In the majority of cases, hair loss is connected to androgenetic alopecia. It is incredibly widespread too. Estimates suggest that by the age of 50, half the men suffer from pattern hair loss and by the age of 70, that percentage goes up to 80. Even in the female population, close to 50 percent of the women experience pattern hair loss by the time they hit menopause.
In hard numbers, these percentages mean that androgenetic alopecia affects around 50 million males and approximately 30 million females in the US alone. For you specifically, these percentages mean that there is a one in two chance that you’ll experience pattern hair loss in your life.
Androgenetic alopecia is a condition where hair follicles shrink to a point that they’re unable to produce healthy hair. It usually starts with the hairs becoming thinner and shorter as the hair follicles start shrinking but as the follicles shrink more, they lose their ability to grow hair altogether.
| Edible |
|---|
 |
| Micro Ingredients Organic Saw Palmetto Extract |
| 4.75/5.0 |
| Product Type: Powder |
| Volume: 4 ounces |
| Cost per unit: $6.24 |
| The purest form of saw palmetto you can find that is also incredibly versatile in terms of how you can use it in what quantities, organic ingredients, and suitable for vegans. |
| Check Amazon |
| Topical |
|---|
 |
| Hair Thickness Maximizer Saw Palmetto Serum |
| 4.75/5.0 |
| Product Type: Serum |
| Volume: 2 ounces |
| Cost per unit: $8.97 |
| An anti-hair loss serum that delivers excellent results because it contains a large concentration of saw palmetto along with multiple other DHT blockers and can be left on the scalp overnight. |
| Check Amazon |
The reason why the hair follicles shrink, though, is important. They shrink because dihydrotestosterone or DHT, a hormone produced by the body itself, binds with them.
The body produces DHT to cope with excess testosterone. When there is too much testosterone, the body makes more DHT. Another aspect of androgenetic alopecia is how it is connected to inflammation. Inflammation makes the body and the hair follicles more sensitive to DHT to a point that even a slight increase in its concentrations can start hair loss.
At this point, you’re probably thinking why we’re talking about DHT in a guide devoted to saw palmetto. The reason for this is that saw palmetto inherently counters how DHT causes hair loss. As to the mechanism through which it counters DHT, we’ll explain later in the guide along with virtually everything else you’ll need to know to make use of saw palmetto to slow down or even stop hair loss.
We’ll even review some of the best saw palmetto-containing products to help you. Here’s everything you’ll learn about saw palmetto in this guide, arranged in a very useful navigation panel. Feel free to click specific topics to move around the guide and jump into certain sections.
- What Is Saw Palmetto?
- How Does Saw Palmetto Help Against Hair Loss?
- Are There Other Benefits of Saw Palmetto?
- Are There Any Side Effects of Using Saw Palmetto for Hair Loss?
- How to Use Saw Palmetto Against Hair Loss?
- Using Saw Palmetto Extract at Home
- 6 Best Saw Palmetto Products for Hair Loss: At a Glance
- Top 2 Edible Saw Palmetto Products for Hair Loss: Detailed Reviews
- Top 4 Topical Saw Palmetto Products for Hair Loss: Detailed Reviews
What Is Saw Palmetto?
Saw palmetto is a shrub-sized berry plant that belongs to the palm family of trees. It traces its roots to the Caribbean. However, native Americans, specifically the Seminole people, have been using saw palmetto for various purposes ranging from food to medicine. In North America, saw palmetto can be found in the southeastern regions, particularly Florida, the area where the Seminole tribe is from.
In medicine, it is famed as an alternative option for dealing with problems related to the reproductive organs and the urinary tract. For example, saw palmetto is well-known for its ability to resolve prostate-related problems. It is also widely recognized for its ability to slow down hair loss and, on some occasions, even stop it.
Traditionally, saw palmetto is used by crushing its dried berries into powder. This powder is then eaten, ingested as a tea, or applied to the affected region topically. Today, saw palmetto’ extract can be found in a wide variety of forms including powder, liquid, capsules, and even topical products.
How Does Saw Palmetto Help Against Hair Loss?
The mechanism through which saw palmetto works against DHT and the resultant hair loss is very similar to finasteride or Propecia. If you don’t know already, finasteride is a prescription-only medicine given to people going through hair loss or an enlarged prostate, since both problems are caused by excess DHT in the body.
Finasteride and saw palmetto both work by reducing the conversion of excess testosterone in the body to DHT. They do this by blocking the enzyme that is responsible for converting testosterone to DHT – 5 alpha-reductase. This ability of saw palmetto is proven by some preliminary scientific studies too even though its extent hasn’t been defined yet.
For instance, a very small 2002 study, saw a combination of saw palmetto and beta-sitosterol deliver positive results in 60 percent of the subjects. Similarly, two papers submitted simultaneously but independently show the effectiveness of saw palmetto against 5 alpha-reductase and by extension androgenetic alopecia causing DHT. These papers were released by researchers from Poland and Italy.
The fact that saw palmetto works against DHT by inhibiting the enzyme responsible for its production in the body may take primacy in terms of effectiveness but it is also indirect. Saw palmetto also works against DHT that has already accumulated in the scalp, which is a direct action.
Some studies reference its ability to prevent the binding of DHT to the androgen receptors on hair follicles. For instance, the 2002 study we attributed to earlier mentioned this. However, a study published in 2020 makes a clearer claim. It says that saw palmetto can not only reduce the binding potential of DHT by 50 percent but also its absorption into individual cells.
There’s even a paper that combines the findings of all these studies in a single place if you’re interested. This paper was also published in 2020 and is quite detailed and thorough.
Are There Other Benefits of Saw Palmetto?
The mechanism through which saw palmetto helps hair loss offers other benefits too. Since this guide is devoted to hair loss, we’ve only explained these benefits briefly below.
- Enlarged Prostate: Typically, an enlarged prostate is a result of a condition called Benign Prostate Hyperplasia or BPH. This condition is often related to reduced testosterone levels in the body. The reason why an enlarged prostate is so problematic is that it can end up squeezing the urinary tract in a way that urination becomes difficult. By preventing the conversion of testosterone to DHT, saw palmetto can keep testosterone levels stable in the body which, in turn, prevents BPH.
- Testosterone Management: Testosterone levels are also closely connected to body composition, mood, and sex drive. By blocking off the function of 5 alpha-reductase, saw palmetto can help a person balance these aspects associated with testosterone too.
- Inflammation: There is also some preliminary proof that saw palmetto works against inflammation. Its anti-inflammation properties make sense too because it contains some fairly effective antioxidants. However, this property of saw palmetto is mostly seen in the scalp and the urinary tract.
- Prostate Cancer: Some evidence also suggests that saw palmetto can stop the production of cancerous cells in the prostate. This was the finding of a study conducted in 2001. Another study conducted in 2007 found that saw palmetto prevents the production of cancer cells by deactivating certain receptors crucial for the development of cancer. While some studies have shown saw palmetto’s effectiveness against prostate cancer, others show otherwise. As a result, this benefit isn’t completely proven yet.
Are There Any Side Effects of Using Saw Palmetto for Hair Loss?
Saw palmetto is relatively safe when compared to other hair loss solutions including things like finasteride and minoxidil.
In fact, the biggest risk associated with taking saw palmetto comes when it is taken at the same time as finasteride. As we mentioned earlier, the two work in the same way which can create complications.
Individually, if saw palmetto is ingested orally, it can cause some minor problems in the digestive tract. Problems like indigestion, gas, diarrhea, constipation, heartburn, or even vomiting aren’t completely unheard of. However, these symptoms are very rare when it is taken with food.
Another possible side effect of saw palmetto can come into play when it is taken alongside other medicines. For instance, saw palmetto is considered to be a blood thinner. This can make it particularly risky when consumed with other blood thinners such as aspirin. It is also advisable to avoid saw palmetto if you have an injury or a wound since it will delay the healing process.
Finally, saw palmetto shouldn’t be used with women who are pregnant or undergoing some form of hormonal imbalance as its impact can be unpredictable and potentially complicated.
How to Use Saw Palmetto Against Hair Loss?
Saw palmetto is a favorite of many hair care product manufacturers. It is widely used in formulae of various types of hair products including shampoos, conditioners, and serums.
Therefore, using a product that contains a high concentration of saw palmetto can be one of the easier ways of tapping into its benefits. However, to get the most out of a product like this, you might have to change your hair care routine.
For example, when using such a product, you should leave it in the hair for some time before rinsing it off. The longer it stays in the hair, the more time the saw palmetto has to work on the hair follicles. At the very least, make sure to leave it in for five minutes.
Saw palmetto will be most effective against hair loss if it is ingested. It is available in various edible forms too. These include capsules and soft gels. The capsules and soft gels need to be taken before or after meals.
It is also possible to use pure raw palmetto extract at home in various ways. For this, you will either need to get dried saw palmetto berries or saw palmetto in powdered form.
Using Saw Palmetto Extract at Home
Manufacturers provide saw palmetto in either powder form or liquid form. The powder form saw palmetto is essentially dried and crushed saw palmetto berries. The liquid form saw palmetto is usually an oil of this plant’s berries. It is considerably more concentrated and as a result more effective. However, it is also harder to find.
If you can’t find saw palmetto in either of these forms, you have one other option. This is to buy saw palmetto in supplement form, crush the capsules, and use it accordingly. If you’re forced in this direction, though, we suggest making sure that the supplement you buy doesn’t mix saw palmetto with other ingredients.
Regardless of which form you find saw palmetto extract in, here are some ways that you can use it.
Tea or Infuse
If you’ve managed to obtain fresh or dried saw palmetto berries, you can use them to brew a tea. There are two methods of doing this.
The first is for you to pour boiling water over the berries. Leave the berries to stew in the water so that their nutrients dissipate in the water. The other method is to boil the berries in water. Between the two methods, the second is better because it results in a stronger tea.
In both cases, you can leave the berries in the water for a minimum of 10 minutes and a maximum of 30 minutes. We also advise using honey or some type of sweetener to make the tea more palatable.
Similarly, between dry and fresh saw palmetto berries, it is better to use fresh berries because they retain more of their nutrients. However, this can be difficult because fresh saw palmetto berries are difficult to find.
The easiest to find will be saw palmetto powder which is effectively the same thing as using dry saw palmetto berries. When making tea with saw palmetto extract powder, simply dissolve it in boiling or warm water before drinking it like medicine.
Deep Conditioning
Saw palmetto extract can also be used topically in various ways too. This means that you can apply it directly to your scalp and hair. The topical application of saw palmetto extract has both pros and cons when compared to its ingestion.
When you ingest saw palmetto extract, you get its anti-DHT benefits for the whole of your body. This method is particularly beneficial for people who have been experiencing hair loss caused by DHT for a long time.
The reason for this is that prolonged hair loss problems mean that DHT has had a long time to spread across the body. Ingestion, as is natural, also delivers stronger results than topical application but the results are more diffused all over the body. As a result, even though the effects are stronger, they can take a little bit longer to manifest on the scalp.
For instance, if you also have prostate-related issues or other problems fueled by excess DHT, the effects of saw palmetto extract will be divided across all those problems. In contrast, when you apply saw palmetto extract topically, the effects become visible at the spot targeted first. As a result, if you apply it to your scalp, you’ll see the results there most.
As to how you can go about applying saw palmetto extract topically, here are some options and methods.
Water
The simplest way to use saw palmetto powder is to mix it with water and massage it into your hair. To do this, you can mix two teaspoons of saw palmetto extract into a tablespoon of warm water.
The ratio of this mix can be varied depending on how fresh your saw palmetto powder is. Freshness matters because stale powders tend to be less potent than fresh powders. Therefore, if the powder has been sitting in your cupboard for some time, make sure you use more of it.
Let it dissolve properly before massaging a teaspoon of the mix into your scalp. The amount of mix you use will depend on multiple things. You have to see the severity of your hair loss problem because this will show the severity of your DHT problem. Similarly, you’ll want to use more of the mix if you have longer or thicker hair to make sure that it reaches the scalp properly.
Ensure that you massage the mix for a minimum of 15 minutes and reach all parts of your scalp. After the massage, leave the mix in for a minimum of 60 minutes. For better absorption, tie a warm towel on your head.
Carrier Oil
Another very easy way to leverage the benefits of saw palmetto against DHT is to mix it with a carrier oil. There are multiple options to choose from too such as olive oil, coconut oil, castor oil, jojoba oil, avocado oil, and pumpkin seed oil.
If you can choose any carrier oil, we strongly recommend going with pumpkin seed oil. The reason for this is that it provides benefits that are similar to saw palmetto. In fact, the two complement each other perfectly because they counter DHT accumulation through the same mechanism i.e., inhibiting the function of the enzyme 5 alpha-reductase.
Essentially, you mix two teaspoons of saw palmetto extract into a tablespoon of the carrier oil by warming them together. After the mix is ready, you apply the appropriate amount to your scalp.
Massaging it into the scalp for 15 minutes is as important as letting it rest there for a minimum of 30 minutes. The longer you leave it undisturbed on your scalp, the better the results will be. You can leave it overnight too if you want.
Aloe Vera
Excess DHT can often lead to inflammation along with hair loss. This inflammation can cause irritation, itching, and even rashes in the scalp. By combining saw palmetto powder with aloe vera gel, you can nullify both these problems at the same time.
Aloe vera has strong anti-inflammatory properties that dovetail well with the anti-inflammatory properties of saw palmetto. This is why this combination works so well to soothe and calm the irritated scalp.
The ratio of mixing these two ingredients is the same as all the other recipes already mentioned above. You take two teaspoons of the saw palmetto powder and mix with one tablespoon of aloe vera gel. The application process is slightly different though.
You mix the two ingredients thoroughly till the powder is uniformly distributed through the gel. You can choose to blend the mix too but don’t blend for too long or the aloe vera gel will lose its consistency. Once ready, massage the mix into your scalp for 15 minutes.
Unlike the other recipes, though, you cannot leave this mix on your scalp for too long. Aloe vera can end up irritating the skin with prolonged exposure which is why you should wash off this mix after 15 minutes.
It is important to note that while topical application of saw palmetto extract will yield quicker results against hair loss, the results will be less permanent. After all, this method doesn’t address the core problem of excess DHT in the body and only deals with it in the scalp. Therefore, if you truly want to see how effective saw palmetto extract can be against hair loss, we suggest combining oral and topical applications.
Top 6 Saw Palmetto Products for Hair Loss Comparison Table
| Product Name | Product Type | Volume | Cost per ounce (*Approx.) | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Havasu Nutrition Saw Palmetto Extra Strength Supplement | Supplement | 100 capsules | $0.21 per count | Check Price |
| Micro Ingredients Organic Saw Palmetto Extract | Powder | 4 ounces | $6.24 per ounce | Check Price |
| PURA D’OR Original Gold Label Anti-Thinning Shampoo | Shampoo | 16 ounces | $1.87 per ounce | Check Price |
| Laritelle Herbal Magic Conditioner | Conditioner | 16 ounces | $3.12 per ounce | Check Price |
| Botanical Green Care Hair Restoration Expert Saw Palmetto & Cayenne Thickening Shampoo | Shampoo | 8.5 ounces | $4.35 per ounce | Check Price |
| Hair Thickness Maximizer Saw Palmetto Serum | Serum | 2 ounces | $8.97 per ounce | Check Price |
Top 2 Saw Palmetto Products in Edible Form for Hair Loss: Detailed Review
1. Havasu Nutrition Saw Palmetto Extra Strength Supplement
Editor’s Rating: 4.75/5.0
There are two ways of ingesting saw palmetto. One is to have saw palmetto berries in their most natural form i.e., as berries or berry powders and the other is to have supplements made with saw palmetto. Of the two, the second one is the easier option because you don’t have to worry about the taste of saw palmetto.
Amongst all the different saw palmetto supplements currently available in the industry, the Saw Palmetto Extra Strength Supplement from Havasu Nutrition is the best. It is the best by the virtue of being the purest.
It doesn’t contain any fillers and is instead based on saw palmetto powder and saw palmetto extract. The saw palmetto powder is as natural as you can get to saw palmetto without using berries plucked from the tree while the extract enhances the benefits of the supplement.
The purity of this product also means other benefits such as the fact that it is suitable for vegans and people suffering from celiac disease. Its composition is one of the reasons why this is an incredibly effective saw palmetto supplement.
It is also manufactured under the best standards as the company’s manufacturing facility is Good Manufacturing Practice or GMP registered. The company even backs its product with a stellar customer service department that has been known to offer full refunds to dissatisfied customers.
The only flaw of this saw palmetto supplement is its cost. Owing to its purity and manufacturing standards, it happens to be one of the more expensive saw palmetto supplements in the industry.
Who’s it for: If you’re willing to pay a little extra for a super-effective saw palmetto supplement, buy this one from Havasu Nutrition.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product type: Supplement |
| Product weight: 100 capsules |
| Active ingredients: Saw palmetto berry powder and saw palmetto berry extract |
| The Pros |
|---|
| A supplement containing saw palmetto extract and powder both |
| Contains no filler ingredients |
| Non-GMO product |
| Gluten-free supplements |
| Suitable for vegans |
| Produced in a GMP registered facility |
| Manufactured in the US |
| Affordably priced |
| Backed by a very good customer service team |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Expensively priced |
2. Micro Ingredients Organic Saw Palmetto Extract (Best Edible Product)
Editor’s Rating: 4.75/5.0
While using supplements may be the easiest way to get saw palmetto benefits, many people like natural and unprocessed products more. If you’re one of these people then you may prefer saw palmetto in a form that is as close to natural as possible.
Barring dried or fresh saw palmetto berries, your best option from this perspective will be this Organic Saw Palmetto Extract from Micro Ingredients. It is the purest form of saw palmetto you’ll find in the market. In fact, it offers the same combination that supplement makers use to make their products i.e., saw palmetto powder reinforced with saw palmetto extract.
However, because it is in powder form, you don’t have to worry about extra processing or added ingredients. It is free of all fillers, preservatives, and other types of additives. It is also vegan and gluten-free.
The biggest challenge you’ll face with this product is its flavor. It has a strong, unlikable flavor that is very difficult to get used to. The best way to deal with this would be to look up recipes for masking the flavor.
For instance, you’ll find plenty of recipes for smoothies, shakes, and other types of drinks online that you can use to take this saw palmetto extract. Once you have shortlisted the right recipes, you’ll find this product to be very easy to use. You’ll only have to use the provided scoop to get the powder in the right quantities.
Being so pure and grown exclusively in the US, it is understandable that this is an expensive product. The expense can be particularly problematic because it tends to run out very soon too. Depending on how often you use this saw palmetto powder and in what quantities, you may be forced into refills much quicker than your pocket will like.
Who’s it for: If you want to consume saw palmetto as a part of various recipes at home, get this powdered extract from Micro Ingredients.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product type: Powder |
| Product weight: 4 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Saw palmetto powder, and saw palmetto extract |
| The Pros |
|---|
| A most natural form of saw palmetto |
| Organic ingredients |
| Free of fillers |
| Suitable for vegans |
| Can be used by celiac sufferers |
| Comes with a scoop |
| Grown and processed in the US |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Very expensively priced |
| Has a strong and unlikable flavor |
Top 4 Topical Saw Palmetto Products for Hair Loss: Detailed Reviews
3. PURA D’OR Original Gold Label Anti-Thinning Shampoo
Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5.0
Amongst shampoos designed for hair thinning and loss, Pura D’Or’s Original Gold Label Anti-Thinning Shampoo is one of the most popular. The reason for its immense popularity is the fact that this is one of those few hair loss shampoos that deliver on its promises.
In practice, this means that this shampoo has the best success rate, especially when compared to its competitors. This makes sense too because the company says that this is a clinically tested shampoo.
According to Pura D’Or, this shampoo can slow down hair loss significantly if it is used daily for eight weeks. These claims are directly drawn from an eight-week study wherein the subjects showed “significantly less hair in brush, thicker and healthier hair”.
This shampoo offers such great results because of its formula. In fact, its formula manages to incorporate some of the most effective naturally occurring ingredients known to man when it comes to hair loss.
Amongst anti-DHT agents alone, this shampoo boasts of 17 different ingredients. Other than these, it even contains a series of vitamins including biotin. Further, all these ingredients are suspended in aloe vera juice which forms the base for this shampoo.
The best part is that the majority of ingredients in this shampoo are certified organic. Moreover, this shampoo is completely natural and free of all synthetic substances including sulfates and parabens.
In place of surfactants, this shampoo uses coconut-based cleansers. These cleansers are effective too because they clean the scalp and hair very well. In fact, they’re so effective that many people complain of dry hair after using this shampoo.
While they replace the surfactants’ cleansing action, they’re unable to provide the same amount of suds. Therefore, the first flaw of this shampoo is that it doesn’t lather freely.
While this is mainly because of the type and quantity of the cleansers in this shampoo, it is also because of its consistency. This is a very thick shampoo which is why it is so difficult to spread it through the hair and scalp. Even the provided dispensing pump starts failing in face of this shampoo’s thick and pasty consistency.
This shampoo does have a very likable smell, though. It has a mild and fresh citrus scent with distinct herbal notes. Most people who try this shampoo end up appreciating its smell. This shampoo also makes the scalp tingle too. This reinvigorating sensation is something that many people specifically search for in their shampoos.
In case you’re environmentally conscious, you would be glad to know that this shampoo is both, vegan and cruelty-free.
Even though it has so many different qualities, this shampoo still happens to be priced fairly competitively. Notably, it is one of the more affordable saw palmetto-containing shampoos in the market that are also effective.
Pura D’Or also offers a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee on this shampoo. In case, you don’t react well to this shampoo or simply don’t like it, you will have the option of getting a full refund from the company.
Who’s it for: If you want to combine the benefits of saw palmetto with other anti-DHT agents through a single product, get this specialized shampoo from Pura D’Or.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product type: Shampoo |
| Product weight: 16 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Aloe vera leaf juice, coconut-based cleansers, willow bark extract, tea tree leaf oil, argan kernel oil, black cumin seed oil, nettle leaf extract, red Korean seaweed extract, biotin, saw palmetto fruit extract, cedarwood bark oil, rosemary leaf oil, clary oil, he shou wu root extract, hibiscus flower extract, pygeum bark extract, pumpkin seed oil, green tea leaf extract, amla fruit oil, lemon peel oil, grapefruit seed extract, lemongrass oil, niacin, and vitamin E |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Built around multiple organic ingredients |
| Uses numerous anti-DHT agents along with saw palmetto |
| Nourishing for the scalp and hair |
| Has a mild and fresh citrus scent |
| Makes the scalp tingle |
| Free from sulfates |
| Doesn’t contain parabens |
| Rated to be cruelty-free |
| Suitable for vegans |
| Comes with a dispensing pump |
| Affordably priced |
| Backed by a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Can leave hair a bit dry |
| Doesn’t produce a lot of lather |
| The thick consistency makes it difficult to use |
4. Laritelle Herbal Magic Conditionerme
Editor’s Rating: 4.75/5.0
The biggest problem with products like shampoos and conditioners when it comes to saw palmetto benefits is that they contain multiple ingredients. In fact, the majority of conditioners in the market only contain saw palmetto in trace amounts.
Of the few that do contain higher concentrations of saw palmetto, the one product that stands out is Laritelle’s Herbal Magic Conditioner. The reason why we’ve put this conditioner above all other competing conditioners is that it has saw palmetto in the highest concentration possible.
In fact, if you check its ingredients list, you’ll find saw palmetto listed in the third spot. As per the laws governing labeling in the country, this means that saw palmetto has the third-highest concentration in this product’s formula. The two ingredients that have a higher concentration than saw palmetto are aloe vera juice and rosemary extract.
Other than having higher concentrations of saw palmetto, this conditioner also stands out because it contains multiple other ingredients that are proven to be highly beneficial against hair loss. These include babassu oil, extra virgin olive oil, apricot kernel oil, keratin, hydrolyzed oat protein, and a series of vitamins such as provitamin B5, vitamin E, vitamin C, vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, and vitamin B6.
Some of these ingredients specialize in moisturizing and nourishing hair follicles while others help repair damaged hair. The combined effect of the formula is stronger, more resilient hair follicles producing healthy hair strands.
The most notable aspect of this conditioner is that 98 percent of its ingredients are certified organic. The balance two percent are naturally derived, which makes this product completely natural.
As a result, you won’t see any artificial chemicals or compounds in this conditioner such as sulfates, parabens, or even silicones. The conditioner still lathers up in the hair, though. Moreover, it is rated to be vegan and cruelty-free.
The nature of the ingredients also means that this conditioner is suitable for people suffering from celiac disease. It is even suitable for people with sensitive noses. Its herbal magic scent is mild enough to be negligible.
This product would also appeal to you if you’re an environment-friendly individual who is also a patriot. It is not only manufactured in the US but also comes packed in recyclable BPA-free bottles.
The consistency of this conditioner is neither too thick nor too watery. It is rich and creamy. It is also available in two bottle sizes. The smaller one can be seen as a tester since its capacity is a mere two ounces. The larger one, however, can hold 16 ounces, making it the cheaper option. This is important because this is one of the more expensive conditioners out there.
The larger bottle will come with a dispensing pump too.
Who’s it for: If you want the most organic and natural conditioner with barely any scent, try this product from Laritelle.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product type: Conditioner |
| Product weight: 16 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Aloe vera juice, rosemary extract, saw palmetto extract, babassu oil, extra virgin olive oil, apricot kernel oil, keratin, hydrolyzed oat protein, provitamin B5, vitamin E, vitamin C, vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, vitamin B6, and rosemary seed extract |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Built around multiple organic ingredients |
| Uses numerous anti-DHT agents along with saw palmetto |
| Nourishing for the scalp and hair |
| Has an incredibly mild scent |
| Free from sulfates |
| Doesn’t contain parabens |
| Rated to be cruelty-free |
| Suitable for vegans |
| Available in two bottle sizes |
| Packaged in recycled plastic |
| Comes with a dispensing pump |
| Manufactured in the US |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Expensively priced |
5. Botanical Green Care Hair Restoration Expert Saw Palmetto & Cayenne Thickening Shampoo
Editor’s Rating: 4.75/5.0
There are a lot of shampoos in the industry that claim to contain saw palmetto. Most of these shampoos, however, only contain saw palmetto in smaller concentrations along with a slew of other similar ingredients.
A shampoo that can offer saw palmetto benefits to a significant level needs to contain this ingredient in higher concentrations. There aren’t many that qualify. The Hair Restoration Expert Saw Palmetto & Cayenne Thickening Shampoo from Botanical Green Care, however, does.
While saw palmetto still isn’t the ingredient with the highest concentration in this shampoo’s formula because that would be unrealistic, it is still up there. The only ingredient that outstrips saw palmetto in this shampoo’s formula is aloe vera leaf juice because it forms the base.
The other ingredients listed above saw palmetto in this shampoo’s ingredients list are only slightly higher in concentration than saw palmetto. These include nettle extract, sage extract, field horsetail extract, and panax ginseng root extract.
Another key ingredient in this shampoo is cayenne pepper extract. Cayenne pepper contains capsaicin which improves the cellular metabolic process, resulting in better and quicker uptake of nutrients. It also gives the scalp a pleasant tingling sensation. Additionally, the formula incorporates stem cells from apples and argan which boost hair follicular health.
Saw palmetto offers the already discussed ante-DHT properties but this shampoo contains other ingredients with similar qualities. These include caffeine and rosemary. Rosemary is also responsible for this shampoo’s scent which comes across as refreshing, clean, and medicinal at the same time.
The best part, though, is that all the ingredients in this shampoo are organic. It doesn’t contain any artificial ingredients such as sulfates or parabens. Despite this, it produces considerable lather.
The biggest flaw of this shampoo is that it costs much more than other competing products. Other than its higher saw palmetto concentration, there are a few other reasons for its high cost.
The first is that you don’t need to use a lot of this shampoo per application. In fact, a little of it will help you get the result you desire provided you’re consistent with its use. It is easy to control how much you take in the shower too because of the provided dispensing pump. Since you don’t need to use a lot of this shampoo, you don’t need to replace it as often. This means you get more value from it.
Further, the company backs this product with a money-back guarantee that stays active for three months. Therefore, this shampoo not only lasts long but you also have the option of getting a refund if you change your mind.
Who’s it for: If you’re willing to pay more than usual for a saw palmetto-focused shampoo, go for this one from Botanical Green Care.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product type: Shampoo |
| Product weight: 8.5 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Aloe vera leaf juice, nettle extract, sage extract, field horsetail extract, panax ginseng root extract, saw palmetto fruit extract, burdock root extract, green tea leaf extract, coconut-based cleansers, matricaria flower extract, amla fruit extract, brahmi leaf extract, bhringraj extract, biotin, caffeine, niacin, pot marigold flower extract, grape seed extract, gotu kola extract, provitamin B5, apple fruit extract, horsetail kelp extract, apple fruit cell extract, argan sprout stem cell extract, grape fruit cell extract, pumpkin seed oil, argan kernel oil, peppermint oil, clove bud oil, rosemary leaf oil, chilli seed oil, lemongrass oil, vitamin E, provitamin A, cayenne pepper fruit extract, carrot seed oil, fenugreek extract, Chinese cinnamon bark extract, and flax extract |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Built around multiple organic ingredients |
| Has saw palmetto in large concentrations |
| Uses numerous other anti-DHT agents as well |
| Features stem cell technology too |
| Has a mild and clean rosemary scent |
| Makes the scalp tingle |
| Produces sufficient lather |
| Free from sulfates |
| Doesn’t contain parabens |
| Comes with a dispensing pump |
| Backed by a 90-day money-back guarantee |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Expensively priced |
6. Hair Thickness Maximizer Saw Palmetto Serum (Best Topical Product)
Editor’s Rating: 4.75/5.0
The reason why ingesting a substance is more effective than the topical application is how long it takes for the ingredient to be absorbed by the skin when applied topically. However, if you allow for absorption time, even topical application of an ingredient can prove to be incredibly beneficial. This is precisely where this Saw Palmetto Serum from Hair Thickness Maximizer comes into play.
Typically, serums are left on the scalp for a much longer period than shampoos or conditioners. As a result, when it comes to benefitting from a specific ingredient topically, hair serums are a much better choice than other hair products. However, even better would be to use the hair serums in addition to shampoos and conditioners containing the ingredient you’re looking to benefit from.
This hair serum, according to the company, has been developed to “revitalize, strengthen, and protect” the hair. In fact, it is based on a proprietary blend of ingredients chosen categorically for their ability to slow down hair loss.
The foremost of these is saw palmetto but the others are Pumpkin seed oil, Moringa oil, Baobab oil, Blackberry seed oil, Flaxseed oil, Rosemary essential oil, Peppermint essential oil, Cedarwood essential oil, Oregano essential oil.
There are two key aspects to note here. The first is that since all these ingredients are in oil form, this product is an oil blend. The other and more important aspect is that saw palmetto is the first ingredient on the list.
This means that it is present in the formula in the highest concentration possible. As a result, if you want the benefits of saw palmetto against hair loss, this product will be the best bet without actually eating it. This is especially true since saw palmetto and all the other ingredients in this serum are organic.
The ingredients also combine to give this serum a distinct but gender-neutral herbal scent. If you’re fine with herbal smells, then you’ll like it but if you’re one of those people who like strong perfume smells, then this product might not be for you.
In terms of applying this product, all you need to do is use the provided dropper to get the serum onto your scalp. The trick to getting the maximum benefits is to avoid the hair and focus on the scalp. Once you have it in the scalp, gently massage it in to boost absorption. You can choose to apply it all over your scalp or the areas seeing the most hair loss.
When you use the dropper though, be extra careful because it leaks. Apart from the mess it might make, the leaking dropper is also troublesome because it causes wastage. This is, after all, one of the more expensive hair serums in the industry, and wastefulness will make it only more expensive.
It doesn’t even matter if you buy the smaller, one-ounce or the larger, two-ounce bottle. Both will prove to be very pricey on a per-ounce basis. On the plus side, though, you will get a flawless hair serum manufactured under the best American quality regulations and standards.
You’ll also get a 30-day 100 percent customer satisfaction guarantee from the company. This means that within 30 days of purchase, you can return this serum for a full refund from the company.
Who’s it for: If you’re looking for a saw palmetto-containing product that can be used overnight, try this serum from Hair Thickness Maximizer
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product type: Serum |
| Product weight: 2 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Saw palmetto, pumpkin seed oil, moringa oil, baobab oil, blackberry seed oil, flaxseed oil, rosemary essential oil, peppermint essential oil, cedarwood essential oil, and oregano essential oil |
| The Pros |
|---|
| An oil blend for deep treatment |
| Strengthens and repairs existing hair too |
| Has an herbal scent |
| Comes with a dropper |
| Available in two bottle sizes |
| Manufactured in the US |
| Backed by a 30-day 100 percent satisfaction guarantee |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Very expensively priced |
| Everyone won’t like its scent |
| The provided dropper can be messy to use |
Contents
- What Is Saw Palmetto?
- How Does Saw Palmetto Help Against Hair Loss?
- Are There Other Benefits of Saw Palmetto?
- Are There Any Side Effects of Using Saw Palmetto for Hair Loss?
- How to Use Saw Palmetto Against Hair Loss?
- Using Saw Palmetto Extract at Home
- Top 6 Saw Palmetto Products for Hair Loss Comparison Table
- Top 2 Saw Palmetto Products in Edible Form for Hair Loss: Detailed Review
- Top 4 Topical Saw Palmetto Products for Hair Loss: Detailed Reviews
