Redensyl vs. Minoxidil: How to Compare the Two

Minoxidil has been a staple hair loss treatment for decades, and Redensyl® is a newer player in the field. If you’re considering using one or the other (or both) and have questions about Redensyl versus minoxidil, you’re in the right place.

While browsing options, you’ve probably seen a range of FDA-approved treatments and herbal supplements for thinning hair. But there’s a third option: products containing Redensyl as an ingredient.

Here, we’ll compare Redensyl and minoxidil. Read on for their benefits and side effects, along with our answer to which is better.

Redensyl is a natural ingredient from the cosmetic manufacturer Givaudan. It’s thought to promote hair growth and increase hair density.

Each hair follicle contains various types of stem cells, which help regulate hair growth. While its exact mechanism of action isn’t totally understood, Redensyl appears to stimulate those stem cells to promote new hair growth.

It also seems to reactivate dermal papilla fibroblasts (cells that help form connective tissue), including collagen, a critical building block of hair.

Because it’s an ingredient, not a product or a brand, there are many Redensyl uses. It’s found in many haircare products, including shampoos and serums from various brands.

Does Redensyl Treat Hair Loss?

Some research shows that Redensyl can reduce hair thinning and improve hair density.

Redensyl is often considered a natural alternative to hair loss medications like minoxidil because it’s made from plant extracts and compounds. This includes:

• Zinc

• Glycine (an amino acid important for hair health

• Powerful antioxidants called dihydroquercetin-glucoside (DHQG) and epigallocatechin gallate glucoside (EGCG2)

While they might sound like synthetic chemicals, EGCG2 is a polyphenol (a plant compound) found in high quantities in green tea. And DHQG is a flavonoid found in certain plants, including the Siberian larch tree.

Redensyl is applied topically, and results typically take three to six months.

In 1988, minoxidil became the first drug to be FDA-approved specifically for hair loss. (To this day, there are only two FDA-approved medications for the treatment of male pattern baldness: topical minoxidil and oral finasteride).

Minoxidil (the active ingredient in Rogaine®) prevents hair fall and promotes hair growth. It works by shortening the resting (telogen) phase of the hair growth cycle and encouraging hairs to enter the growth (anagen) phase.

It’s also a vasodilator, meaning it widens blood vessels and brings blood flow and oxygen to the scalp. Research shows that minoxidil can increase the diameter and length of hair by increasing the size of the hair follicle.

Topical vs. Oral Minoxidil

Topical minoxidil is over-the-counter, so you can get it online and at most drugstores. It’s typically used twice daily — once in the morning and once at night.

Oral minoxidil is FDA-approved for treating hypotension, but it’s sometimes prescribed off-label for people who experience side effects of topical minoxidil or find it difficult to keep up with using it daily. The oral version requires a prescription.

If you’re not into hair products or find it tedious to apply topically, oral minoxidil may be a better choice. It’s usually only taken once a day (as opposed to twice a day topically), and some people find it easier to remember to take a pill.

With both topical and oral minoxidil, results in hair retention and new growth can be expected after three to six months of regular use.

We offer minoxidil online as a topical solution in two formulations: minoxidil foam and liquid minoxidil solution (both at 5% strength, which is the sweet spot for hair). We also have oral minoxidil chewables, which combine minoxidil with other hair-loving ingredients like biotin, vitamin B5, and B6.

See our guide to minoxidil foam versus liquid solution for help choosing a formula. We also have step-by-step tips for how to apply minoxidil androgenetic alopecia (male pattern hair loss).

Early studies and user testimonials suggest that Redensyl is effective as a hair regrowth treatment, but research is limited.

But here’s what we know so far about Redensyl benefits:

• Redensyl reactivates hair follicles, pushing hair into the anagen phase of the hair growth cycle, where it can grow.

• Some studies show that Redensyl increases hair density (the number of strands per square inch).

• One study found that, on average, 10,000 new hairs were observed after 84 days of Redensyl treatment — though the study was extremely small, with less than 30 people.

• Another study looked at 41 men with androgenic alopecia who used a topical treatment containing both Redensyl and Sepicontrol™ A5. After 24 weeks, about eight percent had significant improvement, and 73 percent saw moderate improvements in their hair. But since it was a combination formula, it’s hard to say whether Redensyl was the hero ingredient.

There are currently no known side effects of Redensyl, which is one of the things that makes it a promising new hair loss treatment.

However, because of this newness (it first came to market in 2014), there’s no long-term data on its effectiveness or long-term side effects.

Though we don’t have much evidence on Redensyl side effects, a reaction to any topical treatment is possible. For that reason, we recommend applying a small amount of the product to your arm and waiting several hours before applying it to your scalp.

Another thing to keep in mind when using Redensyl is that if it’s in a hair loss shampoo, it may not be in contact with your scalp long enough to do much. A leave-on treatment like a serum might be a better bet.

Are you wondering if minoxidil actually works? You don’t have to go on your buddy’s word or that of a stranger on a forum to get to the bottom of this one. 

The shorter answer is a simple yes — minoxidil works. Proving a drug is as effective as its manufacturer claims it to be is a large part of getting FDA approval, which minoxidil has for androgenetic alopecia.

Minoxidil has been scientifically proven to:

• Slow hair loss

• Make dormant hair follicles produce hair

• Lengthen the growth phase of the hair growth cycle

• Improve hair density

• Potentially stimulate new hair growth

If you’re thinking about Redensyl because you’re not seeing the results you wanted from minoxidil, it could be because of “low compliance” — essentially, not using minoxidil regularly or as prescribed.

Ideally, you’ll want to use minoxidil for a minimum of 12 months to see how well the treatment works for you.

Good news: Minoxidil is generally well-tolerated, and side effects tend to be mild. 

Potential side effects of topical minoxidil include:

• Skin or scalp  irritation at the application site

• Scalp itchiness (sometimes referred to as pruritus)

• Slight burning sensation

• Skin rash

• Redness at the application site (erythema)

• Headache

• Unwanted hair growth on the face (hypertrichosis)

Potential side effects of oral minoxidil include:

• Hypertrichosis 

• Postural hypotension (dizziness when going from sitting to standing due to blood pressure drops)

• Rapid heartbeat or elevated heart rate

• Low blood pressure

• Dizziness

• Headache

• Nausea

• Pedal edema (swelling of feet and ankles)

If you’re considering trying Redensyl because minoxidil has irritated your scalp in the past, you may not have to ditch it altogether. 

Some researchers think this (typically mild) reaction is caused by an alcohol known as propylene glycol. Our minoxidil foam does not contain this ingredient, so it’s a good choice for sensitive skin. 

When deciding between Redensyl versus minoxidil, remember that natural doesn’t always equal better. The choice between the two is much more nuanced than that.

Here’s what to consider:

• There’s more research on minoxidil. If you’re driven by data and proven results, minoxidil is a better choice than Redensyl. We have far more data on its efficacy in the short and long term, and we know it works well.

• Both are generally easy to use. Because Redensyl and minoxidil are most commonly topical treatments applied twice daily, neither is easier or harder to use.

• Redensyl has no known side effects. Some people are interested in Redensyl because they worry about the potential side effects of minoxidil.

• Minoxidil side effects are rare and usually mild. However, one study comparing topical 5% minoxidil to a product containing Redensyl, Capixyl™, and Procapil® (the latter two are also botanical ingredients) found that apart from minor irritation, there were no serious side effects reported for either treatment.

The same study showed that the Redensyl group had more significant hair growth than the minoxidil group. However, the study had some significant limitations. It had a small sample size (just over 50 men in each group), it lacked a control group, and it didn’t look at Redensyl on its own but rather blended with two other active ingredients.

Ultimately, the choice between Redensyl and minoxidil depends on your specific needs and how severe your hair loss is. If you prefer to try something plant-based before pharmaceuticals, Redensyl may be worth a shot.

But if you prefer to use a proven, FDA-approved medication, minoxidil is a better option than Redensyl.

And remember, you don’t necessarily have to choose between Redensyl and minoxidil. You can use the two together — just check with your dermatologist or another healthcare provider first.

There are a few key things to consider when deciding between Redensyl or minoxidil hair regrowth treatments.

Here’s the TL;DR on Redensyl versus minoxidil:

• Mechanism of action. Redensyl is thought to stimulate stem cells in hair follicles, promoting hair growth from within. Topical minoxidil increases blood flow to the scalp, revitalizing dormant hair follicles and prolonging the growth phase.

• Efficacy. Early and small studies suggest that, in some cases, Redensyl can offer comparable results to minoxidil in terms of hair regrowth and density. However, results will vary depending on the person, and long-term comparative studies are needed before anything can be said conclusively.

• Side Effects. Both minoxidil and Redensyl are over-the-counter treatment options for androgenic alopecia. While both are generally well-tolerated, Redensyl may have fewer side effects than minoxidil.

Consult a healthcare professional (which you can do with our online hair loss consultation) before starting any hair loss treatment. They can assess what’s best for your needs and help you avoid potential adverse effects.