5 Best Hair, Skin, and Nails Vitamins 2024, Nutritionist’s Picks
Updated on
- Written by Blanca Garcia, RDN
Medically reviewed by
Kathy Shattler, MS, RDN
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Skinny Fit Daily Glow
- A variety of nutrients that support hair, skin, and nail health
- Great value with a subscription
- Non-GMO, gluten-free
Kiierr Biotin Gummies
- Includes elderberry
- Includes coconut oil
- Great value for subscription or bundle purchase
Buy 3 Get 25% Off
Ritual Postnatal Multivitamin
- Traceable ingredients, third-party tested
- Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)- certified
- Made with ingredients free of genetically modified organisms (non-GMO)
- Gluten-free and free of major allergens
Who doesn’t want shiny, healthy hair, clear and glowing skin, or strong and beautiful nails?
Choosing healthy foods can help provide all the nutrients you need to support healthy hair, skin, and nails. But sometimes, you may feel you need supplementation if you are not getting everything you need through your diet. It’s possible to use dietary supplements in your diet, usually described as hair, skin, and nail vitamins.
Let’s be honest, at this point; there is limited research on the supplements that promote healthy hair, healthy skin, or nail health. These types of supplements have minimal regulation by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)[1]. If you choose to get nutrients through supplements, select supplements with an increased likelihood of providing quality ingredients through third-party testing; ingredients are supported by scientific evidence, are not provided in high doses, and don’t have artificial flavors or colors.
Best Hair, Skin, and Nails Vitamins on the market in (September. 2024)
- Skinny Fit Daily Glow – Most Potency
- Kiierr Biotin Gummies – Best for Transparent Ingredients
- Ritual Postnatal Multivitamin – Editor’s Choice
- Life Extension Collagen Plus Formula – Best for a Variety of Ingredients
- HUM Hair Sweet Hair – Best Natural Ingredients
Do Hair, Skin, and Nails Vitamins Work?
A combination of ingredients in hair, skin, and nail vitamins are often the same ones found in foods. These are vitamin A, vitamin B (B7/biotin), vitamin C, and vitamin E.
Other ingredients also found in supplements are folate (folic acid), manganese, selenium, collagen from animal sources, hyaluronic acid, argan oil, and marine collagen, each with a role in hair health, healthy skin, and nail health.
One important and often used ingredient in these supplements is biotin. It is often used to improve hair and help with skin and nails. This is thought because when the body is deficient in biotin, the symptoms are skin rashes, hair loss, and brittle nails but the scientific references include small studies and only a few case reports[2].
The other supplements that include more than just biotin will often include fat-soluble vitamins such as A, D, and E, which are often added for their potential benefit to hair and skin[3]. Hyaluronic acid will often be added to aid in skin hydration, reduce skin roughness, and improve skin damage while improving skin health overall[4].
5 Best Hair, Skin, and Nails Vitamins in 2024
Skinny Fit Daily Glow
A variety of nutrients help with improving hair health, glowing skin, and nail growth.
- A variety of nutrients that support hair, skin, and nail health
- Great value with a subscription
- Non-GMO, gluten-free
- Manufactured and processed with major food allergens
- Exceeds DV% of biotin
Skinny Fit’s Daily Glow helps with longer, stronger hair and nails and youthful-looking skin. Taking this supplement as a daily routine, you will get vitamins C, vitamin E, vitamin B (B3, B5, B6, B7 (biotin), mineral zinc, and kelp powder. All nutrients are naturally found in foods that contribute to healthy-looking skin, strong nails, and hair[8].
This combination helps give a little of everything for overall well-being. Daily Glow is gluten-free and non-GMO; care must be taken not to exceed the recommended dosage as biotin exceeds its daily value percentage at 16,666%.
The recommended dosage is two capsules per day with eight ounces of water. It should be used with a healthy diet and exercise. You can subscribe and save with a 20% discount or just make a one-time purchase. You get a 90-day money-back guarantee with a refund, replacement, or exchange with a pre-paid return label.
Kiierr Biotin Gummies
A combination of elderberry, coconut oil, and biotin provides nutrients that may help promote strong hair growth.
- Includes elderberry
- Includes coconut oil
- Great value for subscription or bundle purchase
- Large doses of biotin
- Allergen alert: Tree nuts (coconut oil)
- No money-back guarantee
The Kiierr company formulated a hair growth supplement that includes elderberry, an ingredient that can help with immune support[6]. Coconut oil helps boost the skin’s moisture, improves skin function, and helps prevent water loss[7]. It also provides other hair growth products to go along with the biotin gummies.
Biotin in this supplement does exceed the daily value (DV) recommendation at 1667%. It might be noted, however, that no toxic dose has been established for this nutrient. The common allergen tree nuts are found in this product and should be taken cautiously if you have this food allergy.
The recommended dosage is two gummies daily or as a health professional recommends, but it’s important to not exceed three gummies in a day. You can get this supplement at a discount by subscribing or buying in a bundle. Kiierr does not offer a money-back guarantee on supplements.
Ritual Postnatal Multivitamin
A combined set of traceable ingredients in this postnatal multivitamin help promote hair, skin, and nail growth.
- Traceable ingredients, third-party tested
- Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)- certified
- Non-GMO Gluten-free and free of major allergens
- Exceeds the daily value of vitamin D3, B12, biotin
- Must have a subscription
A multivitamin that provides an array of ingredients that, when combined, can provide a good source of nutrients. As it says in its name, a postnatal multivitamin is great for new mothers that may need to supplement postpartum[5]. You will find the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K; water-soluble vitamins C, B12, folate, and biotin; and the minerals magnesium, zinc, choline, iodine, iron, boron, and omega-three fatty acids.
All the ingredients are traceable to their origin, are non-GMO, and free of gluten and major common allergens. Ritual’s postnatal multivitamin does exceed the daily value percentage of Vitamin D3, B12, and biotin; of these, vitamin D3 is a fat-soluble vitamin. There are 50 micrograms (mcg) of vitamin D in a serving, and the current recommendation is 15 mcg postnatally. Vitamin D, being fat-soluble, can build up in the tissues to potentially toxic levels, so care must be taken not to exceed the dosage.
The recommended dosage is two capsules per day with a delayed-release capsule to help take it with or without food. To make a purchase, you must enroll in a subscription, but you are guaranteed a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Life Extension Collagen Plus Formula
This supplement promotes collagen production and keratin health to maintain healthy hair, hydrated skin, and healthy nails.
- Vitamins and Minerals that promote collagen production
- Includes collagen peptides
- Non-GMO
- Exceeds daily value recommendation of biotin and copper
- Collagen is a proprietary blend
Life Extension’s Collagen Formula includes unique ingredients like the bioactive collagen peptides® that promote collagen and elastin formation. Cynatine HNS® comes with a combination of keratin, zinc, vitamin B3, B5, B6, copper, and biotin.
In addition to the nutrients provided above, there are vitamin B3, B5, B6, biotin, calcium, zinc, and copper. Because the Collagen Peptides® and Cyanite HNS® are proprietary blends, we don’t know the amounts of nutrients added, and they can either easily exceed[9] the amounts recommended or not have enough of the amounts indicated.
The recommended dosage is four tablets daily; caution is indicated for individuals with inborn errors of copper metabolism (Wilson’s disease) as copper exceeds 100% of the daily value. You get a 12-month money-back guarantee by returning the product for a refund or store credit.
HUM Hair Sweet Hair
A supplement to strengthen hair with nutrients like folic acid and biotin, you can enjoy these cherry gummies with all vegan ingredients.
- 1:1 consult with a Registered Dietitian
- Third-party tested
- No artificial colors, artificial flavors, non-GMO, vegan-friendly, gluten-free
- Does not disclose the company used for third-party testing
HUM Hair Sweet Hair is one of many hair supplements available, but it’s unique with its Fo-Ti root (Polygonum multiflorum), a Chinese plant often used for skin ailments and the prevention of hair loss[10]. Other nutrients in this supplement are vitamin B12, folic acid, biotin, vitamin B10, PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid), and zinc.
Zinc helps promote the health of hair follicles and prevent hair loss. Fo-Ti helps with healthy hair growth and maintains healthy color; long-term use can have some negative side effects like liver damage[11] or may be contraindicated with medications that affect the liver like ibuprofen[12], coumadin (warfarin)[13], and amitriptyline[14]. All the other nutrients in this supplement also contribute to overall wellbeing. This supplement has no artificial colors or artificial flavors and is gluten-free.
You take a quiz and get a personalized recommendation of supplements; with a monthly subscription, you also get access to a 1:1 consult with a Registered Dietitian.
The recommended dosage is two gummies per day at any time with or without food. There is a 30-day money-back guarantee. If unopened, you get a full refund, or if opened, you get a store credit.
Benefits of Vitamins For Hair, Skin and Nails
Hair
Besides hair being our source of pride and joy, hair has an essential function for the body[15]. It helps regulate temperature and protects our eyes, ears, and nose from germs and foreign objects.
Keeping hair healthy has a functional benefit; therefore, hair supplements often include nutrients that help support hair growth or prevent hair loss. If you are experiencing a lack of fruits, vegetables, legumes, and just an overall variety of foods, a supplement can be a benefit.
Skin
The skin is your largest organ, it has many functions, but the main one is to create a barrier between your delicate insides and the harsh environment.
Taking a supplement with a variety of vitamins and minerals can benefit the skin’s structure and its integrity.
Nails
We often don’t realize that nails have an important function besides looking good.
Nails are important to protect the tip of the fingers, help manipulate objects, help improve grip, or can be used to scratch[16].
Nail supplements can ensure that you obtain the vitamins that will ensure strong and sturdy nails.
How To Choose Hair, Skin, Nails Supplements
Dosage
To ensure safety and still obtain the potential benefits from dietary supplements, dosage awareness is important. Each supplement facts label will indicate the ingredient, amount, and daily value percentage.
The daily value percentage is not required but if you have a choice, choose the one that provides the most information. The daily value percentage will indicate a percentage of an ingredient intake per day based on a 2000-calorie diet.
The majority of supplements will have a combination of vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and herbs. Providing an ingredient over 100% of the daily value places a person of being at risk of toxicity, specifically if it’s a fat-soluble vitamin-like vitamin A, D, E, K, or minerals[9].
Third-Party Tested
Supplement companies are not required to get third-party tested, but some do it to provide a sense of trust. The testing checks for potency and accuracy, purity (presence of mold, yeast, bacteria, pesticides), and presence of heavy metals.
A company that does this testing type will often have a label or seal. The most common companies are USP (United States Pharmacopeia), (National Sanitation Foundation), NSF International[17], and ConsumerLabs.com. The testing will often be showcased on their website and even provide some reports with the company name and supervisor’s signature.
Beware of supplement companies stating third-party tested but not indicating the company used; feel free to contact the supplement company and request the name of the testing company.
It can also be good to look for non-GMO, GMP certified, or Organic certified products for quality.
Price
Paying more does not always mean better results or good quality. But it may give you an idea of the price ranges. These supplements range from $24-$47 for single purchases, or you can save if you subscribe or purchase in a bundle.
Precautions
Although tempting as it may be to trust a supplement fully, evidence supports a limited number of supplements. The reality is that with little regulation and limited research for hair, skin, or nail supplements, the information presented by supplement companies can’t guarantee results.
In a 2020 study[18], concerns about possible safety issues include negative interactions with prescription medications, lack of third-party testing, overdosing of nutrients, and proprietary blends with unknown dosages of ingredients.
Final Thought
When choosing a supplement, the idea is to choose one that can provide the nutrients you can find in foods to help close a potential nutrient gap. Often supplements provide doses that meet or exceed a person’s needs; this can lead you to overdose on these nutrients if you aren’t taking into account what you are already getting naturally through foods.
If you feel you may have a nutrient gap, we suggest you seek a healthcare professional like a Registered Dietitian to help you find and close your nutrient gaps as naturally as possible. Of course, there are moments where supplementation is appropriate, and a healthcare professional can help identify these moments and guide you appropriately.
Foods should always be the primary source of nutrients; they come with many more nutrients than could ever be extracted and put into a pill.
Frequently Asked Questions
Supplement manufacturers often say that it can take several months of daily use.
There isn’t enough research to support the efficacy of hair, skin, and nail vitamins.
If taken according to manufacturers’ instructions, they can be.
Otherwise, not following instructions can lead to overdosing, stomach upset, or allergic reactions.
Some supplements are not appropriate for a pregnant or lactating woman. You should consult with your doctor before taking any supplements alongside prenatal vitamins.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on the supplement facts label.
+ 18 sources
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- ods.od.nih.gov. (n.d.). Office of Dietary Supplements – Biotin. [online] Available at: https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Biotin-HealthProfessional/#en13
- Puścion-Jakubik, A., Markiewicz-Żukowska, R., Naliwajko, S.K., Gromkowska-Kępka, K.J., Moskwa, J., Grabia, M., Mielech, A., Bielecka, J., Karpińska, E., Mielcarek, K., Nowakowski, P. and Socha, K. (2021). Intake of Antioxidant Vitamins and Minerals in Relation to Body Composition, Skin Hydration and Lubrication in Young Women. Antioxidants, [online] 10(7), p.1110. doi:10.3390/antiox10071110.
- Göllner, I., Voss, W., von Hehn, U. and Kammerer, S. (2017). Ingestion of an Oral Hyaluronan Solution Improves Skin Hydration, Wrinkle Reduction, Elasticity, and Skin Roughness: Results of a Clinical Study. Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine, [online] 22(4), pp.816–823. doi:10.1177/2156587217743640.
- Kumar, A. and Kaur, S. (2017). Calcium: A Nutrient in Pregnancy. The Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology of India, [online] 67(5), pp.313–318. doi:10.1007/s13224-017-1007-2.
- Porter, R.S. and Bode, R.F. (2017). A Review of the Antiviral Properties of Black Elder (Sambucus nigraL.) Products. Phytotherapy Research, [online] 31(4), pp.533–554. doi:10.1002/ptr.5782.
- Verallo-Rowell, V.M., Katalbas, S.S. and Pangasinan, J.P. (2016). Natural (Mineral, Vegetable, Coconut, Essential) Oils and Contact Dermatitis. Current Allergy and Asthma Reports, [online] 16(7). doi:10.1007/s11882-016-0630-9.
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Written by:
Blanca Garcia, RDN
Medically reviewed by:
Medically reviewed by:
