oil | Size: 13 oz
If you’re looking for a budget-friendly rosemary shampoo that delivers terrific results, consider OGX’s product. Ringing in at just $7, the Clarifying Strength and Rosemary shampoo removes dirt and oil, thanks to the rosemary and peppermint oil, and adds volume. The shampoo works well with other products and actually allows other formulas, such as leave-in conditioners, to perform better thanks to the refreshed scalp. The reinvigorating scent is just another bonus.
Mikey, tester with straight hair: “This shampoo had a clear, gel-like texture to it. It cleansed and clarified my hair extremely well, and I didn’t notice any buildup or residue after consistent use. The scent was divine! I’m a huge fan of rosemary, and it was quite relaxing to have the scent added to my haircare routine in the shower. The beautiful scent was certainly one of the top reasons why I love this shampoo!”
Best Clarifying
Aveda Rosemary Mint Shampoo
You can actively feel the dirt and buildup being removed from your hair
It reduces hair shedding and strengthens strands
The formula is good for sensitive scalps
It made the tester’s hair feel dry after rinsing
Key Ingredients: Rosemary extract, sunflower seed oil, peppermint oil | Size: 1.7, 8.5, 33.8 oz
Let’s face it—dirty hair is normal and sometimes considered a positive when considering holding certain hairstyles. However, there comes a time, perhaps weekly or bi-weekly for some, when a wash day appears on the calendar. When that day comes, consider using Aveda’s Rosemary Mint Shampoo. While, unfortunately, not the most hydrating shampoo, it does a wonderful job of cleansing dirty hair, and the fresh scent, which isn’t overpowering, adds to an overall reset. You’ll want to use a conditioner (if you have curls, maybe some gel!) after this shampoo, but that’s also a testament to how it’s compatible with other products.
Ashley, tester with type 2C hair: “After several uses of the purifying shampoo, I noticed that my scalp was less flaky. While it didn’t fully heal my dry scalp, the shampoo helped to rehydrate and repair my hair. After consistent use, the product made my hair feel stronger and gradually reduced hair shedding over time.”
Best for Oily Scalps
BondiBoost HG Shampoo
Removes excess oil and reduces scalp itchiness
Hair looks shinier and fuller after consistent use
Works well on sensitive scalps
The formula requires a lot of pumps to lather the entire scalp
Key Ingredients: Aloe vera, saw palmetto, and horsetail extract | Size: 10.14, 16.9 oz
People who struggle with an oily scalp might want to consider BondiBoost’s HG Shampoo. The formula, which includes aloe vera and a blend of rosemary, saw palmetto, and horsetail extract, helps to reduce itchiness and oil while promoting silkier hair. It’s important to note that this shampoo’s thin, gel-like texture requires a few pumps to cover your head, and it doesn’t lather as much as other products. However, the rosemary scent was pleasant and wasn’t overpowering.
Julia, tester with thin, fine, and naturally wavy hair: “I’d say this shampoo is really good about decreasing itchiness and oiliness. My hair tends to get really oily, and this shampoo really helped with that!”
Best for Thick Hair
Kitsch Rosemary & Biotin Volumizing Shampoo Bar
Cleans and moisturizes super thick hair
Reduces hair shedding
The bar is travel-friendly
The formula didn’t help hair growth
Key Ingredients: Rosemary extract, biotin, NaturePep® Amaranth | Size: 3.2 oz
Traditionally, when you think of shampoo, you’ll likely envision a bottle with a pump. However, shampoo bars are becoming increasingly popular, and Kitsch’s Rosemary and Biotin Volumizing Shampoo Bar is a great example of why. Although the size of the bar is small, it offers several benefits, including cleansing, a delicious scent, reduced hair shedding, and a smooth feel—among others. It performs well with especially thick hair, and also helps to eliminate itchiness and flakiness. Don’t assume because it’s a bar you won’t get that lather experience, either. When you add water and massage it onto your head, the result is a foamy and creamy texture.
Erica, tester with fine, curly, 3C loc’d hair: “This palm-sized shampoo bar may look small, but it’s packed with pros. It made all of my hair feel squeaky clean and lightweight—not stripped—and that’s quite a feat, as it’s currently past tailbone length. As someone with locs, I often sacrifice moisture to get a deep clean, but I was glad to discover this wasn’t the case here.”
Best Strengthening
Mielle Rosemary Mint Strengthening Shampoo
Hair feels stronger after consistent use
Effectively removes buildup and residue
Leaves hair feeling moisturized
It doesn’t help detangle hair
Key Ingredients: Peppermint, rosemary, babassu seed, and coconut oil | Size: 3.2, 12, 20 oz
Regardless of what led to it (whether it’s coloring or excessive heat), hair can weaken over time. Finding a shampoo that combines the benefits of rosemary with ingredients like biotin, coconut, and babassu oil to strengthen hair is dynamite. After using it consistently, our tester noticed that their hair felt stronger, fuller, and smoother. The formula itself lathers well, has a refreshing scent, and is ideal if you prefer to double-cleanse your hair. Mielle boasts that it works for every hair type, and at just under $10, that’s a definite win.
Ashley, tester with type 2 hair: “I would recommend this product to anyone who wants a shampoo that will help with the health of their hair and gets the job done, that’s also affordable.”
Best Volumizing
Nécessaire Rosemary Shampoo
Hair looks voluminous almost immediately after using
Reduces hair shedding
Hair felt more manageable after using
Our tester reported that it wasn’t the most hydrating
Key Ingredients: Pure rosemary oil, ceramides (AG/AP/EOP/NG/NP), proteins (plant) | Size: 8.4, 16.9 oz
Sometimes, we’re all looking for that va-va-voom bombshell hair. If you’re looking for that style on a day-to-day basis, you might consider Nécessaire’s Rosemary Shampoo. And speaking of the daily, our tester noticed that their hair looked fuller immediately after using. Evangelina’s hair wasn’t just more voluminous; it was also shinier and looked healthy, too. That’s likely thanks to how the formula doesn’t leave any residue behind.
Evangelina, tester with type 2A hair: “I liked the fact that it made it more manageable, shinier, and voluminous. I wouldn’t change anything.”
Best for Curly Hair
Rizos Curls Biotin Shampoo
Gel-like texture that lathers well and rinses out clean
Leaves curls soft and bouncy
Supports scalps health and reduces shedding
Doesn’t change curl pattern, but supports what you have
Key Ingredients: Rosemary, saw palmetto | Size: 10 oz
Those with curly hair will love this product, which hydrates hair and reduces shedding for healthier hair and scalp. Our tester with curly hair liked that this shampoo has a nice gel-like consistency, lathers well, and rinses out clean without residue. She felt like it didn’t strip her hair, and it left her curls soft and bouncy. She also appreciated the nice rosemary scent that lingered, but wasn’t overwhelming. While she noted that it doesn’t change your curl pattern dramatically, it does soften, strengthen, and support your existing curls.
Byrdie
What to Look for in Rosemary Shampoos
- Ingredients: “Look for real rosemary essential oil or extract, ideally listed high on the ingredient list,” Bubak explains. “Skip products that only list ‘rosemary water.’ It’s weaker.” Additionally, Bubak says it’s best to avoid ingredients that negatively affect your hair, including “undiluted essential oils (too strong, can irritate the scalp); harsh sulfates or silicones (can strip or weigh down hair); excess fragrance or allergens (especially if your scalp is sensitive),” she continues.
- Texture and Formula: It’s important to pay attention to how a shampoo performs on your head, Bubak shares. For example, she says a good product will lather well and won’t leave your strands feeling stripped.
- Scent: A product’s smell is definitely a personal choice, but Bubak says there’s a way to think about it in terms of usability. “Rosemary naturally has a refreshing, herbal scent. That might seem small, but honestly, if you enjoy using it, you’ll stick with it, and consistency is what really pays off.”
How We Tested Rosemary Shampoos
We believe in using the products we recommend, so we prioritize testing them in real-life settings and our everyday routines.
- Rosemary Shampoos Tested: 8
- Testing Period: 504 hours
- Methodology: Rosemary shampoos were tested at home in our everyday lives. Each shampoo was tested on various hair types (type 1-2, type 2-3, and type 3-4).
- Factors Considered: The shampoo’s lather, consistency, whether or not each left a residue, compatibility with other products, and results (i.e., changes in scalp health, if hair grew and/or felt nourished and soft).
Meet Our Experts
For this story, Byrdie interviewed the following experts:
- James Kilgour, M.D., is a resident dermatologist at Stanford University. Identifying the need for effective scalp care, Dr. Kilgour has developed a scalp care line, KilgourMD, that addresses hair and volume loss.
- Guslene Bubak is a licensed cosmetologist and trichologist based in New York City. Bubak works at RejuvaScalp in Brooklyn.
Why Trust Byrdie
Cullen Ormond is a contributing writer for Byrdie. Cullen has tried several beauty products, including a rosemary shampoo in this roundup. Knowing what to look for in rosemary shampoos and then having hands-on experience using one provided a lot of insight while writing this article.
Caitlyn Martyn is a former associate editor at Byrdie, where she covered all things skincare, haircare, and makeup. For this story, she tested rosemary shampoos at her home, noting the pros and cons of each formula along the way. When evaluating each shampoo, she looked for scent, formulation, and how her hair and scalp felt after each use. Caitlyn received a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Lehigh University and now has four years of beauty writing and editing experience under her belt, so she’s well-versed in these products and their formulations.