Lifestyle
These 17 Hair Growth Vitamins Actually Work
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<p>We polled a variety of specialists to narrow down the search for the absolute best hair growth vitamins: Sam Archer, vice president of product development and innovation at Nutrafol; Dr. Meena Singh, a dermatologist and expert in hair transplantation based in Shawnee, Kansas; Carla Rivas, founder of Hair La Vie, and Marie Mignon, vice president of research and development at Prose. Whether you’re looking for an easy-to-swallow pill, a candy-like gummy, or a drinkable option, we’ve got you covered with the best supplements for longer, stronger, and fuller hair.</p>” />
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Best for Thinning Hair
Nutrafol Hair Wellness Supplement
Best for Thinning Hair
Nutrafol Hair Wellness Supplement
Pros
- Developed by physicians
Cons
- Pricey
A cult favorite, Nutrafol has received thousands of reviews from users online for its effective stress adaptogens, DHT inhibitors, and super antioxidants. Formulated by physicians, these supplements are 100 percent drug-free and can easily be ordered through a monthly subscription. The supplement includes ingredients that address “the internal triggers that cause hair thinning such as stress, hormone fluctuations, nutritional deficiencies, metabolism, aging, and lifestyle habits within the body,” says Archer. “At Nutrafol, we’ve developed a more customized approach to address hair thinning with multi-targeted formulas utilizing ingredients that are proven to address the internal root causes directly.”
Amazon rating: 4.3/5 stars
| Key ingredients | Ashwagandha, collagen |
|---|---|
| Servings | 120 capsules |
Pros
- Geared towards your specific hair concerns
Cons
- Requires consistent use to see results
Prose’s customizable Root Source supplements feature “millet, a 100 percent natural, whole grain packed with an active molecule called miliacin and omega-6 fats” that “act directly on the hair follicle to stimulate hair growth,” explains Mignon. With Prose, you will answer several survey questions to create your perfect formula. “Each individual blend of ingredients is designed to address the customer’s specific needs,” says Mignon.
| Key ingredients | Saffron, grape seed, sesame seed extract |
|---|---|
| Servings | 30 capsules |
Best Drinkable Supplement
Golde Coconut Collagen Boost
Best Drinkable Supplement
Golde Coconut Collagen Boost
Pros
- Yummy
Cons
- Harder to mix into cold drinks
Collagen supports healthy hair, skin, and nails. Simply add two teaspoons of this powder to your latte, matcha, or cold brew and mix well. It will give any drink a creamy, vanilla-coconut flavor while promoting hair growth. Plus, this supplement is packed with 80 milligrams of hyaluronic acid per serving to boost hydration.
Golde rating: 4.9/5 stars
A Golde reviewer says: “So far so good! The flavor is great and blends easily into my smoothies or oatmeal. I’m looking forward to the long-term benefits.”
| Key ingredients | Coconut milk powder, biotin, hyaluronic acid |
|---|---|
| Servings | 15 servings |
Best for Energy
Moon Juice SuperHair Hair Supplement
Best for Energy
Moon Juice SuperHair Hair Supplement
Pros
- Provides stress relief
Cons
- Takes a while to see changes
Moon Juice’s SuperHair supplement is filled with vitamins and minerals that address deficiencies associated with hair loss. It also features ashwagandha to lower cortisol levels and manage stress, another factor that can lead to additional hair shedding or thinning.
Amazon rating: 4.3/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “I bought these on a whim and was surprised they made me FEEL better. I bought them for my hair, but started feeling more energetic and just better all around. This is my second bottle and my hair grew in at the sides, and hardly any hair is coming out in the shower. It was coming out in clumps before. I didn’t have high expectations at all.”
| Key ingredients | Biotin, ashwagandha, vitamin A, zinc |
|---|---|
| Servings | 120 capsules |
Best Tasting Gummy
Grande Cosmetics GrandeGUMMIES Vegan Collagen Booster
Best Tasting Gummy
Grande Cosmetics GrandeGUMMIES Vegan Collagen Booster
Pros
- Affordable
Cons
- May melt when shipping
This vegan hair gummy might just be the answer to all your skin and hair woes. Thin eyebrows? Lackluster lashes? Problem skin? Just pop one of these citrus-flavored, heart-shaped babies twice a day. Not only do they contain plumping vegan collagen, but they’re also infused with biotin, folic acid, and zinc for all your hair and skin needs.
Amazon rating: 4.4/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “Takes a week or two to get started but they work wonders. The taste is good too!”
| Key ingredients | Biotin, vitamin A, vitamin C, collagen |
|---|---|
| Servings | 60 gummies |
Best For A Budget
Nature’s Bounty Hair, Skin, and Nails Gummies
Best For A Budget
Nature’s Bounty Hair, Skin, and Nails Gummies
Pros
- Easy to find
Cons
- High doses of biotin may cause breakouts during early use
You’ve probably seen these gummies on the shelf at your local pharmacy and wondered, “Do these work? Should I get them?” Well, the answer is a resounding “Yes!” These supplements are packed with biotin to promote hair, skin, and nail strength. Since they are always stocked at the pharmacy, you’ll never have to resort to online shipping fees. They also come in a soft-gel capsule if that’s more your thing.
Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “I was crying so much after losing more than 50% of my hair because of postpartum hair loss. I could feel my scalp if I ran my hand though my hair and the breakage was horrendous. These gummies did wonders for it! They literally saved my hair (and nails). You have to be consistent, but you can start noticing the first major results in a couple months. Not only my hair grew up faster but it has gotten its thickness back and my confidence along with it.”
| Key ingredients | Biotin, vitamin C, vitamin E |
|---|---|
| Servings | 230 gummies |
Best for Hair & Skin
Perricone MD Skin & Total Body Supplements
Best for Hair & Skin
Perricone MD Skin & Total Body Supplements
Pros
- Supports your immune system
Cons
- Must take multiple capsules per day
Cover all your wellness bases. Not only do these Perricone capsules nourish your hair, but they also support skin, eyes, bones, and nails. Plus, hero ingredients like astaxanthin, calcium, and magnesium boost the immune system.
Perricone MD rating: 4.5/5 stars
A Perricone MD reviewer says: “I have been taking these vitamins every day for the past two months and am ordering my next box! I take these mostly in the evenings, sometimes at breakfast. Regardless of the time, I have yet to experience any nausea or stomach issues as I have with other supplements. Highly recommend! I noticed my quality of sleep has improved shortly after the 30-day mark, my skin is clearer, and I’m beginning to see an improvement in my hair texture. I appreciate how the vitamins are packaged, a major space saver and everything I need is in one set package. Again, highly recommend!”
| Key ingredients | Omega-3, calcium, magnesium |
|---|---|
| Servings | 60 packets |
Best All-Natural Option
Hum Nutrition Hair Sweet Hair Gummies
Best All-Natural Option
Hum Nutrition Hair Sweet Hair Gummies
Pros
- Affordable
Cons
- Some don’t love the taste
These gummies check off all the boxes: 100 percent natural, 100 percent vegetarian and vegan, GMO-free, gluten-free, and no preservatives. Game-changing ingredients like PABA (Para-aminobenzoic acid) fight gray hairs and promote natural pigments, while fo-ti (a root used in Chinese medicine) strengthens strands. Plus, you’ll begin seeing results in as little as two months.
Neiman Marcus rating: 4.8/5 stars
A Neiman Marcus reviewer says: “Excellent product! My hair feels healthier now.”
| Key ingredients | Biotin, folic acid, zinc |
|---|---|
| Servings | 60 gummies |
Best Multi-Tasker Supplement
Vital Proteins Beauty Boost
Best Multi-Tasker Supplement
Vital Proteins Beauty Boost
Pros
- All-in-one beauty supplement
Cons
- Some find capsules hard to swallow
For glowing skin, strong and shiny hair, and long nails, the Vital Proteins Beauty Boost Capsules are your new best friend. Collagen acts as a building block for healthy hair, skin, nails, bones, and joints. Biotin and vitamin C round out the 100 percent vegan formula. Reviewers say they started seeing results in just two weeks.
Walmart rating: 4.6/5 stars
A Walmart reviewer says: “I bought this a month ago and have been taking it everyday in the hopes of seeing a difference. Starting to see changes! Stronger nails, clearer, healthier-looking skin. Loving this product!”
| Key ingredients | Vitamin C, collagen, biotin |
|---|---|
| Servings | 60 capsules |
Best Plant-Based Gummy
Vegamour GRO Biotin Gummies for Hair
Best Plant-Based Gummy
Vegamour GRO Biotin Gummies for Hair
Pros
- Delicious
Cons
- Takes about 4 months to see results
These heart-shaped gummies are basically Sour Patch Kids that also happen to make your hair grow. Biotin supports healthy hair, skin, and nails, while vitamins A, C, and E help neutralize follicle-damaging free radicals.
Sephora rating: 4.4/5 stars
A Sephora reviewer says: “After trying so many hair supplements, I found the one. The taste isn’t very sweet compared to others. I’ve seen a difference within my 25 gummies, literally. My hairstylist was shocked that my hair was growing so much from my previous appointment.”
| Key ingredients | Biotin, vitamin C, vitamin B5 |
|---|---|
| Servings | 30 gummies |
Best Vegan Gummy
Love Beauty and Planet Berry Extraordinary Vegan Hair & Nails Dietary Supplement
Best Vegan Gummy
Love Beauty and Planet Berry Extraordinary Vegan Hair & Nails Dietary Supplement
Pros
- Affordable
Cons
- Extra sugary taste
Go green in the name of healthy hair. These vegan vitamins are fortified with vitamin D, vitamin B12, iodine, folic acid, and biotin, so your strands will be hydrated and nourished for improved health. Plus, the container is made from recycled materials, creating less of a carbon footprint.
Walmart rating: 4.6/5 stars
A Walmart reviewer says: “These gummies are wonderful! I bought them out of curiosity after having my second baby and losing a lot of hair. All my baby hair is growing back like crazy and my nails are growing so fast. They taste yummy too! Highly recommend.”
| Key ingredients | Biotin, folic acid, vitamin D, coconut oil, |
|---|---|
| Servings | 60 gummies |
Best For Fine Hair
Hair La Vie Clinical Formula Hair Vitamins
Best For Fine Hair
Hair La Vie Clinical Formula Hair Vitamins
Pros
- Clincally proven results
Cons
- Must take 3 capsules per day
“I had the unfortunate journey of having cancer at a very young age, just out of my teens,” explains Rivas. “And when you’re that young, because of the negatives of society, sometimes our vanity can take the lead.” To destigmatize the conversation around hair loss and to provide consumers with an effective supplement that would boost their confidence, Rivas developed Hair La Vie. The formula is packed with collagen, biotin, vitamin D3, and EVNol Max—an effective form of Vitamin E clinically proven to promote hair growth—to make your strands grow long and strong.
Hair La Vie rating: 4.7/5 stars
| Key ingredients | Collagen, berry extracts, biotin, zinc, vitamin D3 |
|---|---|
| Servings | 90 capsules |
Best for Slow Growing Hair
The Nue Co. Growth Phase Hair Supplement
Best for Slow Growing Hair
The Nue Co. Growth Phase Hair Supplement
Pros
- Manages the root causes of hair loss
Cons
- Must take three a day with food
This product is geared towards those experiencing hair shedding, thinning, or slow-growing hair. By addressing the root causes of stress, nutrient deficiency, hormonal imbalance, and pollution, the formula works from the inside out to support healthy hair follicles.
Sephora rating: 4.6/5 stars
A Sephora reviewer says: “This products works wonders! After only a couple of weeks of usage I started seeing the difference. My Hair stopped falling and it was a lot thicker and stronger.”
| Key ingredients | Biotin, vitamin C, vitamin B12, reishi mushroom extract |
|---|---|
| Servings | 90 capsules |
Pros
- Nourishes the hair
Cons
- Pricey
KeraNew nourishes the scalp and revitalizes the hair, making it look silkier and more youthful. This formula features DFK-Glow, a keratin-based complex that works to diminish the appearance of damage and split ends, while promoting fuller and shinier hair.
Kintsugi rating: 4.8/5 stars
A Kintsugi reviewer says: “I am really happy with the changes in my hair since I started taking your product. My hair feels healthier, and I notice less hair loss in the shower. I am almost done with my second bottle, and I see growth happening. My hair does not seem quite as thin as before.”
| Key ingredients | Collagen, hyaluronic acid, horsetail powder |
|---|---|
| Servings | 60 capsules |
Best Salon Pick
Philip Kingsley Tricho Complex Vitamin & Mineral Hair Supplement
Best Salon Pick
Philip Kingsley Tricho Complex Vitamin & Mineral Hair Supplement
Pros
- Clinically tested
Cons
- Pricey
The pros at Philip Kingsley based this supplement on formulas used at the brand’s hair health clinics in New York and London, where clients come in for nutritional recommendations. Their findings helped inform this mix of B vitamins, selenium, and vitamin D.
Neiman Marcus rating: 4.8/5 stars
A Neiman Marcus reviewer says: “I really like this product so far! My hair is rather thin and fragile and I definitely feel a difference since starting the TrichoComplex treatment.”
| Key ingredients | Biotin, iron, vitamin B12, vitamin C |
|---|---|
| Servings | 90 capsules |
Best for Damaged Hair
Viviscal Hair Growth Program Extra Strength Dietary Supplement
Best for Damaged Hair
Viviscal Hair Growth Program Extra Strength Dietary Supplement
Pros
- Clinically proven formula
Cons
- Must take two a day, morning and night
A celeb favorite, these tablets use a combination of deep-sea fish proteins, horsetail extract, and vitamin C to prevent breakage and split ends. Feel free to grow your hair strong and long without having to chop your length.
BestBuy rating: 4.5/5 stars
A BestBuy reviewer says: “This product has done wonders for my hair. Using it three years now. Hair definitely feels fuller and in very good condition.”
| Key ingredients | AminoMar complex, horsetail extract, vitamin C |
|---|---|
| Servings | 60 tablets |
Best Fast-Acting Supplement
Olly Ultra Hair Softgel Supplement
Best Fast-Acting Supplement
Olly Ultra Hair Softgel Supplement
Pros
- Affordable
Cons
- May take 6 months to see results
A tablet a day keeps the bad hair at bay. This supplement is packed with all the essentials—biotin, keratin, and folic acid—but gets bonus points for the hint of strawberry flavor and scent. What’s more, you only have to take one soft gel a day.
Target rating: 4.4/5 stars
A Target reviewer says: “I purchased these January 2023 in hopes of jump-starting hair growth after postpartum hair loss. Not my first time going through it, and I know it does grow back on its own eventually. However, I noticed an extreme difference as I was finishing my first bottle. My bald spots were growing back fast and I also noticed that my eyelashes were really long and much more filled in than they have ever been in my life! I’m going to buy a second bottle, and hope I keep seeing great results.”
| Key ingredients | Biotin, keratin, zinc |
|---|---|
| Servings | 30 capsules |
What causes excessive hair shedding or thinning?
“Besides genetics, a lot of other factors—including stress, pollution, scalp imbalance, and oxidative stress from aging—can trigger hair shedding,” says Mignon. Many people who’ve had COVID-19 have also experienced hair shedding a few months after their diagnosis.
What ingredients are good for thinning hair vitamins?
When it comes to hair growth, there are lots of vitamins that can help boost your strands, according to Singh. “Deficiencies in certain vitamins such as zinc, iron, selenium, and biotin can lead to shedding hair loss,” says Singh. “So supplements that contain these vitamins, as well as vitamin A, B vitamins, Vitamin C, D, E, and protein, may help with hair cycling.” Rosemary oil and castor oil are new ingredients people have found helpful for thinning hair.
What exactly do hair growth vitamins do?
The vitamins and ingredients listed above “can prolong the anagen (growth phase) of the hair cycle and decrease the percentage of hairs in the shedding phase,” explains Singh. Biotin is also great for hair growth, as it promotes keratin production and can cause your strands to grow faster. Plus, it promotes healthy skin and nails. Double whammy!
Beauty Director
Chloe Hall oversees all beauty coverage at ELLE.com. She knew she wanted to get into beauty the moment Donna Summer came on her screen and she’s been chasing the perfect disco shadows ever since. Her sweet spot is the intersections of beauty with current culture, whether it’s music, movies, or social media. You can find her in Brooklyn with her pug or in Rihanna’s comment section.
Fashion & Luxury Commerce Editor
Tatjana Freund is Hearst’s Fashion & Luxury Commerce Editor, covering beauty, fashion and more across multiple brands. Previously, she worked at ELLE.com and Marie Claire. She’s a fan of whiskey neat, podcasts that give her nightmares, and one time Zoë Kravitz laughed at a joke she made.
Assistant Beauty Editor
Emily Burns is the assistant beauty editor at ELLE Magazine. When she’s not writing, she’s probably drinking an Aperol spritz and cuddling with her cat Wednesday….or scheming how to date Pete Davidson.
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