Courtesy of Amazon/Sephora
Hair loss has many root causes—including stress, genetics, child birth, and more—but in addition to a well-rounded diet, the best hair growth vitamins contain a combination of ingredients, like Omega-fatty acids and vitamins, to help fortify weak or damaged hair over time. And although a hair-growth shampoo may aid with thickening, a vitamin will help with growth at the source. According to professionals, hair-growth vitamins work by supplementing the natural processes needed to bolster the hair-growth cycle and augment the deficiencies causing thinning. Here, 17 of the top hair growth vitamins and formulas experts and shoppers swear by for longer, stronger hair. And read on for more information about loss and thinning, plus, the best ingredients to look for in an effective supplement.
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BEST COLLAGEN HAIR GROWTH SUPPLEMENT
Hair Growth Supplement Viviscal
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BEST GUMMY HAIR GROWTH SUPPLEMENT
Hair Vitamins Sugarbear Vitamin Care
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EDITOR'S CHOICE
Core for Women Nutrafol
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BEST SUPPLEMENT FOR FINE HAIR
Hair Boost Vital Proteins
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BEST REVIEWED SUPPLEMENT
Manetabolism Plus Healthy Hair Vitamin The Mane Choice
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BEST COLLAGEN HAIR GROWTH SUPPLEMENT
Viviscal
Hair Growth Supplement
BEST GUMMY HAIR GROWTH SUPPLEMENT
Sugarbear Vitamin Care
Hair Vitamins
EDITOR'S CHOICE
Nutrafol
Core for Women
BEST SUPPLEMENT FOR FINE HAIR
Vital Proteins
Hair Boost
BEST REVIEWED SUPPLEMENT
The Mane Choice
Manetabolism Plus Healthy Hair Vitamin
BEST HAIR GROWTH SUPPLEMENT ON AMAZON
Hairfinity
Healthy Hair Vitamins
BEST HERBAL HAIR GROWTH SUPPLEMENT
Moon Juice
SuperHair Daily Hair Nutrition Supplement
BEST TASTING HAIR GROWTH SUPPLEMENT
OLLY
Undeniable Beauty Gummy
BEST GLUTEN FREE HAIR GROWTH SUPPLEMENT
Hum Nutrition
Hair Sweet Hair Vegan Berry Gummy Hearts
BEST BIOTIN SUPPLEMENT
Briogeo
B. Well Vegan Omegas + Biotin Supplements
BEST VEGAN SUPPLEMENT
OUAI
Thick & Full Supplements
BEST SUPPLEMENT FOR HAIR AND NAILS
Love Beauty and Planet
Berry Extraordinary Vegan Hair & Nails Supplement
BEST GROWTH SUPPLEMENTS FOR BRITTLE HAIR
Act + Acre
Plant Based Hair Capsules
BEST CUSTOMIZABLE HAIR GROWTH SUPPLEMENT
Prose
Custom Root Source
BEST HAIR GROWTH SUPPLEMENT FOR NEW MOMS
Nutrafol
Postpartum
BEST HAIR GROWTH POWDER
Vegamour
GRO WELL Hair Boost Supplement Powder + Probiotic
BEST MULTIVITAMIN HAIR GROWTH SUPPLEMENT
Ritual
Essential for Women Multivitamin (18+)
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does hair start thinning?
Grow Gorgeous Partner Trichologist Stephanie Sey tells BAZAAR.com that androgenetic (also known as male or female pattern) and telogen effluvium hair conditions are most commonly experienced, though loss often starts with general thinning. "Telogen effluvium is when you shed larger amounts of hair because your body has been shocked into moving your hair from the anagen or 'growth phase' to the 'telogen' resting phase, which causes excessive hair shedding," Sey explains. "Usually the shock can be cause by high grade fever, childbirth, surgery, or emotional distress."
Although the right growth vitamins can help mitigate hair loss with continued use, professionals advise speaking with an expert to find out the true root cause to prevent more thinning in the long run. "While someone might care about restoring their hair to its former luster and thickness, the cause of thinning ultimately determines the best method of treatment," says certified aesthetics, hair transplant, and restoration treatment physician at Eternal Hair and Esthetics Ednan Sheikh. "If a person is unsure what's causing their hair thinning, it’s best to consult an expert so they can determine the origin of hair loss and the right solution."
What ingredients should you look for in hair supplements?
Since your hair and nails are primarily made of keratin, the compound MSM (or methylsulfonylmethane) is an especially ideal ingredient to help improve the appearance and feel of hair, as it helps your body maintain it. "To help with dry skin and scalp, essential fatty acids found in avocado and oily fish, like salmon, are helpful. In vitamin form you are looking for Omega-3 rather than 6 or 9," adds Sey.
In addition to MSM and Omega-3 acids, ingredients like vitamins A, C and E, saw palmetto, ashwagandha, hydrolyzed collagen, biotin, keratin, and magnesium can also be helpful in the regrowth process. While some vitamins can be useful to those in need of extra nutrients to encourage scalp health and hair growth, professionals advise that your body will naturally eliminate excess nutrients it doesn't actually need. "Vitamins usually only work if there is a deficiency in the first instance," says Sey. "If the body is balanced, then those surplus vitamins are not useful, and in the case of water soluble vitamins like biotin the excess comes out in your urine. Ideally, it is best to get your vitamins from your food."