10 Natural Minoxidil Alternatives, Rated By a Dermatologist

Minoxidil is an effective treatment for hair loss. But if you can’t use it, find it hard to work into your hair care routine, or prefer au naturel solutions, you might be curious about natural minoxidil alternatives.

While no natural hair growth solutions have been proven to be as effective as minoxidil, a few products and methods may stimulate hair growth and reduce hair fall.

If you’re debating using minoxidil, you can consider natural alternatives — just know they might not work as well. To help, we asked board-certified dermatologist Knox Beasley, MD, to rate each of them in terms of efficacy, safety, and ease of use.

Before we get to minoxidil alternatives, let’s quickly touch on minoxidil. This over-the-counter medication is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating hair loss. The active ingredient and generic version of Rogaine^®, minoxidil is a vasodilator, meaning it works by improving blood flow to hair follicles.

It’s available as an oral medication and a topical solution, but the topical version is the only one that’s FDA-approved. Topical minoxidil can be purchased over the counter, but you’d need a prescription to get oral minoxidil. Both can work for hair loss.

Is minoxidil natural? No — minoxidil isn’t considered a natural treatment for hair loss. However, it’s generally considered safe to use. Possible side effects of minoxidil include scalp irritation, dry scalp, and allergic reactions.

Complementary and alternative (or “natural“) treatments for hair loss are often promoted as effective options, but scientific evidence supporting their efficacy is limited.

None have been proven to work as well as FDA-approved medications like minoxidil and finasteride. These natural options also lack the rigorous testing and regulation that standard treatments undergo.

That said, some natural remedies might still be worth exploring — especially when used alongside evidence-based treatments.

Here are ten natural minoxidil alternatives, along with Dr. Beasley’s rating out of five:

• Microneedling (3/5 ★)

• Saw palmetto (4/5 ★)

• Rosemary oil (3.33/5 ★)

• Capsaicin (3/5 ★)

• Caffeine (3.33/ ★ )

• Curcumin (3/5 ★)

• Amino Acids (3.33/5 ★)

• Biotin (4/5 ★)

• Zinc (4/5 ★)

• Pumpkin seed oil (3.33/5 ★)

Let’s get into the details below.

1. Microneedling (3/5 ★)

Dr. Beasley’s rating:

• Efficacy: 3

• Safety: 3

• Ease of use: 3

It’s possible that microneedling can support hair growth.

A review from 2020 examined whether needle therapy can treat hair loss. The findings revealed that microneedling delivered with a rolling device seemed to promote hair density and hair regrowth in people with hair loss conditions.

And a 2024 study found that a light-emitting diode (LED) helmet that also included a light-guiding microneedle patch (LMNP) was a safe and effective means of stimulating hair growth for people with alopecia (the clinical term for hair loss).

This includes conditions like:

• Male pattern baldness. Also called androgenic or androgenetic alopecia, this condition is caused in part by a male hormone known as DHT (dihydrotestosterone).

• Alopecia areata. This autoimmune disorder causes hair thinning and bald patches.

• Telogen effluvium. This condition is characterized by hair fall caused by severe stress, illness, or shock to the body.

It’s believed that microneedling increases blood circulation, which might stimulate hair follicles.

2. Saw Palmetto (4/5 ★)

Dr. Beasley’s rating:

• Efficacy: 3

• Safety: 4

• Ease of use: 5

A plant-based product, saw palmetto can be used topically or orally — and it might just support your hair health. “There is some data that it may help with male pattern hair loss,“ Dr. Beasley says.

A 2020 review of seven studies looked at the benefits of saw palmetto for hair loss. About 60 percent of users saw their hair quality improve, while nearly 30 percent saw an increase in total hair count.

This natural treatment is often blended into topical hair care products, like saw palmetto shampoo.

3. Rosemary Oil (3.33/5 ★)

Dr. Beasley’s rating:

• Efficacy: 2

• Safety: 5

• Ease of use: 3

Do essential oils reduce hair loss? Some research suggests that rosemary oil might stimulate hair regrowth.

A study compared the effectiveness of rosemary oil versus minoxidil for hair loss. The researchers concluded that applying rosemary oil daily was “not inferior“ to the results of 2% minoxidil.

Still, science needs to further explore the effects of rosemary oil to support the hypothesis that it can function as an effective natural substitute for minoxidil.

4. Capsaicin (3/5 ★)

Dr. Beasley’s rating:

• Efficacy: 2

• Safety: 4

• Ease of use: 3

Capsaicin is a compound found in peppers. It’s also used in some pain-relieving creams.

In one clinical trial, oral use of capsaicin was found to improve hair growth when compared to placebo.

Take these findings with a grain of salt. This study involved fewer than 50 participants and combined capsaicin with isoflavone, making it difficult to credit capsaicin alone.

Topical capsaicin did result in the growth of vellus hair (often referred to as “peach fuzz“), but this isn’t the thick, scalp-type hair you’re usually after if you’re dealing with hair loss.

5. Caffeine (3.33/5 ★)

Dr. Beasley’s rating:

• Efficacy: 2

• Safety: 5

• Ease of use: 3

You might’ve seen a few hair growth shampoos that contain caffeine. But does caffeine treat hair loss?

In some small-scale clinical studies, topical caffeine (such as a caffeine-enriched volumizing shampoo or lotion) has been shown to reduce hair loss progression and intensity.

A 2023 review explored the effects of caffeine extract and other natural treatments, such as saw palmetto and pumpkin seed oil. The findings suggest that these complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) may help in some cases. But much more research is needed to understand how to make them more effective.

Some studies combined caffeine with other treatments like minoxidil and reported more dramatic benefits than minoxidil alone.

6. Curcumin (3/5 ★)

Dr. Beasley’s rating:

• Efficacy: 1

• Safety: 5

• Ease of use: 3

Many people claim they’ve had good results with turmeric for hair loss.

Some research shows curcumin, which comes from turmeric, may improve the effects of topical minoxidil in those with male pattern baldness.

However, these findings don’t support the use of curcumin alone for successful treatment of hair loss.

7. Amino Acids (3.33/5 ★)

Dr. Beasley’s rating:

• Efficacy: 1

• Safety: 5

• Ease of use: 5

Amino acids are safe and easy to use — but there isn’t strong evidence to suggest they could actually help with hair loss. It might be worth taking amino acids (or just eating more protein) in tandem with a tried-and-tested hair loss medication, but don’t rely on it to reverse hair loss.

While several amino acids have been researched for treating hair loss, cysteine and lysine, in particular, have been studied in humans. But when they were studied, they were evaluated along with numerous other ingredients.

For example, a formula containing lysine, iron, vitamin B12, biotin, selenium, and vitamin C was found to reduce hair shedding in women after six months. 

But with a treatment made of so many components, it’s impossible to know whether the amino acid improved hair growth or if another ingredient was responsible.

8. Biotin (4/5 ★)

Dr. Beasley’s rating:

• Efficacy: 2

• Safety: 5

• Ease of use: 5

Biotin is also known as vitamin B7. It helps the body produce a type of protein called keratin — the building block of healthy hair and nails.

Biotin deficiency can cause hair loss, so if you’re deficient in this nutrient, you should take biotin supplements. In that case, Dr. Beasley says the efficacy rating would be five stars.

But biotin deficiencies are rare — and biotin supplements aren’t necessarily going to help if you have sufficient biotin levels in the first place.

Our biotin gummies contain biotin as well as a number of key vitamins and minerals for hair growth. If you’d prefer a topical application, our volumizing conditioner is also formulated with biotin.

9. Zinc (4/5 ★)

Dr. Beasley’s rating:

• Efficacy: 2

• Safety: 5

• Ease of use: 5

As with biotin, Dr. Beasley says the efficacy rating jumps to five out of five if you have a zinc deficiency.

There is a link between zinc deficiency and hair loss, studies have shown. Findings suggest that zinc supplementation may boost hair regrowth in some people, although further research is needed.

Zinc supplements are relatively affordable and quite easy and safe to take. But they might not actually help if you don’t have a deficiency.

10. Pumpkin Seed Oil (3.33/5 ★)

Dr. Beasley’s rating:

• Efficacy: 2

• Safety: 5

• Ease of use: 3

Pumpkin seed oil, which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, can be found in a number of hair growth supplements.

One study evaluated the effects of pumpkin seed oil versus minoxidil for hair growth. Specifically, it looked at 60 women with female pattern hair loss. Half of them used a 5% minoxidil formulation every day, while the other half used pumpkin seed oil. 

Though it wasn’t as effective as minoxidil, pumpkin seed oil did seem to promote hair growth in some participants.

The fatty acids in the oil can also support hair health. See our guide to the best oils for hair growth for more on this topic.

The internet is full of alleged “hair growth hacks.“ Unfortunately, many of them aren’t really backed by science.

Other purported natural remedies for hair loss include:

• Apple cider vinegar

• Stinging nettle 

• Garlic

Much like the natural remedies listed above, there’s a lack of rigorous research to prove whether they’re effective. They certainly won’t make new hair spout up overnight, as many TikTok videos boldly claim.

Future research might reveal more alternatives to minoxidil — but for now, pharmaceutical options really are the most science-backed choices.

In any case, we’d advise you to speak with a healthcare professional so you can get the help you need — as soon as you need it.

Other than minoxidil, non-natural treatments for hair loss include:

• Finasteride. Generic for Propecia^®, finasteride is a prescription medication used for male pattern baldness.

• Dutasteride. Dutasteride (generic for Avodart^®) is an oral medication FDA-approved to treat an enlarged prostate that may be used off-label for male pattern hair loss.

• Spironolactone. Spironolactone is a prescription medication only recommended for women because of the side effects in men.

• Red light and laser therapy. With laser hair treatments, a low-level light stimulates hair follicles to support growth.

• PRP (platelet-rich plasma) therapy. PRP involves using your own blood to stimulate healthy hair growth.

• Hair transplant surgery. Hair transplants, also known as hair restoration surgery, can be effective but costly.

If you’re keen to use minoxidil but want something stronger, consider using both finasteride and minoxidil — it’s a pretty powerful combo. We offer a topical finasteride & minoxidil spray that combines the benefits of both in one.

Keep in mind, the type of hair loss you’re experiencing will determine which treatments work for you. A healthcare provider can give you personalized insight.

Minoxidil is a well-researched, FDA-approved treatment for hair loss that works for most people who use it consistently. Still, some folks might seek natural substitutes for minoxidil.

Here’s what to keep in mind about minoxidil natural alternatives:

• Minoxidil is very effective. No natural minoxidil alternative has proven to be as effective at stimulating hair growth as this FDA-approved medication.

• Some natural treatments could be worth a shot. For instance, zinc and biotin supplements could be useful if you have a deficiency. Otherwise, try saw palmetto, caffeine, and biotin.

• Minoxidil still comes out on top. It’s a versatile, safe, and effective hair loss treatment. You can try our minoxidil foam or minoxidil solution.

Treating hair loss as soon as possible is critical because hair loss isn’t always reversible. Unproven hair loss treatments might, sadly, be a waste of time and money — so it’s best to try a proven remedy.

If you’ve noticed thinning hair, a receding hairline, or bald patches on your scalp, we can help you connect with a medical professional. They’ll be able to advise you on your treatment options, both conventional and natural.