By Millions of men and women worldwide have to deal with early hair loss or hair thinning. According to the American Hair Loss Association, more than 50% of men start losing their hair in their mid-twenties, and two-thirds already have “bald spots” on their scalps before 35. But for one massive reason, many alternatives to Rogaine are preferred.
While women tend to be less concerned by baldness, a study from Harvard Medical School found that 30% of women are affected by significant hair thinning. Given the damaging impact hair loss can have on our confidence and self-esteem, thousands of men and women are now turning to hair loss treatments to limit hair loss and improve hair density.
This led to the great commercial success of Rogaine: by far, one of the most popular FDA-approved hair loss drugs on the market – commercialized under the name Rogaine.
Unfortunately, while the clinical efficacy of Rogaine is well established, this study suggests that it is only effective in 62% of people who use it – which means that up to 38% of people who try it see no or worsening results.
Most importantly, the drug has been shown in some cases to cause several side effects, some being quite severe, including dizziness, fainting, swelling, unusual weight gain, irregular heartbeat, erectile dysfunction, or even infertility.
Due to this hair-loss drug’s uncertain efficacy and potential side effects, many people who want to grow more hair on their scalp are now looking into natural alternatives to Rogaine.
The problem is that the market for natural hair loss products has been largely unregulated, leading to the proliferation of heavily marketed “natural hair loss products” of limited efficacy.
There are so many natural alternatives to Rogaine today that it can be hard to distinguish between natural hair loss products backed by sound scientific evidence and hair loss marketing fads that promise a lot but deliver little.
This article aims to share with our readers several natural alternatives to Rogaine that are scientifically proven to stimulate hair growth and produce minimal effects. This review has been conducted in collaboration with several trichologists and dermatologists to ensure the reliability and accuracy of the information presented.
What do you need to know about Rogaine?
While the use of Rogaine has been criticized by many – notably due to its numerous potential side effects – it remains one of the few FDA-approved hair loss drugs that have been clinically shown to reduce hair loss across multiple scientific studies.
According to Drugs.com, Rogaine is associated with multiple side effects, which can sometimes significantly alter our quality of life. Commonly reported side effects include dizziness, fainting, swelling, unusual weight gain, difficulty breathing, irregular heartbeat, erectile dysfunction, or even infertility in some cases.
So as it’s the case with many other drugs, Rogaine is not a perfect solution. But it remains a reliable hair loss solution for some people who react well to the molecule’s chemical action and are lucky enough not to deal with its typical side effects.
Why should you choose a natural Rogaine alternative?
For the reasons mentioned above, thousands of men and women dealing with hair loss and thinning are looking into natural alternatives to Rogaine to grow their hair back – without having to deal with disturbing side effects.
A “natural” hair loss product is composed chiefly of naturally derived active ingredients that can help promote hair growth without using drugs that may lead to adverse side effects. We present below the main reasons to choose a natural hair loss solution over Rogaine, according to experts.
Reason #1: Naturally derived hair solutions produce minimal side effects, unlike Rogaine.
Since natural hair loss solutions are composed of multiple naturally derived active ingredients, there are no drugs that may harm our hair – unlike some hair loss drugs that use chemical substances that in some cases are likely to irritate our scalp.
Reason #2: Some natural hair loss products have already shown solid clinical efficacy against hair loss.
While many plant-based hair loss products produce little to no significant benefit when it comes to hair growth, some natural remedies have been clinically proven to reduce the magnitude of hair loss, stimulate the development of new hair, and improve hair density.
Reason #3: Some natural hair loss products provide other “side benefits” that hair-loss drugs don’t.
Hair loss drugs like Rogaine tend to be focused on one thing: reducing hair loss. On the other hand, some plant-based hair loss solutions have been found to provide additional “side benefits” beyond hair loss, including a healthier, cleaner scalp, strong hair fiber, natural hair shine, and a smoother hair texture.
Bottom line: Some natural hair loss solutions are multi-purpose. They can help reduce hair loss and help improve the appearance of the hair.
What to look for in a Rogaine alternative?
- Criteria #1: Has to contain active ingredients that are clinically proven to stimulate hair growth
- Criteria #2: Has to use naturally derived active ingredients
- Criteria #3: No or minimal side effects
- Criteria #4: Beware of misleading promises. Only opt for brands with transparent communication.
Top 4 best natural alternatives to Rogaine on the market today
After hours of extensive research, considering peer-reviewed scientific studies, combined ratings, and verified online reviews from customers like you, we’ve compiled a list of the top four natural Rogaine alternatives on the market today.
1. Scandinavian Biolabs Hair Growth Routine
PROS
- Only contains natural compounds that have been clinically proven to reduce hair loss and stimulate the growth of thicker, stronger hair
- Active ingredient Capilia Longa is regularly praised as being one of the most effective natural alternatives to minoxidil, based on multiple clinical studies
- Naturally derived with minimal side effects.
- Transparent communication setting realistic expectations
- Good price-performance ratio
- It offers a 150-day money-back guarantee to give people the chance to try it risk-free.
- Established natural brand trusted by hundreds of happy customers
CONS
- Can run out of stock quickly
- It might be seen as relatively expensive for people with modest budgets, but we find the price warranted, given the excellent customer feedback and clinical efficacy of active ingredients.
The Scandinavian Biolabs Hair Growth Routine is an advanced natural hair growth formula created by the Danish natural health company Scandinavian Biolabs. Founded by a team of Danish entrepreneurs, Scandinavian Biolabs has been featured in numerous high-profile health magazines, including GQ, Women’s Health, and Vanity Fair.
This natural hair growth formula uses a powerful and clinically proven natural compound called “Capilia Longa”. Extracted from an Indian named Curcuma Longa, Capilia Long has been found in multiple scientific studies to reduce hair loss and increase hair density naturally by boosting the production of IGF-1 (a hormone responsible for growing hair).
Top hair loss specialists regularly praise it as one of the most potent natural alternatives to minoxidil due to its exceptional hair growth benefits demonstrated in numerous clinical studies.
During a clinical experiment, scientists who measured the effect of Capilia Longa on scalp balding volunteers found that it was able to increase levels of the hair growth hormone IGF-1 by 115% in just 24 hours. In comparison, minoxidil increased IGF-1 by only 91% in 48 hours.
Further studies have shown that Capilia Longa could increase the number of Dermal Papilla cells – a type of cell playing a pivotal role in hair growth, density, and thickness – by nearly 177% after 48 hours (vs 170% for minoxidil).
Finally, when researchers applied this plant-based compound to the scalp of several volunteers losing their hair, they noticed an 89% reduction in hair loss, a 52% increase in hair density, and an average of 13,500 new inches created within 150 days. Unfortunately, few treatments could deliver impressive results in clinical trials (including non-natural therapies).
The scientific team of Scandinavian Biolabs spent months developing a proprietary, 100% natural hair growth formula based on Capilia Longa, called Bio-Prolixin®. Bio-Pilixin® is a 3-step routine that takes just a few daily minutes to promote hair growth and thickness. It’s an all-in-one formula containing a shampoo, conditioner and serum specifically designed to improve hair’s appearance naturally.
The formula’s star ingredient is, of course, Capilia Longa, which is found in all products in the routine in the optimal dosage. But each product of the formula also contains many other scientifically proven ingredients to increase hair density and thickness, improve the shine and smoothness of hair, and reduce hair loss.
This natural alternative to minoxidil is an excellent fit for people who want to grow new hair without the side effects of drugs; it’s also very much used by people who want to improve the appearance and texture of their hair.
Finally, the Scandinavian Biolabs Hair Growth Routine has received hundreds of 5-star reviews from verified customers, with many of them reporting an even greater hair growth efficacy than common hair drugs – without causing the side effects of minoxidil. On top of that, the brand offers a 150-day money-back guarantee on its hair growth routine. That means that users have 150 days to try the routine, judge its efficacy by themselves, and ask for a refund if they’re not happy with the results they see.
Considering all these, Scandinavian Biolabs Hair Growth Routine is placed at our #1 spot.
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2. Folexin
PROS
- Established brand of natural hair loss supplements
- It contains 100% natural ingredients that have been scientifically proven to
stimulate hair growth - Positive customer reviews suggest the product is effective overall
- No major side effects reported
CONS
- Doesn’t work for everyone.
- Many users didn’t see any visible results after over six months of use
- May cause allergic reactions
Folexin is another excellent alternative to minoxidil and one of the leading natural supplements for hair loss today with minimal side effects. This product contains many natural nutrients and ingredients that have been clinically shown to prevent hair thinning and promote the growth of healthy-looking hair.
Ingredients contained in this natural formula include Saw Palmetto and Nettle Root – which have both been shown to block the production of DHT in the body (a molecule responsible for the shrinkage of hair follicles causing hair loss).
Folexin also contains Biotin (or Vitamin B7): a water-soluble vitamin that has been found to support various processes in the body, including hair growth. It also helps contribute to maintaining healthy skin and nails.
Another key natural ingredient of this natural Folexin formula is folic acid (Vitamin B9), which supports the production of red blood cells. Red blood cells are essential because they ensure a sufficient oxygen supply around the hair follicles. Without enough blood cells, hair follicles start to shrink due to a lack of oxygen, which in turn causes hair loss.
Users reported no significant side effects. That said, we note that the product may contain an allergen as the process and facility where Folexin is made are not allergen-proof. In addition, the natural ingredients contained in the supplement may also cause allergic reactions.
Finally, most users appear to be satisfied with these hair-loss supplements; we’d like to point out that a non-negligible number of users reported seeing no result at all, even after long-time usage. So just like minoxidil, this natural hair loss supplement may not work for everyone (at least it’s natural and doesn’t produce any side effects of minoxidil).
3. Nutrafol
PROS
- Uses only evidence-backed ingredients to promote hair growth
- Showed promising results in 3-6 months in clinical trials
- A high degree of transparency on the science of each element the company uses in its supplement
- Not only beneficial for hair loss. It may also improve overall wellness.
CONS
- Relatively expensive compared to other natural hair loss solutions. The price difference is unwarranted, in our view.
- According to Amazon reviews, a non-negligible number of users didn’t see any results.
Nutrafol is a well-researched natural hair loss solution. The company only uses evidence-backed ingredients to craft its hair growth supplements.
This natural hair growth supplement uses a synergy complex, a proprietary blend of potent botanical extracts that have been shown to target the root cause of poor hair health. The mix includes saw palmetto, curcumin, Ashwagandha, and marine collagen.
Saw palmetto helps by blocking the production of DHT: a molecule that happens to be one of the leading causes of hair thinning, resulting in permanent hair loss. In addition, Ashwagandha has been shown to keep stress hormones like cortisol in check. High cortisol levels have been associated with a decrease in the hair growth cycle, which tends to result in early hair loss.
The marine collagen contained in this supplement provides proteins and amino acids necessary to produce keratin, which is a key protein our hair is made of. Keratin is very important to keep a robust and durable coat.
Clinical trials have shown promising hair growth results for men within 3 to 6 months, with a noticeable improvement in hair thickness after four months. But, of course, hair growth always takes time, so it’s good to see a company that sets realistic expectations by sharing the results of its studies.
While this product is mainly targeted at stimulating hair growth, it can also improve our overall wellness. It is made to help decrease stress and fatigue, enhance sleep quality, and impact several other factors that may lead to hair loss in men and women.
While most users appear to be generally satisfied with the product, we note that a non-negligible number of users didn’t notice any significant improvements in their scalp – although we’re conscious that no treatment can work for everyone.
Further, suppose the formula is costly compared to other natural hair loss solutions. In that case, a price difference is not justified given the customer feedback (which is good overall but not exceptional), in our view.
SHOP NUTRAFOL HAIR GROWTH SUPPLEMENTS HERE >
4. Valotin
PROS
- Product made by a reputed company with good user feedback
- 100% natural, entirely based on herbal extracts and vitamins
- Cheaper than most natural hair loss solutions
CONS
- Lack of transparency with regards to potential side effects
- Very short 30-day money-back guarantee. Not enough time to see results as hair growth takes time
Valotin Hair Growth Support is a natural hair loss supplement made by the company VitaPost Balance – a reputed health company that has received much positive feedback from users.
Valotin haircare supplements use herbal extracts and vitamins to help the hair grow and remain healthy. The supplement contains vitamins, minerals, and botanical extracts clinically shown to boost healthy hair growth, including Vitamin A, Vitamin B1, Vitamin C, Zinc, Iron, Calcium, Biotin, Folate, Potassium Gluconate, and Magnesium Oxide.
All these organic ingredients have been found to stimulate hair growth at its root by nourishing the hair follicles. Users should take two pills daily – sufficiently apart from other medicines to obtain visible results.
While the supplement doesn’t list any significant side effects, the manufacturer of Valotin does recommend that users talk to their doctor, which may suggest some unknown side effects for certain people. Otherwise, there would be no point in providing this preventive indication.
A key benefit of Valotin is its price – it is relatively cheap compared to other natural hair loss solutions. That being said, we note that it only offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, which is relatively short in hair loss products.
Since it can take at least one or two months to see any visible results with any hair loss treatment, 30 days might not be enough to form a strong opinion on the efficiency of the product. So people may be unable to return it if the supplement doesn’t work for them – which is somewhat disappointing for an otherwise good quality natural hair loss supplement.
SHOP VALOTIN HAIR GROWTH SUPPLEMENT HERE >
Conclusion
Other natural alternatives to Rogaine include reishi mushrooms, capsaicin, pumpkin seed oil, Viola verecunda extract and saw palmetto.
Hair loss can be a frustrating journey, and finding the right solution requires careful consideration. While Rogaine, or minoxidil, has become a household name for hair loss treatment, it’s not the only option available.
Exploring alternatives, such as natural oils, nutritional supplements, laser therapy, improved hair care routines, and prescription medications, could provide you with a range of choices to suit your preferences and needs.
