10 Best DHT-Blocking Shampoos in 2026

Estimates suggest over 80% of men will experience some degree of male pattern baldness in their lifetime. Male pattern baldness, also known as androgenetic alopecia (AGA), develops as hair follicles gradually produce thinner, shorter hairs, leading to a visible reduction in hair density. This process, known as follicular miniaturization, is predominantly caused by the effects of the male hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT) on susceptible hair follicles.

Prescription treatments that reduce DHT, like finasteride and dutasteride, work by acting as inhibitors of the DHT-producing enzyme, 5α-reductase. But topicals containing non-prescription ingredients with potential anti-androgenic properties have also generated considerable interest, including shampoos.

Ketoconazole has some of the most relevant human clinical evidence among shampoo ingredients being investigated for hair loss. While it doesn’t inhibit DHT in the same manner as finasteride and dutasteride, it does have documented anti-androgenic properties.

Research has not yet confirmed whether topical use of ketoconazole actually lowers scalp DHT, but studies have reported improvements in hair shedding, hair thickness, and other markers associated with AGA.^1–3 Saw palmetto, green tea, rosemary, nettle, and ginseng have also been investigated for their potential effects on 5α-reductase or androgen signaling, although much of that research involves laboratory models, animal studies, or preparations other than shampoo.^4–7

The market ranges from conventional ketoconazole shampoos to botanical blends containing several ingredients with proposed DHT-inhibiting activity. However, the presence of an ingredient with laboratory antiandrogenic effects does not establish that a finished rinse-off shampoo reduces scalp DHT.

In this review, we compare 10 of the very best DHT-blocking shampoos based on their ingredients, available evidence, formulation, scalp tolerability, suitability for repeated use, and accessibility.

At a Glance: Best DHT-Blocking Shampoos in 2026

1. Ulo Thickening+ Shampoo	Ketoconazole, saw palmetto, rosemary, caffeine	OTC; thinning hair-focused	Ketoconazole plus botanicals
2. Ulo Thickening Shampoo	Saw palmetto, caffeine, rosemary, green tea	OTC; botanical	Daily botanical formula
3. Hair Restoration Laboratories Professional Strength	Saw palmetto, green tea, nettle	Specialty shampoo	Extensive botanical blend
4. Nizoral A-D	1% ketoconazole	OTC medicated	Established ketoconazole option
5. California Naturals Re:GRO Anti-Thinning Shampoo	Saw palmetto, nettle, and rosemary	OTC, sulfate-free botanical	Accessible botanical OTC option
6. PURA D’OR Original Gold Label	Saw palmetto, nettle, rosemary, green tea	OTC, botanical	Thinning and breakage
7. Keeps Thickening Shampoo	Saw palmetto, green tea, caffeine	OTC, hair loss platform	Treatment service integration
8. BosleyMD BosRevive	Saw palmetto, rosemary, pumpkin seed	OTC, sulfate-free	Hair-focused formula
9. DS Laboratories Revita	Caffeine, ginseng	OTC, specialty shampoo	Ginseng and caffeine
10. Hims Thick Fix Shampoo	Saw palmetto	OTC, sulfate-free	Straightforward shampoo for thinning hair

What Is DHT and How Do DHT-Blocking Shampoos Work?

DHT forms when testosterone is converted by 5α-reductase. In individuals predisposed genetically to AGA, DHT contributes to progressive miniaturization of susceptible follicles. Finasteride and dutasteride inhibit 5α-reductase and have extensive clinical evidence supporting their effects on DHT and hair growth.

Shampoos marketed as DHT-blocking generally take a different approach. Instead of using clinical DHT blockers like finasteride or dutasteride, DHT-blocking shampoos use natural or naturally derived compounds, primarily limited to laboratory evidence of anti-androgenic activity to support their use. Some contain ketoconazole, an antifungal medication with demonstrated anti-androgenic activity (though not proven in the scalp).

However, shampoos remain in contact with the scalp only briefly. Similarly, ingredient concentration, extract standardization, delivery, and contact time vary, which can influence whether a laboratory effect can translate into a meaningful clinical result. Altogether, this can limit the efficacy of certain shampoo formulas.

Nonetheless, shampoos are a necessary component of regular hair care. As such, maximizing the effects of this necessary step may be a low-effort way to add value to a more robust protocol.

What Is the Evidence for DHT-Blocking Shampoo Ingredients?

Ketoconazole

Ketoconazole is an antifungal medication used to treat dandruff and seborrheic dermatitis. It has well-established action against native scalp fungi like Malassezia. Its anti-androgenic properties in other pharmacological contexts have also prompted research into a possible role in improving androgenetic alopecia.

A 1998 study of 2% ketoconazole shampoo reported improvements in hair density, hair shaft size, and the proportion of hairs in anagen.² A later six-month study involving 150 men with AGA and dandruff found that 1% ketoconazole reduced shedding by 17.3% and increased mean hair shaft diameter by 5.4%, although total hair density remained unchanged.³

However, ketoconazole’s direct anti-androgenic effects have not been directly proven in the scalp. As a result, the extent to which the potential anti-androgenic effects contribute to the benefits observed with ketoconazole shampoo is unclear. But despite the lack of evidence, ketoconazole represents a beneficial ingredient to include in a shampoo formula.

Saw Palmetto

Saw palmetto (botanical name Serenoa repens) contains fatty acids and phytosterols that have demonstrated potential 5α-reductase inhibitory activity. A systematic review of oral and topical preparations reported promising hair-related outcomes in some studies, but the researchers noted differences in extract composition, treatment methods, and study quality.⁴

Green Tea

Green tea contains high concentrations of catechins, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which has been investigated for both its antioxidant properties and potential effects on androgenetic alopecia (AGA). In a 2007 study, EGCG stimulated the growth of cultured human hair follicles and increased dermal papilla cell proliferation.⁵

It may also have DHT-blocking properties. In one study, researchers found that EGCG and another green tea catechin, epicatechin gallate, selectively inhibited type I 5α-reductase, the enzyme responsible for converting testosterone into the more potent androgen DHT.

Rosemary

Rosemary has been investigated both for androgen-related effects and hair growth. In a 2013 experimental study, rosemary leaf extract demonstrated 5α-reductase inhibitory activity and supported hair regrowth in testosterone-treated mice.⁶

Ginseng

Ginseng contains compounds called ginsenosides known to inhibit 5α-reductase in vitro, and selected ginseng preparations have counteracted testosterone-associated suppression of hair regrowth in mice.⁹

DHT-Blocking Shampoos in 2026: What Has Changed?

The current market includes considerably more than conventional medicated shampoos. Several products combine botanical DHT blockers like saw palmetto with caffeine, green tea, rosemary, or other extracts, while some ketoconazole products also include hair-focused botanicals.

Choosing the Best DHT-Blocking Shampoo

1. Evidence-Aligned Ingredients

Ketoconazole has direct human evidence for certain hair-related outcomes, while saw palmetto has ample evidence to support its role as a natural DHT-reducing botanical. Much of the evidence for green tea, nettle, and ginseng comes from preclinical research.

2. Formulation and Scalp Tolerability

A shampoo must be tolerable enough for repeated use. Dryness, irritation, and breakage can make thinning hair appear less dense and may additionally discourage consistent use. Surfactants, fragrance, essential oils, and other excipients all affect a shampoo formula’s tolerability.

3. Suitability for Your Scalp Condition

For patients who also experience dandruff, seborrheic dermatitis, or scalp inflammation, ketoconazole confers antifungal benefits alongside its potential DHT-blocking effects. Those without these conditions may prefer a botanical shampoo containing ingredients like saw palmetto, rosemary, or caffeine.

Top 10 DHT-Blocking Shampoos of 2026

#1: Ulo Thickening+ Shampoo

✓ OTC-strength ketoconazole with saw palmetto	✗ Premium pricing
✓ The only ketoconazole shampoo with caffeine, rosemary, and green tea
✓ Sulfate-free and formulated for thinning hair
✓ Available without a prescription
✓ Gentle enough to be used daily
✓ Available within a broader telemedicine platform

Ulo Thickening+ combines ketoconazole with botanicals supported by preclinical evidence for their DHT-blocking effects. Saw palmetto has proposed 5α-reductase inhibitory activity, and caffeine has demonstrated growth-supportive effects in laboratory studies.^1,4,8 In turn, it’s the only ketoconazole shampoo made with other hair growth-supportive ingredients like caffeine, delivered in a sulfate-free formula designed to be gentle to the scalp and hair.

The sulfate-free formulation is well-suited to individuals who find conventional ketoconazole shampoos excessively drying, especially when using ketoconazole as part of a long-term hair loss routine.

Bottom line: Ulo Thickening+ combines ketoconazole with saw palmetto and growth-supportive ingredients in a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo formulation developed for thinning hair. It represents the most advanced DHT-blocking, scalp-friendly shampoo formula on the market.

#2: Ulo Thickening Shampoo

✓ Saw palmetto, caffeine, rosemary oil, and green tea	✗ Does not contain ketoconazole
✓ Sulfate-, paraben-, and phthalate-free
✓ Formulated for everyday or intermittent use
✓ No prescription required
✓ Available within a broader telemedicine platform

Ulo Thickening Shampoo offers a drug-free alternative for people interested in saw palmetto and other botanicals without using a medicated shampoo. Its formulation includes saw palmetto, rosemary leaf oil, green tea extract, caffeine, panthenol, and hydrolyzed keratin, and the sulfate-free formula is suitable for daily use.

The formula brings together ingredients investigated for different aspects of hair loss. Saw palmetto and some rosemary preparations have mechanistic evidence of antiandrogenic activity, while green tea and caffeine have been studied for their effects on hair follicle function.^4–8

Compared with the Thickening+ Shampoo, the main limitation of this formula is that it lacks ketoconazole. While the botanicals in the standard Thickening Shampoo do have demonstrated anti-androgen properties, ketoconazole is a standout ingredient for its anti-androgenic activity and scalp microbiome balance.

Bottom line: Ulo Thickening Shampoo is a botanical option for people seeking a DHT-reducing shampoo formula with saw palmetto, rosemary, green tea, and caffeine in a non-medicated, sulfate-free formula designed for regular use on thinning hair.

#3: Hair Restoration Laboratories Professional Strength Shampoo

✓ Sulfate-free formula	✗ Does not contain ketoconazole
✓ Contains saw palmetto, green tea, nettle, rosemary, and caffeine
✓ Includes antifungal piroctone olamine

Hair Restoration Laboratories has marketed a Professional Strength shampoo combining saw palmetto, green tea, rosemary, nettle, and caffeine, making it a strong botanical combination formula. It also layers botanicals with piroctone olamine, a clinical ingredient with antifungal properties.

However, while piroctone olamine is an effective dandruff control ingredient, it doesn’t match the efficacy of ketoconazole. As a result, it might fall short for those looking to use a DHT-blocking shampoo while also addressing an itchy, flaky scalp, compared to a ketoconazole formula.

Bottom line: A broad botanical and anti-fungal approach, but limited for those looking to improve scalp health compared to a ketoconazole-containing shampoo.

#4: Nizoral A-D

✓ 1% ketoconazole with direct clinical evidence	✗ No additional anti-androgenic botanicals
✓ No prescription or telehealth consultation required	✗ Sulfate formula may be drying to the hair and scalp
✓ Widely available through conventional retailers

Nizoral A-D contains 1% ketoconazole and is among the most accessible medicated anti-dandruff shampoos in the United States, with direct evidence in the research. In a six-month study of men with AGA and dandruff, participants using 1% ketoconazole experienced reduced shedding and increased mean shaft diameter. While hair density specifically did not change, reduced shedding indicates a positive signal for thinning hair.

However, the sulfate-containing formula may prove too drying for some hair types and may preclude long-term use. Similarly, the formula does not include other anti-androgenic botanicals, making it a potentially less robust formulation compared to other combination formulas.

Bottom line: Nizoral offers a straightforward 1% ketoconazole option to leverage ketoconazole’s potential anti-androgenic effects without other hair-supportive botanicals. But the sulfate-containing formula may prove too drying for consistent use.

#5: California Naturals Re:GRO Anti-Thinning Shampoo

✓ Saw palmetto, nettle, and rosemary	✗ Does not contain ketoconazole
✓ Accessible pricing
✓ Broad botanical formula
✓ Sulfate-free formula

California Naturals Re:GRO shampoo incorporates a large selection of botanical ingredients commonly used in hair loss shampoos, including saw palmetto, nettle, and rosemary. Its main advantage is a wide array of botanicals with some evidence to support their DHT-blocking effects and its gentle, sulfate-free formula.

However, it lacks more clinically backed ingredients like ketoconazole.

Bottom line: The California Naturals Anti-Thinning Shampoo is a multi-ingredient botanical option for people interested in saw palmetto and several complementary plant extracts without ketoconazole.

#6: PURA D’OR Original Gold Label Shampoo

✓ Saw palmetto, nettle, rosemary, and green tea	✗ No ketoconazole
✓ Includes pumpkin seed oil and beta-sitosterol
✓ Widely available over the counter

PURA D’OR Original Gold Label combines saw palmetto, nettle, rosemary, green tea, pumpkin seed oil, and beta-sitosterol, alongside ingredients intended to improve the cosmetic condition of the hair shaft. Its marketing also emphasizes reducing the appearance of thinning associated with breakage.

The broad botanical formulation may appeal to people seeking a cosmetic shampoo with several DHT-blocking ingredients, but the formula is lacking in clinical ingredients with more robust evidence such as ketoconazole.

Bottom line: PURA D’OR is a readily available botanical shampoo for people who want saw palmetto and other plant extracts while also addressing the appearance of thinning and breakage.

#7: Keeps Thickening Shampoo

✓ Saw palmetto, green tea, and caffeine	✗ No ketoconazole
✓ Developed within a hair loss treatment platform	✗ Full ingredients list not disclosed
✓ Convenient option for existing Keeps customers	✗ Broader telehealth services only offered to men

Keeps Thickening Shampoo incorporates saw palmetto, green tea, caffeine, and biotin in a shampoo intended to make thinning hair look fuller. Its principal practical advantage is that men can purchase the shampoo through a platform also offering prescription hair loss treatments.

But while the formula contains botanical DHT-blockers like saw palmetto, green tea, and caffeine, its full ingredients list is not readily disclosed on the website. As a result, we are unable to determine whether the formula contains harsh, drying sulfates that may contribute to scalp and hair dryness.

Bottom line: Keeps provides a convenient botanical thickening shampoo for men who already use its hair loss platform, made with established DHT-blocking ingredients like saw palmetto. However, its broader telehealth services are offered only to men, and the website does not disclose the shampoo’s full ingredient list.

#8: BosleyMD BosRevive Nourishing Shampoo

✓ Saw palmetto, rosemary, and pumpkin seed	✗ No ketoconazole
✓ Sulfate-free cleansing base	✗ Premium pricing
✓ Designed for thinning hair

BosleyMD BosRevive combines saw palmetto, rosemary, and pumpkin seed extracts in a sulfate-free formula developed for people with thinning hair. It also incorporates ingredients intended to improve manageability and the cosmetic appearance of hair.

Its formula may be useful for people who want a botanical shampoo without conventional sulfate surfactants. But its botanical-only formula may leave results on the table.

Bottom line: BosRevive offers a sulfate-free botanical approach for people who prioritize gentle cleansing and the appearance of fuller hair alongside ingredients being investigated for androgen-related effects.

#9: DS Laboratories Revita Shampoo

✓ Caffeine and ginseng	✗ No ketoconazole
✓ Includes additional hair-supportive ingredients
✓ Sulfate-free formula

DS Laboratories Revita uses caffeine, ginseng, and several other hair-supportive botanicals in its sulfate-free formula. While it represents an attractive botanical-only option, the lack of ingredients with more clinical rigor makes it less well-suited to those with concurrent dandruff or more severe thinning.

Bottom line: Revita offers a caffeine-and-ginseng approach with a complex supporting formula, but it lacks clinical rigor.

#10: Hims Thick Fix Shampoo

✓ Contains saw palmetto	✗ Does not contain ketoconazole
✓ Sulfate-, paraben-, and silicone-free	✗ Only contains one DHT blocker
✓ Easily accessible over-the-counter
✓ Can be delivered alongside other Rx treatments through their broader telehealth platform

Hims Thick Fix Shampoo is formulated with saw palmetto, a botanical investigated for potential 5α-reductase inhibitory activity. The sulfate-free shampoo is designed to remove excess oil and make thinning hair appear fuller, and is widely accessible at drugstores throughout the US. For existing Hims customers, it can also be delivered alongside Rx treatments already provided via the Hims telehealth platform.

However, while the formula is straightforward, it is relatively basic. Hims formula contains only saw palmetto as its main DHT blocker rather than combining several ingredients with proposed anti-androgenic activity.

Bottom line: Hims Thick Fix offers a straightforward saw palmetto shampoo to complement an existing hair loss routine. Its sulfate-free formulation may appeal to some users, although it lacks clinically backed ingredients like ketoconazole and broader botanical blends found in several competing products.

The Clear Winner: Ulo Thickening+ Shampoo

Ulo Thickening+ is the only shampoo that blends ketoconazole with saw palmetto, rosemary, green tea, and caffeine in a shampoo developed specifically for thinning hair. Compared with botanical-only formulas, ketoconazole adds an established antifungal treatment and a body of direct human evidence for certain hair-related outcomes.^1–3

The sulfate-free formulation leaves hair feeling clean without stripping the hair, making it easier to use consistently as part of a long-term protocol for thinning hair.

Bottom line: Ulo Thickening+ combines ketoconazole and hair-focused botanicals in a non-stripping, sulfate-free formulation, making it the most robust formulation on the list.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a shampoo actually block scalp DHT?

Some shampoo ingredients demonstrate anti-androgenic activity in laboratory research. However, there is insufficient clinical evidence that currently available shampoos produce meaningful reductions in human scalp DHT. Users can maximize the activity of DHT-blocking shampoo ingredients by allowing the shampoo to remain on the scalp for 2-5 minutes prior to rinsing away.

Is ketoconazole a DHT blocker?

Ketoconazole has demonstrated anti-androgenic properties and has shown hair-related benefits in human studies. Clinical evidence has not established that ketoconazole shampoo directly reduces scalp DHT, however, it is an expected effect.

Does saw palmetto shampoo work for hair loss?

Certain saw palmetto preparations have promising mechanistic and limited clinical evidence for hair loss. However, shampoos have not been explicitly tested.

Can DHT-blocking shampoo replace finasteride or dutasteride?

No. These shampoos have not demonstrated the same level of DHT suppression or hair growth benefit as prescription 5α-reductase inhibitors.

How often should I use a DHT-blocking shampoo?

Frequency depends on the formula used. Sulfate-containing formulas may be too harsh on the hair and scalp to use daily. Sulfate-free formulas, on the other hand, may be used as often as daily.

Final Remarks

DHT-focused shampoos differ substantially in their ingredients and formulation. While ketoconazole has direct human evidence for certain hair health outcomes, saw palmetto, green tea, rosemary, nettle, and ginseng demonstrate DHT-blocking activity in preclinical evidence. Saw palmetto is the most supported of the botanicals; however, its DHT-blocking effects have not been proven in shampoo format.

The key concern is whether these ingredients, at the concentrations and contact times used in finished shampoos, produce clinically meaningful changes in scalp DHT or hair growth. To support maximal scalp activity, users might consider leaving the formula on the scalp for 2-5 minutes before rinsing the shampoo away.

Similarly, the tolerability of an overall formula may be a consideration. Shampoos made with harsh, drying sulfates may be too drying to use consistently in a long-term hair loss protocol.

For people with dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis, ketoconazole represents an established, clinically supported option with antifungal and anti-androgenic effects. Botanical shampoos may support a broader hair loss protocol when formulation and tolerability are priorities, but are not a replacement for prescription DHT-reducing treatments.

References

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2. Piérard-Franchimont C, De Doncker P, Cauwenbergh G, Piérard GE. Ketoconazole shampoo: effect of long-term use in androgenic alopecia. Dermatology. 1998;196(4):474–477. doi:10.1159/000017954[Study]

3. Piérard-Franchimont C, Goffin V, Henry F, Uhoda I, Braham C, Piérard GE. Nudging hair shedding by antidandruff shampoos: a comparison of 1% ketoconazole, 1% piroctone olamine and 1% zinc pyrithione formulations. Int J Cosmet Sci. 2002;24(5):249–256. doi:10.1046/j.1467-2494.2002.00145.x[Study]

4. Evron E, Juhasz M, Babadjouni A, Atanaskova Mesinkovska N. Natural hair supplement: friend or foe? Saw palmetto, a systematic review in alopecia. Skin Appendage Disord. 2020;6(6):329–337. doi:10.1159/000509905[Study]

5. Kwon OS, Han JH, Yoo HG, et al. Human hair growth enhancement in vitro by green tea epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). Phytomedicine. 2007;14(7–8):551–555. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2006.09.009[Study]

6. Murata K, Noguchi K, Kondo M, et al. Promotion of hair growth by Rosmarinus officinalis leaf extract. Phytother Res. 2013;27(2):212–217. doi:10.1002/ptr.4712[Study]

7. Panahi Y, Taghizadeh M, Marzony ET, Sahebkar A. Rosemary oil vs minoxidil 2% for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia: a randomized comparative trial. Skinmed. 2015;13(1):15–21. PMID:25842469.[Study]

8. Fischer TW, Hipler UC, Elsner P. Effect of caffeine and testosterone on the proliferation of human hair follicles in vitro. Int J Dermatol. 2007;46(1):27–35. doi:10.1111/j.1365-4632.2007.03119.x[Study]

9. Murata K, Takeshita F, Samukawa K, Tani T, Matsuda H. Effects of ginseng rhizome and ginsenoside Ro on testosterone 5α-reductase and hair re-growth in testosterone-treated mice. Phytother Res. 2012;26(1):48–53. doi:10.1002/ptr.3511[Study]