A Practical Guide to Identifying Fake Kirkland Minoxidil

Kirkland Minoxidil, a popular hair loss treatment, has faced its share of counterfeit products flooding the market. The changes in packaging over the years have made it challenging for consumers to determine the authenticity of their purchases. In this article, we will explore the tell-tale signs of fake Kirkland Minoxidil and provide you with a comprehensive guide to help you make sure you're getting the genuine product.

Cosmetics Hut is a Kirkland Authorised reseller of Kirkland Minoxidil 5% in the UK and we offer only genuine minoxidil. If you shop with us you won't have any problems. Below are a few things we are doing to combat fakes: 

A. Reporting all non-genuine Kirkland Minoxidil to our Kirkland Account manager for investigation. 

B. Spreading awareness of non-genuine products on the market through various channels. 

C. Keeping our prices low so that you can access a genuine Kirkland Minoxidil without breaking the bank. We currently price our minoxidil under 40GBP and only take away a small profit to ensure our customers are happy with a genuine product at a low price. 

Discovering Authenticity:

Whilst the authenticity of Kirkland minoxidil is sometimes unclear, there are some products which have hit the markets and are clear imitations. Below we will go through some places where you should avoid buying Minoxidil altogether. 

1. eBay (UK) Do Not Trust

While eBay was once a trusted source for obtaining Kirkland Minoxidil 5%, it is now classified as a prescription drug by the site. Consequently, the sale of this product on eBay violates its policy on prescription drugs, leading eBay to take action by removing all genuine listings of Kirkland Minoxidil 5% from its UK website.   

When you search for Minoxidil on eBay, you'll notice that the only products available are branded as 'Eastmoon' and 'Mofajang.' These products are designed to mimic Kirkland Minoxidil packaging, but they are, in fact, counterfeit Minoxidil. They aim to attract buyers with their resemblance to Kirkland Minoxidil bottles. However, instead of containing genuine Minoxidil, they are formulated with ingredients such as ginger and potentially harmful chemicals. Using these counterfeit products not only risks reversing any progress but could also lead to allergic reactions and chemical burns. Do Not Buy These. 

2. OnBuy Do Not Trust

OnBuy presents another cautionary tale, illustrating why you should exercise caution when dealing with cheap medical products. Here, a more sophisticated scam is at play. Minoxidil received from OnBuy is labeled as "Kirkland Minoxidil 5%," and at first glance, it appears entirely genuine. However, upon closer inspection, you'll discover that the product is attempting to imitate the Kirkland brand. Sadly, the product received from OnBuy is not authentic and has caused some individuals significant irritation and burns.

Below are some ways you can tell the difference between the OnBuy fake and genuine Kirkland Minox. 

1. Genuine Kirkland Minoxidil 5% has a honeycomb design on the box which is visible when looking at the box close to a light source, the fake here does not present this design. 

2. The dropper that comes with the Kirkland Minoxidil from OnBuy is a thin dropper which is smaller than the one which comes with the Genuine Kirkland Minoxidil. Whilst, this is not a clear indicator because sellers could pack third-party droppers when selling individual bottles, it does show another difference between the two. Sealed boxes of Kirkland Minoxidil should come with the usual dropper. 

3. Genuine Kirkland Minoxidil 5% bottles do not come with sealed lids, this is another clear giveaway of fakes. As can be seen in the images provided, the fake OnBuy Minoxidil has seals. 

4. There is also a difference between the small tear drop logo on the real box which is another one to look out for. 

5. The expiry date of fake minoxidil is usually mid-2025 which is another giveaway of fakes. The latest genuine batches from Kirkland have an expiry date of 02/2025 but these are rare to see and usually, you will see dates like 08/2024 etc.  

Ways to test yours

1. Crystallization:
The original Kirkland Minoxidil liquid treatment crystallizes as it dries on the skin and in the bottle.

To test for authenticity, place a few drops on the inside ridges of the bottle lid. Genuine Kirkland Minoxidil will eventually crystallize, producing a crunching sound when the bottle opens. It may also turn yellow. 

This may take time so please do not be alarmed if it does not crystalise in a short period of time. Please also note that this test may not be as effective at room temperature as it is at low temperatures so again please don't alarm yourself. 

We recently had a number of customers questioning the crystallisation of newer batches of Kirkland Minoxidil. We posed this question to our Kirkland account manager who outlined that there had been changes in the formulation of the liquid which has meant the addition of ingredients that make it harder for your Minoxidil 5% to crystalise. These measures were taken to prevent or minimalise the build-up of residue on the top of the bottle and dropper. 

2. Colour and Texture
Genuine Kirkland Minoxidil 5% will have a yellowish tint when visible in the bottle, it will also have a somewhat oily texture. 

The fakes we tested from eBay also resembled a yellow-coloured liquid but were a lot yellower than the genuine product. The fakes we tested from OnBuy showed a clear-like liquid. 

4. Scent:
Genuine Kirkland Minoxidil 5% should have a distinct alcohol scent, reminiscent of vodka, with a dense and lingering quality.

The scent of fake Kirkland Minoxidil is also alcohol-like but lighter and fresher, making it easier to breathe in.

5. Packaging:

To add to the above tips we have given about packaging, make sure that the date on the bottom of your minoxidil box is engraved and not simply printed. You can tell this by running your nail across the date and checking if you can feel the texture. 

Credit: B0otyeater on Reddit.com

6. Bleach Test
Although this is our favourite test, it is not always the most reliable because companies who make fakes have caught on that this is a popular test and started to add chemicals to fakes to allow them to pass this test and trick customers. Please use this alongside all of the above information. 

To conduct the bleach test simply follow the instructions below. 

a. Mix 1ml of minoxidil with an equivalent amount of toilet bleach 

b. Observe the magic as the colour of the minoxidil changes to bright yellow (Indicating that the minoxidil is genuine)

7. Price
Genuine Kirkland Minoxidil is not cheap and you will rarely find the 6-month supply cheaper than £35 anywhere in the UK, Europe or other areas outside of the USA. 

Conclusion:
As counterfeit packaging becomes increasingly sophisticated and similar to the original, distinguishing authenticity through packaging alone can be challenging. However, by considering the seven aspects mentioned above you can improve your ability to distinguish between genuine and counterfeit Kirkland Minoxidil bottles.