The best hair growth vitamins contain a blend of ingredients, like Omega-fatty acids and saw palmetto, to combat volume and strand loss caused by stress and genetics.
In addition to a well-rounded diet, these supplements aim to help fortify weak, damaged hair from the inside out. "Our scalps and strands have independent biological makeup and daily stressors, requiring an individualized approach," board-certified dermatologist Chesahna Kindred previously told Bazaar. And while hair growth shampoos and scalp oils stimulate hair at the surface, ingesting a vitamin provides your body with the right nutrient balance for optimal growth.
Shop the Best Hair Growth Vitamins
Professional trichologist and Grow Gorgeous partner Stephanie Sey adds that vitamins usually only work if there's a deficiency in the first place. "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. If I had to recommend a key ingredient for overall hair health, I would say Vitamin D," she advises. "Most people are deficient, and it's important for many vital functions within the body."
To help you narrow down a new nutrition staple, we've rounded up the best hair growth vitamins shoppers and experts love to increase thickness and growth.
Related: The Best Eyebrow Growth Serums That Really Work
Pros
Tastes great
Cons
May not be ideal for those who prefer traditional vitamins
"Studies show that gummy forms of vitamins are absorbed and utilized as well as traditional vitamins," board-certified dermatologist, hair loss expert, and ReTress founder Candace Spann says. After eating these vegan berry-flavored gummies for up to eight weeks, you can expect a noticeable difference in the health and strength of your hair.
Key ingredients: Biotin, vitamin B12, zinc, folic acid
One satisfied customer writes: "I have been using these gummies for over five months and I have noticed a major difference in my hair growth. My hair is growing faster and fuller. I highly recommend this product because it works." —Andrea W.
Pros
Provides digestive health support
Cons
May not be ideal for those who prefer traditional vitamins
Since they taste so good, you might be tempted to eat these gummy supplements from Tula like candy. But they work best to strengthen hair, skin, and nails when taken twice daily with your favorite meals.
Key ingredients: Cane sugar, purified water, fractionated coconut oil, glucose syrup (Gmo-free maize)
One satisfied customer writes: "The gummies taste great! My hair and nails are growing. The gummies are so worth it." —Myla N.
Pros
Gluten- and dairy-free
Cons
Size of vitamins may be larger than others
This supplement helps manage stress and hormones, which can ultimately contribute to hair loss. It features vitamins B12 and B6 to reduce hair shedding while boosting shine and promoting thicker growth from the inside out.
Key ingredients: Vitamin B6, vitamin B12, pea shoot extract powder, biotin, hyaluronic acid
One satisfied customer writes: "So far I love them! I went to a new hair stylist in January of this year and she was nervous to bleach my hair because it was broken and fragile. I started taking the Healthy Hair supplements about a month ago and thought I noticed a difference but wasn't sure. I went back to the salon yesterday and my stylist randomly said, 'Wow! Your hair looks and feels so much healthier!" —Brooke
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Best Adaptogen Hair Growth Supplement
The Nue Co. Growth Phase
Pros
Works in 90 days to strengthen and grow hair
Cons
Must take three capsules daily with food
The Nue Co.'s Growth Phase hair vitamins are made to reduce hair loss, breakage, and thinning within 90 days. The supplements also help balance nutritional deficiencies in your body using a combination of vitamins, proteins and adaptogens, as an added bonus.
Key ingredients: Biovabio, biotin, thiamin, folate, reishi mushroom
One satisfied customer writes: "This is a fantastic product. My hair has already begun to look and feel much better. It’s stronger and longer. Even my hairdresser has commented on the difference in the condition of my hair. There’s a bouncy healthy glow to my hair now. I intend to keep taking this supplement. It works!" —Sheila F.
Pros
Works in three months to combat hair loss
Cons
Some reviewers say results can take a while to notice
There's a reason you'll find these Skincare Award-winning tablets in the possession of star stylists and A-list celebrities like Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, and Gwyneth Paltrow. Their blend of deep-sea fish proteins, horsetail extract, and vitamin C aims to reduce shedding after three months of consistent use. "Hair growth supplements should be taken daily, as hair grows in a cycle and follicles are constantly in need of nourishment," Spann adds.
Key ingredients: Biotin, zinc, vitamin C, iron, niacin
One satisfied customer writes: "I've been using Viviscal for about a year and my hair is thicker and grows a lot faster than it was! Two different hairdressers have asked what I've done to make a difference so they could pass it on to other customers!!" —Maui33
Pros
May also help increase lash and brow growth
Cons
Size of vitamins may be larger than others
In a sea of powders, gummies, pills, and shots promising thicker and fuller hair, Nutrafol is one of the few hair growth products that delivers. Be patient: It may take up to six months to see noticeable results, and you’ll need to keep taking it to maintain your new hair growth. It works by fighting off inflammation and free radicals that impair follicle function. Vitamin E, keratin, marine-based collagen, and hyaluronic acid speed up growth, promote absorption of hair-boosting nutrients and add oomph from the inside out.
Key ingredients: Saw palmetto, kelp minerals, horsetail, keratin, vitamins A, C, D, E
One satisfied customer writes: "A godsend! Been using since June and I now have so many baby hairs coming in. Even my hairstylist has noticed my baby hairs and she even said my hair “feels stronger!” Yayyy! Can’t wait to see results a year from now!" —bexter2302
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Pros
Viral on TikTok
Cons
May not be ideal for those who prefer traditional vitamins
These little blue vegan chews are filled with biotin, folic acid, coconut oil, and vitamin C, and have gotten the stamp of approval from beauty mavens all over the internet. Cruising the before-and-afters on Instagram is more than enough to inspire us to pop a couple of these tiny bears a day.
Key ingredients: Vitamins A, D, E, B6, B12, and C, folic acid, biotin, zinc, iodine, pantothenic acid
One satisfied customer writes: "I'm so happy to see that Ulta.com carries Sugarbear Hair! I've been using these for over a year and my hair has never been healthier! I have very fine hair and I've noticed my hair to be fuller as well as shinier and breaks less often. Not to mention these little bears taste amazing! Its hard to believe they are a vitamin." —Anonymous
Pros
Taste great
Cons
Not ideal for those who don't like the taste of strawberry
Vegamour's coveted hair essentials come supermodel-approved, and these strawberry-flavored supplements are no exception. Eating one vegan gummy per day can help encourage keratin and collagen production, with visible results after three months of consistent use.
Key ingredients: Vitamins A, B5, C, E, 6 and 12
One satisfied customer writes: "I am truly shocked by the results I got within only one month. After I had my son, I had a lot of hair loss and hormonal imbalances caused even further hair loss. I came across Vegamour and figured I would give it a try. The gummies are delicious! I also use the serum and shampoo. I feel so blessed to have found these products. Thank you!" —Kimberly G.
Pros
Formulated by a physician
Cons
Must take with food
Over 600 Sally Beauty customers swear by these popular hair growth supplements. They're packed with nutrients like vitamins A, C, D3, E, and K1 to encourage thicker hair and stronger nails while boosting the immune system and overall health of the body.
Key ingredients: Vitamins A, C, D3, E, and K1, riboflavin, thiamin
One satisfied customer writes: "I purchase this every month for myself and my daughter. It has helped with our thinning hair. We both have a problem with psoriasis and that is what attacks our scalp. We believe that this is helping our hair quite a bit." —Karen W.
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Pros
Plant-derived
Results noticeable after two months
Cons
Some reviewers say pills have a strong smell
It's no secret that the maintenance experts at Briogeo know a thing or two about hair growth, which is why these top-rated supplements are a hit among shoppers. The vegan tablets blend ingredients like biotin and omegas 3, 6, and 9 to help fortify hair from the inside out.
Key ingredients: Omega 3, 6, and 9, fatty acids, biotin
One satisfied customer writes: "This stuff has been an amazing success! I have always struggled with my hair due to thyroid issues and PCOS, I have taken biotin supplements and they help it grow but my hair would still dump! 2 months in on this, and no more hair dumping! My hair is growing great and not falling out anymore!" —Helene
Pros
OBGYN-developed
Cons
Size of vitamins may be larger than others
These Nutrafol supplements are made with new mothers in mind. It aims to target the direct causes of postpartum hair thinning, including physical and emotional stress, hormonal changes, and lack of nutrients, to help hair grow back fuller over time. As a bonus, the daily supplements are also safe for breastfeeding.
"Nutrafol is excellent because it is clinically proven to support hair growth by targeting five root causes of hair loss including hormones, stress, environment, metabolism, and nutrition," Ednan Sheikh, certified aesthetics, hair transplant, and restoration treatment physician at Eternal Hair and Esthetics says. "It reduces oxidative stress which contributes to hair loss, as well as levels of cortisol, the primary stress hormone whose presence causes hair follicles to rest rather than grow."
Key ingredients: Pea sprout extract, sea buckthorn, vitamins A, C, D, B1, B2, B3, B5, DHA Omega 3s
Pros
Contains ashwagandha to help balance stress hormones
Cons
Size of vitamins may be larger than others
These coveted supplements from Moon Juice are created to help control cortisol (the stress hormone), thanks to adaptogens like ashwagandha and ginseng. They also feature a bevy of vitamins, minerals, and micronutrients needed to support continuous hair growth.
Key ingredients: Vitamins A, C, D3, E, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12, iodine, kelp powder
One satisfied customer writes: "I’m really happy with how my hair is look ever since buying this product! It's only been 2 months and I have definitely been seeing growth and less breakage. Definitely recommend to anyone who's looking for supplements that help with hair loss :)" —Keiley T.
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Pros
Available in up to a six-month supply
Cons
Size of vitamins may be larger than others
Over 12,500 Amazon customers are raving about these supplements, which complement your regular diet while providing your body with added nutrients for healthy hair. These supplements also feature a blend of vitamins and MSM, which creates an optimal environment for new hair growth to thrive.
Key ingredients: Vitamin B7
One satisfied customer writes: "These pills actually work if you take them daily as recommended. Easy to swallow and a good value." —Roz L.
Pros
Eco-friendly
Free of synthetic additives
Cons
May not be ideal for those who prefer gummy vitamins
Just like the rest of Prose's offerings, their growth supplements are designed to suit your specific hair needs. They use a two-step process that rebalances the scalp and stimulates the hair bulb to encourage growth and reduce shedding.
Key ingredients may include: Horsetail extract, zinc, turmeric extract, vitamin B complex, spirulina
Meet the Experts
- Board-certified dermatologist Chesahna Kindred is a researcher, published author, and national speaker, as well as the founder and president of the Onyx Medical Society.
- Grow Gorgeous partner trichologist Stephanie Sey is a professional trichologist and afro hair specialist.
- Ednan Sheikh is a physician certified in aesthetics, as well as hair transplant and restoration treatments.
- Dr. Candace Spann is a board-certified dermatologist, hair loss specialist, and the founder of ReTress.
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Why does hair start thinning?
Sey explains 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," she explains. "Usually the shock can be caused by high-grade fever, childbirth, surgery, or emotional distress."
What are some of the best ingredients for hair growth?
- MSM. 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.
- Essential fatty acids. "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," Sey says.
- Vitamins A, C, D, and E. 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.
What else can be done to combat hair loss?
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," Sheikh notes.
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