Supplements & OTC: cost and evidence
What hair-loss supplements, shampoos and at-home tools cost per month, next to an honest rating of the evidence. None of these is a cure, and none has the evidence behind finasteride or minoxidil.
Quick answer
- Cheapest ketoconazole shampoo$8.15/moNizoral Anti-Dandruff Shampoo 1%, 7 fl oz · Amazon. Source, checked Nov 1, 2026.
- Cheapest saw palmetto$14.57/moNature's Way Saw Palmetto standardized extract, 160 mg, 120 softgels · Amazon. Source, checked Nov 1, 2026.
- Nutrafol Men$88/moNutrafol Men (ages 18–49), 1-month bottle · Amazon. Source, checked Nov 1, 2026.
Picked from the verified prices below, as of the check date. Affiliate links never change these picks. How we check prices.
Evidence key: Strong = consistent results in multiple good randomized trials; Limited = a few small or short trials, some positive; Weak = one small trial, lab data, or benefit only in deficiency. Nothing on this page is a cure.
All 13 verified prices
| Channel | Seller | Product · form · strength | Cost / month | Upfront / visit fee | Rx needed | Auto-ships | Evidence (?) | Source + date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon | Amazon | Nature's Bounty Biotin 10,000 mcg, 120 softgelsSupplement (softgel) · 10,000 mcg · 120 softgelsOnly shown to help when you're actually biotin-deficient. High-dose biotin can distort some lab tests (the FDA has warned about this). | $2.21≈ $26.52/yr1 softgel a day = 4 months | $8.82Visit: None | No | No | WeakPatel, Swink & Castelo-Soccio 2017, Skin Appendage Disorders: review of biotin for hair loss | Amazon listing (search result)Checked Nov 1, 2026 |
| Amazon | Amazon | Koi Beauty titanium derma roller (540 needles)Device · Needle length varies · 1 rollerThe trial used 1.5 mm needling done in a clinic, together with minoxidil. Home rollers are usually shorter. | $2.66≈ $31.92/yrOur assumption: replace every 3 months | $7.99Visit: None | No | No | LimitedDhurat et al. 2013, Int J Trichology: microneedling + minoxidil randomized pilot study | Amazon listing (search result)Checked Nov 1, 2026 |
| Amazon | Amazon | NOW Pumpkin Seed Oil 1000 mg, 200 softgelsSupplement (softgel) · 1000 mg · 200 softgels | $3.00≈ $36/yr1 softgel a day = 200 days (the one trial used 400 mg/day of a different product) | $19.99Visit: None | No | No | WeakCho et al. 2014, Evid Based Complement Alternat Med: pumpkin seed oil RCT (76 men) | Amazon listing (search result)Checked Nov 1, 2026 |
| Amazon | Amazon | Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Shampoo 1%, 7 fl ozShampoo · 1% · 7 fl oz (207 mL) | $8.15≈ $97.80/yrOur estimate: ~100 mL a month at 2–3 washes a week (varies with hair length) | $16.88Visit: None | No | No | LimitedPiérard-Franchimont et al. 1998, Dermatology: ketoconazole shampoo in androgenic alopecia | Amazon listing (search result)Checked Nov 1, 2026 |
| Discount pharmacy | Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drugs | Generic ketoconazole 2% shampoo 120 mL (3 bottles)Shampoo · 2% · 3 × 120 mL1 bottle: $11.75 (+$5.25 shipping). | $8.47≈ $102/yrOur estimate: ~100 mL a month; includes $5.25 shipping | $25.25 + $5.25 shippingVisit: Not included: you need your own prescription | Yes | No | LimitedPiérard-Franchimont et al. 1998, Dermatology: ketoconazole shampoo in androgenic alopecia | Cost Plus DrugsChecked Nov 1, 2026 |
| Brand direct | Mielle (brand site) | Mielle Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening OilTopical oil · Blend (not pure rosemary) · 1 bottleOne small 2015 trial compared rosemary oil with 2% minoxidil; it hasn't been confirmed by larger trials, and this product isn't the one tested. | $9.99≈ $120/yrOur assumption: 1 bottle a month | $9.99Visit: None | No | No | WeakPanahi et al. 2015, Skinmed: rosemary oil vs minoxidil 2% randomized trial | Mielle product pageChecked Nov 1, 2026 |
| Discount pharmacy | Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drugs | Generic ketoconazole 2% shampoo 120 mL (1 bottle)Shampoo · 2% · 120 mL | $14.17≈ $170/yrOur estimate: ~100 mL a month; includes $5.25 shipping | $11.75 + $5.25 shippingVisit: Not included: you need your own prescription | Yes | No | LimitedPiérard-Franchimont et al. 1998, Dermatology: ketoconazole shampoo in androgenic alopecia | Cost Plus DrugsChecked Nov 1, 2026 |
| Amazon | Amazon | Nature's Way Saw Palmetto standardized extract, 160 mg, 120 softgelsSupplement (softgel) · 160 mg · 120 softgels | $14.57≈ $175/yrOur assumption: 2 softgels a day (320 mg, the dose used in most studies) = 60 days; check the label | $29.15Visit: None | No | No | LimitedEvron et al. 2020, Skin Appendage Disorders: saw palmetto systematic review in alopecia | Amazon listing (search result)Checked Nov 1, 2026 |
| Brand direct | iRestore (brand site) | iRestore ScalpStim derma rollerDevice · Needle length varies · 1 rollerThe trial used 1.5 mm needling done in a clinic, together with minoxidil. Home rollers are usually shorter. | $16.33≈ $196/yrOur assumption: replace every 3 months | $49Visit: None | No | No | LimitedDhurat et al. 2013, Int J Trichology: microneedling + minoxidil randomized pilot study | iRestore product pageChecked Nov 1, 2026 |
| Brand direct | Capillus (brand site) | Capillus derma rollerDevice · Needle length varies · 1 rollerThe trial used 1.5 mm needling done in a clinic, together with minoxidil. Home rollers are usually shorter. | $16.66≈ $200/yrOur assumption: replace every 3 months | $49.99Visit: None | No | No | LimitedDhurat et al. 2013, Int J Trichology: microneedling + minoxidil randomized pilot study | Capillus product pageChecked Nov 1, 2026 |
| Telehealth subscription | Strut Health | Strut Health ketoconazole 2% shampoo 120 mLShampoo · 2% · 120 mL | $20.83≈ $250/yrOur estimate: ~100 mL a month | $25Visit: Provider consultation included (per Strut)Shipping: Free shipping (per Strut) | Yes (Strut's provider prescribes) | Yes | LimitedPiérard-Franchimont et al. 1998, Dermatology: ketoconazole shampoo in androgenic alopecia | Strut Health: ketoconazole shampooChecked Nov 1, 2026 |
| Brand direct | Kiierr (brand site) | Kiierr Multi Peptide Hair Growth SerumTopical serum · Peptide blend · 1 bottlePeptide and copper-peptide evidence is mostly lab and small manufacturer studies. | $49≈ $588/yrOur assumption: 1 bottle a month | $49Visit: None | No | No | WeakPyo et al. 2007, Arch Pharm Res: copper tripeptide on hair growth (lab study, not a human trial) | Kiierr product pageChecked Nov 1, 2026 |
| Amazon | Amazon | Nutrafol Men (ages 18–49), 1-month bottleSupplement (capsule) · 4 capsules/day per brand · 1-month bottle (120 capsules)Clinical studies are manufacturer-funded; Nutrafol's own site price wasn't readable. | $88≈ $1,056/yrLabelled 1-month supply | $88Visit: None | No | No | LimitedAblon & Kogan 2018, J Drugs Dermatol (manufacturer-funded RCT, women); see also Drake 2023 review | Amazon listing (search result)Checked Nov 1, 2026 |
Sorted by cost per month (click a column to re-sort). Cost per month = order price + shipping ÷ months supplied, using the assumption under each number. Prices change: confirm at checkout. How we collect and normalize prices.
Which route fits you
Already have a doctor
Ask about ketoconazole 2% shampoo (prescription strength). It's cheap at a discount pharmacy and often used alongside other treatments.
Want an online consult
Some telehealth services bundle shampoos and supplements into plans; compare against buying the same item separately.
OTC only
Ketoconazole 1% shampoo is OTC. For the OTC option with the strongest evidence, see minoxidil.
What to watch for
- Dose normalization. Supplement serving sizes vary; our per-month math states the assumption under each price. Check the label.
- Marketing vs evidence. "Clinically tested" often means a small, manufacturer-funded study. We rate the evidence, not the claims.
- Biotin and lab tests. High-dose biotin can interfere with some blood tests, including heart tests. Tell your doctor if you take it.
- Microneedling. Studies used clinic-grade needling; we don't give DIY instructions. Infection risk is real.
Frequently asked questions
Does saw palmetto work for hair loss?
The evidence is limited: small studies with mixed designs. A 2020 systematic review called for better trials. It's much weaker than finasteride's evidence.
Is Nutrafol worth it?
Nutrafol Men cost $88 for a 1-month bottle on Amazon when we checked. Its trials are manufacturer-funded; independent reviews rate the evidence as limited.
Does biotin help hair loss?
Only if you're actually biotin-deficient, which is uncommon. High doses can distort some lab tests.
Does ketoconazole shampoo help hair loss?
Some small studies suggest a benefit in androgenetic alopecia; evidence is limited. It's mainly a dandruff treatment.
Does rosemary oil regrow hair?
One small 2015 trial compared rosemary oil with 2% minoxidil. It hasn't been confirmed in larger trials, so we rate the evidence weak.
Not medical advice. This page compares prices only. Prescription drugs need a licensed prescriber, and supplements and devices can interact with medicines or conditions. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist before starting, stopping or combining anything.
Every price was read on the linked public page on Nov 1, 2026 (ET). We skip any price we couldn't verify. See our methodology. Spot an error? Tell us. ← All treatment prices