Buying guide for Best hair vitamins
Who doesn’t want thick, shiny, healthy hair? But sometimes, no matter how many expensive shampoos, conditioners, and hair treatments you use, you can’t achieve the envy-worthy tresses you’re after. You may need hair vitamins to address the problem from the inside out.
Hair vitamins are exactly what they sound like: supplements that contain vitamins and minerals known to support hair health. These vitamins are usually formulated to strengthen your hair and encourage it to grow more quickly. Many formulas can help with split ends, breakage, and frizz, too, so your hair always looks smooth, shiny, and healthy. Hair vitamins are also known to have benefits for the nails and skin, making these vitamins a multipurpose supplement.
As with any vitamin or supplement, though, you want to be sure to choose the right hair vitamin for your needs. Our buying guide has everything you should consider before buying hair vitamins. For our top recommendations (and the easiest shopping), see the matrix above.
Key considerations
Vitamins and minerals
When you’re choosing vitamins for your hair, you want to be sure to select a formula with vitamins and minerals that are truly beneficial for the health of your hair. Here are some vitamins and minerals to look for in hair supplements:
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Biotin is the most common ingredient in hair vitamins. It aids the body in metabolizing protein, fats, carbs, and amino acids to maintain the overall strength and health of the hair.
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B vitamins – like B1, B2, B3 (niacin), B5 (pantothenic acid), B6, B7, and B12 – are also key ingredients in hair supplements. They help metabolize amino acids and can keep hair loss and dandruff at bay. In particular, B5 helps give strength, flexibility, and shine to hair, while B7 helps build up hair strength.
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Vitamin C is a highly effective antioxidant that helps protect the hair against free radical damage.
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Vitamin E is another antioxidant that keeps the hair safe from free radical damage.
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Zinc, selenium, and copper are minerals that can boost hair thickness and prevent hair loss.
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Fatty acids can help hydrate the scalp and strengthen the hair.
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Amino acids make up the protein that’s crucial for the healthy structure of hair. They help stimulate hair follicles to strengthen the hair, promote growth, and prevent breakage.
Formula
Once you know what vitamins and minerals to look for in a hair supplement, the next question to ask yourself is what formula you prefer. Like most supplements, hair vitamins are available in several different forms, which can affect how easy they are to swallow, how the body absorbs them, and their possible side effects.
Capsules are the most common form of hair vitamins and other supplements. They’re usually easy to swallow and can often be separated to remove the powder or liquid inside so that it can be mixed with food or a beverage. Capsules typically have a longer shelf-life than other vitamins, too.
Tablets are another common form of hair vitamins. They are usually less expensive than capsules and offer high-potency formulas. Larger tablets can be somewhat difficult to swallow, though.
Softgels are made of a soft gelatin layer that encloses an oil or liquid center. They have a long shelf-life, but they are more vulnerable to heat and light than other supplements.
Gummies are an excellent option for anyone who doesn’t want to swallow tablets or capsules. They’re usually fruit-flavored, too, so they’re enjoyable to take. However, they often contain sugar and corn syrup as well as food coloring.
Liquid hair vitamins are ideal for anyone who has trouble swallowing capsules, tablets, and softgels. Liquids are absorbed by the body very quickly and usually don’t upset the stomach as much as other vitamins. They don’t have a very long shelf-life, though, and can be difficult to travel with.
Did you know?
Hair vitamins can work for all types of hair, but they are usually most helpful for individuals with fine or thin hair or anyone with damaged hair.
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Features
Certifications
To ensure that the hair vitamin you choose contains high-quality, effective ingredients, opt for a supplement with some type of manufacturing seal of approval. Many brands have their products tested for quality and safety by third-party organizations like NSF International or ConsumerLab.com. If so, they typically feature some type of seal on the packaging to let you know that the vitamins meet independent quality standards.
Dosage
When you’re trying to decide between hair vitamins, it’s important to consider the proper dosage. Some supplements only require one pill per dose, while others call for two. Some formulas should be taken both morning and night, while others only need to be taken once a day.
Quantity
Hair vitamins come in different quantities. Most include 30 to 120 tablets, capsules, softgels, or gummies per bottle. Consider the dosage to determine how long a bottle will last. For example, a 30-count bottle of vitamins that you only take once a day will last a month, while you’ll need a 60-count bottle of supplements that are taken twice a day to get through a month.
Non-GMO
Some people try to keep genetically modified foods and ingredients out of their diet. In that case, look for hair vitamins that have a non-GMO certification to ensure that they’re made with non-genetically modified ingredients.
Vegetarian/vegan
For anyone who adheres to a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle, choose hair vitamins that are clearly labeled as vegetarian or vegan. Some supplements contain gelatin, which is usually made from animal products, but you can find some hair vitamins that feature vegetable-based gelatin instead.
Gluten-free
If you have celiac disease or are sensitive to gluten, make sure that you opt for a gluten-free hair supplement. Some manufacturers have their vitamins certified as gluten-free so you can trust that they won’t cause a reaction or irritate your stomach.
Did you know?
Most hair vitamins are suitable for both men and women because they don’t contain any hormones.
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Hair vitamin prices
Hair vitamins vary in price based on the ingredients and the size of the bottle. Most hair vitamins cost between $4 and $50.
Inexpensive
The most affordable hair vitamins are usually supplements that only contain a single vitamin or mineral. They typically don’t provide 100% of the daily recommended value for the included vitamin or mineral. These vitamins generally cost between $4 and $15 for a one-month supply.
Mid-range
These hair vitamins are typically supplements that contain more than one vitamin or mineral in their formula. They may not provide 100% of the daily recommended value for the vitamins or minerals they feature, but they usually offer more than 50%. You can expect to pay between $15 and $34 for a one-month supply of these supplements.
Expensive
The most expensive hair vitamins are formulas that contain multiple vitamins and minerals that are beneficial for the hair. They often contain 100% of the daily recommended value for some of the included vitamins and minerals, though usually not all of them. These supplements typically cost between $34 and $50 for a one-month supply.
"By the age of 35, 25% of women and 40% of men experience hair loss of some kind."
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Tips
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Always consult with your doctor before adding any vitamin or supplement to your diet.
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Follow the manufacturer’s instructions regarding the dosage for a hair vitamin. Only take the recommended dose per day to avoid any possible side effects or interactions.
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If you want to see results from a hair supplement, taking it consistently is key. Make sure to take your vitamins daily at the proper dosage.
FAQ
Q. Are hair vitamins safe?
A. Most hair vitamins are safe, but you should always talk to your doctor before introducing any supplements into your diet. Some vitamins are water-soluble, which means any excess is flushed out of your system when you go to the bathroom. But some aren’t, so they can build up in your system at toxic levels if you take too much. You also want to be sure that the vitamins won’t interact with any prescription medications that you’re taking or aggravate any medical conditions you have.
Q. How long does it take to see results with a hair supplement?
A. It really depends on the formula and the quality of the ingredients. Some users see results in just two to three weeks, while other people need at least three months before they see changes in their hair.
Q. What happens if I stop taking hair vitamins?
A. In most cases, you won’t see any adverse effects if you stop these supplements. But your hair growth may be slowed, and you may notice more breakage and hair loss again.
