If you’re losing your hair, chances are you’ve heard of finasteride. Perhaps you’ve even taken it orally as a once-daily pill. After all, finasteride is one of just two FDA-approved medicines to treat hair loss (the other is minoxidil aka Rogaine) that have worked for millions of individuals over the last few decades.
It’s understandable why many steer clear of finasteride, given the potential for side effects like erectile dysfunction (ED). Although rare, most individuals don’t want to take any chances. Luckily, studies have shown that topical versions applied directly to the site of thinning (i.e. your scalp) pose a much lower risk of adverse effects.
We’ve conducted extensive research to determine the best topical finasteride products. Read on to learn more about our top picks, including my personal experience trying each brand out, and what Dr. Jonathan Rick, a board-certified dermatologist, has to say about the effectiveness and safety of topical finasteride.
What’s the Best Topical Finasteride Online? |
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Most Affordable
Keeps offers the most bang for your buck with an incredibly affordable 2-in-1 topical starting at just $40 per month.
For anyone looking to use both finasteride AND minoxidil in a single solution, Keeps topical fin comes in an easy-to-apply gel. If you prefer a spray, Hims offers a similarly priced option, just with a different application method and slightly lower concentration of fin.
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Most Effective
XYON’s topical finasteride is more expensive, but it’s worth it if ~$100/ month sounds doable. Their innovative SiloxysSystem helps deliver finasteride to follicles throughout the day, rather than all at once, leading to an impressive 10-17x more on the scalp 24 hours after application.
Compare it to Happy Head which offers a similarly priced custom compounded topical solution with more active ingredients, but no slow-release mechanism.
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Topical Finasteride Comparison - What's the Best Brand for You?
Unlike finasteride pills which are all essentially indistinguishable 1mg generics, topical finasteride formulations are much more varied and personalized. The right formulation for you often comes down to your preferred concentration of finasteride, as well as the dose of any additional active ingredients (like minoxidil), your preferred application method (gel, spray, cream, etc.), and of course, price. Check out the comparison chart below to compare brands like XYON, Happy Head, Strut, Keeps, and Roman.
What's the Best Topical Finasteride Brand? | ||||||
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| Monthly Price | $79 | $99 (billed $297 quarterly) | $40 - $60 (billed $120 quarterly for first 3 months, then $180) | $45 - 50 (billed $150 quarterly or $270 bi-annually) | $59 | $50/month (billed $150 quarterly) |
| Free Online Doctor's Visit? | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Active Ingredients | .25% Finasteride 8% Minoxidil 0.1% Retinoic Acid 1% Hydrocortisone | 2.5% Finasteride | .25% Finasteride 5% Minoxidil | .1% Finasteride 6% Minoxidil | .25% Finasteride 7.5% Minoxidil 0.01% Tretinoin | .3% Finasteride 6% Minoxidil 0.025% Tretinoin |
| Slow release of Finasteride on Scalp? | ❌ | ✅ SiloxysSystem™ helps deliver finasteride to the scalp throughout the day to maximize its overall absorption and efficacy. | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Application Method | Dropper | Gel | Gel | Spray | Cream | Spray |
| Recommended Use | Twice Daily | Once Daily | Once Daily | Twice Daily | Once Daily | Once Daily |
| Where is it Available | All 50 US States | All 50 US States + Canada (minus Quebec) | All 50 US States | All 50 US States + UK | All 50 US States | All 50 US States |
| Website |