March 28, 2024

The 7 Best Vitamins for Hair, Skin, and Nails

If you’re looking for healthier hair, stronger nails, or clearer skin, you may be wondering whether it’s worth buying a hair, skin, and nails vitamin.

Depending on its ingredients, taking one of these supplements could help strengthen your hair and nails or improve skin problems such as acne.

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.
  • Effective ingredients. We looked for products that include quality, research-backed ingredients.
  • Price. We included supplements to fit a wide range of budgets.
  • User reviews. All the vitamins on this list have mostly favorable customer reviews.

This article provides a list of the 7 best vitamins for hair, skin, and nails, as well as tips on what to look for when selecting a supplement.

Here are ingredients that are commonly found in hair, skin, and nails supplements and a brief overview of their effectiveness.

Biotin

One of the most popular ingredients found in hair, skin, and nails vitamins is biotin — a B vitamin that’s thought to help with hair and nail growth.

While evidence supports its use in individuals who have a biotin deficiency, research on its effectiveness for hair and nails in the general population is mixed (1, 2, 3).

Still, despite the lack of strong evidence, biotin is commonly found in hair, skin, and nail supplements — and often in high doses. Fortunately, even large doses of biotin have not been shown to be toxic (4, 5).

Vitamins A, D, and E

Vitamins A, D, and E are fat-soluble vitamins that are frequently found in hair, skin, and nail supplements due to their potential benefits — particularly for hair and skin.

For example, adequate intake of vitamin A helps keep your hair and skin moisturized because it boosts the production of collagen — a protein that works with elastin (another protein) to support healthy-looking hair and skin (6, 7, 8).

In fact, vitamin A deficiency is correlated with both hair and skin conditions, including dry skin and sparse hair (7, 8).

While more research is needed, vitamin A may also be helpful for people experiencing acne.

One study of 50 adults found that taking 20 mg of isotretinoin — a derivative of vitamin A that’s also known as Accutane — daily for 3 months was effective in treating moderate to severe acne (9).

As for vitamin D, research suggests there’s a potential link between acne and low levels of vitamin D.

In fact, a 2016 study found that taking 1,000 IU (25 mcg) of vitamin D daily for 2 months significantly improved acne symptoms in participants who had a vitamin D deficiency (10, 11).

Finally, vitamin E is known to have potent antioxidant effects, which research suggests may have benefits for your hair and skin.

For example, as oxidative stress caused by free radicals has been linked to hair and skin damage, it’s thought that vitamin E may help protect against these effects (12, 13).

While research is limited, studies suggest that vitamin E may also protect against UV exposure and help treat atopic dermatitis, an itchy skin condition also known as eczema (13, 14).

It’s important to note that because A, D, and E are fat-soluble vitamins, excess amounts are stored rather than excreted. As a result, these vitamins can be toxic if taken in large quantities.

Unless under the supervision of a healthcare professional, avoid consuming these vitamins in doses above the tolerable upper limit (UL).

The ULs for vitamins A, D, and E are as follows (15, 16, 17):

  • Vitamin A: 10,000 IU (3,000 mcg)
  • Vitamin D: 4,000 IU (100 mcg)
  • Vitamin E: 1,100 IU (1,000 mg)

Methlysulfonylmethane (MSM)

Methylsulfonylmethane, or MSM, is another common ingredient as a result of limited research on its benefits for skin health.

A small 2019 study with 50 female participants found that taking 400 mg of MSM, in combination with 200 mg of hyaluronic acid and 500 mg of L-carnosine, daily for 2 months significantly improved skin hydration by 15.2% and skin elasticity by 22.6% (18).

Additionally, a small 2020 study found that even a low dose of MSM improved skin elasticity and hydration. It was also effective in reducing visual signs of aging such as skin roughness and facial wrinkles (19).

Hyaluronic acid

Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance that helps maintain hydration levels in the body.

While it’s commonly found in topical skin care products, oral intake of hyaluronic acid in doses of 120–240 mg per day has been shown to help improve skin moisture, especially in individuals with dry skin (20, 21).

Similarly, topical use may also be helpful for nail health. However, research on the efficacy of oral hyaluronic acid for nails is lacking (22).

Collagen

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body.

It’s also one of the most popular supplements thanks to its role in the production of keratin — a protein that is the primary structural component of your hair, skin, and nails. Collagen also works with elastin to help keep your skin looking healthy and tight (8).

A small 2014 study found that taking 2.5–5 grams of collagen daily for 8 weeks significantly improved skin elasticity in women ages 35–55 (23).

Studies have also shown that taking collagen supplements may help reduce the signs of aging and improve skin hydration and elasticity (24, 25).

However, the supplements used in these studies also included other ingredients. More research is needed on the effectiveness of collagen supplementation on its own.

As for hair health, collagen’s antioxidant properties are thought to be protective against free radicals that can damage hair, though research confirming its effectiveness in fighting hair damage is limited (12, 26, 27).

Finally, collagen may also be helpful for your nails. A small 2017 study found that taking 2.5 grams of collagen daily for 24 weeks improved brittle nails, increased nail growth, and showed a notable decrease in the frequency of nail breaks (28).

Horsetail (silica)

Horsetail is a fern that contains silica, a powerful antioxidant that helps protect against cellular damage caused by free radicals.

As a result, horsetail’s antioxidant properties may help prevent hair damage caused by free radicals, though this effect hasn’t been confirmed in humans (12, 29).

Additional research suggests that horsetail may help reduce hair shedding and increase hair density when combined with other effective ingredients, such as biotin and vitamins A and D (30, 31, 32, 33).

However, more research is needed on the effectiveness of horsetail on its own.

Finally, while topical use of horsetail has been shown to help treat nail psoriasis — a chronic condition that can cause brittle and discolored nails — oral intake of horsetail for nail health has not been assessed (34).

As for safety, there’s currently no established toxic level of horsetail. However, diuretic effects have been observed with doses of 900 mg per day (35).

Additionally, horsetail supplements may interact with some medications, so be sure to talk with a healthcare professional before adding this supplement to your routine (36).

Best overall

Nature’s Bounty Extra Strength Hair, Skin, and Nails

Price: $$

Nature’s Bounty Extra Strength Hair, Skin, and Nails is a great option if you’re looking for a multivitamin that’s also formulated to support healthy hair, skin, and nails.

Among the many vitamins incorporated in this supplement is vitamin A, which can aid in collagen production and may help improve acne symptoms. Another potential acne fighter, vitamin D, is included in this product as well (8, 9, 10, 11).

The product also contains vitamin B12, which may be helpful for skin health.

However, while vitamin B12 deficiency is linked with various conditions, such as nail discoloration and changes in skin pigmentation, it’s unclear whether taking a vitamin B12 supplement is beneficial if your vitamin B12 levels are adequate (37).

Too much vitamin B12 can negatively affect your hair, skin, and nails, so it’s important to pay attention to any additional sources of B12, though toxicity is unlikely (38, 39).

Other notable ingredients in Nature’s Bounty Extra Strength Hair, Skin, and Nails include:

  • Para-aminobenzoic acid (PABA). Also known as vitamin B10, PABA helps absorb UVB rays associated with sunburns and DNA damage, so it’s potentially protective for your skin. PABA may also be effective in re-pigmentation of graying hair, but research is limited (40, 41, 42).
  • Horsetail. Horsetail may help protect hair from damage-causing oxidative stress and reduce hair shedding and thinning. However, it can interact with some medications, so be sure to check with your doctor first (29, 30, 31, 32, 33).
  • Hyaluronic acid. This ingredient may help boost moisture in dry skin (20, 21).
  • Collagen. This protein is important for improving skin elasticity and supporting nail health (23, 25, 28).
  • Zinc. This mineral supports collagen production in the body. Supplementing zinc may also help treat acne, especially if you don’t get enough zinc from your diet (43, 44, 45).
  • Alpha lipoic acid. This naturally occurring compound may help fight the signs of aging in your skin (46).
  • Argan oil. While more research is needed, argan oil may help improve skin elasticity (47).

This supplement from Nature’s Bounty is third-party tested, so you can trust the quality of the ingredients.

It’s also non-GMO verified and free from dairy, gluten, lactose, fish, sugar, and artificial flavors.

Plus, with more than 28,000 mostly positive reviews on Amazon, it’s easy to see why this vitamin was chosen for best overall.

For optimal results, it’s recommended to take 3 softgels daily, preferably with a meal.

Best affordable

Revly Vegan Hair, Skin, & Nails Complex

Price: $

Revly Vegan Hair, Skin, & Nails Complex contains several science-backed ingredients at an affordable price, so it’s a great choice if you’re looking to get the most bang for your buck.

The capsules are also gluten-free and vegan. Plus, unlike others on this list, the recommended dose is just 1 capsule per day.

The ingredient list is also quite comprehensive, including MSM, which may help improve the hydration and elasticity of skin, and horsetail, which may reduce shedding and help strengthen hair (18, 19, 30, 31).

Revly’s supplement also contains several ingredients that aren’t as common, such as gotu kola.

An herb used in Ayurvedic medicine, gotu kola has been shown to have potent antioxidant properties. It’s also used topically to help reduce the appearance of stretch marks, though more research is needed on the benefits of taking it orally (48, 49).

The supplement also contains green tea extract, which has been shown to be effective against hair loss and skin aging thanks to its antioxidant activity. Plus, it may help reduce redness caused by acne and keep your skin moisturized (50, 51, 52).

While the brand isn’t third-party certified, Revly claims that its supplements are third-party tested for contaminants, identity, purity, strength, and composition.

Additionally, user reviews are mostly positive and include anecdotes of hair and nail growth and improved skin.

Overall, this product is a great choice if you’re looking for effective ingredients without a high cost.

Best gummy

Olly Undeniable Beauty Hair, Skin, and Nails

Price: $$

With more than 12,000 reviews and an average 4.5-star rating, it’s easy to see why these grapefruit-flavored gummy vitamins made the list.

In addition to being certified gluten-free and third-party tested, these bright red gummies are naturally colored using sweet potato, apple, radish, cherry, blueberry, and carrot juices.

As for effective ingredients, Olly’s supplement includes vitamin C, which helps protect the skin from UV damage and stimulates collagen synthesis (53).

It also contains vitamin E, which may protect your hair from UV exposure and help treat eczema (12, 13, 14).

A unique ingredient in these gummies is keratin, which is the protein found in hair, skin, and nails. However, research on the effectiveness of taking keratin as a supplement is lacking.

Customers rave about the results they’ve experienced thanks to this supplement. They also mention that the gummies taste great, despite a slightly off-putting smell.

For best results, it’s recommended to take 2 gummies daily, or as directed by a healthcare professional.

Best vegan

Briogeo B. Well

Price: $$$

Briogeo is a hair care company that prides itself on producing high quality products free from silicones, sulfates, parabens, phthalates, DEA, and artificial dyes.

The brand’s B. Well supplement is one of the best if you’re looking for a vegan option, as it’s also cruelty-free, meaning the product wasn’t tested on animals.

The B. Well capsules are also certified gluten-free and offer several beneficial vitamins and minerals, including omega-3 fatty acids derived from ahiflower seed oil.

Specifically, the supplement contains a type of omega-3 called docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which may be effective in promoting hair growth, improving hair density, and reducing hair loss (54, 55).

Due to their potent antioxidant properties, omega-3s have also been suggested to help reduce inflammation caused by acne, though more research is needed (54, 55, 56, 57, 58).

Additionally, a small 2011 study found that adults who consumed omega-3s through flaxseed oil supplements had noticeably smoother and more hydrated skin after 12 weeks (59).

Other notable ingredients in this supplement include sodium hyaluronate, silica, zinc, vitamin C, and copper (21, 30, 44, 53, 60).

What’s more, B. Well is highly rated, with several customers noting that their hair feels stronger and looks shiner since they began taking the supplement.

One important note is that while the company claims to use high quality ingredients, Briogeo’s B. Well vitamins are not third-party certified.

Best for postpartum

Ritual Postnatal Multivitamin

Price: $$$

People who have recently given birth need plenty of nutrients to support their recovery, as well as to produce breast milk for their little one, if they choose to breastfeed.

Plus, thanks to changes in hormones, people often notice extra hair shedding during their first year postpartum (61).

In addition to helping you meet your postnatal nutritional needs, Ritual’s supplement contains ingredients that are beneficial for your hair, skin, and nails, including zinc and vitamins A, B12, C, and D (7, 8, 10, 37, 44, 53).

This postnatal vitamin also includes DHA, which may be effective in promoting hair growth, improving hair density, and reducing hair loss (54, 55, 56, 57, 58).

Furthermore, omega-3 supplements may help with perinatal depression and support infants’ brain development (62, 63, 64, 65).

Ritual’s postnatal vitamin is free of fillers and preservatives. It’s also third-party tested for quality and accuracy.

What’s more, it’s designed to be easy on the stomach, so you can take it with or without food.

Just remember that it’s important to talk with a healthcare professional before adding any new supplements to your routine, especially if you’re breastfeeding.

Best create-your-own

Persona Nutrition

Price: $$$

Persona Nutrition is a vitamin delivery service that allows you to pick and choose which supplements you want to add to your daily routine.

In addition to individual vitamins and minerals, Persona offers several nutrient blends designed to target specific concerns, including hair, skin, and nail health.

One item in particular that may be helpful is Persona’s Beauty Sleep supplement. It contains hyaluronic acid and fish collagen, both of which may help improve the hydration and elasticity of skin (20, 25).

The supplement also includes horsetail extract, which may help reduce hair shedding, and L-theanine, an amino acid that may help with sleep (31, 66).

As a complement to the Beauty Sleep supplement, Persona offers a Beauty Wake vitamin, which contains all the same ingredients, but with caffeine instead of L-theanine.

Persona also offers a specific hair, skin, and nail vitamin that contains biotin, pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), zinc, copper, and a proprietary blend of collagen, sodium hyaluronate, and flaxseed.

While Persona’s proprietary blends list ingredients, they don’t disclose the exact amount of each ingredient. As a result, if you’re sensitive to any of the ingredients listed, it’s best to avoid this supplement.

Want all three? Persona’s Beauty Within pack contains a 28-day supply of Beauty Sleep, Beauty Wake, and Hair, Skin, and Nails, as well as Borage with Saffron, which the company claims is beneficial for your complexion.

You can further customize your order by choosing to include an omega-3 supplement or collagen powder, both of which include ingredients linked to hair and skin improvements (25, 54, 55, 58).

Just keep in mind that more isn’t necessarily better when it comes to vitamins. Before taking multiple products, make sure to check the labels carefully for overlapping ingredients.

Finally, while Persona vitamins are not third-party tested, the company does perform its own extensive testing.

Best organic

mykind Organics Organic Plant Collagen Builder

Price: $$$

If you prefer a supplement that includes whole food ingredients, then you’ll want to consider Garden of Life mykind Organics Plant Collagen Builder.

The supplement is free from artificial fillers and preservatives. Instead, it’s made entirely from blended fruits, vegetables, and herbs.

It also comes with a certified organic seal, so every ingredient in the product is guaranteed organic.

Furthermore, this hair, skin, and nail vitamin is certified vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, and non-GMO verified. It’s also third-party tested, though the name of the third-party organization isn’t disclosed on Garden of Life’s website.

Notable ingredients in this supplement include zinc and vitamins A and C, all of which may help promote healthy hair and skin (6, 7, 44, 53).

It also contains green tea extract, which has been shown to have a moisturizing effect on the skin and may help reduce redness from acne (50, 51, 52).

For best results, the company recommends taking 2 Plant Collagen Builder capsules daily with food, or as directed by a healthcare professional.