Vichy Dercos Aminexil and minoxidil compared on evidence and price

Vichy Dercos Aminexil and minoxidil are often mentioned in the same breath, but they are two very different products. Aminexil Clinical 5 is a scalp care in ampoules that, according to Vichy, inhibits hair loss and strengthens the anchorage of the hair. It does not contain minoxidil.^[1] Minoxidil is the substance that showed more hair growth in cases of hereditary hair loss in controlled studies against placebo.^[6] If you really want to tackle thinning hair due to hereditary predisposition, then minoxidil has the strongest evidence and is also cheaper per month. If you mainly suffer from temporary hair loss, then Aminexil is a cosmetic option, although the evidence for this is weaker. Below we list everything.

Contents

• What exactly is Vichy Dercos Aminexil?
• What is the difference between Aminexil and minoxidil?
• What does the research say about Aminexil and minoxidil?
• What does Aminexil cost per month compared to mining buys in boxes of 21 ampoules of 6 ml. There is a version for men and a version for women. You apply the contents of an ampoule to dry or damp hair and massage it into the scalp. You don't rinse it out.
• Which is right for you: Aminexil or minoxidil?
• Frequently asked questions
• Sources

What exactly is Vichy Dercos Aminexil?

Dercos Aminexil Clinical 5 is a treatment from Vichy (part of L'Oréal) that you buy in boxes of 21 ampoules of 6 ml. There is a version for men and a version for women. You apply the contents of an ampoule to dry or damp hair and massage it into the scalp. You don't rinse it out.^[1]

The name Aminexil is L'Oréal's brand name for the substance diaminopyrimidine oxide. The ingredients list also includes alcohol, arginine, caffeine, lactic acid, piroctone olamine (a substance against dandruff), tocopherol (vitamin E) and perfume.^[1] According to the sales texts, the product strengthens the anchorage of the hair in the scalp, provides a firmer hair fiber and supports the balance of the scalp.^[1]

The use consists of two phases. Intensive: 1 ampoule per day for 6 weeks. Maintenance: 3 ampoules per week.^[1][2] Aminexil is sold as scalp care. There is no package leaflet like minoxidil, and it is not a recognized treatment for hereditary hair loss.^[5]

What is the difference between Aminexil and minoxidil?

The names are similar, but they are different substances with a different purpose. Aminexil is mainly intended to inhibit hair loss and make the hair feel firmer. Minoxidil prolongs the growth phase of the hair and can cause new hair growth in case of hereditary hair loss. This has been shown in studies in which minoxidil was compared with a placebo.^[6][7]

The table shows the most important differences side by side. We recommend Kirkland Minoxidil Lotion 5%, because it has the same active substance and concentration as the 5% minoxidil from the studies and is the cheapest per month.

To be fair, minoxidil also has disadvantages. You use it twice a day, the effect disappears when you stop, and side effects such as itching, dry scalp or unwanted facial hair growth occur. In the first weeks you may even temporarily lose more hair.^[6] Aminexil was rated as well to very well tolerated by 98.6% of participants in the manufacturer's study.^[3]

Recommended for men

Kirkland Minoxidil Lotion 5% for men

Minoxidil 5% with pipette, 1 bottle of 60 ml for about 1 month at 1 ml 2 times a day.

€29,99View the lotion →

What does the research say about Aminexil and minoxidil?

The evidence is strongest for minoxidil. In a 48-week study in men with hereditary hair loss, 139 men received 5% minoxidil and 71 men received a lotion without active ingredient. After 16 weeks, the men taking 5% minoxidil had an average of 35.3 more hairs per cm², compared to 15.3 in the placebo group. In photos after 48 weeks, about 60% of minoxidil users had more scalp coverage, compared to about 23% with placebo.^[6] In women, 5% foam once a day gave an average of 13.4 more hairs per cm² after 24 weeks, compared to 4.3 with placebo.^[7] Read in our timeline of minoxidil results what to expect per month.

For Aminexil Clinical 5, the largest study we found is an open observational study in 527 adults with mild hair loss, presented at the 2020 EADV conference. After an average of about 83 days, dermatologists rated hair loss as improved in 87.1% (91.8% in women, 80.3% in men).^[3] That sounds good, but there was no group that received a placebo. Hair loss often fluctuates naturally, for example seasonally, so without a comparison group you don't know how much of that improvement is due to the product. Vichy itself indicates that hair loss decreases within 6 weeks.^[2]

In an animal study from 2016, 2% minoxidil, Aminexil and another care product were tested side by side on rats. Minoxidil clearly gave more hair growth there, Aminexil had the smallest effect on hair weight and hair structure.^[4] Animal studies do not say everything about people, but we have not found a study in humans in which Aminexil scores better than minoxidil.

What does Aminexil cost per month compared to minoxidil?

A box of Aminexil Clinical 5 with In November 2026, 21 ampoules cost between approximately €58.70 and €64.71 (recommended pharmacy price €77.96) at online pharmacies and web shops.^[1][2] That is approximately €2.80 to €3.08 per ampoule. In the intensive phase you use 1 ampoule per day, so about 30 per month: that amounts to approximately €84 to €92 per month. In the maintenance phase with 3 ampoules per week (about 13 per month) you pay approximately €36 to €40 per month.

Kirkland Minoxidil Lotion 5% costs €29.99 at Minodeals for 1 bottle, enough for about a month at 1 ml twice a day. If you take 6 bottles for €109.99, you pay approximately €18.33 per month. For women, Kirkland Minoxidil Foam 5% for women costs $39.99 per can, which lasts about 2 months if used once a day. Please note: minoxidil only works as long as you use it, so allow for a longer period.

Recommended for women

Kirkland Minoxidil Foam 5% for women

Foam with 5% minoxidil that you apply once a day to a dry scalp, 1 can for about 2 months.

€39,99View the foam →

Which suits you: Aminexil or minoxidil?

Is it about hereditary hair loss, such as inlets, thinning crown or a wider parting that slowly gets worse, then minoxidil is the logical choice. That's what the research is about. Men use 1 ml of the 5% lotion twice a day; according to the product information, it will take 2 months or more to see growth, and stop if there is no improvement after a year.^[6] Women use 5% foam once a day; results can take 12 to 24 weeks.^[7] If you are a woman in doubt between strengths, read minoxidil 2% or 5% for women.

Aminexil can be an option if you are not allowed or want to use minoxidil and are experiencing more hair loss than normal. Do not expect new hair growth on bald spots; it has not been tested for this.

Do not use minoxidil if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, if you are under 18, or if you have high blood pressure. If you have a heart condition, consult your doctor first. Stop and contact a doctor if you experience chest pain, rapid heartbeat, fainting or dizziness.^[6] And if you suddenly lose a lot of hair or develop bald spots, see your doctor first. Minoxidil is not the solution for that, and neither is Aminexil.

Mild start for women

Regaine Minoxidil Lotion 2% for women

The lower strength of minoxidil as a lotion, 3 bottles for 3 months.

€89,99View Regaine 2% →

Frequently asked questions

Does Vichy Dercos Aminexil contain minoxidil?

No. Aminexil is another substance (diaminopyrimidine oxide). The ingredients list of Aminexil Clinical 5 does not contain minoxidil.^[1]

Does Aminexil work as well as minoxidil?

There is no evidence for this. Minoxidil was tested against placebo and produced more hair per cm². Aminexil has mainly been studied in an open study without a control group, and in an animal study minoxidil gave more hair growth than Aminexil.^[3][4][6]

Can you use Aminexil and minoxidil together?

No research has been done into the combination, so nothing is known about an additional effect. Both are applied to the scalp and both contain alcohol, which can dry out the skin. If you want to combine them, consult your pharmacist.

Is Aminexil suitable for women?

Vichy sells a separate version for women. In the open study, dermatologists saw less hair loss in 91.8% of women, but without a comparison group.^[3] Minoxidil has been better studied for hereditary hair loss in women.^[7]

This article is general information and does not replace medical advice. Always read the package leaflet and, if in doubt, consult your doctor or pharmacist. Prices are as of November 2026.

Sources

1. Pharmacodel. Vichy Dercos Aminexil Clinical 5 Men, 21 x 6 ml: ingredients, use and price. Accessed November 2026.
2. Galaxus. Vichy Dercos Aminexil Clinical 5, 126 ml (English). Accessed November 2026.
3. Reygagne P, Mandel VD, Delva C, et al. Subjects with mild alopecia benefit from aminexil clinical 5: results of a large international observational study. Poster, 29th EADV Congress, 2020 (English).
4. Annals of Dermatology, 2016. Topical Products for Human Hair Regeneration: A Comparative Study on an Animal Model (English).
5. The Belgravia Centre. Does Aminexil Work for Hair Loss? (English).
6. electronic medicines compendium (emc). Regaine for Men Extra Strength Scalp Solution 5% w/v, product information (SmPC) (English).
7. electronic medicines compendium (emc). Regaine for Women Once a Day Scalp Foam 5% w/w, product information (SmPC) (English).