Seeing the early signs of hair loss can be troubling, but certain vitamins may be able to encourage regrowth and thickness. Nutrafol Capsules, OLLY Multi Gummies and Thorne Collagen Plus Powder all make our top-vetted list.
- Best for women's hair loss due to nutrient gaps: Garden of Life mykind Organics Women's Multi Tablets | Skip to review
- Best for men's hair loss due to nutrient gaps: Ritual Essential for Men 18+ Multivitamin | Skip to review
While factors such as age, genetics, hormones, and medication may affect your hair, nutrition is key for hair health throughout life. In particular, vitamins B, C, and D, plus iron and zinc, play important roles in vitamins for hair growth and thickness.
Some supplements are formulated with these nutrients to support hair growth, strength, and thickness. But sometimes, a multivitamin or a nutrient-specific supplement will do.
Here are eight high quality supplements that supply the nutrients your hair needs.
Our Medical Standards and Insights team has carefully researched and vetted over 11,000 products and services. We fact-check health claims, evaluate ingredients, and look into each brand’s reputation before sharing products and services on Healthline.
To choose the brands on this page, we considered all the vitamin brands that passed our vetting process. Then, we personally tested some of them to narrow down our list even further.
A note on price
- $ = under $0.25 per serving
- $$ = $0.25 to $1.00 per serving
- $$$ = $1.01 to $1.50 per serving
- $$$$ = over $1.50 per serving
- Brand reputation and quality testing: All the products on our list are manufactured by reputable brands and tested for quality. In the absence of third-party testing, we look for products from reputable companies that manufacture in facilities that comply with the
Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CGMPs)Trusted Source established by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). - Effective ingredients: We chose products containing nutrients that have been shown to be important for hair growth. We also prioritized supplements that contain more easily absorbed forms of nutrients.
- Type of supplement: This list features supplements to suit a variety of needs and preferences.
- Your individual needs: Getting enough vitamins and minerals is important for supporting healthy hair, but consuming too much of some, such as vitamins A and E, could lead to hair loss and even vitamin toxicity. It’s wise to consult a healthcare professional to see which supplements are worth adding to your wellness routine.
- A doctor’s recommendations: A doctor can determine the cause of your hair loss and develop a personalized treatment plan.
- Third-party testing: It’s always a wise idea to choose supplements that have been third-party tested to help ensure that they are safe and that their labels are accurate.
Ingredients to look for
Useful supplement shopping guides
Vitamins and supplements work differently depending on their ingredients and mechanisms.
For example, some address nutrient deficiencies, such as biotin, zinc, and iron, that may be causing hair loss or thinning. Other supplements work by promoting the growth phase of hair. Ingredients like marine-based complexes, seen in Viviscal, or collagen peptides provide the building blocks for keratin production, the primary protein in hair.
Certain botanicals and antioxidants, like horsetail extract or vitamin C, may also support hair health by reducing oxidative stress, which can damage follicles.
It’s important to note that not all supplements or ingredients are backed by strong scientific evidence, and their effectiveness can vary from person to person. Setting realistic expectations and consulting a healthcare professional can help ensure safe and effective use.
If they can make my hair grow, does that mean it’ll grow everywhere?
Hair growth supplements target the health of your hair follicles, but the impact is most noticeable in areas where hair is already actively growing, like the scalp. These supplements do not create new hair follicles or stimulate hair growth in areas where it wouldn’t naturally occur.
Hair follicles in different parts of the body respond differently to hormonal and nutritional signals. For example, scalp hair tends to be more sensitive to changes in nutrient availability and hormones than body hair.
While supplements may improve the overall health of your existing hair follicles, they likely won’t lead to excess or unwanted hair growth in unusual areas.
Having said that, if you already regularly maintain upper lip hair or bothersome chin hair, for example, you may want to monitor growth in those areas if you’re using oral hair growth aids.
Hair growth supplements and vitamins can cause side effects, especially if taken in high doses or by individuals with sensitivities. Common issues include:
- Gastrointestinal symptoms: Nausea, bloating, and constipation are frequently reported.
- Allergic reactions: Ingredients like hydrolyzed fish collagen or botanical extracts may cause reactions ranging from mild skin irritation to anaphylaxis in sensitive individuals.
- Nutrient imbalances: Oversupplementing with certain nutrients, such as selenium or vitamin A, can lead to toxicity, increasing risks of hair loss, skin issues, or, in extreme cases, systemic health concerns.
- Medication interactions: Some commonly used ingredients, such as saw palmetto, may interact with medications, so caution should be used if you’re taking anything.
Long-term use of some supplements, particularly those with high doses of specific nutrients, may also elevate risks of chronic conditions like diabetes or cardiovascular issues.
It’s essential to follow dosing recommendations and consult a healthcare professional, especially if you’re taking other medications or have underlying health conditions.
The time it takes for hair growth supplements and vitamins to work varies, but most people can expect to see initial improvements within 3 to 6 months of consistent use. Hair grows in cycles, and supplements primarily support the anagen (growth) phase, which can last
The timeline may also depend on the underlying cause of hair thinning. If hair loss is due to a nutrient deficiency, improvements might appear sooner as the deficiency is corrected. However, if the issue is hormonal or related to stress, it may take longer to notice significant changes.
It’s also worth noting that some supplements, such as Viviscal, may require continuous use in order to remain effective.
The nutrients most often associated with supporting healthy hair growth include vitamin D, vitamin C, zinc, and iron.
Olly hair vitamins are a good gummy option for individuals who prefer not to, or cannot swallow pills. They contain zinc, as well as amla extract, which may support hair density and growth.
The best supplements for hair loss in females will likely contain nutrients like iron, zinc, and vitamin D that support hair growth.
For example, Nutrafol Women is our top pick for best subscription supplement for hair health. The company also makes a product specifically formulated to help with postpartum hair loss.
Vitamins and supplements may support hair growth by providing essential nutrients that might be missing from your diet. While individual results vary, products rich in vitamins B, C, D, iron, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids have been linked to healthier hair.
It’s important to choose products based on scientific research and to have realistic expectations about their effectiveness.
Identifying the number one hair growth product is challenging due to the variety of hair types and causes of hair loss.
However, Nutrafol is our top pick for its comprehensive approach and clinical backing. It targets multiple potential triggers for hair thinning and loss, making it a popular choice.
It’s best to work with a doctor because the best pill for hair growth will depend in your individual needs and the cause of your hair challenges, such as possible nutritional deficiencies or other health concerns.
Vitamins and supplements can be a helpful option for improving hair growth and thickness if they are formulated with evidence-based ingredients like vitamins B, C, and D, iron, zinc, biotin, and omega-3 fatty acids.
If you or someone you know has questions about hair loss, a helpful first step is talking with a healthcare professional to determine what’s causing the hair loss and create a treatment plan based on your individual needs.
