Important Message
As of 2026, this article is outdated especially for regions outside of the USA. Please refer to our other article, Why You Should not Buy Kirkland Minoxidil in 2026
Article
Kirkland 5% minoxidil solution has really evolved over the past couple of years. An area in which we have noticed a significant number of changes is the packaging.
Changes in the packaging have led to widespread confusion within the minoxidil community, with many questioning the authenticity of their product.
This article documents some of the things we have learnt about kirkland minoxidil over the years.
Discoveries
Crystallisation
The original Kirkland minoxidil liquid treatment crystallizes when it dries up. Same way it does when it dries up on the skin too. The fake minoxidil does not crystallize.
The easiest way to test this is to place a few drops on the inside ridges of the bottle lid. These drops will end up crystallising and a crunching sound can be heard whenever the bottle is opened. It will eventually tun yellow.
Itchiness
Original Kirkland minoxidil should cause some slight itchiness and irritation where applied. This is especially true when the area of application is not kept moisturised or oiled.
Counterfeit kirkland minoxidil does not cause as much itchiness and drying.
Texture
Original Kirkland minoxidil should be of an oily texture. When on the skin, it should create a shine in the area of application which is very visible under the sun.
Counterfeit Kirkland minoxidil is less oily and will more or less be like water when applied.
Scent
Original kirkland minoxidil should have the scent of alcohol (vodka to be specific). This scent should have a denseness to it which lingers in your nose for a bit.
The scents from the fake kirkland minoxidil is also of alcohol but is a lot lighter. The scent will be easier to breath in and almost smell a bit fresher.
Packaging
The bottom of the bottle of original kirkland minoxidil should have two dents. The fake bottles, will be smooth.
Summary
These fake batches of Kirkland minoxidil are most likely being manufactured in China and contain a lower quality of the 5% minoxidil. It's still minoxidil, but will be less effective than original kirkland minoxidil.
Be very careful when it comes to the price as the cheaper prices tend to be an indicator that it was purchased from China at a much lower price than the original Kirkland minoxidil and is being sold much cheaper.
At this point, distinguishing authenticity through packaging is very hard since counterfeit packaging is almost identical but if you look at these five aspects above, you'll be able to distinguish between an original and counterfeit bottle.
22 comments
Hey there,
I just bought a Kirkland Minoxidil 5 percent. It has a different packaging. Did they change packaging of Kirkland Minoxidil?
1.I bought from Kirkland Minoxidil.com site. I have checked the smell and has oily texture is okay.
2. I have seen that when you peel of the sticker, you gonna see a same batch number and expire date to the back of sticker. But in my case I didn’t get that batch no and exp date. So it means fake?
3. I have seen that in original Kirkland Minoxidil they must be 2 dents under the bottle of minoxidil. Whereas in my one don’t have. So it means fake or that’s bcoz of changing packaging they didn’t have dents under it.
Help me to get the original minoxidil!
Is the monoxidil sold by Sam’s club real?
This is gives excellent contrast between the fake and real. One question why is monoxidil for women more expensive and hard to find?
Iwant to use this minoxidil
Please it seems mine are are the fake ones. Please are they any chances I can still get or obtain results from using them?