Rosemary Oil Extract (ROE)
Nature’s Antioxidant for Fresh Oils
What Is Rosemary Oil Extract?
Rosemary Oil Extract, also known as Rosemary Oleoresin Extract (ROE), is a highly concentrated, oil-soluble antioxidant derived from rosemary leaves (Rosmarinus officinalis). It is often referred to as one of nature’s most effective antioxidants — and it is important to note that it is not an essential oil.
Why We Use Rosemary Oil Extract
We use ROE as a natural, plant-based antioxidant to help protect the integrity of our organic plant oils.
Oils naturally degrade over time through a process called oxidation, where oxygen in the air reacts with unsaturated fatty acids in the oil. This process, known as oxidative rancidity, leads to unpleasant odors and loss of quality. Most people have encountered rancid cooking oil at some point.
Because we use many unrefined, virgin oils in our skin and hair care products, oxidation is a real concern. These high-quality (and expensive) oils retain more natural nutrients, but they are also more delicate than refined oils. Unrefined oils are more prone to oxidation because:
- They contain fragile natural compounds that are easily damaged by air, heat, and light
- Many are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, which are less chemically stable
- They have not been heat-treated or chemically altered to extend shelf life
Rather than relying on heavily refined oils, we choose to preserve the quality of our unrefined oils by adding ROE.
How ROE Works
Rosemary Oil Extract slows oxidation by neutralizing free radicals, the unstable molecules that trigger the breakdown of oils. Its antioxidant activity comes primarily from compounds such as carnosic acid and carnosol, which interrupt the chain reaction that leads to rancidity.
ROE works best when added to fresh oils before oxidation begins, helping keep them stable and effective over time. Because it is extremely concentrated, it is used in very small amounts — often less than 0.02% and adds no scent to the finished product.
You may see ROE listed on product labels even when it doesn’t appear to be a “functional” ingredient. That’s because we list every ingredient that touches your skin, including those added to protect the oils used to make the product.
How Rosemary Oil Extract Is Made
Our Rosemary Oil Extract is produced using supercritical CO₂ extraction, a natural extraction method that uses pressurized carbon dioxide as the solvent to pull out a broad spectrum of heavy, less volatile plant compounds. These compounds include carnosic acid and carnosol, which account for over 90% of the antioxidant activity and give ROE its effectiveness as a natural oil stabilizer.
This low-heat process helps preserve delicate plant constituents while producing a highly concentrated extract. Because carbon dioxide naturally dissipates after extraction, no solvent residue remains in the finished ingredient.
Our ROE is USDA-Certified Organic and is never extracted using petroleum-based solvents or combined with propylene glycol.
ROE vs. Rosemary Essential Oil
Although they come from the same plant, Rosemary Oil Extract and rosemary essential oil are very different ingredients.
Rosemary Oil Extract (ROE)
- Extracted using CO₂ to capture heavy, non-volatile compounds
- Rich in carnosic acid and carnosol
- Functions as a true antioxidant
- Used to protect oils and extend shelf life
Rosemary Essential Oil
- Extracted by steam distillation
- Contains lighter, aromatic compounds
- Used primarily for scent and aromatherapy
- Provides little antioxidant protection
Both have value — they simply serve very different purposes.
