Do Hair, Skin, and Nails Vitamins Actually Work? Experts Weigh in and Give Their Recommendations (2024)

Do Hair, Skin, and Nails Vitamins Actually Work? Experts Weigh in and Give Their Recommendations (1)

Diet, hydration, sleep, stress management, overall health, and nutritional status can all impact hair, skin, and nail health. Additionally, supplementing B vitamins and vitamins A, C, D, iron, zinc, omega-3s, and collagen could help you get extra nutrients that can strengthen hair, skin, and nails.

We recommend routine blood work and consulting a healthcare professional to determine which supplements best benefit your hair, skin, and nail health. To find our top-recommended products, we spoke with dermatologists and registered dietitians to determine what to look for in hair, skin, and nail supplements and what products they recommend. We prioritized products with third-party testing, proper dosing, and no unnecessary ingredients.

What Registered Dietitians Want You To Know

  • Types of supplements: Vitamins such as A, C, E, and D affect hair, skin, and nail health. Multivitamins often contain these nutrients in one or two capsules and can be useful to ensure you’re getting enough of these nutrients. Biotin, or vitamin B7, is often found in multivitamins or sold as a separate pill, which can be helpful with biotin deficiency that can result in hair thinning. Collagen can help support hair growth and can help with skin hydration and elasticity. Omega-3 fats, usually found in fish oil supplements, contain anti-inflammatory properties that can benefit hair and skin health.
  • What to expect: Supplements won’t replace the foundations of a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, getting enough fluids, getting adequate sleep, and managing stress. However, taking a supplement for a nutrient you’re low in can boost the health of your hair, skin, and nails. It may take time to see improvements—possibly weeks or months—depending on the nutrient and your deficiency.
  • Seek a professional if: Sophie A. Greenberg, MD, advises seeking professional help if hair loss is sudden, persistent, or unusual to ensure you do not miss a potential underlying issue like a hair or nail disorder. She also suggests seeing a professional if the hair loss bothers you cosmetically, even if it’s not sudden, as professionals like dermatologists can help address root causes.

Editor’s Note

Our team of registered dietitians reviews and evaluates every single supplement we recommend according to our dietary supplement methodology. From there, a registered dietitian on our Medical Expert Board reviews each article for scientific accuracy. Always speak with a healthcare professional before adding a supplement to your routine to ensure that the supplement is appropriate for your individual needs and which dosage to take.

Our Top Picks

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In This Article

Pros

  • Third-party tested

  • Contains vitamins needed for hair, skin, and nail health

  • Vegan friendly

Cons

  • Does not contain omega-3 fats or iron

Key Specs

Serving size: 2 capsules | Noteworthy Ingredients: vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, biotin, zinc | Biotin per serving: 500 mcg (1667% DV) | Zinc per serving: 15 mg (136% DV) Vegan: Yes | Third-Party Tested: Yes, NSF Certified for Sport

Why We Recommend It

A multivitamin can be a great first-line supplement for getting the range of nutrients you need to support hair, skin, and nail health. Kylie Ivanir, MS, RD, recommends a multivitamin for people with a limited diet or certain conditions affecting nutrient absorption. Think of a multivitamin as an insurance policy to ensure you get all the nutrients you need, filling any gaps in the diet.

Thorne Basic Nutrients 2/Day is a comprehensive multivitamin with many nutrients for hair, skin, and nail health. It is third-party tested, ensuring the supplement contains nutrients in the listed amounts and is free from potential contaminants. Thorne’s multivitamin contains vitamins A and D and over 100% of the Daily Value for vitamin C, biotin, and zinc. The required dose is two capsules daily, which can be taken together or separately. It is also free from major allergens.

Keep In Mind

This multivitamin does not contain iron or omega-3 fats, which have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that can help with skin dryness and irritation.

Pros

  • One capsule daily

  • Vegan friendly

  • Studied in clinical trials

Cons

  • No third-party testing certifications

Key Specs

Serving size: 1 capsule | Noteworthy Ingredients: Fernblock (Polypodium leucotomos extract) | Vegan: Yes | Third-Party Tested: Not listed

Why We Recommend It


Heliocare is an oral supplement containing Fernblock, a patented extract of a specific fern plant that can help protect your skin. Fernblock is a potent antioxidant that can help protect against free radical damage to the skin, which can occur from factors such as pollution and sun exposure.

While not a replacement for sunscreen, it can be a useful additional tool for those sensitive to the sun. According to Dr. Greenberg, Heliocare helps prevent sunburns and certain sun-sensitive skin conditions and is backed by clinical trials to be effective with minimal risk of side effects.

The suggested serving size is just one capsule daily in the morning, making an an easy addition to your routine. It is also vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, and free from artificial dyes.

Keep In Mind

Kathleen Suozzi, MD, a dermatologist at Yale Medicine, notes that while this supplement does have clinically backed evidence to support skin protection, it should not replace other sun protection measures, including sunscreen application. Also, this product does not have any third-party testing certifications.

Pros

  • Third-party tested

  • No artificial flavors or dyes

Cons

  • Source of added sugar

  • Not suitable for vegans

Key Specs

Serving size: 2 gummies | Noteworthy Ingredients: Biotin | Biotin Per Serving: 5,000 mcg (1667% DV) | Vegan: No | Third-Party Tested: Yes, ConsumerLab.com

Why We Recommend It

Biotin, or vitamin B7, supports the conversion of food to energy in the body, and biotin deficiencies can lead to hair loss. Most people get enough biotin through meat, fish, eggs, nuts, seeds, and vegetables like sweet potatoes and broccoli. You may be at an increased risk of biotin deficiency if you have a genetic condition known as biotinidase deficiency, alcohol dependence, or are pregnant or breastfeeding. While rare, biotin deficiency can cause symptoms including hair thinning and brittle nails.

We like Vitafusion Extra Strength Biotin Gummies if you need a biotin boost. This supplement is third-party tested, so you can trust it contains what is written on the label. The serving size of two blueberry-flavored gummies provides 5,000 micrograms of biotin. While these gummies contain added sugar, we like that they do not contain artificial dyes or flavors.

Keep In Mind

The recommended daily amount of biotin for adults is 30 micrograms. While biotin has no established Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL), high doses can interfere with medications or cause false lab results for thyroid tests.

Pros

  • Dissolves easily in warm liquids

  • Unflavored so it can go in a variety of drinks or foods

  • Also has vitamin C and hyaluronic acid

Cons

  • May not dissolve as well in cold liquid

Key Specs

Serving size: 3 tablespoons | Noteworthy Ingredients: Vitamin C, hyaluronic acid | Collagen Per Serving: 20 g | Vegan: No | Third-Party Tested: Yes, specifics not listed

Why We Recommend It

Collagen is a protein that provides skin, hair, nails, bones, and muscle structure. Our collagen production decreases as we age, which can contribute to wrinkles and reduced skin elasticity. Collagen is one supplement that may help combat this, as some studies show collagen supplements may improve skin appearance, joint pain, and hair and nail strength.

Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides is a great choice if you are looking for a high-quality collagen supplement to add to different beverages and foods. A serving size of three tablespoons contains 20 grams of collagen and 18 grams of protein. It contains collagen types I, III, and hyaluronic acid, which are involved in hair, skin, and nail health. In addition to collagen, this powder contains vitamin C, which is important for collagen production and provides an antioxidant boost. Vital Proteins collagen is unflavored and dissolves in liquids, making it easy to add to smoothies, coffee, oatmeal, yogurt, or baked goods.

Keep In Mind

Since Vital Proteins collagen is sourced from cows, it is not suitable for vegans or vegetarians. It also doesn’t dissolve as well in cold beverages.

Pros

  • Studied in clinical trials

  • Contains nutrients often needed postpartum

Cons

  • Four capsules daily

Key Specs

Serving size: 4 capsules | Noteworthy Ingredients: Biotin, collagen, omega-3, zinc, selenium, vitamins A, C, D, E | Biotin Per Serving: 3000 mcg (8571 %DV) | Zinc Per Serving: 15 mg (115% DV) | Vegan: No | Third-Party Tested: Yes

Why We Recommend It

Hormone shifts, including drops in estrogen, may contribute to postpartum hair loss. While this hair loss is temporary, Nutrafol is a hair growth supplement that may help support hair regrowth postpartum. Nutrafol makes a postpartum line of supplements for the first year after childbirth with ingredients Dr. Greenberg says are curated to support hair loss postpartum from factors like stress, hormone changes, and nutrient depletion.

Four Nutrafol capsules provide you with vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, C, D, E, and B vitamins (including biotin), iodine, zinc, and selenium. Ivanir says the other ingredients, such as collagen, omega-3 fats, and amino acids, also support a healthy scalp and hair, and she likes that Nutrafol has been studied in clinical trials.

Keep In Mind

You may find it challenging to add four pills to your daily routine. Nutrafol is also more expensive and may take several months to see results.

Pros

  • Contains recommended daily amounts of DHA and EPA

  • Lemon flavored to minimize fishy taste

Cons

  • Not suitable for vegans

Key Specs

Serving size: 2 softgels | Noteworthy Ingredients: Purified deep sea fish oil | EPA Per Serving: 650 mg | DHA Per Serving: 450 mg | Vegan: No | Third-Party Tested: Yes

Why We Recommend It

Omega-3 fats (DHA and EPA) can help reduce inflammation. While research is limited, some studies show that omega-3s may help reduce hair loss. Deficiencies in omega-3s can contribute to rough and scaly skin. While omega-3 fats can be found in fish, walnuts, and flaxseed, Ivanir says many people do not get enough omega-3s, so a fish oil supplement can help you get enough.

To boost your omega-3 intake, we like Nordic Naturals Omega Softgels. These softgels contain 650 milligrams of EPA and 450 milligrams of DHA for 1280 milligrams of omega-3s. This aligns with recommendations to have 1,100 to 1,600 milligrams of omega-3s daily. Nordic Naturals provides a certificate of analysis for each product, ensuring they are free from toxins. Third-party testing is important as fish oils can be contaminated with heavy metals. We also like that these softgels are lemon-flavored to help minimize any fishy aftertaste.

Keep In Mind

Since Nordic Naturals Omega Softgels contain fish oil, they are unsuitable for vegans or those with fish allergies. If you fall into this category, we recommend a vegan omega-3 supplement from algae.

Pros

  • Third-party tested

  • Vegetarian friendly

  • Small pill size

Cons

  • The dose may not be enough to correct a deficiency

Key Specs

Serving size: 1 tablet | Noteworthy Ingredients: Vitamin D, Vitamin C | Vitamin D per serving: 2000 IU (250% DV) | Vegan: No | Third-Party Tested: Yes, NSF

Why We Recommend It

Dr. Greenberg says most Americans can benefit from a vitamin D supplement. Vitamin D is important for bone health, immune function, and hair growth. She says it is the most common deficiency she finds when evaluating patients with hair loss and suggests checking vitamin D levels annually.

One tablet of Theralogix Thera-D provides 2,000 IU of vitamin D or 250% of the Daily Value. It also contains a small amount of vitamin C, an antioxidant that can help promote skin health. Theralogix is NSF Contents Certified, ensuring it is free from contaminants and contains the ingredient amounts written on the label. It is suitable for vegetarians and does not contain any artificial dyes. We also like that the pills are relatively small, making them easy to swallow and an affordable option.

Keep In Mind

Supplementing with 1,000 to 2,000 IU is adequate for most people to maintain adequate vitamin D levels, but a higher dose may be needed to correct a deficiency.

Supplements We Excluded From Our List

Certain supplements did make our list of top products. This includes:

  • Nature’s Bounty Hair Growth: A small clinical study was conducted with the active ingredient in Nature’s Bounty Hair Growth, demonstrating hair growth and reduced wrinkles after three months of use. However, this supplement contains a very high dose of biotin, with 10,000 micrograms (33,333% of the Daily Value). Research does not support using biotin supplements for hair growth if you do not have a deficiency. Dr. Greenberg says it is best to avoid high levels of biotin, which can interfere with blood tests, including those used to diagnose a heart attack and thyroid tests.

Benefits of Hair, Skin, and Nails Vitamins

Not getting enough nutrients in your diet can be reflected in your hair, skin, and nails. Ivanir says our bodies will prioritize essential functions if needed, which means our hair and nails may suffer if we are deficient in certain nutrients. Hair, skin, and nails vitamins can help in the following ways:

  • Fill gaps in the diet: If you do not consume certain foods or have challenges absorbing nutrients, supplementing with a multivitamin or specific vitamin can help bridge those gaps. This may allow your body to utilize nutrients for essential functions and hair, skin, and nail health.
  • Postpartum: Consuming a balanced diet can help you get the necessary nutrients to support your recovery and breastfeeding postpartum. Nevertheless, hormone changes, stress, and nutrition status can contribute to postpartum hair loss. Dr. Greenberg recommends postpartum women take a postnatal multivitamin or a hair-specific one such as Nutrafol.
  • Malabsorption: Hair, skin, and nail vitamins may be beneficial if you cannot absorb certain nutrients. Dr. Greenberg says individuals with malabsorption from conditions such as Crohns, ulcerative colitis, or celiac may benefit from targeted supplementation.

How We Select the Best Hair, Skin, and Nails Vitamins

We reviewed research and analyzed current products to select the best hair, skin, and nail vitamins. We prioritized products with the following criteria:

  • Third-party testing: Dr. Greenberg says it's important to choose a third-party product tested for quality and purity or one from a trusted brand with strong internal testing. She recommends looking for a USP or NSF seal to ensure you are getting what is written on the label and that the product is without impurities or allergens. Omega-3 fats can contain toxins and heavy metal contaminants, making them especially important as a third-party tested supplement.
  • Dosing: We reviewed proper dosing for various vitamins and supplements. Choosing a supplement with a dose that is too low may prevent any impact, while a dose that is too high can have negative side effects. The necessary dose will vary with each product. We recommend speaking with a healthcare professional to determine an appropriate dose for your needs.
  • Ingredients: We aimed to include supplements with minimal ingredient lists and without unnecessary fillers, additives, dyes, or herbs.

Ingredients To Pay Attention To

Supplements for hair, skin, and nails can contain various ingredients. Certain ingredients may interact with medications, while others can be dangerous in high doses. Common ingredients to be aware of include:

Biotin: Many supplements contain very high doses of biotin. While there is no established upper limit for biotin, high doses can interact with certain lab results, including thyroid and heart function tests.

Iron: Supplements for hair loss may contain high levels of iron. High-dose iron can be toxic, particularly if you do not have a deficiency. Iron can also interact with certain medications, such as Levodopa and Levothyroxine.

Vitamin A: The upper limit for vitamin A is 3,000 mcg in adults 19 years and older. Too much vitamin A can cause headaches, blur vision, nausea, and muscle aches. If you are pregnant, vitamin A in high doses can cause birth defects.

Vitamin D: The upper limit for adults is 4,000 IU. High levels can result in nausea, vomiting, confusion, dehydration, and muscle weakness. Vitamin D can interact with certain medicines.

Selenium: Hair, skin, and nail supplements may contain high selenium levels. The upper limit for adults is 400 mcg. Very high intakes can lead to nausea, skin rashes, irritability, and brittle hair and nails. Selenium may interact with certain medications.

Omega-3: High doses of omega-3s may interact with warfarin and other blood-thinning medications.

Saw palmetto: This herb can be found in some hair supplements and may cause some side effects. It should not be used if you are pregnant or nursing.

Our Experts

We interviewed a dermatologist and a registered dietitian about what to look for and what to avoid in hair, skin, and nails vitamins. We asked about their favorite products and who might benefit from using them. We spoke with:

  • Sophie A. Greenberg, MD, a dermatologist practicing medical and cosmetic dermatology
  • Kathleen Suozzi, MD, a dermatologic surgeon and cosmetic dermatologist
  • Kylie Ivanir, MS, RD, a Registered Dietitian and owner of private practice Within Nutrition

Why Trust Verywell Health

Tamar Kane, MS, RD, CDN is a registered dietitian and marathon runner. Tamar has her master's degree in nutrition and exercise physiology from Teachers College, Columbia University. Her goal is to help people understand how to properly fuel their bodies (and supplement, if needed!) to optimize performance and well-being.

Do Hair, Skin, and Nails Vitamins Actually Work? Experts Weigh in and Give Their Recommendations (2024)
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