Okay, so your hair loss is starting to bother you. Now you’re wondering: which is better, Rogaine or generic minoxidil? In this post, I’ll cover all the differences between the two products so you can make an informed buying decision.
Before I move too far along, I should tell you a little about myself.
My name is Robert. I’m a health and wellness writer, editor, and consumer advocate with thousands of hours of experience in the hair loss field.
In 2016, I founded this website, Hair Loss Daily, the unbiased hair loss blog.
Five years later, in 2021, I discovered I was going bald.
And what product did I turn to upon making that discovery?
Minoxidil, of course. And in this article, I’ll tell you which product I’m currently using–generic minoxidil or Rogaine.
I’ll also compare the two minoxidil products based on five factors, including:
- Effectiveness
- Price
- Ingredients
- Ease of Use
- And user satisfaction
Now, let’s begin the competition, shall we?
Generic Minoxidil vs. Rogaine
Price
To begin, let’s talk about the costs involved with these treatments.
Rogaine comes out swinging with its brand name, but is it worth the higher price tag?
A three-month supply of their popular foam product will likely cost around $50.
If you’re looking to save some green while regrowing your mane, generic minoxidil is the budget-friendly option.
For as little as $5 per month, generic minoxidil can help you regrow your hair.
Ingredients
Apart from 5% minoxidil, Rogaine products often include added ingredients like botanical extracts and essential oils.
While these extras might be appealing to some, they don’t contribute to the primary hair regrowth effect of minoxidil.
Generic versions stick to the bare essentials, containing 5% minoxidil as the active ingredient.
Effectiveness
Both fighters have a proven track record in the hair regrowth ring.
Rogaine has its loyal following with tales of denser hair and renewed confidence.
But wait. Generic minoxidil delivers the same knockout punch as its pricier opponent.
The verdict? It’s a tie, folks.
Ease of Use
Rogaine offers a foam option for easy application.
The fluffy texture glides on smoothly, making it convenient and comfortable to use.
Generic minoxidil typically comes in a liquid form, which may require more precision during application.
However, users generally find the liquid product easy to incorporate into their daily routine.
Related article: Foam vs. Liquid Minoxidil – Which is Better?
User Satisfaction
The loyal fans of Rogaine often praise the brand and proudly tell their success stories.
However, there’s a loyal army of generic minoxidil supporters too.
With its pocket-friendly price and results that speak for themselves, it’s a force to be reckoned with.
And the Winner Is…
It’s a tie, of course.
The decision is ultimately a matter of preference and nothing more.
Perhaps you should try both generic minoxidil and Rogaine for a test spin and see which one you like better.
Or, pick the cheaper option.
Or, go with the established brand.
You really can’t go wrong.
Why I Use Generic Minoxidil
After I discovered I was going bald in 2021, I decided to use generic minoxidil rather than Rogaine.
And the main reason I prefer generic minoxidil to Rogaine is a simple one: I’m cheap.
Since the beginning, I’ve had no issues applying the product on a daily basis.
That said, I typically only use the product once per day instead of twice per day.
How Effective Is Minoxidil?
Okay, now let’s briefly talk about minoxidil’s efficacy.
In 2012, a one-year study with 984 participants analyzed minoxidil’s effectiveness. Dermatologists reviewed the hair loss (and gains) of each participant every three months. By the study’s end, here’s what the researchers discovered:
- 62% of the men saw smaller hair loss areas
- 35.1% had no major losses or gains.
- And only 2.9% of the men reported worsening hair loss.
- The 5% minoxidil worked very well for 15.8% of patients and well 47.8% of patients.
- It also worked moderately well for 20.6% of users.
- That’s roughly an 84% success rate.
- Side effects occurred in 3.9% of patients, but none of those effects were deemed serious.
- Hairs lost during washing went from 69.7 at the start to 33.8 by the end of the study.
Closing Thoughts – Rogaine vs. Generic Minoxidil
If you’re grappling with hair loss and trying to decide between Rogaine and generic minoxidil, both options have their merits.
Each treatment offers a different price point and formulation, but ultimately, they prove equally effective in the hair regrowth arena.
User satisfaction is high for both products, with loyal fans in both camps boasting success stories. In the end, the decision between the two comes down to personal preference, lifestyle, and budget considerations.
So, what say you? Are you a Rogaine loyalist, or do you believe generic minoxidil is the better option?
Robert Price is a writer, consumer advocate, and hair loss researcher with thousands of hours of experience in the field. His goal is to keep you out of the hair loss rabbit hole, underworld, or whatever you want to call it. He founded Hair Loss Daily, the unbiased hair loss blog, in 2016. You can learn more about Robert in the my story section of this website.