Woman Says Surprising Product Reduced Her Facial Hair—So We Asked an Expert

Across the globe, many women are experiencing polycystic ovary syndrome, which can have a significant impact on their health and cause symptoms such as acne, thinning hair, infertility and weight gain.

One of the most prevalent symptoms those with PCOS experience is an increase in unwanted hair growth, especially on the face, due to an increase in testosterone levels. This growth may affect not only their skin but also their self-confidence—a feeling Gabi Pacheco knows all too well.

The content creator from Las Vegas has struggled with the effects PCOS has had on her hair growth, but she found a surprising treatment to help reduce her unwanted facial hair: spearmint oil.

In a video posted on TikTok that has received 2 million views and 80,000 likes, Pacheco demonstrated how she applies the oil to the area of her face in which she wants to reduce hair growth—a hack she says is “changing all the PCOS girls’ lives.”

Speaking to Newsweek, Pacheco, who mixes spearmint oil with her favorite moisturizer, shared her routine: “I massage the concoction into the areas affected by PCOS facial hair, dedicating 30 seconds of care both morning and night.”

She added: “The results speak volumes. I saw a remarkable 80 percent reduction in facial hair growth and witnessed this change within one to two weeks.”

Pacheco said that while she applied the product twice daily, she hoped over time she could reduce the frequency.

She added: “While the journey continues, I’ve noticed a significant slowdown in hair regrowth, prompting thoughts of adjusting the frequency of my routine. Perhaps, in the future, I’ll transition to an every-other-day approach.

“As someone navigating the challenges of PCOS, managing facial hair has been an ongoing battle, but this innovative hack has brought newfound confidence and liberation. In essence, the revelation has not only transformed my appearance but has also granted me freedom from the constant struggle of rapid hair growth.”

Alyssa Pacheco (no relation), a registered dietician, gave some insight into the effects of the oil: “Spearmint has been found to have antiandrogen properties, meaning it can lower testosterone levels. High testosterone levels are common in PCOS and can cause a lot of unpleasant symptoms, like excessive hair growth and even hair loss.

“To my knowledge, there hasn’t been any research on applying spearmint oil topically to reduce unwanted hair growth. There’s been some animal studies where they looked at the effects of ingesting spearmint oil and found that it reduced testosterone levels.

“In theory, I don’t see a reason why it isn’t worth a try, though. Unwanted hair growth can be such a debilitating symptom, and the potential benefits probably outweigh any potential risks.”

For those who don’t want to apply the product to their skin, the dietician also said there are several foods that can help lower testosterone levels: “If you’re a tea drinker, spearmint tea can be another way to enjoy the benefits. Zinc is a nutrient that can help lower testosterone levels also, and cashews, pumpkin seeds, oysters and oats are all great sources of zinc.”

What Do the Comments Say?

In the comments section of Pacheco’s TikTok video, viewers who tried the hack for themselves left their reviews.

A user said, “I recently started doing this—not 100% gone but OMG what a difference!”

“Been using this twice a day for 2 weeks and my hairs literally fall out,” another added.

One commenter discussed their long-term experience: “I’m honestly amazed I haven’t used the spearmint oil in weeks, and I barely have any growth. I get the odd few hairs but they’re not anywhere near as noticeable as they have been for the last 10 years. This stuff has changed my life along with balancing out my hormones with my meds.”

Others did not report having similar success, with one user writing: “I’ve been doing this for a month now and I have not seen any changes. Makes me sad that I can’t figure anything out that works for me.”