8 Best Vitamins for Healthy Hair, Skin, and Nails of 2023

• Best overall: Nature’s Bounty Extra Strength Hair, Skin & Nails | Skip to review
• Best affordable: Nature Made Hair Skin and Nails with Biotin | Skip to review
• Best gummy: OLLY Undeniable Beauty Hair, Skin & Nails | Skip to review
• Best vegan: Briogeo Destined for Density | Skip to review
• Best for postpartum: Ritual Essential Postnatal Multivitamin | Skip to review
• Best create-your-own: Persona Nutrition | Skip to review
• Best organic: Garden of Life mykind Organics Plant Collagen Builder | Skip to review
• Best for hair growth: Nutrafol Women Capsules | Skip to review

Healthy hair, nails, and skin require sufficient levels of nutrients, including vitamins A, D, and E. While these are commonly found in a balanced diet, some people — such as those with specific dietary restrictions or unique needs — may require more.

It’s important to acknowledge that for most people with good health, there’s limited evidence that taking targeted vitamins solely for hair, skin, or nails results in noticeable improvements.

However, if you have concerns about your nutritional intake and wish to ensure your hair, nails, and skin receive optimal support, our team of nutritionists has curated a selection of top quality multivitamins and individual supplements designed to promote overall well-being, including the health of your hair, nails, and skin.

To help you decide which products are worth considering, Healthline researched the best hair, skin, and nails vitamins using the following criteria:

• Vetting: All the products included have been vetted to ensure that they meet Healthline’s medical and business standards. These products meet the allowable health claims and labeling requirements of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and they’re manufactured in facilities that adhere to current good manufacturing practices (CGMPs).
• Ingredients: We aimed to include several options that are free from potentially unwanted ingredients like artificial flavors or sweeteners, certain allergens, and additives and preservatives.
• Price: We included supplements to fit a wide range of budgets.
• User reviews: All the vitamins on this list have mostly favorable customer reviews.
• Trustworthiness: We also chose products only from medically credible companies that follow industry best standards. Many also provide objective measures of trust, like third-party certifications.

Shopping for a hair, nails, and skin supplement can be overwhelming. Here are a few key factors to consider.

Ingredient quality and effectiveness

Look for products with a minimal list of unnecessary additives and fillers.

While some additives and preservatives, like soybean oil, glycerin, and soy lecithin serve a vital role in extending a vitamin’s shelf life, it’s essential to differentiate them from fillers. Fillers are ingredients that contribute little or no nutritional value but are added to bulk up a product and can ultimately dilute the essential nutrients in a supplement.

While complete elimination of additives isn’t necessary, we aim to provide options that prioritize essential nutrients without unnecessary extras.

Additionally, hair, skin, and nail vitamins often contain proprietary blends. Keep in mind that manufacturers don’t disclose the exact amounts of the ingredients used in the blends, so you might want to avoid products that contain ingredients you’re unsure of.

It’s also worth noting that while some ingredients in these supplements have shown effectiveness in other areas, research on their direct benefits for hair, nails, and skin remains limited. For example, a biotin deficiency may lead to seizures, skin infections, brittle nails, and hair loss, but there’s no concrete evidence to suggest it will specifically strengthen your hair or nails.

The multifaceted nature of these supplements means that while they may contribute to overall well-being, specific outcomes related to hair, nails, and skin can vary.

Brand reputation and third-party testing

Any time you purchase supplements, it’s important to buy from a trusted source.

For an extra level of reassurance, look for vitamins that are tested by a third-party organization like USP, NSF, or ConsumerLab whenever possible. This guarantees that the product contains the types and amounts of ingredients that are listed on the bottle.

While not all the products on our recommended list are third-party certified, we aim to provide a range of options that cater to different preferences. The availability of third-party certification can depend on various factors, including the manufacturer’s commitment to rigorous testing standards and the specific certification programs applicable to the products.

Potential contraindications

Some ingredients may be unsafe if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. Additionally, some commonly used ingredients, such as horsetail may interact with some medications, so be sure to talk with a healthcare professional before adding a new supplement into your routine.

Do hair, skin, and nail vitamins help with hair growth?

There’s some research to support the use of certain ingredients for hair growth and health, such as DHA omega-3s. Deficiencies in other nutrients like B vitamins, iron, and vitamins C, and D have been linked to poor hair growth. However, there’s currently insufficient evidence to confirm the benefits of supplementing with these nutrients specifically for hair growth.

What is the best supplement to grow hair and nails?

The best supplement for hair and nail growth can vary from person to person, as individual needs and responses to supplements differ. Some commonly used ingredients, like biotin, actually lack sufficient evidence in terms of promoting hair and nail growth. However, ingredients like omega-3 DHA, collagen, and hyaluronic acid may be effective.

Nutrafol has been shown to promote hair growth in women with self-perceived hair thinning, though it’s worth noting the clinical trial was self-funded, which may be a conflict of interest.

Which hair vitamins really work?

Some ingredients commonly found in hair, skin, and nails vitamins, like collagen and hyaluronic acid, have more research to support their effectiveness than others.

Still, it’s important to keep in mind that the overall research on these supplements is limited. As a result, more robust studies are needed before we can confidently say whether hair, nails, and skin vitamins are effective.

While not all supplements are created equal, some contain ingredients that may be beneficial for your hair, skin, and nails.

With so many options to choose from, it’s important to do your research ahead of time to know which product is the best fit for you.

Especially if you’re taking other supplements or prescription medications or are pregnant or breastfeeding, be sure to talk with a healthcare professional before trying any new supplements.

Remember that supplements are not meant to replace other healthy lifestyle habits, such as eating a balanced diet, staying hydrated, managing stress levels, and getting quality sleep, all of which also contribute to healthier hair, skin, and nails.