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Rogaine or Regaine: what's the difference? 5 points compared, from ingredients to leaflet

by Team Minodeals on Nov 03, 2026

Rogaine and Regaine are the same brand with a different name. Rogaine is the name in the United States, Regaine the name in the Netherlands, Belgium and the rest of Europe. Both come from the same manufacturer, Kenvue^[1]. If you put the labels side by side, you will see the same active ingredient (5% minoxidil) and the same list of excipients^[2]^[3]in the foam for men. The lotion also has the same basis in both countries: minoxidil, alcohol, propylene glycol and water^[5]^[6]. The real differences are in the name, the packaging, the language of the leaflet and a few details in the usage advice. In this article we list the 5 points and you can read why Regaine is usually the most convenient choice for Dutch and Belgian users.

Is Rogaine the same as Regaine?

Yes. On the brand page of Kenvue, the company behind the former consumer brands of Johnson & Johnson, they are listed together as "Rogaine / Regaine"^[1]. So it is not a competitor and not a copy, but the same brand that has a different name per region. In America you buy Rogaine, in the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany and the United Kingdom it is called Regaine.

That also explains why you come across online reviews, Reddit posts and videos about Rogaine: most English-language experiences are about the American name. What is said there about use largely also applies to Regaine.

Explanation of Rogaine or Regaine: two equal foam cans with an American and a European name, with 5% minoxidil, the same excipients and half a cap at a time

What is in Rogaine and Regaine foam?

The foam for men is the easiest to compare, because both labels are public. The UK product information for Regaine foam 5% and the US label for Rogaine 5% foam mention the same excipients: alcohol, purified water, butylhydroxytoluene, lactic acid, citric acid, glycerol, cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, polysorbate 60 and propellant (propane, butane and isobutane)^[2]^[3]. The Dutch leaflet for Regaine foam mentions the same list^[4].

The only visible difference on paper is the name of the alcohol. Europe writes "anhydrous ethanol", America writes "SD alcohol 40-B", the American designation for denatured alcohol. That is a difference in name and regulations, not in active substance or concentration.

Feature	Recommended Regaine Foam 5% for men	Rogaine Men's 5% Foam (US)
Active substance	Minoxidil 5% (50 mg/g)^[2]	Minoxidil 5%^[3]
Excipients	Same list, alcohol as "anhydrous ethanol"	Same list, alcohol as "SD alcohol 40-B"
Dosage	1 g (half cap), 2 times a day, max. 2 g per day^[4]	Half cap, 2 times a day^[3]
Contents per can	60 g, approximately 1 month^[4]	60 g (2.11 oz)
Package leaflet	Dutch, registered in the Netherlands (RVG 110328)^[4]	English, intended for the American market
Buy in the Netherlands and Belgium	Commonly available, no import required	Only via import from the US

European version of Rogaine foam

Regaine Foam 5% for Men (3 months)

The same 5% foam as Rogaine, with a Dutch leaflet and without import hassle.

€109,99View Regaine foam →

Is Regaine lotion equal to Rogaine solution?

Also the liquid variant, in Europe "lotion" and in America "topical solution", has the same structure in both countries. The British product information for Regaine 5% lotion lists propylene glycol, ethanol and water as excipients^[5]. The US label of Rogaine Extra Strength 5% lists alcohol, propylene glycol and purified water^[6].

Feature	Regaine Lotion 5%	Rogaine 5% Solution (US)
Active Ingredient	Minoxidil 5% (50 mg/ml)^[5]	Minoxidil 5%^[6]
Excipients	Propylene glycol, ethanol, water	Alcohol, propylene glycol, purified water
Dosage	1 ml, 2 times a day, max. 2 ml per day	1 ml with the pipette, 2 times a day
Bottle content	60 ml	60 ml (2 fl oz)

Note: the lotion contains propylene glycol, the foam does not. If you get itching or flakes from the lotion, the foam from the same brand is often worth a try. You can read more about this in our comparison minoxidil foam or lotion.

European version of Rogaine solution

Regaine Lotion 5% for Men (3 months)

The classic 5% lotion with pipette, for those who prefer a liquid to foam.

€109,99View Regaine lotion →

What are the differences?

The contents are the same, but there are 5 points on which Rogaine and Regaine differ from each other:

Name and packaging. Different brand name, different design of can and box.
Language of label and package leaflet. Regaine in the Netherlands has a Dutch package leaflet^[4], Rogaine has an English label.
Name of the alcohol. "Anhydrous ethanol" versus "SD alcohol 40-B", as explained above.
Details in the usage advice. The British information on Regaine foam mentions men aged 18 to 49 and advises to stop if there is no improvement after 16 weeks^[2]. The US label says to stop and consult a doctor if there is no new hair growth after 4 months^[3]. In practice this amounts to the same thing.
Availability. Regaine is registered in the Netherlands and is for sale. Rogaine must be shipped from the US.

On forums, some users report that one foam feels different from another. The same discussion notes that heat, transportation, and storage affect the feel of foam^[9]. These are personal experiences, no proven difference in composition.

Explanation of what you can find on the packaging of minoxidil controls: strength 2% or 5%, foam or lotion, for men or women and a leaflet in your own language

What about Rogaine and Regaine for women?

There is also a 5% foam under both names for women. The German package leaflet of Regaine Frauen foam 5% recommends 1 g (half a cap) once a day, with a maximum of 1 g per day^[7]. The American label of Women's Rogaine 5% foam also mentions use once a day, with half a cap at a time, and the same excipients as the men's foam^[8]. The main difference with the men's foam is therefore the frequency, not the concentration. You can read everything about dosage, results and costs in our blog about Regaine foam 5% for women.

1 time per day

Regaine Foam 5% for Women (4 months)

The European counterpart of Women's Rogaine foam, with 2 cans for about 4 months.

€99,99View for women →

Import Rogaine or buy Regaine?

Because the content is the same, importing from America will not give you anything extra in terms of content. You will receive an English label, longer delivery time and possible import costs. Regaine has a Dutch leaflet and can be purchased here. That is why Regaine is the logical choice for users in the Netherlands and Belgium if you want this brand.

If you want to pay less per month, Kirkland is an alternative with the same active ingredient and concentration (5% minoxidil). A month of Regaine foam costs approximately €36.67 (3 months for €109.99), a month of Kirkland foam €34.99, and with a 6-month Kirkland package that drops to approximately €22.50 per month. You can read the difference between those two brands in Kirkland or Regaine.

Cheaper alternative

Kirkland Minoxidil Foam 5% for Men

Also 5% minoxidil foam, with a lower price per month for larger packages.

from €34.99View Kirkland foam →

What should you pay attention to when using it?

Whether you use Rogaine or Regaine, the warnings are the same. Always read the package leaflet. The most important points from the product information^[2]^[3]^[4]:

Do not use under the age of 18.
The men's foam is not intended for women. Do not use during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
If you have a heart condition or (treated) high blood pressure, consult your doctor first.
Do not use on a red, inflamed, irritated or painful scalp.
If your hair loss is sudden, in spots or without an obvious cause, consult your doctor first. Minoxidil is intended for hereditary hair loss.
Stop and contact a doctor if you experience chest pain, palpitations, dizziness, fainting, sudden weight gain, or swollen hands or feet.

Results are not guaranteed and vary from person to person. Expect to be patient for several months before you see anything.

Frequently asked questions

Is Rogaine stronger than Regaine?

No. The men's foam and lotion contain 5% minoxidil under both names. There are also weaker variants for women of both brands, but that is a different product line, no difference between the names.

Why is it called Rogaine in America and Regaine in Europe?

The brand uses a different name per region. Manufacturer Kenvue calls both names together as one brand. The contents of the foam and the lotion for men are the same according to the labels.

Can I switch from Rogaine to Regaine?

Yes. Because strength, form and dosage are the same, you can switch immediately without a break. Use the same amount and frequency that you were used to and read the Dutch package leaflet.

Is Regaine the same as minoxidil?

Regaine is a brand name, minoxidil is the active substance. Kirkland, Foligain and other brands contain the same active ingredient, but the excipients may differ per brand.

Is Rogaine Thickening Shampoo the same as Regaine foam?

No. The Rogaine shampoo is a caring shampoo and not a minoxidil product. It does not replace the foam or lotion.

Rogaine quality with a Dutch leaflet

Choose Regaine foam or lotion 5% and start without import hassle.

View Regaine →

120-day money-back guarantee · Free shipping from €40 · Ordered before 11:00 PM, today sent

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

Kenvue, Our brands: Rogaine / Regaine (English, accessed November 2026)
electronic medicines compendium (emc), Regaine for Men Extra Strength Scalp Foam 5% w/w, product information (SmPC) (English)
Kenvue Pro, Rogaine Men's 5% Minoxidil Topical Aerosol Foam, label information (English)
Medikamio, Package leaflet Regaine 50 mg/g, foam for cutaneous use (RVG 110328)
electronic medicines compendium (emc), Regaine for Men Extra Strength Scalp Solution 5% w/v, product information (SmPC) (English)
Walmart, Men's Rogaine Extra Strength 5% Minoxidil Topical Solution, label information (English, accessed November 2026)
Apotheken Umschau, Beipackzettel Regaine Frauen Schaum 50 mg/g (German)
Kenvue Pro, Women's Rogaine 5% Minoxidil Topical Aerosol Foam, label information (English)
HairLossTalk forum, Regaine foam and Rogaine foam are different (2011 discussion) (English, user experiences)