This is a list I’m compiling of products that have been scientifically proven to inhibit DHT (Dihydrotestosterone), the androgen hormone responsible for beard growth and maturation. Most of the things on this list are oils containing high quantities of lauric, oleic and linoleic acid. Three fatty acids that have been proven through scientific study to inhibit the production of DHT. Some also contain other components that allow them to inhibit DHT production in a different way. For example, Coconut oil inhibits DHT topically because of its lauric acid content, but it also inhibits DHT when ingested because of its beta-sitosterol content.
Keep in mind that this is not a complete list so just because something does not appear on here does not necessarily mean it does not inhibit DHT.
DHT INHIBITORS:
- Almond/Sweet Almond Oil – Oleic Acid: 66.6%, Linoleic Acid: 6-8%
- Aloe Vera – Linoleic Acid: 35%
- Amla Oil – Linoleic Acid: 51%, Oleic Acid: 26.4%
- Argan Oil – Oleic Acid: 42-48%, Linoleic Acid: 30-38%
- Apricot Kernel Oil – Oleic Acid: 64.2%, Linoleic Acid: 28.3%
- Avocado Oil – Oleic Acid: 67%, Linoleic Acid: 9.8% (Ingested: Beta-Sitosterol)
- Babassu Oil – Lauric Acid: 42%, Linoleic Acid: 3%, Oleic Acid: 15%
- Baobab Seed Oil – Linoleic Acid: 24-34%, Oleic Acid: 30-40%
- Black Cumin Seed Oil– Linoleic Acid: 55.6%
- Black Currant Seed Oil – Linoleic Acid: 41%, Oleic Acid – 15%
- Black Raspberry Seed Oil – Linoleic Acid: 48%, Oleic Acid: 10.5%
- Burdock Seed Oil – Linoleic Acid: 69%, Oleic: 20%
- Camelina Oil – Oleic Acid: 19%, Linoleic Acid: 16%
- Carrot Seed Oil – Oleic Acid: 68.4%, Linoleic Acid: 10.8%
- Cherry Kernel Oil – Oleic Acid: 46%, Linoleic Acid: 42%
- Chia Seed Oil – Linoleic Acid: 18.7%, Oleic: 7.7%
- Chokeberry Seed Oil – Linoleic Acid: 57-64%, Oleic Acid: 22-30%
- Cloudberry Seed Oil – Linoleic Acid: 43%, Oleic Acid: 16%
- Cocoa Butter – Oleic Acid: 29%
- Coconut Oil – Lauric Acid: ~50%, Oleic: 5-10%(unrefined) 4.39%(refined), Linoleic: 0.95%(refined) 1-2.5%(unrefined) (Ingested: Beta-Sitosterol)
- Copper Peptides – The only info I can find on this is that it’s actually the copper content that inhibits DHT.
- Corn Oil – Linoleic Acid: 59%
- Cottonseed Oil – Linoleic Acid: 54%
- Cranberry Seed Oil – Linoleic Acid: 35-45%, Oleic Acid: 20-25%
- Cucumber Seed Oil – Linoleic Acid: 60-88%, Oleic Acid: 14-20%
- Cupuacu Butter – Oleic Acid: 38%
- Date Seed Oil – Oleic Acid: 41-50%, Lauric Acid: 18%, Linoleic Acid: 12%
- Elderberry Seed Oil – Linoleic Acid: 43%, Oleic Acid: 8-12%
- Emu Oil – Oleic Acid: 47.4%, Linoleic Acid: 15.2%
- Evening Primrose Oil – Linoleic Acid: 72.6%
- Grapeseed Oil – Linoleic Acid: 70.6%, Oleic Acid: 20%
- Green Coffee Oil – Linoleic Acid: 38%
- Green Tea – epicatechin-3-gallate and epigallocatechin-3-gallate (see study below)
- Guava Seed Oil – Linoleic Acid: 77%, Oleic Acid: 11%
- Hazelnut Oil – Oleic Acid: 79.2%, Linoleic Acid: 12%
- Hemp Seed Oil– Linoleic Acid: 56.48%
- Karanja Oil – Oleic Acid: 51%, Linoleic Acid: 16%
- Kiwi Seed Oil – Linoleic Acid: 16%, Oleic Acid: 13%
- Kukui Nut Oil – Oleic Acid: 25.4%, Linoleic Acid: 39.8%
- Lavender Oil – (see study below)
- Linseed Oil (Flax Seed Oil) – Oleic Acid: 22.6%, Linoleic Acid: 17%
- Macadamia Oil – Oleic Acid: 53.8%, Linoleic Acid: 1.8%
- Mango Butter – Oleic Acid: 45%, Linoleic Acid: 3-4%
- Marijuana – Delta-9 THC, CBN (inhaled in smoke form) (see study below)
- Moringa Oil – Oleic Acid: >70%
- Oat – Oleic Acid: 28-40%, Linoleic Acid: 36-46%
- Olive Oil – Oleic Acid: 55-83%, Linoleic Acid: 7.5-20% (Ingested: Beta-Sitosterol)
- Palm Fruit Oil – Oleic Acid: 41%, Linoleic Acid: 9.5%
- Pine –
- Poppyseed Oil – Linoleic Acid: 70%
- Pumpkin Seed Oil – Linoleic Acid: 57.2%
- Pygeum Bark –
- Rosehip Seed Oil – Linoleic Acid: 44.1%
- Rosemary Oil – 12-methoxycarnosic acid (see study below)
- Safflower Oil– Linoleic Acid: 68-85%
- Sandalwood Seed Oil – Oleic Acid: 50-53%, Linoleic Acid: 1.7-2.0%
- Saw Palmetto – Lauric Acid: 26.3%, Oleic Acid: 34.6%, Linoleic Acid: 6%
- Sesame Oil – Linoleic Acid: 45.69%
- Shea Butter – Oleic Acid: 37-62%, Linoleic Acid: 6.6-10.8%
- Soybean Oil – Linoleic Acid: 52.97%
- Soy Foods – (Ingested) Contains Isoflavones (Equol) which mimic estrogen and inhibit DHT.
- Spearmint Tea – (Ingested)
- Peppermint Tea – (Ingested) (Not to be confused with topically applied Peppermint Oil, which has not been shown to inhibit DHT)
- Stinging Nettle Root –
- Sweet Almond/Almond Oil – Oleic Acid: 66.6%, Linoleic Acid: 6-8%
- Tamanu Oil – Oleic Acid: 41.4%, Linoleic Acid: 29.7%
- Tea Tree Oil – (see study below)
- Tretinoin – Retinoic Acid
- Walnut Oil – Linoleic Acid: 51%
- Wheat Germ Oil – Linoleic Acid: 58.4%
- Zinc – Only in HIGH doses. (see study below)
This is not a complete list. I will add to this list as I discover more DHT inhibitors.
“SAFE” Oils
This is a list of oils that may contain Oleic or Linoleic acid, but are at such a low content that they are what we consider “safe” oils.
- Castor Oil – Linoleic Acid: 4.32%, Oleic Acid: 2-6%
- Jojoba Oil – Linoleic Acid: 5%, Oleic Acid: 10%
- Meadowfoam Seed Oil: – Linoleic Acid: 4%, Oleic Acid: 2%
There are various other oils that can be considered safe, but I’m not going to list all of them because there’s just too many to list.
If you’re looking for commercially available beard products that are DHT-safe and you’d like to support me you can find my products below. Thank you!
NOTE:
We are not scientists, there is no way of knowing what the effects of linoleic acid, oleic acid or lauric acid will have at what quantities. This list is just to show which products contain high levels of known DHT inhibitors. For all we know 1% could be too much, or 40% could not be enough to have any effect. It is known that DHT inhibitors do slow or possibly stop progress but it is not known what quantity is required to see those effects.
It’s also important to consider that some people are more sensitive to DHT than others and may grow full, thick beards regardless of their exposure to DHT inhibiting products. Some people mistake this to mean that DHT inhibitors are ineffective, but it’s not always smart to compare yourself to others, especially if you are struggling to grow facial hair. Anecdotal evidence is just that, anecdotal, meaning it may not necessarily apply to you. It’s best to go off of information that is based on science, rather than the personal experience of others. Some people can smoke cigarettes their entire lives and never experience any negative effects, that doesn’t mean smoking isn’t harmful. The same should be considered with beard products, just because others may use DHT inhibitors and never experience any negative effects, doesn’t mean the same will apply to you.
Studies:
Lauric, Oleic and Linoleic Acid Study: Study 1
Beta-Sitosterol Studies: Study 1, Study 2
Green Tea Study: Study 1
Marijuana Study: Study 1
Peppermint Tea Study: Study 1,
Spearmint Tea Studies: Study 1, Study 2
Rosemary Study: Study 1
Lavender & Tea Tree Study: Study 1
Retinoic Acid Study: Study 1
Zinc Studies: Study 1, Study 2
Moringa Oil Study: Study 1