Cyprus rotundus oil vs. cypress rotundus oil: are they the same?
Every name and spelling you will see for this oil, which one is correct, and the one look-alike you should not confuse it with.
Yes. Cyprus rotundus oil, cypress rotundus oil, rotundus oil, nutgrass oil and purple nutsedge oil all refer to oil from the same plant, Cyperus rotundus. The correct botanical spelling is cyperus rotundus oil. Do not confuse it with cypress essential oil, which comes from a cypress tree.
The correct name: cyperus rotundus
The plant's scientific name is Cyperus rotundus. "Cyperus" is the genus of sedge plants it belongs to, and "rotundus" means round, after its small round tubers. The oil is extracted from those tubers. So the correct spelling is cyperus rotundus oil. Read our full guide to cyperus rotundus oil.
Every name you will see
| Name or spelling | Same oil? | Why people use it |
|---|---|---|
| Cyperus rotundus oil | Yes, correct | Botanical name |
| Cyprus rotundus oil | Yes | Common misspelling (sounds like the country) |
| Cypress rotundus oil | Yes | Common misspelling (sounds like the tree) |
| Rotundus oil | Yes | Short form |
| Nutgrass oil / nut grass oil | Yes | English common name of the plant |
| Purple nutsedge oil | Yes | Another English common name |
| Aceite de cyperus rotundus | Yes | Spanish |
| Nagarmotha oil | Yes | Name used in India and Ayurveda |
| Cypress essential oil | No | Different plant: the cypress tree |
Do not confuse it with cypress oil
Cypress essential oil comes from the needles and twigs of the cypress tree (Cupressus sempervirens). It is a completely different plant with a different use. If a label says "cypress oil" with no mention of Cyperus rotundus, it is not the oil people use after hair removal. Always check the ingredient list for "Cyperus rotundus."
Tiger nut oil is a different plant too
Tiger nut oil usually comes from Cyperus esculentus, a close relative. Some articles use "tiger nut oil" and "cyperus rotundus oil" interchangeably, but they are different species. The hair related research was done on Cyperus rotundus.
How to make sure you are buying the real thing
- The ingredient list names Cyperus rotundus specifically.
- The brand lists every ingredient, not "natural plant extract."
- It comes in amber glass to protect the oil from light.
- There is a real brand and a guarantee behind it.
nellaskin Bare Oil lists Cyperus Rotundus Oil as its first ingredient. See how to choose in best cyperus rotundus oil in 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Is cyprus rotundus oil the same as cyperus rotundus oil?
Yes. Cyprus rotundus oil is a common misspelling of cyperus rotundus oil. They are the same oil from the same plant.
Is cypress rotundus oil the same as cyperus rotundus oil?
Yes. Cypress rotundus oil is another common misspelling. It is not the same as cypress essential oil, which comes from a cypress tree.
What is nutgrass oil?
Nutgrass oil is the English common name for oil from Cyperus rotundus, the same oil sold as cyperus rotundus oil.
Is tiger nut oil the same as cyperus rotundus oil?
No. Tiger nut oil usually comes from Cyperus esculentus, a related but different species.
Published by nellaskin, the maker of Bare Oil, for general educational purposes. Not medical advice. Individual results vary. Talk to a dermatologist or physician about unwanted hair related to a medical condition.